I just busted a S/C belt and took it to dealership in Monrovia, they also told me that they are going to replace clutch cause it is a service bullitin. Glad they did it cause I almost got 36k miles on it (175miles to go) GP owners get your clutch replaced before 36k miles.

 

howsoonisnow
Would it be possible for you to find out what the service bulletin number is so I can check with my dealer.
Thanks, Steve

 

ME TOO!

I just got my 26k service. I was getting a squealing noise from the clutch from a stop. They removed the tranny and found the flywheel loose on the output shaft causing the noise. Also found the clutch disc to be loose on shaft. They replaced clutch and flywheel which fixed the problem.

When I got GP1292 I paid the extra $ for the extended warranty (48 months / 50k miles) so I have another 24k miles or until Nov 2010 to go!!!

I have also had issues with the finish on the silver door panels cracking of sorts. I've had practically all of them replaced under warranty.

Another item is the pax seat airbag sensor. It has gone wacko two times. In order to replace that the entire seat bottom has to be replaced. That has been done once and now it will be done again. We don't know why the sensor keeps going. They have also replaced an EM(?) module (last time the air bag sensor went crazy).

Also some retaining clips on the driver side rocker panel trim piece had broken.

While it was in for servce they found the oil pan gasket leaking profusely..replaced it!

They found power steering fan was seized and replaced it! I did not even know there was a problem!

All issues I've ever have been fixed....everything has been covered under warranty and I still LOVE TO DRIVE GP1292 everyday. The MINI warranty is great and so is my service team at Ralph Schomp MINI. THEY ROCK !!!!!!

 

OK I pick up on Tuesday and I will find out Service Bullet number. Now they are also changing harmony balancer, the culprit of belt wear they said. I think I am gonna purchase the extended plan, its like $1999. I figure one major service and a brake job (rotors) will cover the cost of it.

 

I just had my clutch replace in GP1996.. 21k miles.. also had a water pump leak fixed. all is good again .. now ready for Vegas,, but not in GP this time. Its the Clubmans turn this year!

 

howsoonisnow1985,
Was your clutch making any noise or not working correctly when you took your car in for service? Or did the dealership just decide to replace the clutch as a precaution?

 

quikmni

Took (towed) it in cause of the busted belt, but since I was there, I mentioned to them that clutch occassionally made a screeching sound and pedal was a little squeeky. (but it worked correctly) They called me and said car will not be ready friday, but til monday or tuesday cause they were replacing enitre clutch.

 

The clutches in the MINI are of very spotty reliability. My 2005 R53 S has had 2 clutch kits replaced under warranty, no questions asked.

I have the TSB # at home for those of you interested. It deals mostly with the defective dual mass flywheel on earlier build MINIs that tends to glaze, thus creating the infamous "Chewbacca" noise when going out of 1st gear.

MINI recommends not only replacing the DM Flywheel with the updated part numbers (It ends in 804) but also replacing the entire clutch kit and the engine to transmission mounting dowels.

My clutch was last replaced in December (3K miles ago) and it is night and day difference from the original factory clutch and replacement clutch #1. I have the updated flywheel and it engages so much better and smoother.

MINI is handling these clutch replacements on a "Customer complaint" basis, so don't wait for it to get any worse.

 

That so funny cause it did sound like "Chewbacca"