I have a 2005 mini with a few comfort options, but no performance upgrades. Manual transmission. When I start the car in the morning, after I let the clutch back out in neutral, the transmission/clutch makes a sound that resembles a helicopter hovering in the distance. It makes a loud "flutter" sound that goes away when I press in the clutch in neutral, but comes back immediately when I let it out again. Sounds like a loud clatter sometimes. Clutch chatters on take off until car is warmed up. Doesn't feel like a bad throw-out bearing. Shifts fine.

Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Hi!

I have the helicopter sound when it's standing still, it's something to do with the dual mass flywheel needing to be replaced. It is quick expensive at over 2000 bucks!

Sometimes you will get a "chewbacca" type squeek when starting in 1st gear. I get that when it's cold or damp outside usually. You can read more about it here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nt-squeak.html

and heres one with a video in it

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ith-video.html

 

I have the same noise on my '05 with 40k miles.
Dealer said it's a throwout bearing that needs to
be replaced. Said $1100. But no reason to replace it
if it still works as long as you can tolerate the sound
until the car is warmed up. Said it'll cost the same now
while it's working or if/when it goes bad.... noise is a
bit annoying at first but as long as I know it won't
destroy the transmission I'll leave it be til it needs to
be replaced.

 

Nope, not the TO bearing, but the dual mass flywheel. Do a search--there's lots of info on it, but the short story is that your flywheel is not doing what it was designed to do, and causing the above mentioned noises. There good news and bad news: the good news is that it's not doing anything to accelerate damage to your car, and you will be able to drive it as it is for quite a while without failure. The bad news is that it's expensive to fix. The parts will run you at least $800, and the labor will cost you more than $800 (Helix flat rates that labor at $850--your dealer will be more).

 

I read the above link and subsequent video... that's exactly what my car does too. Interesting to learn these facts.
I'm just going to keep driving it til Spring then upgrade to a MCS

 

Is this something a DIYer could tackle? I've replaced brakes, suspension, alternators, belts and stuff before, did a head gasket, etc. etc. Just wondering if I could attempt to replace the flywheel? Is there anything online to help out?

 

I wouldnt say doing a clutch on one of these cars is hard... just involved. There is a lot of junk that you have to remove from the car before you can drop the transmission and replace the clutch.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-overview.html

 

Wow. Thanks for posting that link. A part of me wants to do it haha.

 

Wow GOD DAMMIT. I jinxed myself... I was like "yeah thank god i dont have this flutter"

then earlier today im parked and i hear a very subtle helicopter... FUUUUUUUUUUUUU

 

This would not be a rewarding job for the DIYer. You have to remove more than 100 bolts and parts, some of which are a PITA to get at. I'm sure that there are weekend warriors that can do the job, but they're going to end up struggling mightily. The reward to effort quotient will not be good. There are other projects that I would recommend instead, like installing intakes, BPVs, even rear swaybars.