I just picked my 08 MCS from the dealership were they installed a new Flywheel and Clutch Kit. ($1,143.00 after Goodwill) I am very please . The vehicle now shift as smooth as Butter.

My question is I have read a Ton of threads about premature clutch wear. Of course Mini USA refuses to acknowledge there is an issue with the Dual Mass Flywheel failing and causing the Clutch to burn up in a matter of moments. They immediately attribute it to the driver operation prior to even opening up the tranny and looking at the clutch!

I planned on trading my Mini when I picked it up today, but it drives so nice I am getting second thoughts.

I thought about purchasing a 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 with less then 10,000 miles for around $19,000.00. It will of course have about 2 years and 26,000 miles left on the factory bumper to bumper warranty.

I of course like my Mini much better, but I need a reliable vehicle that doesn't cost $4,000.00 to change a Clutch!

Should I keep my Mini and purchase an extended warranty ( I think around $2,500.00) or take my losses and buy the Mazdaspeed 3.

Thanks in advance AXO.

 

Why were you going to trade it? Because of the clutch? And if you were trading the car, what would you replace it with?

 

Here is a link to the car.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

 

 

How many miles were on the clutch you just had replaced? Is there any reason to believe that short clutch life is going to be an ongoing issue with your car? We have 60k on one of our MINIs, and 82k on the other, with no clutch problems (and very few problems overall), so I wouldn't be inclined to get rid of the car you like just on speculation.

 

I had 46,000. I am the second owner, so I have no clue how the previous driver drove it. I have read of clutches going out with only 10,000 miles on basically a brand new vehicle. The owner was respondsible for the cost of replacement even though the vehicle is still under warranty. Someone posted that they have gone through three clutches in 39,000 miles. He stated if it goes out once it will definately go out prematurely again. This why I am skittish. The dealer quoted me $4,000 for the replacement of the flywheel and clutch. This is not covered by warranty as it is a wear and tear item. I was lucky to get a goodwill discount of $2,900.00. I am sure that if this occurs again I will not be so lucky......

 

Well, if it happens again, you know better than to go back to the dealership for out-of-warranty repairs.

I'm not sure how much I believe the claim that one early failure means it'll do it again and again. If your car is "eating" clutches for some reason, then that just means there's something the dealer missed the first time, in either the diagnosis or repair.

And I'm not out to insult anyone, but if someone has gone through three clutches in fewer than 40k miles, I would have to at least give some consideration to the nut behind the steering wheel as being a potential cause...

I've only owned one vehicle with an automatic transmission since 1986, and I don't think I've ever gotten fewer than 100,000 miles out of a clutch. That's why I wouldn't trade away a car I love just because the clutch *might* go out early.

 

If the clutch goes out and the flywheel and pressure plate are not replaced when the clutch disk is, there is a possibility that the new clutch will wear out faster because of damage to the existing parts. Or excessive wear. Sometimes the new clutch disk will wear much faster.

That is why you always replace the pressure plate when you replace the clutch, and why you either replace the flywheel or have it "turned" or at least examined very very thoroughly when you replace the clutch disk. And there is usually a large "while-you're-in-there" list with clutches, because it's a lot of work to take everything apart far enough to get the clutch out, so you do whatever you can to make sure you don't have to do it again soon.

AXO, you said the clutch and flywheel were replaced. If that was done, there is absolutely zero reason to expect that your new clutch will wear out prematurely.

...And of course, you're asking a MINI board if you should get rid of your MINI. What sort of answer do you expect?

 

I thought of a MS3 before too but after driving it, it's such a soul-less car.

If it was me, I would have told the dealer to open up the transmission and show me my clutch before charging me for a new one. That way you would be able to tell if it was user or mechanical error.

 

This was discussed in your previous thread. It should not cost $4k to change the clutch, nor do you have to do it at a dealer. I'd be willing to bet the dealer threw out the $4k to see if you'd bite, as I'm sure a lot of folks cry over it and just pay it. You got them to come down which was good. However, as several folks have said on your other thread and here, take your car to a reputable mechanic who specializes in Euro vehicles.

If you want to get rid of the car, that's your decision, and many others have gone that route as well. Having peace of mind is a big thing. However, you need to also be aware that you have other options as well. Weigh those options and figure out what is important to you at this time.

 

Also, here's a good link of euro mechanics as a good place to start looking. You should be able to find one in your area.

http://soopercooperinfo.com/lindaminiinfo.html

I would find one and just call them and ask off hand what a clutch replacement costs from them.

 

I am going to keep my baby. Thank you everyone for your responses. Everyone made valid points. I am going to keep the Mini. I don't want to settle for something I won't ultimately enjoy

Thanks AXO

 

I wouldn't take a loss on the MINI just to buy a MS3. Your new clutch will probably be just fine for years now. If it dies a quick death, you still have the MINI parts warranty.

And it was discussed in your other thread, the original quote you received was crazy expensive and would be cheaper elsewhere.

Good luck and I hope you keep the MINI


Edit: Looked at the MS3 for sale ad... Yuck. I don't like the newer MS3 look and it is especially questionable with the black and red wheels.

 

Yay! I was absolutely sick reading about my Mini on the local board from the previous owner all the problems he had with it. He traded it in on something else with the same thinking you had. I had to come to realize, Hey, he fixed darn near everything that goes wrong with these cars, so this one should be good to go!

Well, except the clutch.

 

You could always sell your MINI, and buy another one! With less miles! That is what I did. Sold my 2002 with 78K on it and picked up an 2006 with 23K on it.

 

I've only had my 08 for about 14 months. It is a blast to drive. I think I will drive awhile longer....

 

After all this, you either need to post up some pics or put some in your gallery for us to oogle.

 

 

 

Wonder how much it costs to change the clutch on a MazdaSpeed 3?

A moot question, since (laudably) you've opted to keep your MINI which, by the way, looks superb.



Spridget

 

While I'm not a fan of silver, with the wheels, stripes and tint, that is a sharp car sir. Very nice and looks like a definite keeper.

 

Thanks for the compliments. I changed up the bonnet stripes a little. I added red to the white outline of the stripes... It took me about 15 minutes and cost about $6.00.

 

 

I am proud of her.