Hi all,

New to mini's but I drove a 2010 r56 and the clutch effort was surprisingly comfortable. I'm sensitive to this since I would use the mini for daily driving sometimes in traffic. I had heard that r53's required more effort and were a bit stiffer, but wanted to confirm with the forum. Are the r53's really that much harder to use the clutch than the r56? Was there a definite change with the r56 vs r53?

Thanks!

 

Unfortunately yes, my R53 clutch is so stiff my ankle gets sore after a while,

A forum search indicates that as miles accrue on the clutch the stiffer it gets, though I don't understand that.

The stiffness comes from the pressure plate springs and they should become weaker as they fatigue.

Also some R53's with replacement clutches are significantly softer so it sounds like it's just original clutches.

 

Unfortunately yes, my R53 clutch is so stiff my ankle gets sore after a while,

A forum search indicates that as miles accrue on the clutch the stiffer it gets, though I don't understand that.

The stiffness comes from the pressure plate springs and they should become weaker as they fatigue.

Also some R53's with replacement clutches are significantly softer so it sounds like it's just original clutches.

 

Stiff? I don't think that it is any stiffer than most other cars I have driven. However, my replacement clutch has been a bit softer on my R53. having driven both R56 and R53, the R53 is a heavier clutch but not that much.

 

Anybody complaing of a stiff r53 clutch must have an upgraded performance clutch...
Stock clutch, which is the best choice for 90% of folks, is pretty light.

 

My R53 stock clutch is great. In addition, my ankles never, "Get Sore"!

 

The R53 clutch is much heavier. That was the main reason we upgraded from the R53 to an R56, I couldn't get used to swapping between the R53 and the first R56. The R56s from 2010 on are even lighter initially.

 

Thank for the insight, seems that r53 are in fact at least a bit heavier. I'll try to test drive one to get an idea for myself.

 

FWIW, the R53 clutch is a bit heavier than the R50. I found the R53 clutch to be pretty heavy (even more so than my dad's 2002 Z06)

 

My 1st 2006 R53 had a pretty heavy clutch. I was really surprised by it. My current 2006 R53 has a much lighter clutch though. Both of them had about the same mileage ~31,000. Not sure why the difference.

 

Yes, there was a definite change. They do not use the same clutch. Different effort and engagement point. Then there was one more update during the R56, I believe at the 2011 refresh.

 

Thanks all for the info, now just have to find one locally to make up my mind. Its a shame because the 05/06's are much easier to find used than the r56's, not to mention price.