BMW has done a pretty good job fixing issues with BMW's (i.e. E46 subframe, E9X 335i FP) will they make the known clutch problem right? I keep thinking the clubman would be a good replacement for my Jeep and BMW but I just can't get past this problem. I've been looking and it seems like the problem is well known but haven't found anything about them fixing it

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/10/m...sue-plans-fix/

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...his-month.html

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...addressed.html

 

Too early to tell. Since the parts were updated fro 2013 it sounds like they are past denial stage but don't think we are at the "make it right" stage quite yet.

 

If you're wondering if anybody here as insight as to what MINI is going to do - we don't.

You mention the Clubman - the Clubman isn't impacted.

If you're looking to buy a new Countryman, new CM's have had modifications made to the clutch - is it better? The changes haven't been in place long enough for anybody to know.

Looking used? It's unclear if the adjusted clutch is getting installed when a warranty repair is needed...

 

My local dealer says I shouldn't count on it!

 

This has been beat to death, buy a countryman and find out.

Clubmans are not affected? If u don't know how to drive a stick, any manual you buy is affected.

 

If you don't know how to drive a stick - there's not a problem with the car and there's nothing that MINI is going to do the clutch that is going to change that...

 

Definitely used. I'm looking to consolidate two vehicles into one and I'd like to do it without financing. The Countryman seems like it would give me some of the fun of my 330i with some of the snowy road ability of my Jeep.

One problem I have is that there is no local dealer.

I'm pretty good with a stick. My Jeep has 80K on it with a lot of off road miles and between my wife and I we've had 7 cars with standard transmissions. The only one I've had to replace is the clutch in my Toyota truck at 150,000 miles. I bought the truck with 100,000 though


I know BMW has made similar issues right in the past, just hoping they would do the same with Mini or is BMW not in charge when it comes to issues like this with Mini

 

Bottom line - there is nothing to indicate that MINI has any intention of issuing a recall or bulletin to address the issue, and there are mixed messages here as to what is being installed for warranty claims on the issue. Some are getting the revised clutch, some aren't, and some aren't sure...

But also remember, the issues only appear to be affecting the 2011/2012 ALL4s, if you're not looking at an ALL4 then the clutch issues that have been reported on won't impact you (theoretically as the revised clutch hasn't been around long enough for anybody to know if it's the fix)

However, I wouldn't buy a late model ALL4 with the hope that MINI is going to address the issue.

You're looking at a used vehicle that's only a year or told old... Why did the owner trade it in? What if any of the original warranty is left? Those who have had clutch issues have pursued resolution under the factory warranty... I would hope that the 50,000 mile warranty hasn't been chewed up in 2 years...

 

Or, you could buy an automatic......same number of gears, and paddle shifters included!

No clutch worries.........ever.

 

Will CM S (Not ALL4) have this clutch issue? The weight is not too much different from ALL4. My CM S 2012 manual recently has a couple intermittent clutch slipper and noise problem. It occurs mostly when I use Sport mode/accelerate aggressively/Uphill acceleration. Does any CM S owner ever has this issue? Since this issue is intermittent, I am not sure I can demonstrate to the dealer and let them to fix it for me.

 

^^^ I've only ever read about All4 issues. If you search for clutch within Coutryman talk lots of info should come back.

 

Just wanted to put this out there, i'm pretty confident that MINI will honor any issues with your ride under warranty.

I had the clutch issues people are talking about with the CMSAll4. Took it in to have the clutch physically check because of lack of engagement feel, smelly, difficulty getting going from 1st gear and on hills. The dealer found the issues I complained about with my clutch and replaced the clutch with zero cost and the new clutch is like butter, it's smooth. 1st gear is no longer an issue...

 

Unfortunately, there are already people here who have reported that their dealer WOULD NOT replace it under warranty! One of which was reported from one of the two local dealers here in CO!

 

Most manufactures consider things like clutch and brakes to be normal wear items and will not replace them under warranty. I would think if there is a large enough percentage of owners experiencing this problem they would have to fix it. I think BMW was suied buy the owners to get the fuel pump and sub frame issue fixed.

 

Except many more CMS ALL4s are automatics than manuals. So the overall percentage of CM impact by the problem is probably rather small compared to overall CM sales. So you can't assume that there will be a fix rolled out to the late model CMS.

If this was a safety issue it would be one thing - but it's not so the pressure to retrofit anything for the older vehicles isn't that great...

 

That would seem to make it more likely that MINI would do a fix for current clutch owners that had any issues, since fewer people having replacements means it's not as expensive all around.

 

On the other hand - it makes it harder to hit a critical mass that's large enough to get MINI's attention...

 

Fenton has just returned from having his (not worn out) 2011 clutch replaced with a '2013' as an experiment to see if it solves the long-reported problems with CM4. Not broken in yet, but early results look good...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3689582

 

I just purchased a Countryman S All4. The dealer told me that I have a 30,000 bumper to bumper warranty including 1 clutch replacement if it is needed. I sure hope they addressed the 2011/12 issue in the 2013 model. I have never had to have a clutch replaced in any of my manual transmission vehicles. Been awhile since I had one in a car, but its like riding a bike, once you know how you don't lose it.

Willie

 

Unless you bought your CM with 20,000 miles on it, your warranty is 4 years 50k...

 

Is this new for 2013's? My Brand new (ordered) 2012 only came with 3y-36K.

 

There are multiple layers of warranty. There is the initial Maintence warranty that is 3 years / 36,000 which would cover the Clutch

Then there is the 4 yr / 50,000 mile warranty which I believe is on the drivetrain

Then there is the 12 yr rust thru warranty

At least that is my understanding of this.

Willie

 

So even if I picked up a 2011 I would still be covered under the 36k mile maintenance warranty right?

 

The 4 yr/50k warranty applies to almost the entire car (excluding tires and a few other items). The 3 year/36k maintenance coverage is for scheduled maintenance as outlined in your manual (oil changes, fluids, etc.). It is not a warranty and does not apply to the clutch. None of this is new and applies to all Minis for all years.

There is also a separate emissions warranty which varies by state.