Purchased new MINI 11 months ago. Non turbo, sport package and 6 speed.

Car makes audible "clink" when engaging clutch from a stand still.Seems to be getting louder over time. Also, notice it when shifting under way at times.

I think this is the "hill holder" releasing. Any experience out there? Any way to quiet it down or to disable this function. Seems really cheesy for an otherwise pretty refined automobile.

 

Can you take a video safely and post it, or ask the dealer? How loud is a "clnk". Some noises are normal, but newly developed noises may not be. Hill hold should be fairly quiet and seamless as it's just the brakes holding you. Is it louder than say a standard relay that would click? Could be the switch to indicate the clutch is being pressed (like a brake switch does for lights).

 

Hill hold, as said, should be the brakes.

The sound you describe, especially since it happens while you're driving and not stopped, is very unlikely to be related to the brakes or the hill hold mechanism. I'm guessing it's in the clutch--either the pedal and linkage, or maybe the clutch disk.

Hopefully not the clutch disk...

In one of my previous cars, I used to hear a high-pitched metallic noise I called a "skeep" while letting out the clutch. It turned out that one of the springs in the disk had come loose, and the noise was it rubbing on the flywheel. Fortunately I had it changed before it did much damage.

Do you feel anything through the pedal when the noise occurs?