When I had my 2011 CMS All4, there were folks expressing various levels of concern re clutch failures with various CM models. Failures that were NOT addressed appropriately by Mini, as far as those dealing with them were concerned. (Owners feeling as though clutches were failing prematurely - not due to anything on their part, but Mini was refusing to treat these as warranty issues, regardless.)

These were occurring such that they were making diehard standard-transmission advocates thinking that this could be a reason to consider the proverbial "slushbox"!

Does that kind of concern still exist? Are people possibly considering going to an automatic because clutches with the six-speed manuals have some inherent problems?

The main reason I got rid of my CMS All4 was the awful clutch - something that has sort of been recognized by Mini, given that they've redesigned the manual setup. I think this was with the 2013 model CM.

In my case, I'm thinking of coming back to the fold with a JCW Paceman now - as slick as that 6-speed manual gearbox is, do folks have fears that the clutches in them have durability problems? Enough to make them consider an automatic, instead?

Curious as to what folks think! Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

I can't answer your question directly. I have a manual ordered right now. I did some researching before ordering and felt comfortable with the manual. It does seem that MINI has corrected the problem. Then again maybe they haven't sold enough to get good feedback. I am hoping there are no more issues!!

 

I've heard the same thing. I had also test-driven a Countryman All4 manual back when it was first introduced and found the clutch to feel really wimpy and soft. There was so little resistance that you had virtually no feedback -- I didn't like it at all and actually found the auto to be more fun to drive because of it. The clutch in the Paceman still feels softer than the one in the '10 MCS, but much more substantial than what I drove in the Countryman, which leads me to believe they've reworked it somewhere somehow.

 

Does anyone know if the automatics in the Paceman S are the same as those in the JCW Paceman? Haven't driven a Paceman S or JCW automatic.

 

Before ordering my JCW CM, I test drove back-to-back an ALL4 S and a JCW. Very different clutch feel. The ALL4 s feels like there is nothing connected to the pedal. The JCW one feels a lot more like my 09 Clubman S felt

 

I really like my JCW PM clutch. It is softer than my JCW Coupe clutch was but by no means does it feel whimpy. It's certainly fast as hell to manipulate. The car only has about 3500 miles on it though so only time will tell. Hopefully MINI has corrected whatever trouble there was.