My clutch has what I think is a glazed flywheel, from what I have gathered here at NAM. At first it happened very infrequently. Then it went away for a long time. Then it happened more frequently. Then it went away again.

In the past it was just the first launch of the day and maybe the second that it would squeal ...now it does it (on some days) four or five times.

The clutch is working just fine and I feel no difference.

When is it time to worry about this?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dean.

 

It is quite odd how it comes and goes. I wonder if it's temperature/humidity dependent?

Quirkiest car I've ever owned.

 

I'm fighting witht he whole replace the clutch ordeal myself... noises make me nervous. I'm afraid my throwout is going to go as it's now making the typical chug-chug chug sound with the clutch all the way out. My opinion... get it looked at

 

I would worry about it now that it is covered under warranty. I had the same squeal and it was the dual mass flywheel. One dealer wouldn't cover it but I was lucky as another knew the problem and replaced the Dual-mass flywheel on their dime. If you have to pay it can be as much as $1600.

That said it doesn't affect the functionality of the clutch at all only making that really annoying sound. But you should have it replaced while they pay.

Rich

 

Thanks everyone.

Sorry for the slow reply. I made my post and then went away for a few days.

Xymox: At first I thought it was humidity dependant ...not so much any more.

I will definitely get it looked at, probably at the next service if it is just a noise and not an issue. I have a lot of warranty time/miles left.

Dean.

 

I have 30K on mine and same issue. Very infrequent and ususally first thing in the morning...more so on an incline. Have a buddy that has the issue too. Clutch is fine...just annoying sound. Will mention it at my next inspection in 3K miles.

 

Yep, sounds like the dual mass flywheel to me. Good advice to replace on MINI's dime while you can. Ours has been replaced once and needs to be done again. The first time it happens outside of warranty and MINI won't fix it, will the be the day I break looks and find an independent garage.

As far as I'm concerned this is a known issue that is common to the cars. MINI should honor it on a good will warranty, at least to original owners, for as long as they own their cars.

That said, does anybody have thoughts on aftermarket clutch/flywheel replacements?

 

yep mine did the same thing. replaced the flywheel with a fidanza and a spec clutch. i love the combo but i have gear chatter when the car idles. mine came and went too for about a year but got worse with the more mods i added to the car. i think mine cost a total of around $2,100 with parts and labor