Just got my car back from the dealer for a new clutch. They said the whole assembly was destroyed and were surprised I was able to drive it there. This car has been broken in properly and driven mostly highway miles (no track/autocross). I'm happy they were great with the warranty and loaner car, but I'm concerned about the overall integrity of the car (no other issues but this).

I'm just banking on the fact that it was just an inherent defect and an isolated case. I was wondering if anyone experienced anything similar?

 

I had something similar happen to me on my F-350....Kind of unexpalinable UNTIL I remembered I had gotten it stuck it the mud onceand had beaten the s...t out of it getting it UNSTUCK. You don't happen to have any niggling memories do you? Clutches don't up and explode for no reason.......I swear......

 

pedal #3 is _not_ a foot rest

 

I had the clutch go out on my 02 Cooper at 8300 miles. The dealer tried to blame it on driver error. I told them I have been driving a clutch for 30 years and never replaced a clutch before. Eventually they covered it under warranty.

All is well now. The now car has 13000 miles and no problems. But I am aways a little nervous that it was not an isolated problem.

 

In Mexico this is one of the most common problems MINIs have. I have gone through two clutches in one year. The first one (the original) was replaced under warranty and the dealer actually told me my clutch was defective. I hadn´t noticed anything special.

Second clutch lasted two weeks, started burning right away after installation. Was also replaced under warranty.

I know of at least 10 cases of clutch replacement here in Mexico. There seems to be a problem with the clutch in cities with lots of hills and terrible traffic.

 

>>I had something similar happen to me on my F-350....Kind of unexpalinable UNTIL I remembered I had gotten it stuck it the mud onceand had beaten the s...t out of it getting it UNSTUCK. You don't happen to have any niggling memories do you? Clutches don't up and explode for no reason.......I swear......

About 3 months ago I got stuck in a traffic jam because of an accident so my 20 minute commute took almost 2 hours (and I was saying to myself how the MINI's clutch probably lost 1/2 its life), but that's about it.

I had an Audi 80 Quattro with 190k miles on the same clutch, and have never had to replace any clutches on any of my cars until this one (that includes a Porsche 911 Turbo and Acura NSX, both of which got/get at least 6 open track days/year). I love the car but it's my daily driver and I'm counting on it for the bad weather after I sold my truck.

 

OK I believe you.....big brother is watching though.......

 

i had my clutch replaced in a 03 mcs at 765 MILES! the throw-out bearing was defective and therefore, it was replaced on warranty. when i got my car back, found out that the dealership damaged one of my aftermarket wheels and tire. see related thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...c=17326&48

our other 02 mcs also had the same problem -- clutch was replaced at about 3000 miles (cant find the invoice that states the exact mileage).

there are others in town who have also had their clutch replaced. i don't think it's that rare of a problem in the mcs'.

 

If it makes you feel any better, my 03 MCS has 21k miles on it now with no clutch probs. No other problems either, actually, except for leaking expansion tanks (2). I autocross the car, too. JR

 

>>If it makes you feel any better, my 03 MCS has 21k miles on it now with no clutch probs. No other problems either, actually, except for leaking expansion tanks (2). I autocross the car, too. JR


Same here. My '04 MCS has 6,500+ miles and not a single problem with the clutch. Honestly I think that while some of you have had genuine complaints with your clutches I still contend that clutch durability and reliability is linked directly to driving style. Some people "ride" the clutch mostly while at stoplights...this is a big "no-no" if you want that clutch to last. Others release the clutch too abruptly, etc.

I have had 2 other cars (Honda/Acuras) with manual transmissions and never had to replace the clutches on those cars. I expect my MCS to follow suit as well.