So, I took my mini in today for a slave master cylinder repair and I'm sure a clutch repair as well. While they are in there, what else should I have them do?

 

Well your clutch might be expensive ") so not much.

 

But, since they have to drop the subframe, have the menders check your power steering lines/tubes and pump. The front Control arm bushings and the front sway bar bushings.. You will save on labour, since they're already there… thats "if" you need a new clutch.

 

How many miles? There so many components that have to come off the car when doing a clutch that the list of stuff that you could do while in there could be endless.

Is the slave leaking? I hope it's just that because clutch jobs are expensive and if you need a flywheel even more. Go with the Valero kit if you can.

 

I've got about 115k on it. The dude said the slave was shot so he's replacing the master and slave. The technician told me he might of heard the TOB . I'm not sure how he can hear that with the clutch not working but he said he did.

 

The place I went to, only installs OEM. which kind of sucks, because I've heard the stock clutch is terrible.

 

Because the TOB are crap on our cars. If you change the clutch change the guide tube for the TOB and the plastic bushings on the fork shaft I can't remember what they call them but they are cheap.

 

It's not terrible but it will cost you more if you need a new flywheel. the dual mass FW is not suppose to be resurfaced

 

You know I read this and I hear this ALL the time, but it's 100% FALSE.

I don't understand why people always bash the stock clutches. The stock clutch is able to hand 250 hp, and yes they do wear out and plastic throw out bearings can become noisey. But all the aftermarket clutches except the Giken and Comp use the same throw out bearing. We do see them worn out, but that is you drivers doing that. I've got many a customers with over 150k on stock clutches, I've raced on them, and have several other people that have without failure. I often ride with customers and I see them riding the clutch, pressing it when not needed, slipping it, and just wearing it all the time without any idea they are driving wrong. I've also noticed many people complaining their clutch failed are not the original owners, so how do they know what the previous owner did to the clutch.

Some people will disagree with me, but I've never put a clutch in any of my MINI's I drive, and found aftermarket clutch kits to be no where near as reliable as the stock, some I won't even install if a customer ask me. But I will say that Valeo for the R53 Flywheel Conversion kit is one aftermarket kit that is reliable.

 

We're still on the original clutch here. Only 93k miles but in San Francisco and my partner is rather rough with it. I sometimes LOL when he's backing it in to the garage; we have a super steep driveway and he revs it up and rides it all the way in. DINAN exhaust sound fantastic though.

 

Well I have to replace the whole clutch including flywheel. It's costing me a solid $3200. And my battery is apparently dead he was going to charge me $200 to install a new one, I laughed. He then said if i buy the battery he will install it for free.

 

Thats a lot of money for a stock clutch job!! It should be at least half that amount, if not more. $1200 to $1600 is the going rate.
you can put your own battery in.. it's three nut's

 

I wouldve installed some front wishbone bushes as well, whole new experience of driving after you put a set of Powerflex/Superflex in

 

I sincerely hope that you are not paying that, those are dealer prices if you are going to pay that at least take it to the dealer that will give 2 years on parts and labor.

If it was me I would the Valeo kit since you have to change the flywheel anyways tow your car somewhere else and you still save about 1,500 or find a good price for the Correct LUK clutch and flywheel since they are the ones who build the clutch assembly for MINI. The factory clutch is branded MINI with the LUK logo next to it. The flywheel is expensive but it can be found at at decent price.

 

Unless you have a compelling reason not to (like you're a professional drag racer), get the stock clutch. Also while you are in there, people should have their control arm bushings replaced with Powerflex bushings. The labor should be cheap since there's efficiency in the removal of the trans. We charge about $1300 for the complete clutch job with factory clutch kit (it's more if your flywheel is broken). Another $160 for control arm bushings (parts and labor), and you're good to go.

 

Well it's a clutch job plus the slave and matter cylinder replacement, is that to much?

 

Are you sure that you need a master? Slaves break all the time. They are cheap but hard to bleed. Add another $300 for parts and labor for a slave. Masters don't fail that often.

 

i drove mine like i stole it for 75k miles, and the only reason i replaced it was the flywheel had gotten glazed and i got the chewbacca howl on first engagement in the cold, and even then i left it alone till i had the motor out. never a bit of slip, and the shop said other than the howl there was nothing at all wrong with my stock clutch when it came out.

 

Yes it is :-)

 

Yup , so many people ride the clutch it's ridiculous. Ask any car enthusiast on any car forum and they will tell you that hey are good drivers , meanwhile they changing clutches every 100k .

And 3200$ for a clutch job is just silly .im lazy but at that price I would park my mini in my garage , take everything apart myself and save over 2k then drop that 2k on my house

 

I called another mechanic about the clutch job, he quoted me $1100 for labor and he will install whichever clutch I want. He did say he has never worked on a Mini though. Is it worth saving that much and have them maybe do it wrong, or should I stick with the shop i'm at? The shop I'm at is charging me dealer prices but they warranty the work just like the dealer.

 

The "getting to the clutch" is what cost's the money, in terms of labor. if he's replaced a clutch before, he can replace the clutch on a mini. it's pretty simple, once you get the transmission out.

Thats a much more reasonable price.

 

X2

U dont need to be a brain surgeon to replace a clutch on any car

 

I don't know where your located at, but you should be able to find someone else in the area that is experienced in MINIs. But do yourself a favor and don't just call and ask for price, call and ask them about MINI's and see what they know and if they want to help before discussing price.

I would use the Valeo Flywheel Conversion Clutch kit that way you get everything you need for a small price. And yes it is also a great time to save money on getting the powerflex control arm bushings as the labor will overlap.

 

I agree the stock is plenty strong. My MINI is pretty well modified and I just turned 324,000 on my original clutch. Still feels plenty strong.

Nik