I called my MA and explained my issue:

When in neutral, clutch out, the clutch makes a faint clicking/thunking noise. If you've ever heard a throwout bearing going bad, it sounds similar. I've noticed this only happens if the clutch is brought out quickly. If it is brought out slowly, it doesn't make any noise. This leads me to believe that the "stopper" that keeps the clutch in place when it is brought out is maybe misaligned. It's been making this noise since mile 1.

My MA said he learned about this issue a couple weeks ago, and several new mini owners have called in explaining the same symptoms. He said mini is researching it and when they release a "fix" he's going to call me.

Anyone else experience this?

 

Put me down as a no... my '06 is not experiencing this sound. You definitely have reason to look into it.

 

UPDATE:

I found a ton of informative posts in "Beneath the Bonnet." Apparently it's normal(?). It seems dealerships will replace the clutch/flywheel/tranny (pick 2), with varied success. Those who have just lived with it have reported no issues. I think I'll mention it at my first service, but not worry about it until then.

Yipees. :D

 

Yeah Add me in there. I have heard it also. Its only if you let the clutch out fast. If you let it out slow, it will not make that noise. So put me down on that. Hope to get a fix... L8r Spike

 

cmyk: I think your reading of the many posts on this issue is correct, and your strategy wise. I have an 05 with this problem, and some members of our club have had the flywheel/clutch replaced. While most say it makes the problem go away, they are not necessarily happy with the new clutch feel. Since I know what the problem is, and have mentioned it to my SM, I can now worry about other unsolved problems!
cheers, phil

 

Oct '05 build date - '06 MCS, 3500 smiles, No noise. At least not yet.

 

I have it when it is a cold start. like under 35 F. But after a min. or two, it seems to vanish. I have a 06 with 500 miles. I read a post here about holding in the clutch 1/2 way while in neutral to let everything warm up. Then release it slowly. I tried yesterday, when it was 25 F and it seemed to work....Not sure though.

 

My '05 started making such a noise intermittently at about 12 months. Now, at 17 months, its more constant. Without hearing the noise a BMW tech friend has suggested that it might be "gear rattle". I'm preparing to send him a short sound file but in the meantime I plan to bring it up to my dealer again.

 

The most recent thread on this is currently on p. 4 of MINI Talk. It is called Clutch noise?

 

Ditto.. I have it too... sounds like a helicopter...

 

Yup, me too... from day1.... '06, 3mo., 4.5k. Actually it doesn't bother me nearly as much as my other tranny problem (which seems somewhat less common):

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=70402

What really drives me nuts is that very intermittent... one of those things that you take to the shop and they'll say "can't replicate"