Has anyone experienced this? I know there's the LSD groan- but this is clutch specific if I start aggressively the noise is barely there, but under normal starts when slipping the clutch and it's gone from a quick groan/squeal (low pitched) to a much louder over about 4 months.

I've had the car into the dealer and they couldn't replicate and the clutch and flywheel have already been changed once at a couple thousand miles due to similar engagement issues/noises and more importantly chatter.

Kicker is once the car is warm it doesn't happen at all, and it happens more the longer I let the car sit without driving (drove yesterday after not driving for ~2 weeks and it lasted longer than I've ever seen).

Before I waste another trip to the dealer only to have them 'not replicate' thought I"d check in here.

Car is a 2006 MCS JCW

Thanks!

 

I'm not familiar with Mini's but I thought I'd throw this out there anyway. Is the clutch hydraulic or cable actuated? If it's hydraulic, I'd suspect the slave cylinder or the master cylinder for the clutch. The next time you let the car sit for a few days, pump the clutch 5 or 6 times before you start the engine and see if the noise goes away. My theory is that the slave/master cylinder isn't releasing as it should.

Do the same thing if it's a cable actuated clutch. It could have a kink or a tight spot in the cable that, coupled with cold weather and condensation is causing a rough spot.

Let me know if this helps.

 

will try that, that hadn't even crossed my mind!

Not sure if the MINI is cable or not, my guess is no. Either way great idea and place to point the dealer to.

 

Yours is not the only mini that whines in the morning. Although I have no good solutions sometimes it is helpful to know that others have similar issues. Worse on cold mornings, going up hill, and seems to be limited to one area on the clutch release curve. If I figure something out I'll post it. ('03 Mini Cooper S with 75,000).

 

There have been quite a few threads on this, if you search for "clutch squeak" you'll find some. Some people get everything replaced cause they can't stand the noise. Personally I just got used to it.

 

I took my car in for squeaky/stiff clutch pedal travel. Replacing the slave cylinder did nothing (the dealer's first attempt) and they ended up replacing the clutch because the spring was shot.

What a difference! The car is worlds more pleasurable to shift now. I can't believe the difference; it's like having a new car again. So my advice would be to have it checked out.