i have had a slight screeching noise on my 2006 MINI when coming out of first gear.

originally it only seemed to be happening after a rainy or wet night and it would go away after a driving for a while.

I thought it might be the emergency brake having a slight memory because I park on an incline, but it happens even when I don't and sounds like it is coming from the front of the car.

so, I took the MINI to the dealer and they said it needed a "clutch kit."

my questions are:
1) is this a completely new clutch or just a certain part -- i.e. throw-out bearing?
2) i think the service manager said this is related to the "throw-out bearing" problems people have been having/reporting and which I've read about. (fortunately my clutch still works)
3) why does this happen? I'm assuming it is not because of my driving but a problem with the OEM parts?
4) if it is an original equipment problem, why is this such a problem?

the dealer is covering it under warranty, so there's no issue there, other than I need to give them my car for a day or two. i'm also just worried the new clutch will feel different, but not much I can do about that.

any suggestions on what I should ask or look for after the work is done?

thanks!

 

Clutch kit is typically 3 pieces: friction plate, pressure plate and throwout bearing. Why is this a problem? Well, in manufacturing, the lowest bidder usually gets the supply contract.
The new clutch should feel no different from the old.

 

Sounds like the normal small amt. of rust on the rotors that burns off when you hit the brakes a few times. Nothing to do witha the hill, you'll get it after a wash on a flat surface

I had my clutch assembly and trans replaced @ 52k, they messed up the linkage witht he trans install so its a lot harder to find the gears but the clutch was fine after 3 weeks of driving to get pressure back in the lines. Needless to say I have been furious w/ MINIUSA and the quality of service form the dealer. bUt as long as they do the work right you'll be back to normal driving right away.

 

Have them replace the flywheel too or you might find that the noise doesn’t go away even with a new clutch. Most of the “squeals on launch” are due to the dual-mass flywheel and not the clutch.

Just trying to save you an argument with the dealer and another couple of days down the road.

Rich

 

And, be sure the flywheel has this part number 21-20-7-548-804

 

thanks everyone!

this is a great summary... just what I was wondering.

i thought it might be this at first, but it's much louder than the normal rust scraping sound... hard to describe.

hmmmm...may be too late... i took it in today and it should be ready tomorrow. I guess I can ask, but wouldn't/shouldn't they know to do this?

 

You are talking about a dealer, right? They only know what the book tells them. No intuitive mechanics there.

 

Clutch kit should do the trick. I had the same problem (infamous "ORRRTT" problem) with my '06 at about 5k. Dealer replaced the clutch (after a lot of hassle on my part) and it's fine now. A lot of older threads pointed to the dual mass flywheel as well, but the dealer said it had been redesigned.... in any case they just did the clutch and it's fixed now.

 

ah.... good to know snapper... thanks. hopefully it won't need anything else. and hopefully this will be a 1-time only fix!

I pick up the car later today.