So I've had my Cooper S since the beginning of August and managed to only put 2000 miles on it. Over that time, I've noticed that the clutch pedal has developed an annoying squeak as it nears the end of its travel upon release. It's made worse when used often such as when I'm sitting in traffic and inching along.

I decided to drop it off at the dealer to have it looked at and had hoped it was something simple like a bad spring. Turns out the dealer is now calling the regional representative to find out if they should be replacing the clutch entirely, which I find rather odd. The dealer has also let me know that the clutch is a wear item so they are not sure what they how they will proceed.

Now I'm fully expecting that they will make things right with the car and I can't see paying for a thing, especially considering how new the car is. Is there any reason I should be worried that they won't cover this? Has anyone else been made to pay for a new clutch at this stage?

 

Thats outrageous. A squeak formed in my 05 MC and it went away after about 200 miles or so. That was around 40k miles though so it might not be the same thing. There is no way you need a new clutch at 2000 miles on it. Thats just dumb

 

Well I just received an update...there will be no charge for the service, but they will be replacing the clutch and flywheel. I can't imagine why this is at 2K miles, unless the flywheel was warped from the outset.

 

Interesting. I picked up my used 2008 MCS a couple weeks ago (18k miles) and it had a pretty bad squeak/creak from the clutch pedal. Took it to the dealer and they just said it needed lube. When I got it back the majority of the squeak was gone, but I still have a minor squeak near the end of travel (on release).

Do you have any more details on what the issue was? I'm due for an oil change soon, so will have them look at it again.

 

The issue allegedly had to do with the flywheel. Once they opened up the entire clutch assembly they inspected the flywheel and decided to replace it. The clutch was replaced as a precaution. When I pick up the car later in the day I'll give the full port-mortem.

 

I wonder if the MCS uses the same clutch/flywheel as the MC. I am tempted to be really worried about my 2010 MC, but then I notice all of the failures seem to be on MCS models. Perhaps the parts affected are under-designed for the extra power the MCS has (if they are the same parts across the board).

I just can't figure out how MINI, a "performance" brand, can't master technology that is almost a century old. It's got to be a bean-counting thing.

 

I had a similar noise on my 06 MCS. Turned out it was the release bearing. The whole assembly including clutch was replaced under warranty. 70,000 miles on the clutch & all is quiet & smooth.

NJ MINI your car will be all right. Sometimes these things just happen.

 

I dont see how a simple squeak would cause them to replace the flywheel and clutch.

 

If it is the throw out bearing & it was in my case you have to remove the transmission to get to it. Once there it would be plain stupid not to go ahead & replace it all while it is apart.

 

That's the same thing I said to the dealer. After they test drove it, they said they said that the tech experienced an abnormal vibration so they removed the transmission, disassembled the clutch and found the flywheel needed to be replaced. The clutch was replaced as well. Ultimately, the squeaking clutch pedal was never addressed so it still squeaks, but in the grander scheme of things, I'm lucky to have a new clutch assembly in the car. Guess I'll be back to address the clutch again though, but there could be worse things.

 

I had a squeak in mine many miles ago. Like an earlier poster, they were able to lube the pedal. No more squeak.

 

Not sure if this is related but I had a brand new BMW K1200LT motorcycle that dripped some oil right from the beginning! The flywheel was replaced because it was suspected of being warped. The clutch was also replaced because if any oil got on it, it would not have performed corectly. This completely fixed the problem.

 

This is what I figured they would've done as well, but I've now noticed the difference in the clutch and although there is still a squeak, it is a bit smoother overall. I guess there really was something going wrong and it was caught early, so kudos to the dealer for that...shame that I'll need another appointment to get the whole thing resolved.

Very well could've been something like this. I'm suspecting the flywheel was warped in my MCS just like your bike's and god only know what that could've done to the clutch.

 

They made me pay for my clutch and flywheel :( saying that I was "riding the clutch" . Hell i don't even use the clutch to take the car out of gear. All well what's done is done .