Hi everyone i'm new to the forum here. I'm thinking of purchasing my first Mini, a 07 cooper s. I've been doing some home work on the car online and one thing has been making me double think of buying one. I keep reading of the clutch or tranny blowing up on people. So I'm wondering if this is a big issue with the cars or if its just happening to the odd car? And. What is really happening? Is the clutch malfunctioning, flywheel, or is it the transmission itself thats the problem?

If anyone can help answer my questions i would appreciate it. Thx

 

Tranny clutch blowing up ? News to me , did not see to many threads with this problem

 

Ya I've read a lot of people having the issue and im just trying to find out a little more on the issue. They also been saying bmw/mini were treating them like crap. So i just want to confirm with other people and see if this is a big problem.

 

Blowing up wouldn't be the word, a few premature clutch wear maybe ( me being one of them) but again this topic can be debated till the sun goes down. Some will say its your driving skills others premature wear.

 

well i've been reading people needing to replace the whole tranny.

 

What?! It is a freaking Getrag, those things are bullet proof. As in almost every major manufacturer uses a Getrag design.

 

Maybe you are reading about the early automatics, particularly in the R53? These manual tranny's are bulletproof, as Porthos said. In an 07, I'd be more concerned with the timing chain issue and (less significant) carbon build up.

 

I'm not trying scare people here about there cars. This could be just minor incidents occurring i'm not sure. That's what i'm trying to find out.

 

I would go with a minor incidents occurring .

 

ya i read about the auto's being bad. But this is with the 6 speed manual.

I didn't read a little bit about the timing chain and carbon build up. How bad is the carbon build up on the 07's? And what is the issue with the timing chain?

 

Look up Cold Start problems to check the timing chain issues. Youtube them too so you can hear what it is. I am purchasing an 07 MCS today so I have also been doing a TON of research. Get the VIN of the Mini you are going to buy and have a Service team at Mini run the VIN to see if anything has been done to it. Also check for any warranty. I am getting mine from a non-Mini dealer and they had no idea there is an extended warranty on there that they didn't know about. Keep doing research.

 

My May 2007 build had a squeal when engaging the clutch in second gear when slowing for a corner (I think around 25mph). This sound started relatively soon after I bought the car. I provided repro steps to my dealer and their solution was a new clutch. It seems to have fixed the problem. The clutch always worked fine.
There was also a transmission mount that was an optional replacement. I could hear a click when going over speed bump and replacing the transmission mount stopped the click.
Both were fixed in 08 or 09 on my car. No blow ups, just my experience.
My car has low miles 27k, because it was stored a while. The only real problem and expense was the timing chain and tensioner replacement. It is negligent that MINI is not recalling a part that should last 100k+ miles that fails in less than 30k.

 

If it is transmission failures it is most likely with the CVT cause that thing was garbage. Thank you Nissan.

 

Gregdconsulting:
Thx for the imput. Thats what i was looking for.

Anybody else go through this issue with the clutch?


Do all the 07+ cars have bad carbon build up?

 

I guess I am no help on the subject. I have 75000 miles on my original clutch. It isn't slipping, making strange noises, and hasn't swarmed. I haven't seen or smelt smoke when I shift. I still have all seven gears, despite missing a few, now and again.
Ah, come on, it happens.
Sorry dude, maybe not bullet-proof but at least bullet-resistant.

BTW MrGinger, i don't know if anyone pointed this out, but folks who are happy with something post far fewer times than those with a problem. Far fewer. You will probably never see a post that says "This alternator is awesome. 50,000 miles and it is still going strong". But let the alternator quit at 50,000 and you would see a post. You search and find 10 post like it, OMG a trend. See 20 and it is an inherent problem with the car. 20 out of, what, 20K? Really?

 

All direct injection engines have carbon build up; any make. Reports are that the new engine may not suffer, but only time will tell. Think of that as maintenance, as related to direct injection, and not a "problem" per say. Get an oil catch can to minimize or go the extra mile with water/meth injection. The thing about the carbon build up is that it's slowly robbing horsepower over time and you won't even notice it.

Arm yourself with what the timing chain sounds like when it is stretched.

 

My biggest thing was that the pressure plate broke before the clutch failed. After putting an aftermarket cluctch in there the damn throw out bearing arm snapped.