I've taken my MCS to my dealer twice now, once for the first oil change and today for new brake pads (odd they've worn out in 1 year/22K miles). Anyway, both loaners I've had were MCS w/ the manual tranny. The clutch engagement is far smoother than my car. I decided to inquiry about it today, and while the SA agreed he could feel what I described, it wasn't enough to warrant any further inspections. He said some cars are like that and some aren't.

I decided to give MINI USA a call, seeking advice. They basically leave any technical issues up to the dealer. If the dealer doesn't feel anything is wrong, than they won't do anything, or so I was told. I find this a bit disturbing because if a dealer won't fix an issue than calling MINI USA is useless. What's the point then?

Does anyone here have this shudder? If so, has the dealer fixed it? Should I be satisfied with the SA's answer that some cars are just like this? I enjoy the car otherwise, but this sours the enjoyment a bit.

 

Mine can shudder a little at times. 56k miles. I don't think there's anything wrong with mine. I can see Mini USA'a point: they are there to resolve known problems with cars under warranty, not diagnose problems.

 

Get a second opinion from mother dealer.

 

My 2011 MCS developed a clutch shudder at about 12-13,000 miles. I took it to the dealer at 14,000 miles and they replaced the clutch. They said it was 'generally wore out' like somebody had been 'riding the clutch.' When I told them I have only owned vehicles in the past with 150,000+ miles and never had to replace a clutch, and have been driving manual since I was 14, they just suggested it must have been somebody else that I let drive the car. At that point I had NEVER let anybody else drive the car except for the dealership service guys. They said they would be generous this time, but next time they wouldn't warranty it... I'm at 37,000 miles now and the clutch is still smoother than it was when I drove it off the lot the very first time.

 

My 2010 S had clutch chatter from the moment I got it (at 11k miles) and the dealer wouldn't do anything to fix it. Unacceptable, in my opinion. I sold it to a friend for other reasons and still get to drive it occasionally, and it still chatters now at 26k miles.

These aren't cheap cars and they should not perform as such. I like richardsperry's suggestion. If the second opinion doesn't help, then I'd go to your trusted mechanic to see what they think about it and relay their diagnosis on to your dealer without taking no for an answer.