Hi guys,

I have a mini at around 100k miles. Recently there is some issue with the clutch.

About 2 weeks ago while I was driving, I shifted into second and suddenly after I pushed it into neutral, it wouldn't go back into any gear. I had to stop the car, shut the car off and slowly push it back into 1st. It feels like if the clutch didn't disengage when the clutch pedal is released. I checked the fluid and pedal pressure and everything seems fine.

This has happened twice and somehow this issue fixes itself when i start the car and slowly drive it again. I have a feeling that the clutch fork is damaged and stay stuck but I want to hear some opinions before I take everything apart.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

If the clutch isn't disengaging drive force for you to shift to the next gear you're taking the trans out regardless of if it's a throw out bearing, flywheel, or actual clutch problem.

We have everything you'd need for the clutch job, and I'd highly recommend replacing the flywheel, clutch, throw out bearing, bearing guide tube at once. I've only seen one destroyed shift fork, and that was due to the throw out bearing detonating and wreaking chaos.

 

I'm asking because it takes a long time for parts to ship so I'm trying to minimize downtime


you guys only carry the cooper s kit?

 

No, we have the Cooper kit as well. There are a few things we don't have up on the website, but we have near everything you'd need on hand ready to ship same day. If it's not here it will be the following business day and shipped out.

 

Also are there any kits to convert dual mass to single mass flywheel for the base R56?

 

The Coopers use a SMF from the factory, you can have it resurfaced for about $50.

 

Don't mean to hijack the thread but I have a clutch question as well. My wife and I took our 2014 R58 S (23,000mi) in for his scheduled maintenance and asked them to check the clutch as the engagement has been a bit hinky lately.

Sure enough, they said it was out of spec and are investigating. Our service rep says best case scenario, it's a hydraulic problem (master or slave cylinder), worse case scenario they have to pull the transmission to check everything else. Then determine if it's a manufacture defect or driver error. If they determine its driver error it could cost approx. $2500 (something we're not capable of right now). To his credit, as we discussed the possible scenarios he mentioned that if necessary they could include Mini USA in the conversation to get assistance covering cost.

Turbo (our Coupe) was a former loaner vehicle (5,000mi on the odometer), certified pre-owned (100,000 mi warranty) purchased from a different Mini dealership (approx 100mi away). I'm not bothered by the idea of replacing the clutch, I know it is not a robust design and figured we'd up grade it sooner or later, just not this soon.

That's the story, now the questions.
1) Do you have any suggestions for how to have a productive conversation with the service department should they go with "user" error on a clutch still under the 3 year/36,000 maintenance coverage?
2) if the clutch (or ancillary components) need to be replaced do you have any recommendations for an upgrade?

 

If they are going to put a clutch in the car at no expense to you then I say go for it, but there is no "clutch inspection" that they can do with the trans in the car. I've never seen a problem with either the master or slave cylinders on these cars (not to say they don't fail), but if you're having clutch problems I'd go 20:1 that it is a clutch problem.

 

I know this is a dig up, but nkfry i sent you a PM regarding the R56 base flywheel.