Is this a clutch problem? Anyone know if minis still having clutch probems?
2009 Mini Cooper S Cabrio-love the car
Bought the car with 4xxx miles last August from dealer.
Now 6100 miles
Always had a burning smell when pull car in garage(I have driven manuals for over 30 years). Over last 3 days clutch engages much higher. Car surges with gentle acceleration from 55 to 60mph last evening. Also screetching noise at lower gears. Driving to dealer to have checked out today and now will not engage but coasted to stop. Mini now sitting at service and looks very lonely. Searched the site but did not find anything similar. Thanks for any help.

 

Sounds common to me. I bet the dealership should replace everything for you. Its probably a TO bearing failure

 

How common do you think clutch problems are with the new mini. 6000 miles is very early in a clutches life. Anyone else still seeing problems with the clutch

 

To date, I think only one NAM 2009 R57 owner reporrted a clutch problem.

URL = https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...15-post50.html

She was the first one on NAM to receive their 2009 R57. Actually, she received her I think a day before the North American 2009 Convertible launch party at all dealerships.

I also have a early 2009 build and with just over 20,000 miles and 13 months of ownership, I have yet to have any problems with my clutch.

My old 2000 Infiniti G20T, had it's first clutch replaced almost 8 year from purchase and it was around 102,000 miles. Clutches can fail at any time I guess.

 

Zanary. I think you are right. I recall when considering a mini there was a lot of talk about clutch failures in the 10000-30000 mile range. Some even said they were told that the clutch was not covered. Although I do not know the driving history for the first 4000 miles the salesman who drove it seems to have taken very good care of the car. We babied the car and garaged it all winter without driving the car. I will post what the problem is after the dealer looks it over this week. I hope this is an anomoly as there has not been much talk about clutches in minis since the new model.

 

Do you know the last five digits of your VIN? Based on that number, we should be able to determine if it was a launch vehicle or one of the first sold to customers.

Launch R57s were around the 88045 VIN. Mine was 88178, a week 10 build, and I think the launch vehicles were between a week 4 and 6 build.

 

Just found this thread on clutch problems. Seems like up to dealer. Remember my dealer St. Louis Mini was good to its owners. I specifically addressed this with salesman and of course said no problems and covered under warranty(did not buy maintanence as third car and drive only 4-5000 miles a yr).

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

 

Zanary, I do not have VIN at home. Will check when I get car back. If I am not mistaken I think my build was mid April of 09.