The clutch issue seems to be on my Countryman S (~5500miles) as well. I experienced some intermittent clutch slipper and weird noise while clutch engaging. It occurs mostly when I use Sport mode/accelerate aggressively/Uphill acceleration.

Just checked with the dealer and sale people confirmed that the CM S and ALL4 have the same clutch. So I believe CM S should have the similar ALL 4 clutch failure. Does any CM S owner have the similar clutch issue?

 

Read this http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/10/m...sue-plans-fix/
http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/11/...-clutch-issue/

 

I haven't had a problem with the CM or CMS and the clutch with manual. The problem comes from a combination of higher weight, limited low-end torque, and a very effective ALL4 system getting power to the wheels. You can dump the clutch on a non-ALL4 and be fine, but many of us have the engine bog down or die on the ALL4.

 

I agree that CM should not have this clutch problem because the horsepower and Torque are quite different from ALL4. However, CM S and ALL4 have a lot of similarity. The engine power torque are identical. The weight is 150lb difference, that is about one adult weight. Since CMS and ALL4 use the same clutch, theoretically both of them should have this clutch issue, but should be less frequent. Please correct me if I am wrong.

I would rather have this issue sooner than later so that I can ask the dealer to replace it within the warranty. At least the intermittent issue is a sign of future failure.

 

Your argument is really stretching it. The ALL4 clutch has to propel and drive all 4 wheels at engagement. That is putting 2x strain on a clutch that was probably designed for 2 wheels. That is why we are having SOME problems.

The issue is not with the clutch itself but the overall engineering of the transmission/4wd. Im sure this clutch works fine in other vehicles. If it were as simple as using a different brand clutch I think BMW would of been on it already.

 

ALL4 is a huge difference, as pointed out by greenfire. It's so effective at delivering traction the MINI engine doesn't deal with it well under some circumstances (like starting out) and can choke.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong. I thought the All4 is mostly front wheel drive, until the front wheels slip. Then the rears kick in? If that's so, most everyday driving in a all4 is the same as a Standard S. Unless you breaking the front wheels loose with all that turbo power"I doubt it"

 

It's the reverse. In normal / good traction conditions, it starts off all wheel drive then transfers more power to front as speed builds. That's why the All4 gets close to FWD MPG on the highway.

 

Yep, my understanding is its a 50/50 split when starting off.

 

I think it's still a reasonable concern for the non-All4 owners. I expect a clutch to easily last 100k if you don't drive like a complete doofus, and honestly how many of you have put much more than half that on your odometers already?

I expect that I'll feel better about it in another year or two.

 

Non All4's should be aok.


Non AWD's don't push the load of a center drive shaft like the one below in
the All4.



or the load of driving rear axle and pto.



The new heavier duty clutches should be made available to MINI dealers soon for the A4's built before 11/2012, and have an additional spring plate not in the original. After that build date the new clutch assembly is already in.

And previous posts are correct on the AWD feature. The system uses an electromagnetic center differential providing infinite range of redistribution of traction between the front and rear axles. During normal conditions, 50% traction directed to the rear axle. The All4 system is also integrated in with the Dynamic Stability Control to alter the distribution of power as needed while cornering.

This is probably why many All4 owners reported having to "feather the clutch" during normal driving conditions when starting out from a stop. It was necessary from keeping the engine from stalling. Hence, the subsequent clutch failures as well.....and I have seen this happen to All4 owners who were seasoned stick drivers with more than 30 years of shifting under their belt...

 

Excellent summary, -=gRay rAvEn=-


Fenton just had his (not worn out) 2011 clutch replaced with the '2013' clutch by
MINI/USA to see if it solves the long-reported problems...
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3689582

 

Thanks ghamma. Do you have the repair order showing the part number of the clutch installed in your Countryman ?

I wasn't aware they released that kit yet.

Thanks!

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3689582

I don't think you could call it 'released' at this point, although I can recommend the support I've been getting from my dealer MoSC.

 

I don't think the strain on ALL4 clutch is 2x of NonAll4 because all the acceleration power ultimately comes from the strain of clutch no matter how the power is distributed to front wheels or all 4 wheels. Otherwise, the acceleration of ALL4 should be 2x faster than Non All4, that is not true. So with the same acceleration, the strain on All4 is almost the same as Non All4, the difference comes from the weight difference between All 4 and non All 4.