Hello,

I own 2012 mini r60 countryman, manual transmission, All 4 S. the problem is that on hill to start/move car is hard for me because it seems that engine needs more power and if i give more gas it goes but then clutch is burning. i’m driving Manual T. for 3 years now and i’m sure that that’s not my fault. any advice will be highly appreciated.

Thanks in Advance.

 

Is it doing it using the "hill holder" feature? I hardly use the hill holder but it can be helpful on very steep grades. You just have to remember to come to a complete stop for it to kick in.

 

If that 2012 r60 is new to you, the previous owner may have all but toasted the clutch before getting rid of it. Bought mine with @14k miles on it. I had it 4 days before the clutch gave up. I hope the same doesn't happen to you. From all I've read, these clutches are too small and will have a short life if not driven properly.

 

If it doesn't have 'hill holder' you'll need to get used to applying a bit of hand brake. Keep your thumb on the button and gradually let it down as you get forward motion. It takes a little practice to balance clutch, throttle and hand brake but it works great when you get the hang of it. We spent 3 days in SF a couple years ago, encountered the need numerous times.

 

There are quite a number of threads here discussing the clutch issues in these cars. Might be time for you to do a bit of reading if you didn't do so before you bought the car...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ly-clutch.html (almost 600 posts in this thread alone)

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ch-needed.html (an ALL 4 that went thru a clutch at 18k miles)

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ch-needed.html (options on replacing the clutch)

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-this-car.html (launching with a clutch)

etc., etc., etc.....

 

Ha! Got a chuckle from the URL posted above as it was my question about the clutch.

None the less, I only tried a few hard take offs, nothing 'dumping the clutch' related, but right around 40k miles the clutch started chattering. The dealer quoted $3200 to replace (outta warranty @36k miles) the clutch and flywheel (if it needed it). I denied the service and figured I can put up with the chattering. The chattering only seems to happen when I try and pull away slowly from a stop. Now the clutch howls/ hoots like an owl. No ****, it sounds like an owl in the tranny. There doesn't seem to be any slipping, just a friggin' owl and chattering at slow-speed takeoffs. :(

 

For the new MINI owner who doesn't research first...

 

My other car is a Ford Flex. The Flex forum has very similar high-dollar low-miles failures. I must be drawn to challenged ownership . . .

 

And i almost bought one of those last fall....