Surprisingly, I've seen plenty of Mini's serviced with all sorts of mods, some very heavily. But this is talking about stock items, things that we haven't altered, and we're getting dinged for a car company's poorly made part, when we're being told that the powertrain is included in our warranty. Sad to say it, but I wish my buddy hadn't bought his Mini. $2500 out of his pocket due to some small print.

 

dbl posted

 

Getting hit with an expense like that with a fresh car, would really ruin that car for me. (New Car Experience, The Mini Love, and the idea of possibly modding) I would be scared to do ANYTHING with that car.

 

Utah....

 

I read all the posts in this thread, and didn't see exactly the issue I have with my 2006 MC clutch. I've never had one engage so late - i.e. at the very end (top) of pedal travel. In addition, it sometimes feels as though its going to stall if you don't sort of "feather" the engagement at the end, and if you have the a/c/ going it almost "chatters." Mentioned it to service advisor on first service, and he said "can't adjust, it's hydraulic" - sort of a variation on the "they all do that" answer. Love driving the car, but hate the clutch action. I've had numerous manual tranny cars and never had trouble with smooth engagement before.

 

I know this may be a rudimentary explanation for this, but have you checked you air filter recently, this problem could be caused by the car not being able to breath, or get the air out quick enough.

 

Yeah I got a quote from the mini dealer in concord for $2200.00 and my jaw fell to the floor. I than had my clutch replaced at eastbay mini and it cost me around $1750.00. Come to find out the reason that it cost so much is because you have to drop the front subframe out of the vehicle. The service advisor was nice enough to take me out ot the shop and showed me everything that needed to come off in order to replace the clutch, which was way beyond my mechanical skills. I recommend going to Eastbay Mini becuase the experience i had was great.

 

This is a slighty different tangent- I have a '04 S w/28K (of course, the warrantee is out- in San Francisco: think hills and lots of parking brake/clutch scenarios) weird squeeking sound as the clutch engages in first when cold, but fine once warm. Perhaps clutch is just worn and ready? Perhaps related (or not) once warm, in neutral at stop, clutch out, weird knocking sound. Kinda like with my 1960 Morris Mini- needing its valves (tappets) adjusted sound. This knocking sound is not consistent. Would this be the clutch as well? Perhaps a warped plate? BAT SF

 

My partner has an early 05 build MCS JCW (July 04) with 27K on the clock. His clutch started squeaking when engaging the clutch at about 25K. He took it in to MINI SF, and they told him that his clutch was going to be needing replacing soon, but that MINI will be more likely to kick clutch issues back if the car has under 30K miles on them. They said that since it is still working, they would say that they lubed some part on the pedal for the time being, and then just bring it back in at 30K, where it would be replaced without question under the maintenance plan. Sounded fishy to me, but we agreed. Now we have to worry about his clutch going out on the streets of San Francisco at any time. More recently, his clutch seems to be getting worse as the squeaking noise has increased and it isn't grabbing smoothly anymore. I dunno if we are going to make it to 30K.

I have a May 05 build with 30K, mainly freeway miles. I haven't had any major issues yet. However, with all the problems that my partner has had with his (other things besides the clutch), it makes me worry about keeping mine past 4 years/50K (we both got the extended service plan).

Motoringfile.com just released a buyers guide today for the R50/R53, and one thing that was suggested to look out for across the board was flywheel/clutch issues. Check it out here at http://www.motoringfile.com/mini-r50r53-buyers-guide/

 

That is how my partner's 05 MCS JCS started. It would squeek when cold, and then go away once the car warmed up. Now it just squeaks all the time, and it doesn't engage smoothly anymore. Keep a watchful eye out.

 

That really sounds like your dealer is making a veiled threat (trying to get you to eat the $300 for the new clutch by making you think that you'll be on the hook for $2000 if MINI declines it).

Why not hold off on the flywheel replacement until you get a ruling from MINI on the clutch? If they approve it, you're not out-of-pocket for anything. If they decline it, you should still be able to get the same deal they're already offering (you pay $300, and they replace the clutch when they replace the flywheel per the bulletin).

 

Would anyone know exactly what the bulletin says the problem is with the flywheel?
Thanks, Steve

 

I'll be taking the car in next week I'll post an update. The knocking sound is louder, and the the squeeking has not healed it self.

BAT

 

Well, I've got 108K on my original clutch and it still does not slip and that is definitely not all highway driving. I've had other things go out (i.e throttle body, power steering fan and pump) but the clutch has not been an issue.

 

My throw out bearing went out at 30,000 miles and the dealership replaced it at no charge. The said if I wanted a new clutch disc they would do it at no additional charge. I looked at the old one, which looked as good as new, (I had worked many years in auto/truck parts and have seen a lot of them) and I did not even ask how much -- just told them to put it back.

I now have over 118,000 miles and it is still going.

Earl

 

I think I have been extremely lucky... 95k on my original clutch...
and its been beaten to who knows what!

I did here that www.GrassRootsGarage.com charges $650 for clutch + flywheel install....

 

The FACT is that Mini USA takes the word of its dealers as to what they cover or not. That is why some dealers cover things that others don't. I know this because when I had an issue I drove over to Mini central here in NJ and got to a person high in the chain. His quote to me is "that is what we train them and pay them for". In your case if the flywheel is covered under the TSB then if they put the clutch in there too they could only deny that (which they wouldn't as it wore under the 36,000 mile maintenance warranty) and the worst you would be out would be the $280 list for the clutch an plate. I think the line they gave you was unconscionable. Care to say what dealer it was?

That said as someone who has been driving a stick over 40 years, you should work a bit on your technique as if you were on a hill and starting smelling your clutch, whatever technique you were using was not great.

Rich

 

Wow 95k on your original clutch!?!? My 03 Cooper's clutch got replaced at 15000 miles and my 06 Cooper S that I have now is starting to squeal when engaged at 10500 miles with hardly any hard driving and no track use. You are extremely lucky. I'm scared to go to the dealer cause I don't want to get stuck with a $2000 charge. My first one got replaced free of charge, but not before they tried to make a case that I was abusing the car.