Clutch or supercharger belt?
 

I have recently noticed a very sluggish acceleration at higher RPM's. Cruising at about 4000 rpms, I'll step on the gas and the car revs up to about 6-7000 rpms like the clutch isn't engaged, then it will slowly creep back down, seemingly engage, and drive normally. I originally noticed it only when changing gears, which led me to think that my clutch could be going out. Today though, driving at about 4500 rpms, I just accelerated quickly without shifting and the car did the same sluggish acceleration. This made me think it could possibly be the supercharger belt. I have a stock 06 MCS with about 45,000 miles. Has anyone else had this problem?

I haven't had the problem but it sounds like your clutch is slipping.

If the RPMs climb without the car accelerating, that's clutch, not SC. If the belt was slipping you might notice sluggish acceleration, but the RPMs would climb slowly as well.

Well that's what I was worried it was. How much is the typical price for a new clutch.

Get ready to fork over quite a bit. Easily one of the more expensive jobs to tackle for a MCS. The parts themselves aren't terribly expensive, the labor is the killer.

How difficult is the actual install?

If you can't tell the difference between a slipping clutch and a worn supercharger belt, I'd say it's beyond your capabilities......not being snarky here - it's a big job and not for those with limited mechanical abilities.

Factory calls for 11 hrs labor IIRC.....and that's for guys who know what they're doing, have all the special tools and so on.

If you want to save some money, find a good, MINI-owner recommended independent shop in your area to do it for you. I'd also recommend you replace your flywheel and release bearing while you're in there, the parts cost is nothing compared to the labor if you have to pull it back out for one of these later.

Good luck!

BTW, how long have you owned your car? How many of the 45K on it are yours?

Wow - 11 hours! :eek: What, do they remove the tranny via the tailpipe?

I don't know why it's so much either other than stuff is really hard to get to and you have to dis-assemble practically the whole front of the car to get it out. Not as bad as my Audi tho, you have to pull the engine on it to change a turbo! Dead serious.....

I helped a fellow club member change his lower control arm bushings on his '03 S this weekend - and THAT was a job and a half too!

MiniDave- I bought the car with 25000 miles so about 20000 are mine

If I have to end up replacing the clutch, are there any other maintenance things I should get done?

Just saw replace the flywheel and release bearing, anything other than that?

It's way early to have a problem but check the oil level in the supercharger while it's out where you can get to it - both ends.

If you haven't replaced the supercharger belt, do that too. Now's the time to add a pulley if you were ever going to.....

It's a long job because you are basically removing everything on the front end. Add another 3 or 4 hours and you could remove the whole engine.