Is it normal to hear the clutch engage?

I don't know how to describe the sound. It is not loud, rather faint actually. I hear it as I let my foot off the clutch pedal, and at lower RPMs (1500~4000) and lower speeds. Most of the time, I hear the sound when I shift from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd; in 3rd to 4th, not as much.

It might not be the clutch per se that I'm hearing; it could be the hydraulics. Regardless, is it normal?

 

On a manual gearbox/clutch engagement noise is normal.

Should have heard the DSG on my GTI. That thing was noisy!

 

What noise are you talking about?

Mine had started making a "sigh" only when taking off in 1st. All other gears engagements are silent.

I have heard similar sounds to this from rear brake pads on my old Corolla when the calipers were sticking a bit. The front rotors on the Mini are pretty worn and I wonder if it is the pad vibrating in the edge groove...

Mini said it is the clutch (of course, as it will score them $3000 to fix it) and got a bit pissed at me for pointing out the flaws in their prognosis. I don't know, maybe it's the flywheel...

 

Mine isnt crazy noisy but it does make a single mating noise as you engage the clutch while shifting at speed.

 

Does this indicate low build quality as far as the clutch is concerned?

I'm new to Mini, but I've read horror stories involving a disintegrated clutch at 5k miles when I was doing research.

 

Well given that most have not put that many miles on 2011's its a waiting game...

 

I think I read somewhere, probably moteringfile.com that not only did 2011 bring updated changes to the engine of the MCS but also changed/improved the clutch too! Here is the link to complete mid life refresh which the 2011 MCS got. It mentions a new self leveling clutch, which I think came from the BMW 3 Series.

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/08/...per-s-refresh/