Hey guys, I have seen some other posts on this but wanted to get some fresh opinions on a clutch howl symptom with my 209 Clubman S. It happens to me in first gear as I pull off the line from a dead stop. I do have an extended maintenance warranty and confirmed that the "Clutch Disk" is covered. I have an appointment at the dealership for a diagnosis this Thursday. The Service Advisor told me that the clutch disk is part of a kit with a pressure plate and throw-out bearing. I am nervous that the Dual Mass Flywheel may have to be replaced as well and anticipate the potential feud with Mini USA. I have been on a manual transmission for 20 years and am pretty good with a clutch. Here are my questions:

• With normal driving conditions and a somewhat experienced manual transmission driver, what is the life expectancy of an OEM clutch?
• Should I stay with the OEM parts?
• Should I upgrade and, to what?
• Will the Mini dealer install the upgrades or insist that I stay with the OEM?
• Any other advice from those who have worked through this issue?

This car is my daily driver so I don't need a racing clutch. Way at WMW said I should stick to the OEM.

Thanks for any help!
Parker

 

Way will not steer you wrong

 

Is your clutch actually going out or not working properly, or is it just howling sometimes when leaving from a stop? I ask because mine occasionally howls after I’ve been using it a lot (usually in stop-and-go traffic) but it engages fine and I’ve never experienced any slipping, even at high speeds in low RPMs.


I also took it to the dealer, reproduced the noise, and they said it is from heat spots developing from slipping the clutch (most likely due to stop-and-go traffic) and would not replace it unless it actually failed. I first noticed it doing it at about 20k miles and I’m at 46k now with no increase in noise.


If you do get it replaced I’d say stick with OEM, from reading here on NAM, as there have been mixed reviews regarding OS Giken and others. But of course I have no experience with aftermarket clutches.

 

The clutch just makes noise. It does not appear to be slipping. I stopped by the dealer and spoke to the service manager about Thursday's appointment. They will test drive the vehicle and then determine if the clutch is due for a replacement. The clutch replacement is covered by my extended maintenance contract, but, if the flywheel needs replaced, I will have to pay for the part. The service manager did tell me that they would try to get close to the on-line pricing that I see on the Internet. And there will be no labor to install the DMF. I have a good relationship with the lead tech so if I can put off the clutch replacement for a few months, he will tell me.

The maintenance contract will only pay for OEM, but, that is OK with me as I have read numerous posts about the other clutches either failing or no good for stop-n-go driving.

Thanks!

Parker