Hello and thank you for reading my post. I have a 2011 MSC with aprox. 11K miles. I previously owned a 2007 MCS (also manual, which I had for 3 1/2 years with over 30K miles). Right around 5K miles I noticed a grinding sound when I would start to release the clutch at around 1200 rpms. This is more noticeable when the car is on an incline. I took it to the mini dealership and they told me it was user error and that the clutch would eventually need to be replaced. They guy who was helping me was surprised when I told him that it wasn't my first manual mini and I never had any clutch issues with the previous one. They told me I need to make sure I engaged first gear before 1800 rpms. I have read multiple post on this forum regarding clutch issues, but I haven't come across one with a grinding problem. I am am planning to take my car in again next week to address the issue before it's to late and see if they will replace it. I am concerned that they will push back. I bought the 2007 mini in Nebraska and the dealership was always wonderful to deal with. I live in Seattle and I have a feeling that that will not be the same story.

 

Make sure you take a drive with someone from the dealership so they can hear the noise and then part way thru the drive make them drive so that you can prove to them that is is not "you" that has the problem but the car that has the problem.