Rarely post anything, but always lurking...

2011 Justa Clubman, Manual, 327XX Miles. Purchased new in May 2011. Her name is Ursula. I'll drive aggressively every now and again, but for the most part I'm pleased to plod along with the rest of the cattle. I am posting this because it may be of interest or help to someone.

*Note: I would typically do any and all work within my capability myself, transmission work included. I simply do not have the luxury of time these days.

Two weeks ago the clutch chatter, which has been present for some time, becomes noticeably louder. Unacceptable:

- 10/8/13: Make appointment for 10/8 with Alexander Mini in LA as it is still under warranty.

- 10/9/13: Kevin, Service Advisor, will be handling my "case". Will call when he knows more. Additional work, per Mini & CBS: Updated sun visors, bleed brakes, reprogramming. Calls later to say that tech could not hear the chatter. Makes available the Service Forman for a test drive the next day.

- 10/10/13: All work rendered, minus programming. Go for a 15 min. drive with Mel, Shop Forman, to point out the issue (slightest pressure on clutch makes the noise disappear). Mel agrees that the sound exists, is NOT normal, and gives me the option of having Alexander Mini further investigate, or, since the pedal feel & take-up point have not degraded, leaving it as is. I feel comfortable that Kevin and Mel are as genuinely interested in the resolving the issue as can be expected, so I opt for them to investigate. I was given a loaner vehicle and told I should expect a phone call when more is known.

I will continue this when I have more info.

 

Clutch is a wearable item that can go sooner or later depending on the drivers treatment of it, so they most likely will fight tooth and nail to not cover it. Most warranties do not cover the clutch for that reason.

 

The car is over two years old and you've got some chatter coming from the clutch after admitting you drive aggressively now and again. The car has about 33,000miles on it. It's not clear you have any severe drivability issues. I highly doubt they'll change out the clutch kit under warranty because you've got a little noise coming from it. Most likely some gear rattle which is harmless.

 

We're all in agreement. The hinge is Mel's comment on abnormality of the sound. Given the information I told him, he expects to see normal wear and nothing out of the ordinary.

I never would expect to receive a replacement clutch kit, especially after 33K mi. My definition of aggressive driving may differ than MiniDeLux's: I don't shift mid-corner, I don't rest my foot on the clutch pedal, nothing that involves excessive strain on the driveline components.

My occasional aggressive driving would be exposed as tire wear and brake component wear. Surprisingly, the OE Continentals are wearing evenly and at a normal rate. The brakes rotors are original and I'm on the 3rd set of pads, but only because I've replaced them early.

Perhaps I'll know more today.

 

I've got a 2009 Clubman with a diesel engine. It puts out 110hp and 182ft-lbs of torque so I can't drive it aggressively if I tried. I bought it for longevity.

The reason I suggest Mini is unlikely to compensate you is because I went through the exact same situation at around 55,000km when the bite point started to creep. However, I had previously heard a horrible rattle within the warranty period and asked about it. The dealership told me that even within the 2 year warranty period, clutches aren't covered as they are, according to Mini, exclusively wear items.

When the clutch really went at about 65,000km, I had been the sole driver of the car and had done nothing but highway driving with little to no stop and start. I never had an interest in racing or tracking the car. I do know how to drive manual transmissions; been doing it for 24 years. That was the first time I've ever had a clutch go.

I wrote a letter to Mini HQ in Munich Germany explaining the situation and they ended up covered the flywheel. That was about €500 out of a total of €1950 parts and labour. They capitulated because I had them document the rattle within the warranty period.

How bad is the noise anyways? Mine sounded like a plumber knocking on pipes inside the car. It went away completely when I pushed on the clutch pedal. After the new kit was installed, it was quiet. I can hear a small rattling which I put down to gear rattle and diesel engine vibration.

I really hope they warranty it for you, but I'm not hopeful given the extenuating circumstances (mileage, etc...). Be prepared for the cost if you have to pay, it will be expensive.

 

Interesting thread, could you describe you "clutch chatter" more thoroughly?

 

10/16/2013-Receive a call from Alexander Mini that my Clubman is complete. Walking upon to the cashier counter with Service Advisor Kevin, we are joined by the Technician that performed the work on my car. He stated that the throwout bear did indeed have excessive wear, as did the pressure plate. Furthermore, he stated that the wear on the pressure plate was off-center. It was determined that I could not have been the cause of this issue, and I received a new clutch kit (bearing, plate & disc) and labor under warranty. Additionally, it was determined that the front rotors' runout was out-of-spec. Along with the rotors, I received new pads & sensors under warranty. Other service included standard maintenance that falls under the Mini maintenance plan.

Upon starting my car, I did notice the same noise that I had commented on prior to bringing the car in for service, but it was certainly quieter. I had stated in my first post that the noise had been present for some time, but it was and again is much quieter. The clutch feels noticeably lighter and more linear, although I can't say that I noticed any degradation over the 33k miles.

I feel for MiniDelux: It doesn't sound like our initial circumstances were much different, but the results certainly were.

STF_U: I would describe the noise as a chirp that could be confused with a squeaky pulley. It does not increase or decrease in frequency with speed. That's the best I can describe the noise...

 

I'm happy to hear they replaced it for you, it's an expensive repair.

What are they suggesting was the cause then, bad clutch alignment during the factory install?

I concur that after the new kit was installed on my car the clutch felt smoother, lighter, more linear. I still have a quiet rattle as well; I think it's normal gear rattle in the manual gearbox.

 

Thank you sir

 

There was no suggestion as to the cause to the misalignment. I did say, "From the factory?", to which the Technician nodded softly in agreement. Anything is possible, right?...

Yes, this could have gone either way. I feel that my insistence that there is something happening in the transmission, and Service Forman Mel's recognition of the noise, were crucial. I still did not anticipate the outcome to fall under warranty. Realistically, the clutch kit isn't that much dough, its the minimum four hours teardown + four hours rebuild that must be covered. Forget any additional diagnostic measures, and this is still an amazingly expensive job.

 

pads and rotors at 33K under warranty? False... MAYBE under your extended service plan or something? No one replaces the most common wear item for free under warranty. Hate to be cynical, but that doesn't sound right at all lol.

 

To clarify: Kevin told me that the brake pads and rotors were within spec, and only the sensor needed replacement and calibration. I commented to Forman Mel that, while it may be so, the brakes exhibit a wobble and non-linearity while braking from freeway speeds. Additionally, I stated that another Mini Dealer/Service had replaced my Akebono pads and stock rotors AFTER I explicitly stated for them not too (Aside: my wife had brought the vehicle in with a list of items I had typed up that I requested to do or not do, and they disregarded damn near everyone.) I had not mentioned this to Kevin upon dropping off the vehicle because I would be replacing the pads and checking the runout on the rotors soon. Mel said that even if the pads and rotors are within spec, they would be replaced if they wobble. Fine, have a party! If they suck, they're not gonna be on the car for long.

So does this still fall under the Standard Maintenance plan? Perhaps so. I know I did not have to pay, nor did fill out a credit application with the service department

 

I want your dealer! You just got the 2 most common wear items that a service department can deny, done for free..... That in itself, is amazing.