Hi all,

First time posting (long time lurker and this forum has been incredible for the years I've owned a mini).

I have a 2011 Cooper S 6-speed (105k miles) and recently had a problem arise. When at a stop and releasing the clutch into 1st gear the engine vibrates quite a bit and then settles as the clutch is released. Its like starting in first on a hill or trying to start in 3rd gear kind of vibration. It doesn't happen when shifting to any other gear while moving.

I also noticed a few times that when the clutch is all the way pressed down there is a clicking sound that doesn't stop unless I ease up on the clutch a little or im fully in gear.

I started looking into this and it seems there are a few problems that could be causing this that I've found:

1. Bad engine mount - I've read a lot about how these going bad and as far as I know none of the mounts have been replaced on this car (at least not since 50k miles when I bought it). One of the symptoms of this that I have noticed is knocking sounds in the engine compartment when going over a bump in the road. I've heard these sounds for the past 6 or 7 months but never pieced it together. I bought a replacement lower mount which im going to install this weekend regardless.

2. worn clutch plate - when I described my problems to a mini specialist he told me it sounded like a worn clutch compression plate and I would need the clutch serviced (which they quoted me at $4k). This is most likely above my skill level in replacing since I don't have a garage, so what is the likelihood this is the issue? To be honest, I work and go to school and simply cannot afford to pay that much. Is there a way to get it done cheaper? Maybe find a used clutch assembly at a salvage?

If this sounds like something you know about or have experience with I would love any sort of guidance on this. As of yesterday the car is parked at least until I replace the lower right engine mount.

Thanks!

 

I would start with both mounts, both the lower one and the one on the upper right side. Clutch problems wouldn't cause the knocking over bumps.

You can check the upper one reasonably easily by prying on it with a long screwdriver or pry bar: if it moves around significantly it's bad. If the engine has progressed to knocking against things a bad mount should be pretty obvious.

 

Just an update to this thread, I've finally got all my problems sorted.

I replaced upper and lower engine mounts and it didn't resolve the problem. I then bit the bullet and replaced the clutch and control arm bushings (went with the powerflex which are nice!). It turns out it was a combo of things.

The clunks were from the control arm bushings, the vibration was from the clutch pack, and the noise when the clutch was engaged was from a broken clutch fork! So glad that's all changed out, now. It was a couple weeks of off and on but it's finally fixed and feels great!

 

I was just about to mention a broken clutch fork. Mine went out on the way to work this past January and ended up replacing everything clutch related.