I just got the bad news that the clutch in my '03 MCS is being replaced under warranty at only 18,000 miles. It started out feeling like the clutch was slipping a bit when engaging at low RPM. It made this kind of metal on metal grinding/screeching sound when letting the clutch out at RPM. Anyone else had their clutch replaced at such low mileage? The work is being done at South Bay Mini but its taking about a week for parts and all the work to be completed.

 

I have the same problem and same sound. MINI of Nashville said that my clutch plate (I think) is going bad. Mine isn't covered under warranty. Its a "wear and tear" issue that the warranty supposedly doesn't cover. My sound started at about 30000 miles, but its still driveable at 45000 now. That's pretty awesome that yours is covered by the warranty. Its a nearly $2000 job.

 

This problem had been going on for a bit and the first Dealer I took it too 6 months ago said they couldn't replicate the problem. Now that it is much worse, I got another dealer to finally recognize the problem and fix it. They said they searched the national database and couldn't find much help on fixing the problem without replacing the whole clutch. Right now I'm waiting on bolts for the flywheel. That is the latest update.

 

If you don't ride the clutch, then it should be covered.

 

My clutch went KAPUT after 18,000 miles less than two weeks ago on a road trip. It was covered under the warranty. The plate was cracked and basically smoked beyond recognition. They also replaced the flywheel. It was determined that it must have been a faulty clutch from the beginning.

A week? I was lucky enough to end up at Patrick's MINI over in Chicago - they did the job in a day (w/ a loaner MINI for me to use during the repair). :smile:

 

Well it's been about a week in total because they decided to take the car apart first before noticing they were short on some parts for the flywheel! Have you had any problems since the replacement?

 

Interesting, my car has been doing this for a while... Is it a grind/screech when letting out the clutch to get moving, doesn't happen when changing into other gears?

 

Exactly Chibo. Does it do it pretty routinely or happen more when the engine is hot or cold?

ps...nice car. My 2003 MCS is pretty strikingly similar.

 

Thank you :smile:
As for the noises, it happens pretty much all the time. Though it does get louder after I've been running it very hard (read: chirping the tires between gears)

 

Mine was replaced at 18000 as well. It started making a very small metal-on-metal noise when letting the clutch out at a standstill, so I mentioned it when I had it in, and they replaced the clutch and flywheel under warranty. They did have to get approval from the higher-ups as the clutch is a wear item, but it came through and didn't cost me anything......not a peep in the last 7000 miles....sounds like an uncommon but not unheard-of problem with a few cars.....Bruce

 

Bruceink, could you tell me which MINI dealer replaced your clutch? I think I am going to have to make a visit to my MINI dealer so that they can fix my clutch that they said wasn't covered under warranty. I would like for them to speak with SouthBay MINI and your dealer so that maybe they can fix mine under warranty. Thanks.

 

I had it diagnosed in Las Vegas, but they didn't have the parts, so when I got it home I took it to Long Beach MINI. It required another round of contacting the service authorization folks and a few days of waiting for the responses (they said they could only ask the questions on line to wherever, which I found hard to believe), but they never said it wasn't a warranty issue....good luck, keep us posted. Bruce in Santa Monica

 

Nope, no problems since the clutch/flywheel was replaced a couple of weeks ago {knock on wood}. Although I've been very 'gentle' with the clutch for the most part since the repair.

Let us know how it all works out. I hope the dealership was able to offer you a loaner in the meantime (convertible MCS ).

 

Unfortunately no MCS convertible loaners. They did give me a '05 X3 3.0L manual. It's fun, but can't handle quite like the MCS :smile:

 

as the charter member of the "oooooooooooort" club, let me say that you are not alone .with a mere 150 miles to go before coming out of warrentee,I got a complete clutch assy.(with flywheel) replaced under warrentee! the squeeky wheel gets the grease .It's not normal for a car with 30000 miles to need a clutch.That being said, it is possible to smoke a clutch in a weekend........................................... ..............I had a honda civic with 155k that was on it's original clutch and showing NO signs of needing one.

 

[QUOTE=holdenontoit]as the charter member of the "oooooooooooort" club, let me say that you are not alone .with a mere 150 miles to go before coming out of warrentee,I got a complete clutch assy.(with flywheel) [QUOTE]

haha, you said 'assy'.

 

I recently felt that noise (barely noticable) twice in a week, and only with 1st. Do I have a problem with the cluth?

 

Mine was barely noticeable as well. I had it in for something else, mentioned the slight noise and they said Clutch And Flywheel....

 

What was the issue?

I'm going to replace in a couple of months (less than 5 if really needed) the clutch before it gets bad. What clutch do you recommend me?

The dealer charges me like $750 US including labor.

 

18k and a new clutch. no metal scraping, just the typical MCS accel/decel click. Never heard of a clutch being replaced for it. Probably with good reason, it wasn't the clutch. But boy, does a new clutch feel nice.

Let's hope all the explanations i've heard of MINIUSA's per car Warranty Allowance were not true. My MINI just ate up a lot of dough, perhaps completely unnecessarily.

 

My clutch had some air, I think the problem is over

 

I've been hearing a noise when getting getting to move the car initially and only when the car is cold. Now it is NOT a grinding sound, more like a squeaking sound......would anyone describe their issues as a squeaking sound? I don't hear it when I shift in and out of any other gears........

 

More of a groan than a squeek, but only cold, only starting in first, right as the clutch is taking up th load, during slip. Once or twice in the morning as I back out of the driveway, and then gone by the next time I'm in a situation that would need it. I was thinking throw-out bearing, as that is what would go in all the other cars I've owned, but who knows now....

Lets see

clutch kit...$250 stock...$420 upgrade
Flywheel...????? stock...$500 upgrade..
LSD..........???? stock...$1200 Quaife

All I can say is if it's gonna take a dump, I gotta start saving NOW. Mine has 56k on it.....

Matt