I have had this issue for a year... Long story short, My dealer after 2 attempts at fixing, now says its my oil catch can causing the noise...the hole story is somewhere around here in a other thread.... The issue is the fly wheel. The ring in the flywheel that spins inside the housing wabbles at low tork while engauging causing the howling noise. Helix motorsports educated me on this while at their shop. Now, I just have to convince N Scottdale Mini.

 

So by flywheel, I assume you mean that just replacing this particular part resolves the problem? I guess I'm sorta at a loss since that's exactly what I did, albeit with a lighter one, and I still have issues with the howling sound. For now I've just been living with the sound and have found the easiest way to prevent the sound is by carefully launching with using the accelerator pedal little, if at all, while I'm attempting to release the clutch all the way out. Sounds as if I might be stuck with living with the clutch squeal on a daily basis, least until I find the correct diagnosis to resolve the problem.

GotMINI

 

Could any of you who have had the oooooorrrrrtttt noise fixed please post a scan of your service receipt. Seems that I can't convince my dealer that the throwout bearing, clutch, and flywheel are the problem. I tried telling them the Mini campaign number 200507600043 but they said it was not correct. I need something to give them to show others have fixed this problem. At least they now have heard the noise and agree there is a problem.

 

The issue is the fly-wheel.. there is a disk plate that spins within the flywheel that vibrates (or shutters ) while enguaging.. I have been told that is a known issue and there is a service bulletin on it.... Helix motorsports explained and showed me what the issue is....

Now, just to convice my dealer... they keep telling me its my oil catch can ... dont ask.. look around, this has been posted before.

 

I had a flywheel and clutch replaced last week at 33k miles because of a rattle in neutral that went away when the clutch was depressed. Now after driving for a hour or so (back to dealer for bad wheel sensor) I pulled away from a traffic light at higher RPM than usual (maybe 2k?) and got a big clutch howl.

Could this be happening because the clutch is not broken in yet? (or should I head back to the dealer)

 

I'd drive on it for a couple hundred miles to be sure although it still shouldn't "howl". I suspect you'll be taking it back to the dealer.
Greg