Just had my flywheel replaced at the dealer. When I took it in a couple of months ago for the oil change, I mentioned the clutch being loud, sounded like a bad throw-out bearing. Noise would quiet down when the clutch was depressed.
The dealer told me they have a revised flywheel that fixes the problem. It is a dual mass flywheel that is now revised. They told me to bring it back in and they would replace it.

I was hesitant to have this done. I was afraid it would not cure the problem and that they would be tearing into my MCS with only 7400 miles on it. It is a fairly major job that required me to drive their rental car for 2 days.

When I got the car back... I was amazed at how quiet the clutch/flywheel now is!
You can't hear anything.. clutch in or out.. its sounds the same... nothing!
They did a great job and it all feels fine

Also got the latest ECM flash... It cured the cold start stumble and the engine is MUCH smoother in operation.. especially with the AC on...

I am quite pleased with MINI and my dealer....

 

Glad to hear that your flywheel transplant went so well. I would also be leery of having that much work done on my baby. Now get driving and put some miles on that MINI!

 

I have the same noise too. But it's not too loud. You can't even hear it when the a/c condensor fan is on. For now I'm gonna let it slide. Maybe I'll bring it up when the warranty is about to expire

About the ECU flash, I have a slight stumple too at start up. But it's only for a couple of seconds. I'm glad the update cured it. But I read another topic about the exhaust pop disapearing with the new update . I hope that's not the case

 

The exhaust poping is alive and well.... I don't hear any change after the flash..

 

It's amazing how quiet the car is now without the flywheel noise... I guess it was louder than I thought.. All I hear now is the whine and Miltek exhaust note...
I figured the new and improved flywheel would be good to do under warranty... In case the noise was the beginning of a larger problem... and who knows what else was addressed? Maybe its a few ounces lighter..

 

Excellent My dealer have been calling me about getting the upgrade. But I was afraid I would lose the popping sound. I'll bring it up when I take it in for the SES light

 

At 32,000 mi. on the clock of my '03 MCS, I just had my flywheel and clutch replaced by the dealer, under warranty, to cure the same idling noise problem (ongoing for 3 years since new). No more noise for now; hope it stays that way.