Brought my MINI into the dealer for it's oil service at around 45,000 miles and to get rid of my clutch squeal, among other items.
They just gave me a call after opening up the transmission, and said I could use a new clutch since it's over 50% worn, but then said it would cost $2000 in labor to replace the clutch!
Sounds way overpriced to me, what do you guys think?

 

The pricing is consistent with what other people at other dealers have been quoted.........Dealers are always overpriced, the labor rate at most dealers hovers around $100/hr so it doesnt take long to get there

 

The going rate for labor from people like Helix, Waymotor worxs, detroit tuned etc is $800. forget the dealer for this work

 

Gotcha. So the 20 hrs of labor is quite excessive as well?

 

Considering it is an engine out job, or at the minimum you have to drop the front subframe it is gonna be expensive no matter where you get it done.

I would shop around a bit. Is there a private Euro-focused shop in your area? A place that works on Bimmers, VW, Audis, etc could probably do it for you cheaper than the dealer.

 

SO, are they going to be doing any warranty repairs for the noisey clutch - flywheel??

When I took my S in to have the flywheel replaced ( noisey ) and I made a deal with the service manger - that I would buy the clutch parts from him and he would replace them ( at a discounted rate ) when they replaced the flywheel. - I think it cost me about $300.00 for the MINI clutch assembly and about $100.00 labor.

Just a thought.. Good luck

 

Yeah, they're already doing the flywheel replacement, for free.

 

If they are already doing the flywheel replacement you would be stupid to accept full labor charges for a clutch replacement as most of the labor is just getting to the clutch/flywheel. If they are already replacing the flywheel, all they need to do is unbolt the clutch and replace it (for sure no more than hr labor). And I don't know that 50% clutch life merits a replacement either. But if you can get them to do it cheaply (like big coyote) then it will save you money down the road if you keep the car.

 

Why would you have to pay extra labor for a clutch when your having a flywheel done under warranty. Pressure plate and disc have to come off anyways.

 

Yeah. That's what I thought too. I guess they're just being punks about it.

 

Exactly. Sounds to me like they are trying to take advantage of you, betting you don't know how cars work.

In fact it would not shock me if the billed MINIUSA for the warranty work and take your 2k too

 

yes it is common practice for them to bill double the amount of time the books say it takes to do a job

For example.....go look at the accesories installation guides over at motoring file......then call and price installation of such accessory at your local dealer and ask them what thier labor rate is......without fail accross the board, the consumers are robbed

For example the driving lights....common to get quoted at $400 to install but the book says 2.5hr job

 

Well if they won't give you a better rate I say tell them to replace the flywheel only, then....drive around the block & come back & say "OK I am ready for you to replace my clutch now". I mean if they are gonna charge for the work to be done twice I would make dang sure that they have to do the work twice

 

Shoot just tell them that you will do exactly that.....See how that sits with them.....They will probably see it your way

 

this is madness! I am in the same boat, needing a clutch replacement after the dealership diagnosis my clutch noise.

I had no idea a clutch job for the MINI would cost this much. MINI of Dallas wants $2,100 for it with $300 for the parts!

Is it true that in order to replace the clutch in a MINI, you have to remove the engine parts? (Including draining and removing the radiator?!)

I am in shocked... no idea how I am going to resolve this...

 

I had my flywheel replaced under warranty and while they were in there they replaced my clutch at the same time. $250 for parts was it. Northwest Mini in Fife, WA.

 

Yeah… apparently there was a communication error. Even though he told me what the labor was, apparently they weren't going to charge it. *embarrassed*
That's a life-lesson for me, I suppose. :(

 

Seems more like an SA covering his *** after the client enquired why he was being asked to pay for the priviledge of bending over.

Glad it's worked out though. I have a little clutch shudder/slip on the odd occasion but the fear of the huge labour bill keeps me from doing anything about it.

 

You should have asked if they would just leave the car dismantled so you could pop a new clutch in while they weren't looking . $2,000 is highway robbery for a clutch. I was quoted about $500 in labor from Steve at Steve's Auto Clinic here in LA

 

I am literally in the same situation as you. Althought I thought it might be the release bearing or clutch fork as well from other readings. But I don't know if it's worth dumping $2K into the car just to have a new clutch. I have considered getting rid of it or attempting the job myself. I could spend less money, acquire some cool new tools as well to get the job done. Just not sure, but I was quoted around $2K as well.

 

For those of you in the Dallas area. Will at Bob's Tire and Auto does the clutch for $1K + parts.

The engine does not need to come out, the rad does need to emptied.

 

Thank you! I'll be at the MINI meet today driving a black Xterra rental if you want to introduce yourself. I really don't want to get rid of the car because I can't justify $2K for a clutch. I will most likely contact Will once I get my car back.

 

I'll be there as well, can't miss the Mini, SB/S with a mod or 3...

 

Excuse me ??? The rad needs to be emptied ??? Only on CVT replacement does the engine come out, but even a CVT can be re & re without removing the engine, in fact even a 6 speed Auto can be re & re without removing the engine. The proper way to do it is to take the subframe out, take the bumper off, pull the front end forward and remove tranny without having to remove any coolant lines. Honestly a Cooper S flywheel is booked at like 8.5 hours but honestly can be done in 4-5 pretty easily if everything goes smoothly. Warrenty should pay for a new clutch if it is 50%, the new flywheel is freshly machined and the old clutch is worn to in a certain pattern. Evn though this probably does not matter, it is common practice to replace the clutch and release bearing in this situation. $1500 for a new clutch, pressure plate and release bearing is a decent price. Flywheels can not be machined however, only replaced.

 

My question is why do so many people go through there clutches so quickly? Sounds like a lot of unnecesary riding of the clutch to me.

Also, if they are telling you its 50% worn, and they are also charging you that rediculous amount to replace it, its not 50% worn...