My '04 Coop has 22k miles on it. It just went in for its last service covered under free maintaince (Inspection 1). When I brought it in I complained about a slight stumble when letting the clutch out in 1st and worse in 2nd. The head tech took me for a road test and said he didn't feel it. Frankly I didn't feel it that day either.

Sure enough I picked up the car later that afternoon and the problem was worse. Now over the weekend the problem has gotten much worse. It doesn't happen every time I'm driving but usually after the car's been sitting over night or something.

Now when I'm driving I don't really feel it in first but if I don't bring the revs up above 2500 when I'm switching to second the car will shutter like its in the process of stalling but not quite. It doesn't happen in anything above second.

My biggest fear is I've done something to damage the clutch. I'm mad that they didn't pick up on it when my car was under free maintance. Does anyone know what this can be? Have I burned my clutch? Am I over reaccting? Do I have any recourse with the warranty? I'm pretty stressed right now so any help would be great.

Thanks

 

Check your front lower control arm bushings. These items are know to wear out and will cause a good shake in 1st and 2nd when theres a high demand for torq. This shake could be called a studder. I've had to replace mine twice already.

 

I have something similar, I was thinking that it was the clutch since it does it in 1,2,3 and 4 depending on the engine rpm's. I was going to have it looked at when I bring it in for some other things.

 

are your engine mounts keaking?

 

UPDATE:
I just called Herb Chambers Mini who is always busier than hell. They told me they could get me in on Monday. I notice it a lot more when there is more than one person in the car and/or the compressor for the air conditioner is off. I asked my service advisor if he thought it could be the lower controler arm bushings as one of you suggested but he said that he thinks it would be more of a thud or a clunk than the shutter i'm getting. He belives its something to do with the engine management software which to me doesn't make sense bc the problem is very recent. Thanks for the help so far keep the ideas coming.