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Hatchbacks MINI Cooper MINI Cooper Clutch & Transmission Questions
269 messages, Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 3:43 PM
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I have a 2003 Mini Cooper S with a John Cooper Works package. The first and still unresolved problem is that if the car is left unlocked the battery will go dead. I took it to the dealer in Orlando, FL three times and had the battery replaced because the dealer said that they were having a lot of problems with the Mini batteries. The fourth time they said that they would not replace the battery because the car was not maintained properly. The car only had fifteen thousand miles on it at two years of ownership. The definition I was given for properly maintaining my car was that it had to be driven at least forty miles in one direction everyday. The battery could not be replaced at no charge but, I could buy a new one from Mini and they would give me a trickle charger for free. I bought an Inter-State battery and wrote my sales person and asked to be reimbursed. I was reimbursed. Later I did my own investigation and found that the computer would shut down (car unlocked) in two modes: Proper shut down would be with a draw of 15 milli amps. on the battery. Occasionally the computer would not shut the system down properly and a draw of 90 milliamps draw was left on the battery. This is what killed the battery when not driven for two days. So armed with my test information off to the dealer I went. The dealer could not verify the problem and said that I should lock the car and it should be OK. Locking cures the problem. Second problem is a groaning clutch at start–off and what may be gear chatter or clutch noise when car is driven or in neutral with clutch out. Push clutch in an all chattering goes away. I have replaced two clutches and one flywheel, as well as having the transmission torn down by two independent service organizations and the noises are still there. So after spending a bunch of money, I went to the dealer. Paid a $ 127.00 diagnostic fee to be told by the Tech, “They all do that no matter what clutch or flywheel that is installed BMW or After Market they all do it”. He continued to say, “They could replace the clutch for $ 27,000 but the noise will come back”. He explained that there is an unbalance in the Transmission and Clutch assembly that they are looking into with balancers but no solution has been found. Third problem is a rough idle that develops that goes away when the AC is shut off or the engine is revved. Don’t know what it is and don’t want to take it to the dealer. I think the only thing I can do is to sell the car to a person that is hard of hearing. Extremely Disappointed. |
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Replying to: gusp (Sep 20, 2005 9:30 pm) The closest Mini service is over a 100 miles. Does anyone know what this could be, I have no clue? |
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Replying to: miccrab (Sep 11, 2008 3:35 pm)  aol.com. Thanks
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Replying to: bfromhold (Apr 22, 2007 12:01 pm) |
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Replying to: winniep (May 23, 2007 4:11 pm) |
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Mine is a 2003 Mini with 18,500 miles and which I have enjoyed a lot. Largely but not entirely trouble free UNTIL NOW. It's a shopping car that has never been very far from home. While down shifting the other day to accelerate on to a busy hwy, I heard a loud thump and the clutch went dead. I coasted to safety on the shoulder and found there was no clutch action at all. Engine, heater, radio, etc all running okay . There had been no indication of any clutch problem. A nearby independent opined that both the transmission and maybe the clutch had to be replaced---- and at great expense. Suggested the car be taken to Mini where given the very low mileage some price saving might be available. So my Mini was trucked to Mini of Sterling, Va (its birthplace), where the "Out of Warranty" hymn is now being sung .Awaiting my fate I share this tale with bated breath because misery is said to ,like company
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Over my dead body and I'm unanmious in that. As Charleton Heston said " They will have to pry my rifle from my cold dead hands." Seriously, unless you have money to throw away do it. I'am not a Grinch, she has a BMW 530i . I think a Mini is a girl thing. 
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Replying to: omalone (Dec 13, 2008 10:11 am) 
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Replying to: nxyv2277 (Dec 03, 2008 9:51 am) |
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