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MINI Cooper Clutch & Transmission Questions

545 messages,  Last post on Jun 17, 2013 at 4:02 PM

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What is this discussion about? MINI Cooper, Transmission, Convertible, Hatchback

    
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Messages Page 52 of 56

#504 of 545 Re: 2004 MINI Cooper Clutch Problems [bruin03] by 32flavors

Apr 20, 2012 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: bruin03 (Oct 15, 2005 11:27 pm)
The clutch in my 2005 Mini went out suddenly after less than 2K miles. The dealsheip replaced it after I raised hell. Now, the clutch in my 2007 Mini is going out....after only 55K miles! I've driven standard transmissions my entire life & never experienced this. I called Mini...sure enough, not covered unless it's "normal wear & tear," which they can't evaluate unless I put down $2K for them to tear down the engine to look at it....if they see any signs of damage that indicates beyond normal wear & tear, then I'd have to shell out the money for the repair, too. A clutch going out after only 55K miles is bound to show signs of defect! So, I'm taking it to a trusted mechanic and shelling out the $1100 to have them replace the clutch, since my car is worth over $15K. But as long as I live in a hilly community, I won't get another Mini! I love my Mini, but not enough to have to shell out for a new clutch ever few thousand miles!

#505 of 545 Re: 2004 MINI Cooper Clutch Problems [32flavors] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Apr 20, 2012 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: 32flavors (Apr 20, 2012 5:02 pm)
Make sure you replace EVERYTHING in there--including the flywheel, the rear main engine seal, the release bearing, clutch disc, pressure plate, new flywheel bolts, new pressure plate bolts, transmission main shaft seal, clutch pivot pin, throw-out bearing guide sleeve, new slave cylinder.
 
This is a big and expensive job, and you don't want to go in there again. Mini flywheels are prone to glazing and then howling (the dreaded "chewbacca sound") So if you haven't had the flywheel ever replaced, now's the time.

#506 of 545 Clutch and Flywheel gone at 26,000 miles by psibagman

May 10, 2012 (2:35 pm)

We've brought in my wife's 2009 Mini Clubman S into our local Mini dealer for the past year complaining about the same sound coming from what we thought was the clutch. For a year they kept sending it back stating that they heard nothing. Now, that the car is out of the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty, by about a month, they've managed to locate the problem. They also want $3,000.00 to fix it. Contacted Mini corporate but they were no help. When I explained that not only has this been going on for a year - documented- that it also seems to be an issue with many owners nationwide. And that like my dealer, we're being told that it's due to abusive driving. Funny how that word spreads from dealers coast to coast. My wife has been driving cars with clutches for 29 years. She is not an abusive driver. There definately is a problem. Suggestions?

#507 of 545 Re: Clutch and Flywheel gone at 26,000 miles [psibagman] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

May 10, 2012 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: psibagman (May 10, 2012 2:35 pm)
Do you have any repair orders written during the warranty period that make a statement on them about your complaint?

#508 of 545 Re: Clutch and Flywheel gone at 26,000 miles [Mr_Shiftright] by busiris

May 11, 2012 (8:25 am)

Replying to: MrShift@Edmunds (May 10, 2012 2:46 pm)
I thought MINI had a 3 year/36 K bumper to bumper warranty and a 4 year/50K drivetrain warranty.
 
Has that changed? I know my wife's 2005 Mini has that...
 
Update: no change, per the Mini web-site.

#509 of 545 Clutch failed at 8,000 miles by soletrain

May 12, 2012 (5:23 pm)

I was shocked when my clutch failed on my 2009 Clubman at 8k miles - I have driven manual transmissions for years and never had any problems with my other cars (Saab, Acura, Jeep and Honda). This is a second vehicle so it isn't driven daily as were the other vehicles. Not really looking for any response, but was disheartened to see clutch failure at low mileage isn't an uncommon experience.

#510 of 545 Re: Clutch failed at 8,000 miles [soletrain] by busiris

May 13, 2012 (9:17 am)

Replying to: soletrain (May 12, 2012 5:23 pm)
Is Your Mini a base or "S" model?

#511 of 545 Re: Clutch failed at 8,000 miles [busiris] by soletrain

May 13, 2012 (11:53 am)

Replying to: busiris (May 13, 2012 9:17 am)
S model

#512 of 545 Re: Clutch failed at 8,000 miles [soletrain] by busiris

May 14, 2012 (8:54 am)

Replying to: soletrain (May 13, 2012 11:53 am)
I asked the model because, just using a cursory observation here, most clutch complaints on this forum seem to be the "S" designations of the various Mini models.
 
IIRC, the S models use a different "dual mass" flywheel, along with a different clutch disc, so I wonder if it is the difference in materials, the increased HP or a difference in driving characteristics that skews failures to the S model lineup.

#513 of 545 Dual mass flywheel explained. by busiris

May 14, 2012 (12:24 pm)

For those curious about the details of a dual mass flywheel/clutch setup, such as that used in Mini "S" models...
 
http://moodle.student.cnwl.ac.uk/moodledata_shared/cdx%20etextbook/dswmedia/tran- - - s/clutchMan/clutches/dualmassflywheels.html
 
And...
 
http://www.valeoservice.com/data/master/webfile/19835431504AD33F8566078.pdf?rnd=- - 102
 
Here is a great YouTube video on how a dual mass flywheel is constructed and how it functions....
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnaXB8q3uzQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Messages Page 52 of 56

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