[Rob D]

I currently own an r56 Mini Cooper S (April 07 build) with 5500 miles on the clock. A couple of months ago whilst pulling out of a parking space (it was on a slope) i noticed a really strange noise - (chewbacca type noise/ship's horn). I had put the car in first gear, set the revs at about 1500, brought the clutch up to biting point and released the handbrake - as i began to pull off i heard the noise. I couldn't replicate it again that day.

It has happened on at least two other occasions over the last few months. It only happens when the car has been idle (for at least 6 hours or overnight). It only happens pulling off in first and it is very infrequent. I cannot replicate it (never know when it will happen). It seems to happen when i am turning out of a parking space. There are no other issues with the clutch - gear change is fine and no other noises. On a different note I have had that 'Diesel clattering noise' on start up a few times that others have mentioned on here but on the occasions it has happened it goes after a couple of minutes driving.

I contacted my dealer and a technician took it out today with me. No surprise - the noise could not be recreated. The technician said this was a known problem by BMW and required a modified clutch kit which would be covered under warranty. He also said that the clutch appeared to working perfectly fine. When we returned to the dealership he put it on a ramp to have a look whilst i waited. On return he told me it was a known problem on the previous model (r53 MCS i think) and they would have to hear the noise before they could contact BMW. They are keeping it overnight next week to hear it in the morning whilst cold (I still doubt they will hear it). I asked him if i am damaging the car by continuing to drive it and he said no.

My question is has anyone else had this problem on an r56 MCS and what has happened? Will it be covered under warranty? Is my clutch failing? I have only done 5500 miles - I don't use it on tracks, ride the clutch or abuse the car. This seems unacceptable mileage for a clutch to fail.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated?

[berty]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rob D (original)

I currently own an r56 Mini Cooper S (April 07 build) with 5500 miles on the clock. A couple of months ago whilst pulling out of a parking space (it was on a slope) i noticed a really strange noise - (chewbacca type noise/ship's horn). I had put the car in first gear, set the revs at about 1500, brought the clutch up to biting point and released the handbrake - as i began to pull off i heard the noise. I couldn't replicate it again that day.

It has happened on at least two other occasions over the last few months. It only happens when the car has been idle (for at least 6 hours or overnight). It only happens pulling off in first and it is very infrequent. I cannot replicate it (never know when it will happen). It seems to happen when i am turning out of a parking space. There are no other issues with the clutch - gear change is fine and no other noises. On a different note I have had that 'Diesel clattering noise' on start up a few times that others have mentioned on here but on the occasions it has happened it goes after a couple of minutes driving.

I contacted my dealer and a technician took it out today with me. No surprise - the noise could not be recreated. The technician said this was a known problem by BMW and required a modified clutch kit which would be covered under warranty. He also said that the clutch appeared to working perfectly fine. When we returned to the dealership he put it on a ramp to have a look whilst i waited. On return he told me it was a known problem on the previous model (r53 MCS i think) and they would have to hear the noise before they could contact BMW. They are keeping it overnight next week to hear it in the morning whilst cold (I still doubt they will hear it). I asked him if i am damaging the car by continuing to drive it and he said no.

My question is has anyone else had this problem on an r56 MCS and what has happened? Will it be covered under warranty? Is my clutch failing? I have only done 5500 miles - I don't use it on tracks, ride the clutch or abuse the car. This seems unacceptable mileage for a clutch to fail.

Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated?

It could be your rear brakes sticking on & when you set off it releases them. Has it been wet when it happens

[danielo]

Ah....
Seems i'm not the only one with that problem.

So far it's happened 3 times, it 1dt happened sometime last week.

i'm thinking it's a clutch plate problem.

The thing about these issues that cannot be replicated, especially when it's at the dealer's is near to impossible to make a warranty claim.

[Rob D]

I don't think it is the rear brakes sticking (the noise doesn't sound brake-like) but I will suggest this to the dealer as a possible line of investigation. In terms of weather - it has been dry on all three occasions.

I forgot to mention that on two of the occasions I have been pulling out of a parking space, on a hill, that has required me to turn the steering wheel a fair bit (not quite a full lock but close). However, it is not remotely similar to the power steering whine of the r53 - totally different noise. The other occasion when it happened I was on the flat and reversed out of a parking space and then put it in first to drive off (I was still rolling back slightly when I pulled off) and heard the noise very faintly.

[AKA_Brutus]

Really glad to find others with my mini's ailment.

My best guess is the clutch plate as well. I think it is glazed over...wearing out. The reason why there are people having trouble replicating it at the dealer is because it only happens when the flywheel and clutch plate are cool. When you get to the dealer, all of that stuff is warm.
My "chewbacca type noise/ship's horn" only happens at my first few starts in 1st gear in the morning...on a cold engine.

I'm not really surprised to have this happen to mine because of the 60K miles on it, and the fact that it is a JCW that is driven as it should be driven.


It sucks, but the only way to have the dealer hear the wookie is to leave it overnight and have them ease out the clutch pedal as the transmission engages 1st in the morning.

Good luck to all, and I will check back to see if my clutch predictions were correct...as I'm out of warranty.

[earthbelow]

Got the same problem on an 02 S. Chewbacca when pulling off. Not all the time. And of course, never when there is a mechanic around!!! But clutch works fine. Its just really annoying. Seems to be a common problem, with no ill effects except for the annoying noise. And no one is sure why it happens. Some people had their clutch changed just to have the noise come back a few weeks later. Lots of posts on all MINI forums about this.

[shed]

Well after reading, I wont even ask if any one know's why it makes that aweful sound. My 02 S does it all the time, in 1st gear. Doesnt matter if its cool, hot, dry or wet outside, its just embarrasing. Everyone always looks at me, like whats wrong with your car! ITs so LOUD! Was going to take to dealer, but why waste the MONEY! If anyone ever finds the problem, PLEASE post how to FIX. THanks

[Robbie123]

I own a Mini Cooper S & also experience this totally embarrassing clutch noise when pulling off in first gear luckily I have blacked out windows so nobody can see me, as it does attract attention.
Having taken the car to a Nationwide Auto centre they told me it was also the clutch plate and it’s a common fault, but it won’t cause me any bother apart from the noise on pull off.
Still does not affect the performance of the car so from what I have read its best just to live with it.

[ladylaura.23]

My Cooper S has the same problem. I first noticed it on the test drive but i was so in love with the car i forgot about it! it ralely happened when i first got it but now 4 months on it does it ALL the time regardless of time of day/weather etc!! I finaly took it in last week as it needed to go in for a new fan belt anyway, and they said on the testing they couldn't hear anything but as the clutch was a little bit heavy they have booked it in for next monday for a new clutch under warrenty. They think they know what the sound is and say a new clutch is the answer so we'll have to wait and see!! what happened to yours Rob D?

[BlueMax]

A search for this problem will show it is very common on R53 S's. On NAM I was surprised to see it still present on the R56. Being still present on the R56 means there is no modification or new design kit available. I have a 04 JCW MCS and have learned to live with this, only does it when cold and especially if it is damp. The facelift 05 MCS's suffer this noise. Common theories are split up between: 1) Glazing of the clutch plate - which is unlikely at low milage 2) movement in the dual mass flywheel - a complicated flywheel is used on Mini, it is not solid, Google for explanation on this on LUK or How Stuff Works or 3) the release/throwout bearing - this however does not give the chewbakka sound. It will not damage the car, it is irritating but there is no guarantee that a new clutch will solve the problem permanently. IMHO - leave it alone.