hello people, im currantly working away & my mrs has been on the phone for a few days saying her 2004 mini coooper cabriolet (pink one featured on cover on modern mini this month) is makeing a funny noise?????

today she rang & said it got very loud & has got her dad to look at the car & he thinks its the clutch release bearing? (sounds like it 2 me)

the car makes a funny "ticking" noise (mainly when cold) & it dissapears when the clutch pedal is pressed down. (car only done 55k)

for the past few months it has mad a slight grinding sound when u apply the thottle at low revs & goes when the engine picks up to a steady speed, does this in all gears.
i thought this was the main shaft in the box myself

after various search's across the net it would seem her car is a june 2004 car but is fitted with the later getrag gearbox that seem to be the better ones

i wont know more till i get home but my question is.......

are the clutchs differnt for the midland/getrag gearbox's?????

any reccomendations????

gonna get the gearbox out when home & change the lot over & who knows it may even get red of the grinding noise as could have been the thrust bearing all along???? (what u reckon???)