[Mullet]

Hello people !!

Ok, i know its been a long time... and i have no real excuses... but i mean well - and i always wave, beep and have converations with fellow mini drivers when i see them, surely that counts for something!

Onto my problem (man, i feel like i am using you all for knowledge now!) - ps. watch this get bumped to the techo section !

A couple weeks back i drove my 04 MCS up to Newcastle. In Sydney i got caught in heavy traffic but that was all good and i got through no problem.

Going over Mount White was a slightly different story though... i was sitting on around 115 (or 120.. depends on the angle of the speedo really) but when i tried to accelerate past a car the revs would jump to 4000 before the car started to speed up. i assumed it was the clutch slipping but had ye ol fingers crossed that it was just way hot from the stuck in sydney thing.. its only done 77k and i have never heard of a new car going through a clutch so quickly !

Second set of tires and still original brakes - so it hasnt been thrashed.. and i dont use the clutch as a footrest !

ANYWAY - it slipped a little on the way home so i booked it in to the MINI garage to get it looked at today.

Picked it up this afternoon with word that the clutch needs replacing - probably the flywheel too... the quote for this came in on the ugly side of $2000 + labour...

So.. here is the question... or questions...
Can anyone recomend a good clutch and flywheel kit ??
Is it worth getting a lighter flywheel put in - its a daily driver but im not gonna pass up a quicker bolt time !
Is there a good place to get it done in Canberra ?
and lastly...
My partner was pretty close to getting a new 'S Cabriolet... how do i tell her its still worth it?!? (she is currently drafting the letter to MINI asking how a clutch could go so fast so is a little disillusioned!)

Stay cool !

[minigolf]

Bugger. Not sure how much joy you'll get from MINI either.

All the best getting in fixed.

[Mullet]

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf (original)

Bugger. Not sure how much joy you'll get from MINI either.

All the best getting in fixed.

Cheers dude !

In fairness the guys at MINI have been good so far and said they will probably try to meet part way on the $s..

Even, if they go halvsies thats still gonna set me back a good amount of moolah!!

Now the catch is trying to find someone around canberra that can do a new MINI clutch !!

This would never have happened if i had just bought the old KB laser from my sister !

[dsakko]

My advice is to not go too agressive on the clutch.

Firstly a lightweight flywheel will help the engine rev quicker, and will help it rev a little harder, but not a significant feeling of extra power. But it will stall alot easier. And don't worry - at idle it's still smooth as, and there's not a noticeable increase in rattling from the gearbox at idle.

Secondly - I wouldn't go past a stage 2 clutch. Stage 3 and above are "paddle" clutches where the friction surface of the clutch disc is separated into segments. The smaller area means more pressure - therefore can handle more horsepower - but also means it will bite quicker and won't be easy to "ride" the clutch when taking off.

The stage 1 and 2 clutches are more smoother and progressive, and are good if you like to launch hard When launching on the factory clutch it would bite early below 2000rpm, and would slip like buggery above 3000rpm. Stage 2 clutch is consistent when taking off between 700rpm and 4000rpm. Even had my partner and her son drive the car, and they would never have known it's a competition clutch.

Anyway, that's my 2c. Everyone has their own opinion. If you want to go hard, go for a high spec clutch / lightest flywheel you can get, but if you want driveability you need to think about how far you want to go.

[Mullet]

Thanks for the advice Dsakko !

I dont suppose you could drop a couple of names or places i can get the clutch and flywheel from ??

Ive made a few calls around here and i am yet to find a place that has fitted a clutch to the new MINIs - to make matters slightly worse.. the cheapest quote i have had is $700 for a clutch + $1950 for a flywheel after adding the oils, other bits and peices and labour... the cheapest quote ive had is $3600... It almost makes the genuine BMW stuff look like a good option !!!

I have thought about ordering the gear o/s and then getting someone to fit it... but by the time i buy it and get it all frieghted over itll cost the same as the parts here and ill have to try to get by until they arrive on a shady clutch (im still tossing up if the golf weekend is a great idea!).

needless to say the $3600 is slightly painful in the pocket !!

[dsakko]

There are some great online shops in the Mini2 Directory (such as Mini Madness, Mini Mania and Moss Mini). There's also stuff on eBay (since I'm also looking for a Cooper S clutch now I'm upgrading to the S 6 speed gearbox). Ring up BMW spares and get a price, then work out the cost of the aftermarket stuff and see which is cheaper (BTW get the clutch and flywheel shipped separately - if the cost is over $1000 you'll be slugged import duty).

You might find that the dealership are the only mob in town set up to do a clutch on a Mini, but they are the same mechanically to any other car. Just need to remove the subframe, but otherwise there are no surprises.

Good luck.

[minigolf]

Any use???

[Mullet]

Yeah gave me a bit to think about !!

Thanks for your help all !!

Unfortunately, with the amount its slipping i cant wait to get it shipped over and getting one sent standard would cost me as much as a BMW one..

The upside with the latter is that i may stand a chance in the lovely BMW folks meeting me some of the way - going totally after market kinda kills my chances.

The guys at MINI Australia said it sounds unreasonable and we should get the regional manager to check it out - chances are costs will be met. The dealership said the regional manager wont be here till december and blah blah blah blah blah... but if we could wait till he gets here so he can inspect the car....

The truely sad thing is we were about to become a dual MINI family with the other half deciding she was well on her way to cabriolet ownership (even had a couple test drives and had dealership talks). I understand that clutches go - but really, after 70,000km and when the car still has original rear tyres and brake pads - kinda seems unlikely. Its a shame that the guys at the dealership here dont even really want to talk about it - seems to me to be a reluctance to stand behind their product.

The upside is the missus is now looking at a 350z.... could be worse !

[AndrewH]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mullet (original)

I understand that clutches go - but really, after 70,000km and when the car still has original rear tyres and brake pads - kinda seems unlikely.

70,000 and you've still got 2 of the original tyres You know when you put it up on blocks, your supposed to put it in reverse to reduce the k's

It’s a shame that you've had these issues though and that they did themselves out of a sale Did you mention that to them?

[minigolf]

Yes, there must be something wrong with my car. It's at 50,000kms more than halfway through it's 3rd set of tyres and needs to have it's 3rd set of brake pads fitted.

[dsakko]

You're a freak! In 70,000km I've been through more gearboxes than you've been through tyres!!!

I'd love to know where the pressure is coming from. I hear things like "they probably won't cover that under warranty" and "no problem, BMW Aus will pick up the cost", and it's never consistent. Who makes the call? The dealership? BMW Aus? The Regional Managers? I've got a gearbox that failed within 4 months and the decision is sorry, no warranty.

And to top it off as a ClubMINI member I've been told that I am personally NOT entitled to the club discount on genuine Mini stuff. Not impressed. Again I'd like to know if it's the dealership screwing me for extra dollars, or BMW Aus putting their foot down.

[Mullet]

Ha!

yeah - i really dont get the whole rear tyre thing...the fronts wear fine... the rears just dont seem to wear. ive been saying that when they finally need replacing im going for new wheels - believe me, im checking nightly wear so i can justify the new rims - so naturally... ill be on the factory set forever !

I think the call has sofar been the dealership - everytime i have spoken to BMW aus they have said it sounds abnorrmal... but everytime i talk to the locals they just couldnt really care and pull the 'clutch is perishable' line. BMW suggested i put a letter through the dealer and get them to put something in writing - so i guess thatswhere i am going now !!

It may be a pain.... but its still worth it - Ahh, the mini... it may have its quirks but its still awesome !

3 sets of tyres in 50,000km.... i love your work !!!

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original)

And to top it off as a ClubMINI member I've been told that I am personally NOT entitled to the club discount on genuine Mini stuff. Not impressed. Again I'd like to know if it's the dealership screwing me for extra dollars, or BMW Aus putting their foot down.

That's crap!

[jksgoh]

Hi Mullet,
i've had a similar problem to you. at about 84000ks my clutch suddenly died on me, started making lots of noises and clunks. i had only noticed it slipping that day, and the noises came at night all of a sudden. Brought it in to bmw and they replaced the clutch and machined the flywheel for $1600!!
I asked the service guy bout how long they should last, and he just gave me crap about he's seen one only lasting 1000ks.
But ye, if you get into contact with bmw, i would be interested in what they have to say about this issue.

[eb/w mini]

1000ks out of a car clutch is crazy.
If you drove around in top gear using the clutch to get up the hills you should get at least 6 times that amount.
A v8 supercar gets a day out of a clutch at bathurst and last time i checked im sure the mini was puting out 600 hp even on a good day.

[dsakko]

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf (original)

That's crap!

I know. Will be taking in the official letter next time I order parts. Get them to put it in writing that they don't want to honour the 10%. Such a shame since I''ll be spending close to $9k this year with them just on gearboxes. That's why I REALLY want the 10% discount!

[dsakko]

Quote: Originally Posted by eb/w mini (original)

1000ks out of a car clutch is crazy.
If you drove around in top gear using the clutch to get up the hills you should get at least 6 times that amount.
A v8 supercar gets a day out of a clutch at bathurst and last time i checked im sure the mini was puting out 600 hp even on a good day.

You're right! My clutch was faulty since day 1 (manufacturing defect in the clutch centre (driven plate)). I thrashed mine to death (tried to klill it early to justify an after market clutch) and it lasted 80,000km.

[meenieme]

dsakko - when you mention the stage 2 clutch kit what are you actually referring to ? think im in the market for a clutch kit.

[dsakko]

It's from the Spec range of clutches. They have a Stage 1 and 2 clutch which is like a normal clutch (the Stage 2 has a kevlar driven plate or clutch centre), then Stage 3 to 5 are segmented racing style clutches. If you look on the web you can usually find a supplier that can get you one to your door for about the same price as a factory clutch, or a little more.

Funny thing is that now I'm installing a 6 speed, my clutch is useless! I'm now looking at getting maybe a Stage 1 Cooper S clutch. I figure that with the S clutch already being higher spec than the Cooper clutch I might not need a more agressive clutch.

[Mr G]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mullet (original)

Onto my problem (man, i feel like i am using you all for knowledge now!) - ps. watch this get bumped to the techo section !

Where it belongs you mean?

my cars on its 5th clutch in 75000. read all about that in faults and fixes.