[jez_MCSc]

I'll try to make this as brief as possible, I have an 04 plate MCS with a warranty that is due to expire mid way through July. I am getting bored of taking the car back to the garage every month - air con not working, power steering fan went, water in rear lights, harmon kardon speaker kept cutting out, washer jets not working etc etc.

I have started noticing some funny noises, a squeeking on start up (sounds like a loose fan belt), a different squeek when first pulling off and also a ticking when the car is at biting point. I assume this is the clutch but would be difficult to prove at the garage as the noises are not always there.

I really want to have the GTT 220 fitted after seeing Rolands car at Castle Coombe over the summer and having a brief chat. Would it make sense to have an uprated clutch fitted by a competant mechanic neighbour and possibly some other upgrades done at the same time whilst the clutch is out before the 220? What would be recommended? Or should I try and get the dealer to replace the clutch? It has done 31,000 miles at the moment.

Any advice, help much appreicated.

[GTT 280]

I would say sort out as many problems as you can with BMW. Good luck!!

But for any mechanical mods, then let Roland do all of the work, and supply the parts. Simply because your mechanic mate won't have the same appreciation for the MINI, and what works and what doesn't is best left to true experts.

You see, GTT is not just a brand for brand sake, you get much more than that.

Cheers,
K.

[jez_MCSc]

Thanks yeah I appreciate that and would let Roland do all the GTT work But if I was just getting the clutch done before hand I might as well get it done locally (not at BMW unless under warranty).

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by jez_MCSc (original)

Thanks yeah I appreciate that and would let Roland do all the GTT work But if I was just getting the clutch done before hand I might as well get it done locally (not at BMW unless under warranty).

You get your mechanic mate to fit the clutch, but how many MINI clutches has he fitted. What happens if it goes wrong, will he attend to the fault again and again until it works?

The idea with GTT doing all the work is that you get a one-stop final package.

Which clutch are you fitting - are you modding the flywheel too?

Give Roland a call and discuss it with him, afterall he's the one doing the work on your car.

Cheers,
K.

[alski]

as bristol has a few hills, they might say that clutch is consumable part, i have seen thread about gear box as well which may need further investagation for your noise
on the basis its the clutch you might get a factory contribution if no joy at stealer, otherwise suggest you try exedy if no joy with oem parts via factory/dealer
good luck

[jez_MCSc]

Yeah will just give Roland a ring, just need to check new insurance companies first, think Direct Line will just give me the run around re. upgrades.

The mechanic owns his own local garage and he wouldn't give me the run around but I can see what you mean about using GTT for the lot. I hate all this hassle with bits going wrong but there's nothing I'd rather replace it with.

[Hyper Active]

Quote: Originally Posted by jez_MCSc (original)

I'll try to make this as brief as possible, I have an 04 plate MCS with a warranty that is due to expire mid way through July. I am getting bored of taking the car back to the garage every month - air con not working, power steering fan went, water in rear lights, harmon kardon speaker kept cutting out, washer jets not working etc etc.

I have started noticing some funny noises, a squeeking on start up (sounds like a loose fan belt), a different squeek when first pulling off and also a ticking when the car is at biting point. I assume this is the clutch but would be difficult to prove at the garage as the noises are not always there.

I really want to have the GTT 220 fitted after seeing Rolands car at Castle Coombe over the summer and having a brief chat. Would it make sense to have an uprated clutch fitted by a competant mechanic neighbour and possibly some other upgrades done at the same time whilst the clutch is out before the 220? What would be recommended? Or should I try and get the dealer to replace the clutch? It has done 31,000 miles at the moment.

Any advice, help much appreicated.

Here's a company you could try that may be able to help you, there just down the road from GT Tuning as well. The people who run it are ex BMW mechanics from Woods, the local BMW / MINI dealership. Here's there contact details,

Kartechnic

52 Hatch Pond Rd
Nuffield Ind Est
Poole BH17 0JZ

Tel. 01202 677455

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by alski (original)

as bristol has a few hills, they might say that clutch is consumable part, i have seen thread about gear box as well which may need further investagation for your noise
on the basis its the clutch you might get a factory contribution if no joy at stealer, otherwise suggest you try exedy if no joy with oem parts via factory/dealer
good luck

May i ask what experience you have had with exedy - do you have one fitted?

Cheers,
K.

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by jez_MCSc (original)

Yeah will just give Roland a ring, just need to check new insurance companies first, think Direct Line will just give me the run around re. upgrades.

The mechanic owns his own local garage and he wouldn't give me the run around but I can see what you mean about using GTT for the lot. I hate all this hassle with bits going wrong but there's nothing I'd rather replace it with.

Oh yeah, don't get rid of your MINI. It just needs a little after market touch. You'll really like it once completed, and its that sense of achievement too, even if someone is doing all the hard work

I had toyed with the idea of getting an Evo FQ320 or an RS4; but there is something about the MINI that remains so much fun and it's a great car to mod.

Cheers,
K.

[sam_a156]

Quote: Originally Posted by jez_MCSc (original)

:
a squeeking on start up (sounds like a loose fan belt), a different squeek when first pulling off and also a ticking when the car is at biting point. I assume this is the clutch but would be difficult to prove at the garage as the noises are not always there.
:

This "...different squeek when first pulling off..." part sounds like a fairly standard MCS(W) thing. Mine's is doing the same (if my memory servers me well, it has been doing it since new) and my friend's MCS as well. Though mine has been getting a tad louder recently, so I am not sure if I should be worried about it too...?

[jez_MCSc]

Quote: Originally Posted by GTT 260 (original)

Oh yeah, don't get rid of your MINI. It just needs a little after market touch. You'll really like it once completed, and its that sense of achievement too, even if someone is doing all the hard work

I had toyed with the idea of getting an Evo FQ320 or an RS4; but there is something about the MINI that remains so much fun and it's a great car to mod.

Cheers,
K.

Yeah I know what you mean, I know I'd only get bored with anything I swapped it for within 6-8 months so I might as well improve what I've got - I'd have no hesitation in the upgrade if only I had more faith in the standard mini parts! I hate it when I suddenly hear a noise that I haven't heard before, do you still have any warranty left factory or after market?

Quote: Originally Posted by sam_a156 (original)

This "...different squeek when first pulling off..." part sounds like a fairly standard MCS(W) thing. Mine's is doing the same (if my memory servers me well, it has been doing it since new) and my friend's MCS as well. Though mine has been getting a tad louder recently, so I am not sure if I should be worried about it too...?

I used to have a MCSC and this started making that noise after about 10,000 miles, by 15,000 it hadn't got any worse but I sold it. My current Mini started making the noise very intermittently a couple of thousand miles ago but its the combination of that noise a a loose fan belt kind of noise that worries me, oh and the ticking when on biting point haha, think I'll just wait till July and see if it gets worse and if not get the 220 done then as both warranty and insurance run out then.

[GTT 280]

I have about 6 months warranty left through BMW - for what its worth (spit, spit!)

For most products you purchase you have statutory rights for 12 months cover (i think). Of course, if you go to a reputable modifier then they usually look after well anyway.

Hey... and the MINI wouldn't be a true car if it didn't have quirks. Some of the best loved cars have bad issues/problems - although i may now be referencing the classics.

Cheers,
K.

[GARY GP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Hyper Active (original)

Here's a company you could try that may be able to help you, there just down the road from GT Tuning as well. The people who run it are ex BMW mechanics from Woods, the local BMW / MINI dealership. Here's there contact details,

Kartechnic

52 Hatch Pond Rd
Nuffield Ind Est
Poole BH17 0JZ

Tel. 01202 677455

I heard good things about this garage too !....