[James]

Hi,
Today while i was driving to my friends house I went to change from 2nd gear to 3rd gear however it was impossible to move the gear stick into third so i then tried going back to 2nd but it would not let me engage any gears! I pulled over and restarted the engine to see if it would go away however now I could move the gear stick into any gear and it felt like it was engaging gear however when I went to accelerate it was as if it was in neutral. I called the RAC (at the time I did not realise I had mini cover) and got dropped off at the mini garage I bought my car from. They said it sounds as if the clutch has gone but they said it was strange as there was no smell of burning clutch. They also said that it was unlikely to be covered by warantee as it is a "wear n tear" item which is BS because my mini has only done 6000 miles. Anyway as they told me a new clutch is going to cost £900 I was not very happy. They said they would check it out on friday and so I asked if I could have a courtesy car as I really need transport this week. They said I could call Mini emergency services to ask for one but it was unlikely as they didnt pick me up I phoned mini emergency services they said they would'nt but I should ask my dealer as they might. Dealer is closed now so will have to try tomorrow. I have a few questions;
1. How is a clutch going after 6,000 miles wear and tear?
2. How likely is it my dealer will get me a courtesy car?
3. Does it sound like I will need a new clutch?
Thanks,
Crammy

p.s forgot to mention my car is a 2006 Mini ONE

[mph999]

1. Unless you really treat the car badly (I'm sure you don't by the way) then it ain't clutch wear.
Even a "what I would call badly driven car" should last 20-25000 miles. You could in theory kill a clutch in <5mins, (hold it stationary on a hill, on the clutch at 6000 rpm, but there would be a lot of smoke. If the clutch wasn't slipping (you made no mention of this, so I presume not), it's quite possible that it has just failed as opposed to worn out.

2. Pass - but I suspect they should make an effort.

3. If the clutch has disintergrated totally - then you may be able to move into a gear, but not go anywhere, failing that, I guess gearbox related.

[James]

Thanks for the reply it has given me a bit of hope

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I'd say number 2 depends on your age and your dealer, i know some wont give them out if your under a certain age

Good Luck with it! Even if they do consider it wear and tear, its not really fair at a year old and 6000 miles (not that i know much about clutches ) Try and get them to pay some, or find a problem where its under warrenty!

[Parc77]

I had a clutch go at 6500miles and another replacement at 39000miles, both under warranty, at 6500miles it is unacceptable, id be quoting sale of goods act etc seems pretty poor to me, dont back down. Even if the garage is tight id be looking at an 80-90% good will gesture from Mini. If you have no luck with the dealership, contact Mini UK.

[James]

I park on a very steep hill each night and have to give it quite high revs (about 4000) to move off, would this damage the clutch?

[mph999]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crammy (original)

I park on a very steep hill each night and have to give it quite high revs (about 4000) to move off, would this damage the clutch?

Won't help, but shouldn't be a real issue in this mileage.

To be honest, even on a steep hill, try less gas, as long as you maintain 1000 ish (which will obviously require more throttle than on the flat) you won't stall - trust me ... May take a bit of practice.

Martin

[dsakko]

Quote: Originally Posted by mph999 (original)

1. Unless you really treat the car badly (I'm sure you don't by the way) then it ain't clutch wear.
Even a "what I would call badly driven car" should last 20-25000 miles. You could in theory kill a clutch in <5mins, (hold it stationary on a hill, on the clutch at 6000 rpm, but there would be a lot of smoke. If the clutch wasn't slipping (you made no mention of this, so I presume not), it's quite possible that it has just failed as opposed to worn out.

I had clutch problems from day 1 in my 2002 MC (faulty clutch centre - friction surface was very "gummy" and this led to the "soft centre" springs dieing very early on in its life). In to the dealership 3 times to inspect but they never found anything (yeah, right!).

I decided to abuse the hell out of it (like compeing in 2 non-special stage rallies, at least 2 days down at the drags, and several track days at Mallala Raceway), and it still lasted 75,000 km (just over 45,000 miles). And that's with INTENTIONAL abuse!

The non-dealer mechanic I took it to pulled out the clutch and it was obvious the centre was stuffed. Good excuse for a stage 2 clutch and lightweight flywheel!

Good luck in getting your wee beastie back on the road. Don't let them screw you over.

[Second2none]

The clutch itself is not the problem here. Because you couldnt get your car into any gear, you probably have a linkage problem or a problem with the internals of the transmission. If that were all okay inside, your synchros should have let you shift into any gear your heart desires. As someone posted above, possibly the way the clutch was installed could be the problem. I don't know much about the Mini ONE, so don't take my thoughts to be completely accurate.

[James]

UPDATE:
Dealer has agreed to pay the full cost of replacing the clutch...even though they still say it was my fault it broke Can't complain I guess

[CC07ERS]

well thats good news becuase a cluth is a £900 job you will sleep better now p.s park facing down the hill & save the new clutch they wont pay for 2

[humph]

Quote: Originally Posted by Crammy (original)

UPDATE:
Dealer has agreed to pay the full cost of replacing the clutch...even though they still say it was my fault it broke Can't complain I guess

Good news. So still your fault, god they'll tell you anything some of them. Once they've done the work (may not be a good idea to upset them before) insist they tell you how you broke it. After all you wouldn't want to do it again and cost them money would you .

[neilobe]

I just had my clutch replaced at 4800 miles , in my 05 reg S under warranty,, it also needed new flywheel and servo, again under warranty, at the same time,,,
Id keep on at the dealer, as your car is younger than mine...

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by cco7ers (original)

well thats good news becuase a cluth is a £900 job you will sleep better now p.s park facing down the hill & save the new clutch they wont pay for 2

Good point, if only for the fact the you really don't want to have to rev a cold engine to 4,000rpm each morning to pull out of you parking space. Try and get all of the difficult manouvering stuff out of the way, while you engine is still warm, when you are parking up the night before.

Tigger.

[James]

Quote: Originally Posted by cco7ers (original)

well thats good news becuase a cluth is a £900 job you will sleep better now p.s park facing down the hill & save the new clutch they wont pay for 2

My drive is the hill so whatever way I park I have to go up the hill. Do you think reversing up the hill will be less hard on the clutch than 1st gear?

[DaFlake]

Once the clutch is engaged the hill shouldn't matter. If you are slipping the clutch to get started then that is likely the issue. Use the e-brake to hold the car in place until you can start to feel the clutch engage and then lower the e-brake while pushing on the gas. This takes the pressure off the tranny to get started on a slope.

Lastly, it really sounded like the pilot bearing was what died. A dead bearing would keep you from being able to shift into any gear.

[matt21]

my drive takes a big manouver to reverse up the hill through the entrance and into where i park. i always reverse in so that i can make a speedy exit in the morning, not make a tricky manouver when engine is cold and visability is bad and due to the clutch strain do everything that may wear a car when the engine is hot.

6k is rediculous tho, and sounds like the dealer is arrogant. a letter to BMW sorted this out with mine and treated far better ever since