[theminiv]

Hey all, just a quickie. . .

I am on my 4th mini one now, I love them to bits. Bought a brand new one in march of last. It has been great up until a few months back. I live about 60 miles away from the dealer I use, so going there is a bit of a pain every time I have a niggle. Does anyone have any ideas on some of my issues??

Clutch / Box issue - A couple of months ago I had a quiet grinding noise when I released the clutch, this noise went when I pressed it down. Now though, the grinding has been replaced by a knock when I pull up the clutch. - I have seen some threads about this but they are not 100% clear on this kind of fault, any help!?!?!?

Rear quarter rattles - Basically, there are 2 very very annoying squeaks coming from the rear pillars. After a bit of work I have found them to be associated with the rear seat catches in the boot. When they are locked in position, the squeaks come, when they are unlocked, or if they have tape on the d rings they make no noise!!!! I have since put 2 bits of felt tape round the d rings, this has removed the noise but I cant close the seats lol!! To sort this I want to put a rear strut brace in, this connects to the catches somehow, I am wondering if this will tension the boot enough to stop these rattles!!

Thirdly, I am getting rattles from the steering column and left stalk when turning the wheel, and actiating the indicators. This only came along after it had the column replaced for a steering knock, again very annoying.

It really annoys me that BMW/Mini cannot make a car that does not rattle, I have a ford ka which is 10 years old and has not got one rattle!! - I am not bad mouthing the mini because I love it to bits and would never leave the brand, but come on BMW, sort out these dam niggles.

It worrys me because when my warranty runs out in 18 months, BMW will charge me a fortune to sort out these things.

Any ideas?