[paul_c]

I think it could be!

Ok heres the problem experienced only in first gear... at the moment.
If i pull away from a junction slowly, as in sunday driver, the car operates fine from 1,000rpm
to around 2,000rpm but as i accelerate more-depress the pedal further the revs increase
(eg to 4,000rpm) but i don't gain the relative speed! No traction control light, no wheel spin just
more noise! Shifting to second at this point and all is normal again. I have had trouble engaging
first and reverse on occasions over the past few months!?

Could this mean a new clutch, is so any idea on parts and labour?

Thanks in advance

[ScottyBoy]

Clutch price is around £130 IIRC from a local autoparts shop.... Labour depends on were you go BMW is around £100 an hour, independant garages are around £40 an hour + VAT.

It does sound like you clutch is on its way out and id stop driving it until you get it booked in if it is as you dnt want to be getting towed there if you dnt have to.

If it was me id go to a local garage who you trustand get a price.

Were areyou located?

Scott

Edit... I cant remember how many hours labour it is maybe 4 hours as its a big job.

[ScottyBoy]

Your looking at £750 from a dealer just looked at some previous threads.

[cooperSMark]

i was told it would have been around £800 if mine hadn't been covered by warranty!

[James]

i was told 900 lol

[paul_c]

Cool thats a good guide price and thanks for the opinion!
Just looked at Mini Mania and thats £116 so should get cheaper than that local

I'm in Sunderland, and have just within the last month had the car serviced at Forsters in Wallsend.
I'll be ringing them tomorrow for a supply and fit price and just a fit price to see what the difference is.
This is baring in mind as well as the inspection 2 service, ive just paid for new discs and mintex pads!!

ggggrrrr!!!

[ScottyBoy]

Quote: Originally Posted by paul_c (original)

Cool thats a good guide price and thanks for the opinion!
Just looked at Mini Mania and thats £116 so should get cheaper than that local

I'm in Sunderland, and have just within the last month had the car serviced at Forsters in Wallsend.
I'll be ringing them tomorrow for a supply and fit price and just a fit price to see what the difference is.
This is baring in mind as well as the inspection 2 service, ive just paid for new discs and mintex pads!!

ggggrrrr!!!

As you are in sunderland i can give praise to a garage in Boldon Colliery (Robertshaw Racing) although its newcastle, i have a mate who works there called Steve, hes a member on hear and has a heavily modded Cooper S. Hes done work on my car and hes a Top mechanic. Here's a link:

http://www.robertshawracing.co.uk/

They also have cars in the British Touring Car Championships and MINI Challenge so thats gotta be a mark of how good they are. Ohh and they will be chaper than BMW

Maybe source the clutch yourself then give them a ring for a price on fitting it.

Scott

[picard]

i thought to test a going clutch you applied handbrake has hard a possible engage 4th and attempt to pull away. if engine stalls clutch ok if engines revs and revs clutch going, may not work now i did this on a mark 2 fester

[ScottyBoy]

Ive always put it in 4th on the motorway and then tried to accelerate, if it does then its fine if not its kackered but as his engine is revving and not increasing in speed in 1st and 2nd then it definately buggered.

[Nickyrider]

Quote: Originally Posted by paul_c (original)

I think it could be!

Ok heres the problem experienced only in first gear... at the moment.
If i pull away from a junction slowly, as in sunday driver, the car operates fine from 1,000rpm
to around 2,000rpm but as i accelerate more-depress the pedal further the revs increase
(eg to 4,000rpm) but i don't gain the relative speed! No traction control light, no wheel spin just
more noise! Shifting to second at this point and all is normal again. I have had trouble engaging
first and reverse on occasions over the past few months!?

Could this mean a new clutch, is so any idea on parts and labour?

Thanks in advance

hello mate, may I ask how many miles has your mini done!? 800 sheets for a clutch! jees I hope mine doesn't go...

[paul_c]

Nicky- Just over 43K... only had the car since Dec and it had a few owners before me so i'm blaming them! lol

Scotty Boy- I'll give them a try Robert Shaw a go... I'm familiar with Boldon but not his garage, could you describe where they are so i could pop over?

I spoken to Forsters (Aurthur Forster- ex-mini challenge champion) and he suggested fitting a race lightened fly wheel at the same time? Do you or anybody else know what effect that will have on performance?

[Aberdeen Al]

I had the Exedy clutch c/w lightened flywheel (purple anodised one) fitted by Lohen a few weeks back - the car revs freely. Took a couple of days to get used to the new biting point etc but it's great.

If you can afford it - maybe look at fitting a Quaiffe ATB since they are in that area.

[paul_c]

I've got a Cooper, so don't think its avalible for me. There is a fidanza one but i know nothing about flywheels tbh!!

[MINI-Morgan]

decide how you want the car to idle when fitting a lightweight flywheel.... it will have an impact. Also factor in a bit of money incase the cause isnt the clutch just wearing out. Do you check your oil regularly? hasnt dropped lately has it?

£800 is a huge amount! Fitting shouldnt be more than £300 if you go somewhere sensible and the stock clutch is £170 I think.

[paul_c]

The car was just serviced 3 weeks ago, and yes i check my oil every 3-4days- i used to own a Honda S2000 that ate oil at 9,000rpm!

In what way will it effect the idle and will it give me noticable acceleration gains?

Rang my local stealer for an idea on price £196 for an exchange unit, MiniMania is £116!
Will probs get Forsters or Robert Shaw to fit... Forsters are £55 per hour (apparently) although i'm going over tomorrow for a price! Going to talk to them about lightweight flywheels too!

[batou]

I'll be having a Clutchmasters FX200 stage 2 clutch and lightweight flywheel soon. Jan from Revolution Mini Works (RMW ) in the USA has sorted me out with an awesome deal!!!

I will report what it's like once it's done, dusted and paid for...

Speak to 1320autos.com, labour is £47 p.hour inc VAT and they don't faff about
-- edit.. just noticed your well up in the tyne area bit of trek lol

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by batou (original)

I'll be having a Clutchmasters FX200 stage 2 clutch and lightweight flywheel soon. Jan from Revolution Mini Works (RMW ) in the USA has sorted me out with an awesome deal!!!

I will report what it's like once it's done, dusted and paid for...

Speak to 1320autos.com, labour is £47 p.hour inc VAT and they don't faff about
-- edit.. just noticed your well up in the tyne area bit of trek lol

I'll let you know what the FX400 is like! lol

[MINI-Morgan]

Quote: Originally Posted by paul_c (original)

The car was just serviced 3 weeks ago, and yes i check my oil every 3-4days- i used to own a Honda S2000 that ate oil at 9,000rpm!

In what way will it effect the idle and will it give me noticable acceleration gains?

Rang my local stealer for an idea on price £196 for an exchange unit, MiniMania is £116!
Will probs get Forsters or Robert Shaw to fit... Forsters are £55 per hour (apparently) although i'm going over tomorrow for a price! Going to talk to them about lightweight flywheels too!

Must be like my Civic Type-R that useto drink it too! The idle usually becomes a bit more rough and so a small increase in idle speed is required. I did say usually though and all the flywheels seem to be different weights.

[paul_c]

Yes my cunning car out foxed us all, after pulling the clutch it appears the box is gone!

The final drive has died and is happily spinning away on its own! lovely... not!

[ScottyBoy]

Thats the exact same problem that i had with my cooper at 60k..... cost me £1360 to get put right.