Any one had clutch problems?

[ianouska]

Just got my cooper back from another visit to the dealer. This was to replace a leaky rear light cluster and to investigate the cars clutch which had slipped a couple of times.
On speaking to the service manager he said the clutch was a new fault. anyway the dealer has fiited my car with a new clutch but said he couldnt tell me what the problem was. Has anyone else had clutch trouble. For info the clutch problem started after 2800 miles.
On this visit the dealer also replaced my single CD player although I wasnt aware of any problems with it. He said it was a minor recall. I didnt know about this until the work was completed.

[Amberthecat]

This is a just a guess, but friends of mine left their Cooper in the drive for a few days and when they returned the electrics were on the complete fritz. Something to do with the battery screwing the ECU or something. When they picked it up after repair the dealer said it was caused by the single CD boost radio and they'd replaced the unit?

[ianouska]

Thanks for the explanation about why my cd player was relaced. I only wish my dealer was as forthcoming with info.

Anyway today my father who has 40 years experience working on vehicles of all descriptions telephoned the dealer to seek an explanation about why my clutch was replaced. After the usual avoidance from the dealer he was given a suprising explanation.

Apparently the clutch was burnt out as I had been riding it!!!!
This is a most unusual explanation given when the fault developed my car had only covered 2800 miles. Around 80% of which have been on A roads and involve minimal use of the gears and therefore the clutch.
It is also strange that I have covered around 20000 miles in each of my last 2 vehicles (both citroen saxo's)without any clutch problems at all. Has my driving style changed and caused the fault or was it due to something more sinister which the dealer wont admit?

I intend to e-mail BMW customer service to seek an explanation from them, however after previous communications I doubt my questions will be answered.

[mr.bill]

There should always be a bit of free play in the clutch pedal. It is possible the linkage was set up too tightly during manufacture, putting pressure on the throwout bearing and making the pressure plate slip a bit. Had it been caused by you riding the pedal, it is doubtful they would have replaced it under warranty.

[chrisallsop]

Clutch burnt out. At 24,000 miles. Two thirds is daily Motorway commute. Cooper D Clubman. Less than 2 years old. Dealer claims it must be my driving and is resisting warranty claim. I have had 17 cars since starting driving in 1968. Some have done over 125,000 miles. Never had a clutch problem before. Clearly a design or assembly fault. Will contact trading standards today

[cbriansmith902]

I am a normal person with normal driving habits.

I have a 2006 Cooper S, bought new. The warranty just ran out two months ago (have extended factory, but not maintenance). Last year I hired a lemon lawyer to look into filing a claim because the car had been taken to the dealership for repairs over 20 times in 3 years, many of which clutch/transmission noises, chatters, and malfunctions.

I have driven manual cars my whole life without problem.

Took the car in yesterday because of a chattering in the trans/clutch problem. I was just informed that they believe the clutch needs to be replaced again -- but it will require spending $1,500 first to rip apart the car to properly diagnose.

1. Has anyone ever heard of ANY car (driven by a responsible adult) requiring 3 clutches in 30,000 miles?

2. Has anyone ever heard of a clutch needing to be re-replaced after one year (approx 10K miles)?

3. Rhetorical question: Has any other Mini owner had premature clutch malfunction?

It is against my nature to threaten but I have finally reached my breaking point with Mini (it was right after the dealership hinted that this is all my fault -- abuse and hard driving.) I drive like a normal person. If you want to find something abnormal, just google "MINI" and "CLUTCH."

I am a journalist for several national magazines. This is the first time I've ever considered playing this card, but I can guarantee Mini that if they do not provide me with a reasonable explanation/solution to this problem, I will devote the next three months of my professional career writing about what it's been like to be a Mini owner. Not exactly fascinating reading, but I will do my best, and I can guarantee a prolific output.

I would welcome anyone else's stories/concerns/advice either here or at brismith@gmail.com regarding similar problems.

Thanks for your time.

C. Brian Smith

[Snoop Bagg]

Quote: Originally Posted by cbriansmith902 (original)

I am a normal person with normal driving habits.

I have a 2006 Cooper S, bought new. The warranty just ran out two months ago (have extended factory, but not maintenance). Last year I hired a lemon lawyer to look into filing a claim because the car had been taken to the dealership for repairs over 20 times in 3 years, many of which clutch/transmission noises, chatters, and malfunctions.

I have driven manual cars my whole life without problem.

Took the car in yesterday because of a chattering in the trans/clutch problem. I was just informed that they believe the clutch needs to be replaced again -- but it will require spending $1,500 first to rip apart the car to properly diagnose.

1. Has anyone ever heard of ANY car (driven by a responsible adult) requiring 3 clutches in 30,000 miles?

2. Has anyone ever heard of a clutch needing to be re-replaced after one year (approx 10K miles)?

3. Rhetorical question: Has any other Mini owner had premature clutch malfunction?

It is against my nature to threaten but I have finally reached my breaking point with Mini (it was right after the dealership hinted that this is all my fault -- abuse and hard driving.) I drive like a normal person. If you want to find something abnormal, just google "MINI" and "CLUTCH."

I am a journalist for several national magazines. This is the first time I've ever considered playing this card, but I can guarantee Mini that if they do not provide me with a reasonable explanation/solution to this problem, I will devote the next three months of my professional career writing about what it's been like to be a Mini owner. Not exactly fascinating reading, but I will do my best, and I can guarantee a prolific output.

I would welcome anyone else's stories/concerns/advice either here or at brismith@gmail.com regarding similar problems.

Thanks for your time.

C. Brian Smith

Hi Brian

I have a 2009 Mini Cooper S, and it feels as if the clutch is on it's way out, tell tale signs such as the pedal being high at bite, and free revving as well as a horrible noise when changing gears, especially in gears one and two.

I have driven manual cars for over ten years, and have only ever needed to replace two clutches, in that time. My Cooper S is 2009 as I've mentioned and is just about to hit 10k miles.

Myself, well formerly a motorsport mechanic and I've worked on many a Group B rally car, and many a Porsche racing car. Ridiculous in a modern car and I'd imagine it's a pain in the arse of a job!!


James Lythgoe

[mini*mum]

I have just had the clutch replaced. I have only had the car 1 yr, it is a 2006 cooper. The clutch was clearly slipping before it was replaced. The mechanic seemed to think that as the car had only done 32k miles that there is no reason why the clutch should be replaced so soon!! But he said it depends on how the previous owner drove the car, ie - riding the clutch for example!

[MINISAD]

Argh! MINI was my DREAM car, but at 23,000KM they told me my front brakes were shot, and now at the same time my clutch is going and needs to be replaced. My car is LESS than 2 years old, I have driven standard all my life, do not ride the clutch, and DO NOT understand how a clutch can go at 23,000 K.
Those of you who had it replaced under warranty are lucky. I have had NO RECOURSE with MINI or BMW at all - they are quite smarmy and up-themselves and I cannot believe that a reputable company like BMW won't stand by their products! Crazy!

[32flavors]

I currently have a standard transmission 2007 Mini Cooper convertible. My first Mini was a 2005 convertible, also standard transmission. With the 2005, my clutch suddenly went out completely...the car was only 18 months old. I threw such a fit that the dealer agreed to replace it under my warranty even though the clutch is typically not covered. I attributed it to being an anomaly. A few months later, I traded it in for a 2007. Up until recently, I've had no problems. But, now the clutch is starting to struggle in 2nd and 3rd gear. I've owned standard transmission vehicles all my life and have never had a clutch go out this early! Unfortunately, I know from my experience with my other Mini that there's no point in arguing, especially since I'm beyond 50,000 miles...I'm bringing my 2007 Mini to a reputable repairman that I know rather than dealing with the dealership. I love Minis, but when it comes time to buy a new car, I now know I will have to weigh whether or not it's worth investing in a car that will apparently have to have the clutch replaced much sooner than any other car.... :-(

[flying clutchman]

As your car is 4 years old and has done more than 50k miles, it's not really worn out the clutch prematurely. You might hope for longer life but lots of cars of all makes have new clutches at LESS than 50k. Unfortunately clutches are a wearing part, like brakes, exhausts and tyres. They're also very pricey nowdays compared to 20-30 years ago when it was a quick, cheap job.

[djblackwidow]

I have a intermittent, infrequent light/brief "hum" noise (thats as good as I can describe it) that sometimes occurs when I change gears as of 37000 miles. There is no harsh grinding metal noise and the clutch itself shifts fine.The foreman and the shop manager drove the car and they said they could not reproduce the sound. I mentioned I should get in car with them to do this again. The manager blew it off. I brought the car in due to a gear/exclamation light that went on shortly before I heard the noise and to get my annual inspection and to mention this noise I hear once and a while . I was told the warning light went on due to a turn signal issue. Note, the timing chain was replaced during this visit.

Every car I have owned has had a manual transmission - 74 BMW, 97 Acura Integra RS, and a German 67 Beetle. My 67 beetle that has been driven harder and longer on a day to day basis which has outlived the clutch of the Mini. I have been quite easy on the car and consider myself a skilled driver.

I am shocked and baffled by the concept of possibly having to replace the clutch on my 2009 Cooper S every 30000+ miles. This does not seem like a cost efficient car to own and quite saddened by similar experiences by other Mini Cooper owners. I bought this car because I love the look of the original Minis and I appreciate German engineering - as I used to have a 74 2002tii BMW. I thought the marrage of BMW and Mini would be good one. My car was assembled in Germany based on the VIN number so I had high hopes for this car. I am now quite dissapointed.

The fact that the clutch can too easily be attributed to driver abuse without any proof makes me think that this is a scam by MINI USA to avoid dealing with a costly recall.

[MiniDeLux]

You're not alone:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/mini-club...seal-deal.html

[Roxyon-roxy]

I have a mini cooper cabrio 2009 model. My clutch needs replacing and is still under warranty!!!! But they tell me it's wear and tear and not covered under warranty and I have only done 33,000kms and have had my mini for 2 years as of 10 Feb!!!! I will not put up with this. A Current Affair or 60 Minutes should be interested!!

Mini Garage, love your mini's but the workmanship could be improved greatly along with your customer service!!!!!!!

Not a happy customer. Might go back to the Mazda 3 SP23. At least that manual didn't have clutch problems in the 5 years I owned one for!

[smelly clutch]

Quote: Originally Posted by djblackwidow (original)

I have a intermittent, infrequent light/brief "hum" noise (thats as good as I can describe it) that sometimes occurs when I change gears as of 37000 miles. There is no harsh grinding metal noise and the clutch itself shifts fine.The foreman and the shop manager drove the car and they said they could not reproduce the sound. I mentioned I should get in car with them to do this again. The manager blew it off. I brought the car in due to a gear/exclamation light that went on shortly before I heard the noise and to get my annual inspection and to mention this noise I hear once and a while . I was told the warning light went on due to a turn signal issue. Note, the timing chain was replaced during this visit.

Every car I have owned has had a manual transmission - 74 BMW, 97 Acura Integra RS, and a German 67 Beetle. My 67 beetle that has been driven harder and longer on a day to day basis which has outlived the clutch of the Mini. I have been quite easy on the car and consider myself a skilled driver.

I am shocked and baffled by the concept of possibly having to replace the clutch on my 2009 Cooper S every 30000+ miles. This does not seem like a cost efficient car to own and quite saddened by similar experiences by other Mini Cooper owners. I bought this car because I love the look of the original Minis and I appreciate German engineering - as I used to have a 74 2002tii BMW. I thought the marrage of BMW and Mini would be good one. My car was assembled in Germany based on the VIN number so I had high hopes for this car. I am now quite dissapointed.

The fact that the clutch can too easily be attributed to driver abuse without any proof makes me think that this is a scam by MINI USA to avoid dealing with a costly recall.

Same problem with 2011 Countryman All4--same city too! Something is not right with the clutch and hasn't been since week 1. We have brought to dealer and have documented every issue we have had with the clutch. We are lifetime manual drivers--every car except our mini-van has had a manual transmission and we are in our 40s. Driver error, don't think so.

I LOVE my Countryman. I smile everytime I drive her. But we have named her Smelly Clutch for a reason. That's her name.