Mini Countryman Gets a New Clutch (2012 Models Forward)

[Blackhawks]

It looks like Automobile Four Seasons reviews were bang on ... there is something wrong with the Countryman Cooper S clutch!!! All 2012 models forward get new electric throttle control programming and a clutch with different friction surface. Case closed.

Mini Countryman to Get Updated Clutch ? News ?*Car and Driver

Happy 2013 Mini Countryman!

[Blackhawks]

Here’s the official statement from MINI USA:

As part of the continual refinement and optimization of MINI vehicles, we have improved the take-off convenience and performance of all our MINI Countryman clutches by implementing some software updates as well as changing the clutch facing material to improve the feeling of the clutch engagement. We are sure that these changes will even further improve the convenience of our MINI Countryman models, and will be recognized and appreciated by our customers. These changes coincide with the start of production of our MINI John Cooper Works Countryman as of November 2012.

[The Nun]

Certainly wasnt good enough for the JCW power then, so the S must be near the limit too?
Software update sounds good, but in reality I bet its a torque reducer on the take up?

[X6Sport]

(Tongue in cheek mode on).......Perhaps it's a problem with the 'stick shift being relatively unknown in the US........(Tongue in cheek mode off).

[bmwr606]

Quote: Originally Posted by X6Sport (original)

(Tongue in cheek mode on).......Perhaps it's a problem with the 'stick shift being relatively unknown in the US........(Tongue in cheek mode off).

of my 1,000,000 miles driving cars, all but 80,000 miles has been manual shift and i have driven another 500,000 miles on motorcycles, all with manual shift, so it is not unknown to all americans

my last vehicle before the mini, a 1997 gmc sonoma pickup 4x4 v6 5speed manual, went 288,000 miles on the original clutch before the throwout bearing failed due to corrosion, the clutch disc was only 1/2 worn when i replaced it, the OEM only sells a kit, new master/slave cylinders, throwout bearing, clutch disc and pressure plate so i put all the new parts in

scott

[greenlanddock]

Quote: Originally Posted by X6Sport (original)

(Tongue in cheek mode on).......Perhaps it's a problem with the 'stick shift being relatively unknown in the US........(Tongue in cheek mode off).

Dead on

[Blackhawks]

Whats a stick shift? Is this a new iPhone app? :P

[The Nun]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackhawks (original)

Whats a stick shift? :P

I think they sometimes called it "a 4 on the floor"? or 6 in the case of a MINI
But its generally that wiggly thing you move back and forwards.

[Ratpack]

This should have been a recall... I am disappointed to say the least. Next service I will be requesting a new clutch plate. The current one needs a lot of torque to grip and can easily stall uphill. Uphill being a slant greater than 5 degrees... Too bad if you were really offroad.

[Blackhawks]

I did not buy the 2012 model last spring for this and many other problems that 1 out of 2 car mags brought to our attention. MINI's bean counter's would never allow a recall as they can easily prove in court it is not a safety issue. They would never be able to continue calling their product premium, and more importantly charging more than what it's worth, and this would prevent them from meeting their sales targets and long term growth plans. So, they simply call it a mid-model upgrade, and force all their existing customers who forked out their hard earned money to fight it out with their dealership. Bravo MINI, bravo. Dissapointing indeed ...

[beaver]

How to tell for sure that my Countryman S 2012 has this clutch problem? I am new for manual gear.

[Blackhawks]

Beaver - I am not 100% sure but I think it only affects the ALL4 model. Many speculated that the ALL4 is too heavy for the existing clutch so they have provided a new part number. And because the throttle body has been reprogrammed, perhaps the engineers thought the low-end drag/start was forcing users to engage in poor clutch usage.

I would talk to your dealership to be 100% certain that yout car is not affected. Let us know what they say!

[greenlanddock]

Quote: Originally Posted by Blackhawks (original)

Beaver - I am not 100% sure but I think it only affects the ALL4 model. Many speculated that the ALL4 is too heavy for the existing clutch so they have provided a new part number.

Dont know what you folks are on about. I have driven (properly driven) all hatch models and each one of them somehow had different clutch and gear shift. Cooper cabrio had the heaviest clutch while mini one hatch had the heaviest gear shift. So much so, every time I started driving my mcs all4 I was astonished at how light the clutch or shifter were. That said the clutch on my car is stone heavy compared to say toyota avensis. Anyways, I personally dont have any problems with my car, hence I am talking from my experience. Like I said before, I only believe my own eyes, anything else is media crap until proven otherwise.

[garethprice]

My cooperD all4 is currently at mini having new clutch fitted under warranty. This is my 6th mini since 2003, all others being hatch's with no issues all traded in at around 60k miles. upgraded to countryman sept 2011 and love it, however clutch has disintegrated after only 25k miles, (mostly motorway). A friend has a BMW x1 and his did the same, and reading other forums it appears we are not alone. No arguments from Mini or BMW lead me to believe they are aware of an issue with the 4wd clutches and are replacing them as and when customers complain. So would recommend anyone who's all4 clutch feels heavy or (like mine) springy and slips when accelerating goes to mini and gets them to check it out.

[StevenDW]

Me too. I've just had the clutch and flywheel replaced at 24,500 miles on my Cooper S All4, covered under warranty. The flywheel had cracked and destroyed the clutch.