Three Clutches in 30,000 Miles?

[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

[ScottinBend]

Sell it and get a Toyota. Never had problems with any of my cars clutches. Must be driver error.

And try to hold off on the threats, no body like a whiner.

[Cyrix2k]

I just googled "Mini" and "clutch" with results saying that most normal drivers are seeing in excess of 100k miles on the factory clutch. Usually when there are a series of clutch failures - in any car - it is the driver. I'm not saying it is you, but I can certainly see where the dealer is coming from.

[GR330ZHP]

I know someone with a Mini with over 100k on original clutch. No problems. :dunno

[madsedan]

I recently bought an 06 MCS from the original owner and he just had the clutch replaced a couple months ago under extended warranty, I thought it was odd that a 60+ year old man would burn up the clutch in less than 50k miles.
He said his making noise, he mentioned a spring noise or chatter, and he had to argue with the dealer for a couple months to get them to replace it.

[beken]

The R50/R53 MINIs (up to 2006) uses a dual mass flywheel. There are instances where people complain about the clutch wearing prematurely. My car has, from time to time, had a loud groan/scraping noise on clutch engagement going into first gear from a standing start on cool damp days. Reading the MINI forums, that seemed to be a major problem with some cars. But since it was intermittent, and didn't happen that often, I just left it. The clutch still did function properly so I didn't make a big issue about it other than to inform my dealer that it did happen. My car is at about 75,000 miles now and the noise seems to be happening less and less. I probably only noticed it happening once all of last winter.

It is possible the clutch got just a bit glazed and maybe caused some dust to get on the flywheel. I don't think it's a clutch malfunction. However, my clutch has not failed me so I probably don't have the same problem as your car.

I also had issues with my first car (25 years ago) where it went through 3 clutches in the first 2 years. I was lucky to get 5000 miles on it. In those cases, I actually got loud thump and the clutch pedal would hit the floor. The car being a GM car, GM claimed wear and tear and refused to warrant clutches back then, costing me $1100 (1985 dollars labor included) each. The third one, I went to an clutch shop and they put an after market clutch in (the car is still on that clutch, 150,000 miles on it). The after market "only" cost me $800 back in 1987.

[STEALTHYZ4]

I just googled "Mini" and "clutch" with results saying that most normal drivers are seeing in excess of 100k miles on the factory clutch. Usually when there are a series of clutch failures - in any car - it is the driver. I'm not saying it is you, but I can certainly see where the dealer is coming from.
I can see where if the emergency brake sticking/not fully disengaged may cause premature clutch failure,i can see this because it has happened to me.(non-bmw). Just letting u know the possibillities!:mad

[slocar]

It's hard to comment on your driving given I have never been in a car with you, but honestly after 2 brand new clutches, I can definitely see where the dealer is coming from when they say it's driver error ...

[wwilme]

So C. Brian - what did the clutch replacement jobs cost you? Where there other parts involved other than the standard pressure plate/disc/throw out bearing kit?

[gpibambam]

Read up on the same deal with civics when my buddy had issues with his. Driver error 95% of the time. Hopefully it was something with shotty install but... clutches are supposed to go a good long while, esp. on bmws/bmw made cars.
:(

good luck dude.

[MINIGURU]

C Brian, what exactly failed with your clutch? Was it slipping? or just making noise? Or just throwout bearing noise?

Most the cluthes I see fail are on just the standard non S cars, when S clutches fail most them are on 60k+mile cars

[AvusRacer]

Do you ever let anyone else drive your car? 3 clutches in 30k does seem excessive, what is the symptom? Totally slipping, chattering, harsh engagement...?

[JedzE36/5]

i had my clutch/flywheel replaced on my 06 MCS via a service bulletin right before my warranty ended. i never had clutch issues but i did hear flywheel chatter from time to time. once they changed the flywheel, it went away. my driving style... beast it every chance i get. every so often i think the clutch is slipping but then i never 'feel' it again for months and just attribute it to me wanting to find something on the car to work on. i have a bit over 70,000 on the car now with no problems.