06 R53 Cooper S clutch pedal

[skoff]

My wife has just put a deposit down on a Cooper S R53 06 with 86K on the clock.

It seems to be a solid car, straight bodywork, good history etc. My only reservation with it was the clutch pedal was slightly low and relatively stiff. The problem is I don't really have any experience with MINIs so I don't know if it's normal or not. At no point did I have any difficulty getting it into gear, and after a couple of minutes I was completely adjusted to it, but there is no harm in asking is there?

My daily is an auto, and my weekend car is a Monaro so both are about as far away from the MINI as you can get, so not a good deal of help. Also the only other MINI I have driven was a bog standard Cooper about 10 years ago, and I can't really remember how that felt other than 'good fun'

I am working on the principle that low is better than high, and it's probably just a case of TADTS

[Defcon5]

Mine was an '03, but I seem to recall the clutch was reasonably heavy and had a short throw (certainly compared to the Lupo GTI (hydraulic clutch) that it replaced)

[skoff]

Thanks Defcon, that's reassuring, and pretty much my conclusion.

It was plenty quick enough and gear change was positive and without drama.

Not really my sort of car to be honest, but I can see why people love them. It's the kind of car that makes you laugh out loud with how urgent it is, and the SC noise was sublime. I think it would tire me out after about half an hour though.

[tonymor]

I'm interested in this as I've looked at an 06 cooper with 93.000 on the clock and I'm wary as to what potential problem or plural there could be with a high miler .

[tonymor]

I'm interested in this as I've looked at an 06 cooper with 93.000 on the clock and I'm wary as to what potential problem or plural there could be with a high miler .

[Challo]

Mines an 02 Cooper S on 78k miles and i think its the original clutch. Mine is also heavy and does mean its a pain in traffic.

I havent driven any other Mini's but when my car went into BMW for some work a few months ago they did a 'healthcheck' and said they would recommend a new clutch, but it doesn't slip and seems to be fine so I have left it.

[CarsOrBikes]

These cars suffer heavy clutches sometimes, difficult to judge when you drive it daily as you'll get used to them. The problem is the weight means a lot more force against the crankshaft which the thrust washers can't handle, and it won't take long to build excess end float, wrecking the bottom end.

Change the clutch, and while the gearbox is out, ask them to push and pull the flywheel, it's a rough guide but if it moves significantly, wear is already there.

[red_slr]

I am looking for a Cooper S around 04-05 year. What am I looking at for a new clutch?

Most for sale seem to be around 80k miles and not had one yet so I need to budget.

[CarsOrBikes]

That varies a lot, I would suggest getting the rear main seal changed while there, and also the clutch bearing sleeve and bolts. I would also try an LUK clutch over Valeo if using aftermarket parts. It could be 600 to 1200 or less as a foreigner some say they can get it done for. It's not a quick job. Expect other repairs if the people doing it are observant, leaks are often spotted and distorted radiators or those that lost the cooling fins some time ago, air con re-gas sometimes, brake discs can be cheap to renew now, old rotten bolts, that sort of consideration.