Clutch life on a Cooper S?

[Justin S]

Mates just taken the gearbox out my daughters polo today, as we thought it had a clutch issue. He found it was the primary drive splines on the gearbox shaft were worn and the clutch was sticking/ dragging. He said the clutch was fine, but since I had already supplied a new clutch he is going to fit it anyway.This is at 90k miles. So thats £56 for a clutch kit, £15 for the gearbox part and £100 labour................ My mini's clutch was replaced as said before by Mr Clutch ( not that I would use them, as have a good mate to do stuff like this) and with a new dual mass flywheel, labout and VAT was £900 .

[Centari]

Hi everyone

Having a similar problem. 2009 Mini Cooper S with 25,000 KM and the clutch and flywheel have to be replaced. The car is summer driven and stored in the winter. I am looking at a repair bill of $ 3900.00. I love the car but I got to say I am not impressed with this situation.

[Davel]

Well, shortly after getting it fixed, we sold it and, needless to say, won't be buying Mini or BMW again.....

[nickfrog]

Yeah but they don't care, someone else will buy one instead.

MINIs R56 S are not fit for purpose in my opinion/experience, at least from an engine / clutch POV.

[eybic]

Clutches are a difficult one as far as warranties are concerned. I used to work for Renault UK Customer services and heard all sorts of issues withe clutches. A clutch can easily be burned out after a couple of miles if not used correctly. I suspect they examined it and noticed it has been slipped rather than collapsed etc. which is probably why they have declined to repair under warranty. I once had an old dear with 200 miles on a new car and a dead clutch, svc department had witnessed her riding the clutch when she'd been in and out so we declined the payout as it isn't a defect in parts it was due to driving style.

I'm not saying you've ridden the clutch but the flip side is that if the clutch hasn't fallen apart it isn't a defect either.

[Davel]

Our car was an ex-demonstrator and had been used by the Dealer's own staff too so, for the avoidance of doubt, they could at least have met us part way.

Anyway - no longer an issue or a customer, so no more Mini or BMW company cars.

[eybic]

I can totally appreciate your side of it and if it was a car I'd sold you then I'd be pushing to help you out.

[mneame]

Uness th car is under warrenty I'd look at after market clutches and flywheels. Especially changing a DMF back to a single plate flywheel.

I can see the clutch plate itself not being covered by warrenty but a flywheel should last a lot longer imo.