2018 Mini Cooper Clutch Noise

[Rob 131 Sport]

The wife’s late 2018 Mini Cooper Clubman (43k miles) makes an unusual whirring noise when the Clutch is depressed. Moreover the pedal has gone very soft whereas previously it was really firm.

I noticed also that there appears to be what sounds like a belt noise coming from the front of the engine.

Any ideas as to what the problem(s) maybe would be much appreciated.

[un1eash]

I would think it's the clutch release bearing making noise. This could be affecting the pedal but I'd also check the brake fluid reservoir for low fluid as the clutch shares the fluid.

[Rob 131 Sport]

The BMW Specialist (wouldn’t take it anywhere else) was busy so I had to wait for 2 weeks before it went in. Fortunately we have an ultra reliable Alfa Mito (owned for 9 years and 95k with nothing other than routine servicing) that the wife could use whilst the Mini was off the road.

It turned out to need a new clutch and flywheel costing £1,300. Whist the wife loves Mini’s this whole experience at 5 years old and 43k has really put me off ever owning another one.

Has anyone else had similar experiences or maybe we’ve just been spoilt by Alfa reliability and low running costs.

[E-bmw]

Clutches are a wear & tear item like tyres & brake pads, have you ever gone off a car because it needs tyres or brake pads?

I once heard a story from a trusted independent, that they had had the same driver bring their car in for a clutch every 2/3 years. Conversely, I have never worn out a clutch, and only once worn out a clutch release bearing in probably 500,000 miles in various cars.

[Rob 131 Sport]

E-bmw said:

Clutches are a wear & tear item like tyres & brake pads, have you ever gone off a car because it needs tyres or brake pads?

I once heard a story from a trusted independent, that they had had the same driver bring their car in for a clutch every 2/3 years. Conversely, I have never worn out a clutch, and only once worn out a clutch release bearing in probably 500,000 miles in various cars.

With the exception of my Rover 827 Vitesse, where the gear box broke, I’ve never replaced a clutch on any of mine or the wife’s car.

I don’t believe a clutch is a wear item like tyres or brake pads and should last 100k miles plus.

[Rob 131 Sport]

E-bmw said:

Clutches are a wear & tear item like tyres & brake pads, have you ever gone off a car because it needs tyres or brake pads?

I once heard a story from a trusted independent, that they had had the same driver bring their car in for a clutch every 2/3 years. Conversely, I have never worn out a clutch, and only once worn out a clutch release bearing in probably 500,000 miles in various cars.

With the exception of my Rover 827 Vitesse, where the gear box broke, I’ve never replaced a clutch on any of mine or the wife’s car.

I don’t believe a clutch is a wear item like tyres or brake pads and should last 100k miles plus.

[Wheatsheaf]

Clutch is definitely a wear item. The friction material is similar-ish to brake pads, and actually works like a brake in reverse (clutch up to "brake").

They normally take a bit longer to wear out than brake pads though... I recently replaced the original clutch on an 2003 Audi A4 with 208,000 miles on it for instance.

At only 43,000 miles it may not have been the friction plate on your wife's Mini that wore out, it could have been the dual mass flywheel or the release bearing causing the issue. Neither last forever either, although 43,000 I'd consider that to be rather premature failure... no idea about her driving style though... I'm sure it's possible to knack a clutch in 43k if you're particularly unsympathetic with it.

I wouldn't let it put you off Minis though

Edited by Wheatsheaf on Monday 11th December 06:51

Edited by Wheatsheaf on Monday 11th December 06:53

[Rob 131 Sport]

said:

Her driving style is fine and all her other cars often to considerable mileages have never needed a clutch.

Whilst not related to the clutch, we also have the car serviced annually at 8k miles with a reputable BMW specialist. Unfortunately this has really put me off Mini’s, which is a shame as in 25 years this is by far her favourite car.

[Wheatsheaf]

Fair enough. Service regime is irrelevant with respect to the clutch though as there are no maintainable / serviceable parts involved, hence its gearbox off when you get any issue.

Premature failure then, not unheard of, but yes very annoying!

[E-bmw]

OP, you just need to realise that a clutch is 100% a wear & tear item, which is why manufacturers rarely if ever cover a warranty claim on a clutch unless material defect becomes the cause, which will basically be never.

If you rest your clutch foot on the pedal at the take up point (not saying you do) then it will be rarely not slipping to some extent & will last a few thousand miles.

Driving style has an immense effect on life expectancy of a clutch.

Before I educated her, Mrs E went through one in 24,000 miles on a Clio in under 3 years, she had the car for another 5 with no issues.

[Rob 131 Sport]

E-bmw said:

OP, you just need to realise that a clutch is 100% a wear & tear item, which is why manufacturers rarely if ever cover a warranty claim on a clutch unless material defect becomes the cause, which will basically be never.

If you rest your clutch foot on the pedal at the take up point (not saying you do) then it will be rarely not slipping to some extent & will last a few thousand miles.

Driving style has an immense effect on life expectancy of a clutch.

Before I educated her, Mrs E went through one in 24,000 miles on a Clio in under 3 years, she had the car for another 5 with no issues.

I’m fully aware it’s a wear and tear item and the car is driven correctly. However its failure at 43k miles is totally unacceptable to me. By way of comparison our 2012 Alfa Mito that has 95k on the clock, being driver by the same people is on its original clutch.

[rosejem]

Yes that is disappointing , my sister has 2016 convertible which she has owned since new . Same 1.5 engine still on her original clutch at around 65,000 miles.

I guess yours might have a had a previous owner who was less careful, I have noticed the gearing is quite high so potential clutch riding in first on a hill start more than an average in the Mini .

[President Merkin]

If a clutch is faulty, you would expect it to fail early. If used well, 100k is easily possible. 43k suggests the answer lies elsewhere, also accepting any mechanical part can fail at any time. Either way, the only way to find out is to whip off the gearbox & inspect it.

On the wider point on Minis, BMW do not make clutches. They just buy them in. So your beef is likely with Valeo or Luk if you're right & the parts are faulty.

[un1eash]

The clutch delay valve can contribute to early failure of the clutch.