Can’t decide to do clutch + other jobs myself - mini
Discussion
2009 R56 (Gen 2) Mini Cooper S. Missus has burnt the clutch out in daily commuter traffic 
I am currently nursing it to work while she uses my car. Unfortunately changing the mini clutch is very expensive due to the amount of time req to remove everything and get to it. So more or less a whole day even for a pro, and taking whatever shortcuts they can. Cheapest quote from a reasonable mobile mechanic is £400 labour. Local garage is more like £600. Clutch kit is approx £105.
So I don’t know if I should do it myself at half term (I have week off), then I could drop subframe, change lower arms plus bushes ball joints etc at same time as they are fairly worn and now noisy over all the s
t roads and speed humps we have. And use the money towards replacing lots of these additional items that otherwise won’t get changed.
I’m even pondering hiring an engine crane for the week (£100) and remove engine to then change clutch, and give me lots of space to get subframe etc out. So do it all properly and give everything a proper refurb. I would also need to buy a cheap floor mounted press from ebay (£70) needed for some bushes.
Additional fly in the ointment is it has a dual mass flywheel and if that needs changing (mini recommend it) it is another 300 quid.
fksticks
Or just pay 500 quid and forget about all the suspension stuff and not worry about it.
I am currently nursing it to work while she uses my car. Unfortunately changing the mini clutch is very expensive due to the amount of time req to remove everything and get to it. So more or less a whole day even for a pro, and taking whatever shortcuts they can. Cheapest quote from a reasonable mobile mechanic is £400 labour. Local garage is more like £600. Clutch kit is approx £105.So I don’t know if I should do it myself at half term (I have week off), then I could drop subframe, change lower arms plus bushes ball joints etc at same time as they are fairly worn and now noisy over all the s
t roads and speed humps we have. And use the money towards replacing lots of these additional items that otherwise won’t get changed.I’m even pondering hiring an engine crane for the week (£100) and remove engine to then change clutch, and give me lots of space to get subframe etc out. So do it all properly and give everything a proper refurb. I would also need to buy a cheap floor mounted press from ebay (£70) needed for some bushes.
Additional fly in the ointment is it has a dual mass flywheel and if that needs changing (mini recommend it) it is another 300 quid.
f
ksticks Or just pay 500 quid and forget about all the suspension stuff and not worry about it.
I know. I’m flip flopping so bad on this, it’s awful. Can get a dual mass flywheel for £240. So £340 for both main items, but then should also replace rear main oil seal (expensive at £25). So even at £400 labour (which is very reasonable to be honest) it’s £750 ish. fk!
It’s low mileage 53,000m. So if I did it I would take engine out and replace both lower arms plus bushes etc + turbo oil feed pipe and return etc. So would probably spend close to the same total but do a lot of other items.
It’s a nice one with panoramic roof, leather lounge seats, heated front screen and all the extras. But prob still only value of £4k
Wife’s worried new one might burn out (particularly bad commuting road - edging forward every morning in line of traffic, uphill gradient), so is it worth it.
k!It’s low mileage 53,000m. So if I did it I would take engine out and replace both lower arms plus bushes etc + turbo oil feed pipe and return etc. So would probably spend close to the same total but do a lot of other items.
It’s a nice one with panoramic roof, leather lounge seats, heated front screen and all the extras. But prob still only value of £4k
Wife’s worried new one might burn out (particularly bad commuting road - edging forward every morning in line of traffic, uphill gradient), so is it worth it.
Edited by CoolHands on Sunday 2nd May 18:55
Decision made we’ve decided to pay. I can do lower arms / replace turbo oil pipes etc in the future as their own jobs, and they aren’t massive overwhelming. The clutch one I think I could end up regretting half way through the week so I’ll pay the guy.
Incidentally I went to another back street garage today who in a huge coincidence was doing a clutch on the same model today! He had it up on the ramp. He hasn’t done one on that model before and was having a mare.
Incidentally I went to another back street garage today who in a huge coincidence was doing a clutch on the same model today! He had it up on the ramp. He hasn’t done one on that model before and was having a mare.
Well I paid, it got done. He started at 9.30 finished by 4. The old one (original) was absolutely shot. I didn’t realise it actually had had cooling slots in it when new, you could just make out the outline when he pointed them out. The dual mass flywheel was also shot and some bearing things inside it collapsing so as well as the normal range of movement it is designed to have (fore and aft) it also was moving face on if you pressed on it. Plus it had small heat / distress cracks. So pretty much fked then!
The pedal feels super light now too! I think paying was worth it.
ked then!The pedal feels super light now too! I think paying was worth it.
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