Clutch / Multifunction Steering Wheel

[Midget2040]

The stereo buttons on the multifunction steering wheel of my 54 plate MCS have decided to give up on me. They were dodgy yesterday (in that nothing happened when pressed), but returned to normal once the stereo was turned off and on again. Today nothing is happening at all. As my name would suggest, I am a shorty and find the steering wheel controls much easier than having to lean across to use the head unit! Any info on how to fix would be appreciated.

Also, I bought the car from a used car dealer last year and the warranty is due to expire soon. I thought about taking it to the nearest Mini dealership and asking them to run a diagnostics test just for my peace of mind. Does anyone know roughly how much they'd charge, or if any garage in the Bath area can do it cheaper? I've given up trying to call them this afternoon - nobody is picking up!

[Midget2040]

Sorry - I probably should have said I want the diagnostics tested due to the clutch as it makes a noise like a chair being dragged across tiles! Doh!

[RKDE]

Clutch change will cost you a small fortune at BMW in or out of warranty it will be about £1000 a lot of people go to 1320 where I suppose its £300 - £450 don't know the actual price now.

Probably would be the clutch fly wheel but is it just when you pull off in first? if so this is quite common and normal, they generally do 30K after they start making the noise. If its all the time then it is something else.

Sounds like the steering ring may have a fault, though never seen one fail... that I would get checked out by the garage if under warranty

[Midget2040]

Thanks for that. The best description I've read regarding the clutch noise is that it sounds like Chewbacca is trapped in the engine bay. It only happens, like you said, when pulling off in first gear. I have a long way before I do anything near 30k miles so I'll not panic - I think looking it up online made me worry more.

I did take the car back to the garage when I first got it as the steering wheel was clicking when turned (louder than one would normally expect). They had a look but said it was just the plastic rubbing and couldn't see anything wrong. Luckily they're very local so I'll take a trip back there over the weekend.

Thanks again!

[RKDE]

Midget2040 said:

Thanks for that. The best description I've read regarding the clutch noise is that it sounds like Chewbacca is trapped in the engine bay. It only happens, like you said, when pulling off in first gear. I have a long way before I do anything near 30k miles so I'll not panic - I think looking it up online made me worry more.

I did take the car back to the garage when I first got it as the steering wheel was clicking when turned (louder than one would normally expect). They had a look but said it was just the plastic rubbing and couldn't see anything wrong. Luckily they're very local so I'll take a trip back there over the weekend.

Thanks again!

Personally if its driving fine but making that noise just leave it, you will find on colder mornings it will make the noise and come the summer it will stop. Just know that at some point you will need a new clutch but if its only just started to happen I'd say you have around 30k left

The steering wheel sounds like the bearings which do fail and cause a click on low speed turning, to fix it is normally a steering rack top half but its not very expensive

[CO2000]

RKDE said:

Midget2040 said:

Thanks for that. The best description I've read regarding the clutch noise is that it sounds like Chewbacca is trapped in the engine bay. It only happens, like you said, when pulling off in first gear. I have a long way before I do anything near 30k miles so I'll not panic - I think looking it up online made me worry more.

I did take the car back to the garage when I first got it as the steering wheel was clicking when turned (louder than one would normally expect). They had a look but said it was just the plastic rubbing and couldn't see anything wrong. Luckily they're very local so I'll take a trip back there over the weekend.

Thanks again!

Personally if its driving fine but making that noise just leave it, you will find on colder mornings it will make the noise and come the summer it will stop. Just know that at some point you will need a new clutch but if its only just started to happen I'd say you have around 30k left

The steering wheel sounds like the bearings which do fail and cause a click on low speed turning, to fix it is normally a steering rack top half but its not very expensive

I'd push for a new clutch/flywheel & release brg under warranty as it souldn't make the noise & it it gets a lot worse sooner rather than later you will have to pay it all.

Ours it getting done today under warranty (main dealer) & not reached 20k yet. I have read it can be a problem every 20k.