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.
Not much to add that's not been said but I personally would buy the engine crane (new or 2nd hand) then sell up after in your situation - no guarantee you can do all that in a week once you factor in finding the parts you bought are wrong, rounding bolts etc and the "fun" that can bring
Captain Answer said:
Not much to add that's not been said but I personally would buy the engine crane (new or 2nd hand) then sell up after in your situation - no guarantee you can do all that in a week once you factor in finding the parts you bought are wrong, rounding bolts etc and the "fun" that can bring
Yes, I agree.As for doing the job, depends on your ability and what your free time is worth to you. I'd do it myself, but I already have an engine crane etc etc.
I subbed out my last clutch change on my Saab as I just couldn't be bothered crawling around on the floor in poor weather.
I put my feet up and paid the £240 labour happily!
I would have a go myself though if it's through the summer and I could do it over a few days, but as said you have a lot of work there to do and don't want to rush it.
I put my feet up and paid the £240 labour happily!
I would have a go myself though if it's through the summer and I could do it over a few days, but as said you have a lot of work there to do and don't want to rush 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
I’ve seen a clutch change on a mini. I wouldn’t dream of doing it myself. Not only does the subframe need to be dropped, the bumper and cooling group need partially removing, then the engine has to be tilted to some jaunty angles.
It is only a few electrical connections away from an entire engine removal.
It is only a few electrical connections away from an entire engine removal.
CoolHands said:
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.
Tbf that’s not an unusual sized bill nowadays. Even if you sell the car and buy another, you still may end up shelling out. At least you know this vehicle is ok in the clutch department if you go ahead. Motoring nowadays = wedge. 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
Not sure if you've seen this? Might help you make a decision. It's the first car in the video. This guy does clutch changes on people's drives all day, every day.
https://youtu.be/HTslo7fTBz8
https://youtu.be/HTslo7fTBz8
Tye Green said:
CoolHands said:
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.
sounds like mobile mechanic is charging £50 / hour + . wow!Iirc the MINI has a few things that can be easily or more accurately conveniently checked or replaced whilst the clutch is being done, including parts of the suspension and the power steering unit. Might be worth having these looked at for the sake of a bit more money. My Mum and Dad bought my old MINI off me and ended up having the subframe removed repeatedly for several different repairs, which I felt bad about because it was largely fault free (apart from a gummed up MAP sensor) when I had it.
paintman said:
Tye Green said:
CoolHands said:
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.
sounds like mobile mechanic is charging £50 / hour + . wow!Don't forget to take the 20% off that you'll need to pay the taxman & accountant's fees if you use one
Plus National Insurance contributions.
Plus the cost of buying, insuring, taxing, fuelling & maintaining your van
Plus the cost of buying tools as & when required & any subscriptions for diagnostic equipment/autodata etc (Cheapie code readers aren't an alternative!)
Plus the cost of having scrap parts & used fluids collected for proper disposal.
Plus your public liability insurance.
Plus if you're a franchisee how much you'll have to pay to the franchisor for the 'privilege'.
Often a percentage of your monthly turnover (note 'turnover' not profit) subject to a minimum monthly payment so if you've earned nothing you'll still have to cough up.
You don't get holiday pay.
You will lose days to the weather. Some customers will accept this, some won't.
The British weather.....
I'm sure there are some advantages of being a self employed man-in-a-van but sometimes on a bad day when things aren't going right I've been hard pushed to think of any!
Plus National Insurance contributions.
Plus the cost of buying, insuring, taxing, fuelling & maintaining your van
Plus the cost of buying tools as & when required & any subscriptions for diagnostic equipment/autodata etc (Cheapie code readers aren't an alternative!)
Plus the cost of having scrap parts & used fluids collected for proper disposal.
Plus your public liability insurance.
Plus if you're a franchisee how much you'll have to pay to the franchisor for the 'privilege'.
Often a percentage of your monthly turnover (note 'turnover' not profit) subject to a minimum monthly payment so if you've earned nothing you'll still have to cough up.
You don't get holiday pay.
You will lose days to the weather. Some customers will accept this, some won't.
The British weather.....
I'm sure there are some advantages of being a self employed man-in-a-van but sometimes on a bad day when things aren't going right I've been hard pushed to think of any!
Edited by paintman on Monday 3rd May 12:12
paintman said:
Tye Green said:
CoolHands said:
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.
sounds like mobile mechanic is charging £50 / hour + . wow!How much do you earn per hour, compared to how much per hour your business (or employers business) costs to run?
Tye Green said:
paintman said:
Tye Green said:
CoolHands said:
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.
sounds like mobile mechanic is charging £50 / hour + . wow!Shouldn't judge anything by a headline figure. Ask yourself why £400 is considered cheap
Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff