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MINI Cooper Clutch & Transmission Questions

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  • ezamora1ezamora1 Member Posts: 2
    Awesome! I feel like I need to do the same now. I am having the same problem. Any sudgestions?

    Thanks,
    Eric
  • janmalyjanmaly Member Posts: 1
    Hi everybody!

    Same here! My MINI Cooper 2007 has only 30 000miles on it and gearbox started to rattle. Rattle goes away when clutch is pressed. And gearbox starts to be noisy even during driving.

    I can NOT beleive it, premium, expensive small car....BMW actually.

    On Thursday I booked visit at my dealer to request good will from BMW. Hope that they will pay at least 80% of replacement price.

    My MINI is first generation made in 2006, bought brand new i 3/2007 with Getrag gearbox.

    If you guys have the same problem, BMW knows about it. This problem has special code: M230105.

    This is my car on video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON3tVECk99I to show how does it sounds.

    I'm from Czech Republic and BMW dealers are really arrogant and ignorant here. So I guess that I will have to push them a little bit to give me good will.

    This is absolutely unacceptable to change gearbox "every 30k miles"!!!

    Clutch seems to be ok, so far.
  • vincent_marcusvincent_marcus Member Posts: 2
    In my mini cooper when attempting to shift gears while driving or even just in neutral and parked sliding the gear stick from one side to the other horizontally takes literally the entire strength of my whole arm. It's also very difficult to switch into 3rd and 5th gear.

    Has anyone experienced this? Anyone know what the problem might be?
  • march30march30 Member Posts: 2
    Hi. I have a 2006 and had this exact same problem. It first happened in 2008 and the dealership lubricated the shifter cables which fixed the hard-to-shift problem. In mid-2010 I had the same problem again. First, very difficult to shift and then I couldn't get the car into certain gears (just like your current problem). I was pretty sure it was just the shifter cables. A dealer looked at it (a different one than before because I moved) and they believed it was the transmission since then took the shifter cables off and they seemed to work fine independently. I wasn't convinced it was the transmission but the transmission was replaced. Day after I got car back I went to use car after I had parked it for 20 minutes and went to go in reverse and went forward. Noticed shifter stick was leaning all the way to the left and looked weird. Got help from dealer service and one shifter cable (there are two) had disconnected itself (shifter cables are located under hood). A connector screw or nut had failed so they reattached it. Car shifts ok now but I still have a hard time getting into reverse or first when car hasn't been used for a couple of days. I usually let car warm up and try not to force any shifting. Originally when I had this shifting problem the service center said that the shifter cables just needed lubrication and that this happens often in cold weather. Hope this helps you.
  • vincent_marcusvincent_marcus Member Posts: 2
    Thanks man. I guess we'll try to get the cables lubricated then.
  • innapininnapin Member Posts: 3
    Seeing discussions on the fly wheel and clutch getting worried about the new mini i am about to pick up ALthough didn't se any complaints from 2010 and 2011 ( albeit new) base model please advise if anyone having trouble with the newer model years thanks
  • docroxdocrox Member Posts: 12
    Yes I had a new 2010 that the clutch and flywheel burned out at 3,600 miles. Same story as all of the others here. I fought and got it paid for and then traded it off immediately.
  • beritzyberitzy Member Posts: 1
    I am currently dealing with this issue. I have an '07 Mini S with only 27k miles. My clutch and the flywheel need to be replaced. The dealership says it will cost $3,200, as it is not covered under the warranty. I am doing everything I can to NOT pay as this appears to be a common issue with this car.

    I also had a very bad experience dealing with Mini Roadside assistance.

    Will keep you posted on my progress, please do the same.
  • ccateccate Member Posts: 1
    You would think after all these years car makers would know how to make a decent clutch system that works. Its not like its not been done before. My problem is I really wanted a Mini. : ( Now I wouldn't touch one with a ten foot pole. Lets me know why I see so many used ones for sale.

    I feel for you guys,

    Clay
  • innapininnapin Member Posts: 3
    if you research most of the problems are with the S model the base model not so much and consumer reports recommends the base model
  • akb3akb3 Member Posts: 2
    So sorry to be bearer of bad news but my 2010 Mini is currently in shop with burned out clutch at only 12,000 miles cost to replace is $1500 not under warranty. As with everyone in this forum service implied I didn't know how to drive.
    Will be taking all copies of these posts in fight with service.
    AKB3
  • akb3akb3 Member Posts: 2
    Posted a reply at end of this forum to you: yes we have a 2010 mini with 12,000 miles and a blown clutch. Repair estimate $1500 not covered under warranty. Like everyone else service implied I didn't know how to drive.
    Let you know the outcome
    AKB3
  • 1minimama1minimama Member Posts: 5
    Well, just got the call from my dealer...the transmission is out of the car and the bill will be $3200.00!!!!!!! I am having complete sticker shock!
    Does anybody know how to go about having the dealer pay for it? I have read in previous posts that people have been able to have the dealer pay for all or at least 80%. I believe we have 18,000 miles on the car. :lemon: :lemon: :lemon: ?
    I am a great Mini owner...just bought the 5th Countryman to come into the state of Michigan (in January).
    I am so disappointed by this news. : (
    Any help would be so appreciated!
  • 1minimama1minimama Member Posts: 5
    Help!!!!
    The same thing is happening to me!!!! $3200.00 for a clutch and flywheel!!!!
    2010 Clubman S!!!!
    How did you go about getting them to pay for it?????
    Im so upset!!!!!
  • clutchedclutched Member Posts: 5
    Dear 1 minimama,

    Do not despair. They have given you the stasndard dealer speak - it's your fault, your a terrible driver, etc. Bull. Leave the car there at the deaker, no matter what they say. Don't be bullied by their threats tio have you pay storage fees, etc. Just more [non-permissible content removed]. Check your state's lemon laws, Here in PA we contacted a lemon lawyer who specifically deals with BMW / MINI North America in Englewood, NJ. We got ours resolved (2 clutches within 12,000 miles) at no cost. The dealer can threaten, all they want, but there seems to be some hidden defect amongst most all MINI's and thier clutch flywheel assembly Stray strong and determined; offer to pay absolutely nothing. They will fold and replace your parts while getting in a few digs about you and how you drive. Tell them to . . . whatever comes to mind. But smile because they know they are wrong and are only trying to bully you into paying
  • 1minimama1minimama Member Posts: 5
    Thank you Clutched!!!!
    They said,"YES"!!!! My dealership contacted Mini USA and they did authorize a "one time only" payment of $3200.00!!!! I am so grateful to all of you wonderful posters and I feel lucky that we have this forum to communicate on! I did say to the dealer that the "one time only" offer tells me that Mini doesn't seem to have confidence in the product if they feel that they need to qualify their offer with that caveat! She agreed and promised that if we experienced clutch and flywheel issues in the next year then she would "go to bat for us". Now my husband's clutch is so much easier and smoother...I have a feeling it was never right from the moment we purchased it last year. Neither of us can get over the feeling when we drive it.
    Well, thank you thank you, thank you! I feel so RICH now and haven't made a penny...HAHA! Thank you everybody!!!
  • ordirishordirish Member Posts: 2
    Picture this: Sunny afternoon headed up a steep canyon just about approaching Muhullond Drive where James Dean was killed. Clutch on my 2005 Mini Cooper S blows out. Luckily I could coast to the side of the road but it was scary!

    To replace the clutch it will cost $1,300. So here is my question: Should I dump the car as soon as it's fixed and find something else? Or should I stick with it for a while?

    I just moved to LA from Chicago and have so far replaced my breaks and now the clutch. I'm really concerned about future expenses.

    Thoughts?
  • sable24sable24 Member Posts: 4
    Well . . . my experience has been that the clutch WILL fail again. But the question is -- how many miles can you go before that happens? The fact that you got 37,000 miles out of the first one is actually pretty good. I seem to get only about half that mileage between clutches, and others who have posted on this forum get even less. So it's kind of a gamble, but it could buy you a little time before you have to make the decision to change cars. No matter what you decide, you'll have to get the clutch repaired now anyway. I'm kind of surprised that it's only $1300 though -- my repairs have been closer to $3,000. Is your flywheel okay or do you not know that yet?
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    You REALLY only get 18 - 20,000 miles out of a clutch? That seems like a low number based on my experience. We've owned nothing but manuals since 1979, and on 10 vehicles and over 1.5 million combined miles we've never had to replace a clutch. I have a 2001 Altima with 207,000 miles on the original clutch. That Altima is the only used vehicle I ever bought (12,000 miles on it at purchase), the rest have been new. The two cars before the Altima both had over 230,000 on them when I sold them.
  • cagney730cagney730 Member Posts: 1
    I purchased a 2010 Mini Cooper S with manual transmission. The clutch burned out at 12,000 miles. Mini Corporate told me it was driver abuse and refused to replace the clutch ($3700). After going round and round with the dealership, they agreed to fix it for free. They also did the next best thing, They taught me how to drive their unique manual transmission:

    Cooper S clutch systems are highly sensitive and designed to drive as a race car. When you shift, take your foot off the gas, engage the clutch, shift, release the clutch THEN hit the gas. Do not step on the gas pedal at all when you are releasing the clutch. The only time you step on the gas pedal when shifting is in first gear. Hit the gas and do not go above 1000 RPM as you are shifting. The reason the clutch goes out is because we have been driving the Cooper S like any other manual transmission. With the turbo engine, the flywheel heats up too much and the clutch will burn out if you apply gas as the clutch is released.

    It is weird at first but it totally works. My dealership told me that they now will advise customers on how to drive with a Cooper S clutch. Good luck.
  • innapininnapin Member Posts: 3
    Is this specificto the "S" not the base am i correctly understanding? thanks
  • sable24sable24 Member Posts: 4
    Well you aren't talking about the Mini! I've never had a problem with any other manual transmission car, and I've been driving a clutch for 40 years! I've never had to replace a clutch except on the Mini Cooper, and yes, 18-20k miles on a Mini clutch is about as good as it gets. Read all the other posts that have to do with this Mini problem. And I repeat -- this is specific to the Mini Cooper.
  • 58coopers58coopers Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2011
    10,300 mi & the clutch is barely going to get me to the dealer tomorrow...I've told them 3x that I could smell clutch, esp. in 3rd gear. They say I'm abusive to the car. .......But...there's so much more. My wheels had to be replaced because the brake dust from the pads was corroding the finish.They say that was my fault because "I don't keep my wheels clean enough" & those same brake pads aren't going to last to 15k. And the tires, maybe 15k, maybe. And what about the power steering problems? I was sold on my mini, Starling, with initial quality, appearance/style, & performance. But ,sorry to say, she just doesn't have any staying power & she will not be staying at my house....They WILL fix the clutch one way or the other. They will either fix it, then I'll trade it & take my loss & say"bye-bye" or I'll park it in the the driveway til they come & get it & I'll take my loss and again say "bye-bye". I'm a 58 yr old gm & i've owned 15 new cars w/o trouble. This car is not going to eat me out of house & home with it's problems... How ridiculous that BMW would allow such poor quality!!!!Too silly/LOL
  • ordirishordirish Member Posts: 2
    So here is my question to you - what will you purchase next?
  • 1minimama1minimama Member Posts: 5
    Here is what worked for me...take your car to the dealer...insist they call Mini USA (but insist nicely) and tell them about this forum and that you have read that there are tons of people who have clutch issues. It took them 2 days to say that they'd take care of it, so be patient. It worked for me! I have a feeling if you try you will be victorious too! They told me they'd fix it this one time only (for free). I love the car and am sticking with it!
    Good Luck and let us know what happens!
  • mjbaughmanmjbaughman Member Posts: 2
    Well, the 2005 Mini Cooper S began making clutch noises again this month, one month in front of the extended warranty they provided me with the last fix. The dealership has the car again today and the first words out of their mouth was they only see a few of these cars each year and it is driver issues. I promptly responded I have driven a clutch since I was 13 and have been an active reader of Edmonds forum. This one will be interesting, I only have 60.6K miles on the car.
  • CeeeeCeeeeCeeeeCeeee Member Posts: 25
    The transmission on my 2004 Mini (automatic/basic) went out at 60,000 miles! Must be a magic number! Today, I saw a new model Mini parked next to me. Four doors and quite roomy looking. I only drooled over it for 30 seconds and then wondered what will go wrong with it and when it would happen! Never again!
  • pstrompstrom Member Posts: 3
    Wow cant beleave so many people with clutch issues..heres mine 6000 miles on mine and under factory warr. and the dealer.... Crevier mini in Santa Ana ca says.... cust neglagence.. you dont know how to drive a clutch, there machanic says he can see what happened just by smelling hes really good.....but if you want him to tear it down ....1500 dollars to look inside.. after 6 weeks and no help from the factory. i had to tow a brand new car that is only 3 months old. to a repair shop as i was not paying 3800 dollars for a clutch.. now i am suing for the repairs that should have been fixed under warr..
  • 1minimama1minimama Member Posts: 5
    Tell your dealer about this forum...tell them your next step will be to call Mini USA directly.
    Good luck!!! Always be nice...you kill more flies with honey than with vinegar!!!! : )
  • laguna_babelaguna_babe Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2010 - clutch went at 1800. I marched in to Irvine Mini, they gave me the same line of crap. that I was a negligent driver (even though I've been driving standards for 20 years). We also have the extended warranty. They also told us $3800. We told them they could take their car, we didn't want it any more... and that we were not going to pay one dime to fix a car with a known defect! they conceded, as they knew they had no leg to stand on. They replaced the clutch, no charge.
    As soon as we are no longer upside down, we are selling it!
  • CeeeeCeeeeCeeeeCeeee Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2011
    Not long ago someone on this forum posted explicit directions on how to drive a manual transmission MINI. And, yes, the directions clearly were different from how the rest of the world (non MINI drivers) has been driving standard transmission cars for decades! Good luck, everyone!
  • minicooper06minicooper06 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 06 mini cooper hardtop automatic and was wondering if it has a CVT transmission,
    the dealer said it did not however, on the internet I keep getting mixed answers, hoping to get the final answer here.

    Does my 2006 have a CVT transmission?

    Thank you.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 236,767
    If it is an '06 base Cooper, and it's automatic, then it should be the CVT..

    If it is an -S-model, it is a traditional automatic (6-speed).

    This is from Edmunds review of the '06:

    The base Cooper is powered by a 1.6-liter inline four that makes 115 horsepower. This isn't much power by today's standards, but with only 2,300 pounds of car to propel, it's not dreadfully slow. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with an automanual mode is optional.

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  • alexkid70alexkid70 Member Posts: 2
    I'm stressing over what to do. I bought a used 09 Cooper s about two months ago. 15,500 miles so car is practically new. I have put about 2500 miles on it and I was just told the clutch needs replacement. Heard the same grinding sound others mentioned. What to do? Mini cooper dealer says they dont cover clutches, dealer where i purchased it is telling me the same. help!
  • alexkid70alexkid70 Member Posts: 2
    After stressing about this car yesterday I decided to trade it in while it still ran and held some value. Picked up a new mazda with cool features for a lot less. I would never buy this car ever again. My mission is tell everyone i come in contact with, what a piece of crap the Mini Coopers are.
  • mtoolemtoole Member Posts: 2
    What was the final outcome with Crevier. I am in the same situation. My 2011 Mini Cooper has less that 4000 miles on it and the clutch went out. They are calling it "abuse". I did go to Mini USA and they didn't/wouldn't do anything about it.
  • mtoolemtoole Member Posts: 2
    I took your advice. I've been really nice for 2.5 weeks now. Mini USA looked at the car. I also dealt with a customer service person at BMW. They continue to say it's "driver profile" and abuse on a 2011 Mini Cooper with only 4000 miles on it. I have driven manual transmission cars for over 20 years without replacing a clutch, let alone the fly wheel. I am dealing with Crevier in Santa Ana. Any other advice. I am not paying for a new clutch and fly wheel on a new car.
  • CeeeeCeeeeCeeeeCeeee Member Posts: 25
    Not that long ago there was a thread on how MINI USA says their manual transmission MINI's are to be driven. Having learned to drive on manual transmission cars many years ago and having driven a myriad of such cars all my life, I had never come across these guidelines. So, maybe there are differences in how MINI clutches needed to be treated. Too bad the people who sell us MINIs know this and don't let their buyers know this up front! I have driven automatics for the past 10 years. My 2004 automatic MINI basic had it's own challenge.....a transmission needing replacement at 60K miles, for instance....of course, not under warranty! This is not a user-friendly car. Cute....but not so much so under the hood!
  • pstrompstrom Member Posts: 3
    to give you a update i took my brand new car out of the dealer because they would not warr the repair as like i said the mechanic and the shop forman have super sonic sense of smell...i towed a new car to bullet peformance in santa ana about 5 miles form the dealer and had it repaired... then i turn in the complant to the B A R and filed a complant it is now in the B A R S hands as they are checking into the complant.. i would contact the B A R and file a complant also.so they have another complant about the same clutch issues..
  • deron3085deron3085 Member Posts: 3
    Mission Accomplished

    I was sold, it was a done deal, I was ordering a brand new Mini Cooper S Convertible with multiple packages....was going to drop over 36K and was ready to put down a 1K deposit.

    Thank God I stumbled across this clutch debacle first...now Mini/BMW will never see one single red cent.

    Sorry for those who have had to deal with this joke, but I am thankful for everyone who have meticulously documented this ridiculous scandal and are sparing the rest of us the impending :lemon: nightmare.

    You can take solace in the fact that your efforts have directly prevented a sure fire purchase. MINI/BMW are you listening...do you care?
  • pstrompstrom Member Posts: 3
    as of your last post did you ever get Crevier. did you ever get them to replace your clutch under warr?
  • puffin1puffin1 Member Posts: 276
    I know they are cute and can fly.
    However, they have had so many problems with the Geartrag tranny. People are screaming for class action suits and 71 year old drivers who were weaned on MT's are being blamed for blowing the transmissions,even old ladies.
    Edmunds rates the Mini as top notch, instead of mentioning all the problems they quash it. ( so much for creditability)
    The Mexicans have been assembling Fords cars as far back as the tracer and beyond and they have it right. I know the Brits need alot of oversight by BMW to get this right.
    I wish Edmunds would step up and say beware. I feel bad for these people being sqeezed for 2k up tp 6 k for a new tranny .
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    edited June 2011
    Edmunds rates the Mini as top notch, instead of mentioning all the problems they quash it. ( so much for creditability)

    I still find it entertaining whan folks claim some type of collusion between a auto reviewer (Edmunds, Consumer Reports. etc.) and a manufacturer. Unless you have some type of definitive evidence, all you are stating is your own opinion.

    The Mexicans have been assembling Fords cars as far back as the tracer and beyond and they have it right. I know the Brits need alot of oversight by BMW to get this right

    How do you know?

    If you spend a little time scanning some of the other threads you may find many who disagree that cars manufactured in Mexico are so great. Quite a few would disagree on your "they have it right" analysis.

    I wish Edmunds would step up and say beware. I feel bad for these people being sqeezed for 2k up tp 6 k for a new tranny .

    Unfortunately, everyone isn't capable of effectively driving a car equipped with a manual transmission. Of course, when any of those drivers drop a transmission or burn out a clutch it MUST be defective product, and it couldn't have anything to do with their driving characteristics....No way!

    As an example, one recent driver survey found that almost 80% of drivers rate themselves above avarage in driving ability....

    I don't claim that some defective product makes it to the street. That's an issue with any manufacturer. And, every manufacturer has its own group of disgruntled "detractors".
  • puffin1puffin1 Member Posts: 276
    I suggest you go back and read the last 21 posts
    The past 6 years on the Mini Forum I 've read the discusions how Mini has screwed over sooo many people. Sorry pal do your HW.. I'm on my fourth BMW and I never have had any problems, but I go new every 2 or three years.
    I've been following the mini's tranny problems for years. Nothings changed and there are alot of Mini driver's having aniety problems. :lemon:
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    edited June 2011
    I would suggest you follow your own advice and check out a few other forum threads on other makes/models.

    There isn't one with any significant posting activity that doesn't have some amount of disgruntled posters.

    "Cherry picking" postings does little to support your argument, and considering the large number of (in this case) Mini's that have been manufactured over the last decade, the relatively few postings on Edmunds seem about what one would expect.

    By the way, according to the BMW Group reporting documents, over 240,000 Minis were built in 2010 alone.

    Just curious... What number of complaints such as those concerning clutch failures would YOU say constitute a significant enough amount in order to be extreme, based on such a yearly production number?

    24,000? 2400? 240? Maybe just 24?
    All manufacturers have problems. One of BMW's recent ones has been the HPFP on the N54 engines. It's a real issue... An issue that has upset many owners, but overall, it hasn't slowed sales nor hurt the company image much. Nor have run flat tires.

    However, to suggest a brand is "lousy or substandard" based on a few posted comments or to suggest sites such as Edmunds are in "bed" with a manufacturer (or deliberately hiding/withholding information) is nothing more than wishful thinking, IMO.
  • stardude82stardude82 Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2011
    Has anybody heard if there are supply issues with the Aisin
    slush boxes?
  • cmunizcmuniz Member Posts: 604
    I went to a dealer yesterday to look at a Cooper S and was told inventories are lower than normal and special orders may take longer due to transmission supply problems from Aisin. Not sure if that was just talk or reality.
  • llcrabbiellcrabbie Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2007 MINI that has 18000 miles. The dealership just called me and informed me that my clutch is probably bad. I've driven the car less than normal use, and I drive like a normal person.... I had a MINI One when I was living in England and the only parts I had to buy for the car in 4 years was brake pads and new tires. This is a little ridiculous! Hopefully South Bay MINI can help out a little bit.
  • busirisbusiris Member Posts: 3,490
    Did you buy the car new or used, and is it an "S" or base model?

    Also, was it from the dealer doing the service currently?
  • llcrabbiellcrabbie Member Posts: 3
    I bought the car used. I bought it with 4700 miles.... in late 2009. In other words I have driven it 13k miles in 2 years. I don't consider that to be a lot since a leased car can be driven 12k miles / year.

    Yes, the dealership is doing the service currently. The good news is that they are going to push to get my replacement of the clutch and flywheel paid for.

    Shouldn't this be considered a problem that they should just fix?

    Its a MINI Cooper S, and it has some minor upgrades but it is a JCW.
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