Mini One Convertible Clutch burnt out

Jasper2487

Hi can snybody help. I have a Mini One Convertible which is 5 1/2 years old. I have had it from new.It has done 22,ooo miles and today the clutch has gone. It was recovered by RAC, the Rac man said it was criminal that the clutch had gone after 22,000 miles. He said he had been out to at least 20 minis with the same problem. It is just driven by me , mainly short journeys to eork and around the city. Yearly mileage low. Any feed back as to whether this is normal wear and tear would be appreciated. I have already had a new thermostat earlier this year we which we kicked up with the dealer and got a discount. as we found after going on the internet this was a Mini problem. Have been quoted £900 for new clutch by mini dealership. Any help appreciated.

Richard53

Clutch life is very dependent on driving style and use. If you use it in the city all the time, clutch life will be shorter. If you rev the engine and slip the clutch a lot, same. I have owned old cars and new cars, nice ones and bangers, some with well over 100k miles, and I have never replaced a clutch in my life. Rural locations, little town traffic, and a sympathetic left foot have probably helped. Your usage pattern is very different.


However, with a 5-year-old car, I doubt if you will get any help from the dealership. A clutch is a classic wear-and-tear item. 22k is low, but not ridiculously low. The RAC guy can say what he likes, as it won't be him that is paying for it.

nokia1100

Could you feel the biting point was getting "higher" than when it was newer?A couple of years ago I drove a Corsa pool car which still wasn't biting with my heel on the floor and what seemed like my big toe (I wear size 9s) remaining on the bottom edge of the pedal! That had 58k and was 5 years old from memory but had taken much abuse from a different driver each time it had been driven!

mr_accountant

I think you will struggle to get anything, depending on driving they can last between 5k and 150k, no warramty covers clutch use, I guess your get an independent assessor to dismantle but by the time all that's done may well have had a new clutch.

I don't think these cars are exactly known for their build quality anyway so they may house cheap parts to begin with, the price of the car is because i has a mini badge on the front.

Btw 900 seems a lot, try a local trustworthy garage for a price

Nodding_Donkey

It's quite possible to wear a clutch out in one day.

peter12345678910

I never use biting point, just put the hand break on. Always rev first in lower gears than move to higher gear. Or rev more after higher gear, but not during clutch change.

forgotmyname

You never use the biting point? How do you pull away and change gear then? That transition between the clutch being down and the clutch being up is the biting point.

Its not just holding it on the clutch on a hill but every gear change also.

arcon5

You rev your engine with handbrake on then proceed to changing gear? Am I reading this right?

photome

peter12345678910 wrote: »

I never use biting point, just put the hand break on. Always rev first in lower gears than move to higher gear. Or rev more after higher gear, but not during clutch change.

I am just confused by your driving style

as for the OP if you have been driving correctly and not slipping the clutch then IMO the clutch shouldnt be worn out

having said that after 5 and half years it is highly unlikely that Mini will offer anything other than you paying for the repair

foxy-stoat

Jasper2487 wrote: »

Hi can snybody help. I have a Mini One Convertible which is 5 1/2 years old. I have had it from new.It has done 22,ooo miles and today the clutch has gone. It was recovered by RAC, the Rac man said it was criminal that the clutch had gone after 22,000 miles. He said he had been out to at least 20 minis with the same problem. It is just driven by me , mainly short journeys to eork and around the city. Yearly mileage low. Any feed back as to whether this is normal wear and tear would be appreciated. I have already had a new thermostat earlier this year we which we kicked up with the dealer and got a discount. as we found after going on the internet this was a Mini problem. Have been quoted £900 for new clutch by mini dealership. Any help appreciated.

The only help or advice that you should take is dont go to a main dealer for the clutch change, try Mr Clutch in your area and get a quote or your a local garage - try one of the Mini forums, the folk on there may point you into a good garage.

iolanthe07

It is often down to driving style. My mother used to get through a clutch approx every six months because she would insist on driving with her foot resting on the pedal.