Depending on my mood, highway, backroads, or city streets will dictate how I engage the clutch.

 

I wouldn't do the clutch modulating thing, it does wear the clutch(friction plate!), if you're good at rev matching (engine speed vs driveline speed), that helps. When you come to a stop, shift into neutral, and foot off the clutch. The friction plate likes to be in contact with the flywheel, otherwise when you're standing on the clutch, the throwout bearing is trying to wear itself out and you could be feathering the plate a little.

Only time we should be getting clutch wear is 4,500 RPM launches at the stop light . Good luck.

 

Totally off topic here but have to say. . .love your stripes!!

 

2007 MC: I had one of the aforementioned "random clutch failures" at around 27K - dealer said that some of the springs on the pressure plate had given out, and that's exactly what it felt like.

I was able to limp it to the dealership (~30 miles on an interstate) by being very careful on the throttle and keeping it right around 50 MPH (the slowest my Mini has ever gone on a highway, by far .

They replaced it under warranty, and I'm now at 46K with no problems.

I do mostly "on/off" clutch pedal action - the only time I really feather is on hills, and that's how I've always driven. With my previous 1998 Honda Civic, I changed clutches at 100K the first time, and 220K the second time - wasn't slipping either time, but I figured those seemed like good intervals, and I was having other stuff done at the same time - timing belt, water pump, etc.

 

Here's a trick I learned while living in England many years ago. When you are on a hill and stopped (of course this is only for going up a hill) apply the handbrake. When you are ready to move on, ease the clutch out and at the same time release the handbrake. Too many Americans never use the handbrake and it is a really useful device.

 

Don't need to do this with the built in hill-assist. Not sure what years have them, but my 2010 does and it's invaluable.

 

I know the hill-assist is there but it doesn't hold you from rolling back for very long. If you need 20 or so seconds before you begin moving the hill assist is useless. Try the handbrake technique. Once you use it you'll find it is the best way to control any possible roll back.

 

This post gave me a laugh. If you need 20 seconds, keep your foot on the brake. Doh!

 

You may laugh but if I'm on a hill waiting for a light to change I have the handbrake on and my feet flat on the floor. Everyone is different. This is the way I learned to drive and have been doing so for 50+ years.

 

My clutch was replaced at 30k miles, although in retrospect, I think that it had problems from the beginning.

 

43+K miles, no clutch issues...

 

'10 MCS driven aggressively. First clutch burnt out at 6.6K. Second one slipping, car is at 17.5K. When this one blows will be putting in a stage 3

 

'07, 37k. No problems.

 

My clutch lasted 33000km... On my VW my 1st clutch lasted me until 145000km... U no I'm pissed

 

I feel like mine is on its way out, no slip but its grabbing pretty high. Still chirps second with these sticky *** tires so im good for a bit. I feel a Spec Stage 2 in my futures

 

'07 - 71K+ miles

No clutch/transmission issues. Three fuel pumps tho...

 

71k with no clutch issues. NICE! Actually, 71k on a MINI (and not getting rid of it) is pretty rare from what I understand.


Thanks for the updates.

 

2007 MC, 28K miles. No issues.

 

2010 MCS just turned 10K and clutch is fine. Driven pretty hard all the time.
Never had to ever replace a clutch yet and that is all we own. Clutch wear is all about heat in the clutch. If you are smelling clutch you are burning the clutch. If you using lots of slip you are also wearing and burning the clutch.
Some people keep a foot on the clutch all the times which wears the clutch.
I can be quicker and harder on my Mini with faster power shifts but I only do it when absolutely needed because it is harder on the clutch and tranny. If you beat it and drive it like a rental you will break it. Just a matter of time.

 

This cannot be good

Sadly, I've heard the same though. At the dealership I worked at, I rarely saw one come in with 70k+ on it.

 

What kind of clutches are people upgrading to?

 

On the other hand, once my Mini is out of warranty, I can't imagine taking it to the dealer. You can't afford to own a Mini if you are paying the the dealer prices.

 

Hopefully that's the explanation .

 

I hope so too.

I like my MINI, but can't imagine owning it once it's out of warranty.

 

07 MCS with 56K on it. Clutch is just starting to slip. Will begin to research aftermarket parts but will get a dealer quote for sake of comparison. I really wish someone (Bentley) would publish a service manual for these cars.