I'm taking my car in to the Dealer on Wed. for it's second inspection. On cold start up I get the dreaded squeal when I let out the clutch in !st. It than stops until the next cold start up. I'm sure it won't happen at the Dealers and I'll get the old "we can't get it to make any noise" from the dealer. Was any one else able to convince their Dealer there may be a problem with the clutch and/or flywheel?? On top of that it's got close to 34k and the mileage is just now indictating it's time for the 2nd check. I guess it's good I change the oil every 5K.

 

I had the same problem. My solution was to drive to my dealer the night before and leave the car for service the next day. If your clutch makes a noise when cold, this is a way to insure that the dealer can reproduce it.

 

I just got my 03 MCS and I have heard that noise before. It only happnes like once nd its very minimal so I didn't worry about it.. Anyone know what it is?

 

Also have heard this noise on occasion... Is it a sign of bigger things to come?

 

I have heard that it is "glazing" on the flywheel and not a major issue just annoying. Also known as the chewbaka"(sic) syndrome.

If your under warranty bring it in.

 

I wish I could leave it at the Dealer as NSXguy suggested but it's a 250 mile round trip. I guess I'll take my chances, but past experience says they'll do nothing. I've read in other posts that a oil leak in the flywheel/clutch area causes the noise and Dealers have replaced clutchs and flywheels. I guess I'll find out Wed. I'll post the results.

 

Sounds good let us know what they say.

 

I get a groan if mine has been sitting for a week or so, I think its because of rust on the flywheel surface just like the brake rotors. Goes away after a couple of releases into first.

The defective flywheel is a different noise, just had that replaced.

 

Mine (2006 MCS) is in the shop for the same problem - they've had it since Thursday and were getting ready to release it back to us when they heard "the noise". Now the car is apart showing no abnormal clutch wear, so they're still trying to come up with a "cause" to repair. On bad days, it's just way too noisy and annoying for this to be acceptable for a new car. Ours started squealing around 3,000miles. I just hope they don't have any spare screws or bolts after they put her back together! I'll let you know how it's all resolved. Greg

 

I had this problem on my 06 at 5k. Dealer, of course, "could not replicate" and asked me to pick it up the next morning. Starting off cold, on a humid morning, with the SA standing right there, she starts squealing like a stuck pig. SA hears it loud and clear now and and asks leave it again. However, Tech manager says, again... "could not replicate" and asked me come down and pick up the car.... again.

I'm pissed as hell now and gave them a piece of my mind.... despite my complaining the Tech manager really wasn't going to help until I told them that this was also a safety issue... that the clutch was very grabby and wouldn't slip smoothly while in its "chewbaka" mood (which was true). It basically acted like a on/off switch. I asked them to document my complaint and their refusal to correct it.

The Tech Mgr finally agreed to replaced the clutch and its been fine since (around 17k now). MINI also seemed to have pulled the MINI service from this BMW dealer since then... good riddance.

 

I had the same problem. I have a 2006 jcw. In may 07 had my clutch assy replaced and problem was solved. Noise came back in December 07 replaced clutch disc, pressure plate, and throw out bearing. Also replaced crush tubes and bolts. All of this work was done by Prestiage Mini in NJ all under warranty. They were very helpful and did the work without any problems. Only bad thing is they do not know what caused this problem.

 

Here is an up date on the clutch problem. I just got back from Atlanta and MINI of So. Atlanta has agreed to install a new clutch which they are doing today. This was done without hearing the noise, unless they drove it after I got there and heard the noise. I doubt it as I had driven 125 miles to get there and the noise only comes on cold start ups. I was amazed they agreed with out any hassle or problem. That leads me to believe this is an ongoing problem with the clutchs and/or flywheels. They gave me a 2007 Honda Accord for a loaner. It didn't have the leg room like my MINI and the ride wasn't much better. It had a lot of body roll and the steering wasn't as precise. I wasn't impressed. But than don't look a gift horse in the mouth!

 

Got our mini back. Replaced the clutch and flywheel. Like another poster said, the new clutch feels lighter and seems to engage more quickly. Noticeable change, but we'll get used to it. What surprises me is that the counter to next service read 14,452. Does that mean they test-drove the car anywhere from 48 to 548 miles? (Assuming as much as a 15,000 mile reset). thanks.

 

I got the car back late afternoon on Thur. They replaced the clutch and guide tube and also did the inspection service and replaced the wipers. The flywheel wasn't changed. The tech noted that the clutch was remanufactured. I guess thats not all bad, but than what do I know. Ray Godman at MINI of So. Atlanta was my SA and did a great job and everyone else there treated me very well and the car was ready when they said it would be. The clutch grabs a little quicker but other than that I don't notice much change. The tech also noted that the clutch disc was glazed which caused the noise. I'm happy and I guess that's all that matters.

 

The squeal on cold start sounds like the throw-out bearing. They can be tricky little buggers.

 

I didnt hear a squeal this am..but did here FW chatter with the clutch out and in neutral. Depressed the clutch in/out a couple of times and chatter went away?

 

Had the same problem with mine. It was the factory 2-piece flywheel slipping. i now have a fidanza flywheel and Spec clutch and love them. kinda chattery when idling (especially with ac on) but to be expected with the upgrades. i was told that the flywheel was recalled in the early 02 r53s but obviously mine wasnt fixed. I cant complain about the new clutcc/flywheel setup though. Goes nice with my $50 b&m shifter from ebay.

 

Same thing happened to me. Glazed dual-mass flywheel was the culprit. Car is still in the shop getting new DM flywheel and clutch assembly (and having some other issues addressed) all under warranty thank God. Evidently this is becoming very common, and has happened on R53s with less than 5K (my 05 S has 24K) and even on the R56's.

 

I guess i was lucky that mine wasnt more of a problem. i had 75 k on the car before it was replaced. btw the flywheel and clutch are a ***** to replace and i def took longer than i thought. Mine wasnt under warranty and ended up costing me about $1500 total but the minimania stage 2 upgrade was def. worth it

 

Funny, I just had this EXACT same setup put in my car. The fidanza flywheel and Spec clutch. I also have this chatty thing. Idling at a stop, clutch depressed, nothing. With it in neutral, letting the clutch out it sounds like somethings coming loose and rattling around. Depress the clutch again and all is quite once again. Is this what I have to look forward to??

 

I have been told that it is normal and expected when you upgrade the flywheel. I have taken to 2 different shops and they said that is a normal noise for a fidanza lightweight flywheel. I have had mine now for about 5000 miles and it still makes the noise. idk

 

Just took my '05 R53 to the dealer with the same "helicopter" noise, with 29K miles on it. The dealer just emailed me and said the flywheel AND the clutch have to be replaced. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

 

well look at it this way: they'll give U a 2 year unlimited mileage P/L warranty on that clutch and f'wheel, and it can extend beyond yr OEM warranty (FE, my OEM warranty expires this oct, I had my clutch and FW replaced last week, so it's covered until Feb 2010.)

What's scary tho is that the dealer found four other things that'd failed that I didnt even know about, like my defective oil pan gasket.

 

I just had the same problem fixed on my 04 MCS JCW. I also found that it made the noise when I was starting in an up-hill position. Although I was not able to duplicate the noise, my tech believed me and was nice enough to get it fixed. Now that it is done, my clutch works like butter. Like driving a new car.

 

I too get the chatter when in nuetral (05 MCS, 25000miles) and am out of warranty in June. I have no other noises though when clutching, no squeels, nothing. Chatter stops as soon as I clutch. How concerned should I be?