My clutch failed on my '03 MCS with 26K miles. I have owned many sticks in my life and never had the clutch go that early, but I read another thread and someone said they might try to call it a wear issue vs a warranty item. I don't race it and there are no performance parts, it is driven an even mix of city and highway.

Anyone know what I can expect from dealer on Monday? Just curious.

 

I'm sure they'd say that you drove it wrong or some bs like that. Just insist that you have been driving sticks for a long time and that this is the first time anything has happened (especially at 26k miles). Hopefully they will agree it's a flaw and give you a new clutch.

 

I needed a new transmission and clutch at 25k. Since it was under warranty, I said what the heck, just do it.

 

there might be a flaw..but again, some people ride their clutches a lot more
than others not knowning this, so who knows.

i have 20k miles, still grabs like the first day i got the car. i don't expect
to change the clutch while I own it.

 

not nearly as snappy as stock. but with my driving, I'm kind of surprised that it's lasted this long.... So I'm keeping my eye on an upgraded clutch, and maybe a limited slip....

But I beat the snot out of my car. For normal driving with sane use of the clutch, it sure COULD last the life of the car. That's pretty amazing...

Let us know what the dealer says....


Matt

 

i predict my clutch will last oh about 2000 miles. cause i cant drive stick

 

dont be so hard on yourself










i give it 2500

 

That and the sig make me go:

::cringe::

 

I have driven nothing but sticks for my 26 years of driving and I've never had to replace a clutch....

My current car is a Saab 9-3 1999 with 95000 miles on it and still the original clutch.....

So yeah I'd say 26000 miles is a bit early to be replacing a clutch..

 

I am considered the most aggressive/spirited driver amongst all of my friends that drive. I have put 47k miles on my '03 Mini S and the clutch still grips excellent with no signs of weakening, so I hope thats some inspiration for some of you worrying. I cringe every time I read about someones clutch going out below 50k miles on this site. After reading this thread, I have came to the conclusion that some factory clutches are just made or put together worse than others and its not totally driver's fault; hopefully your car isnt one of those lemons.

 

If it fails under 50,000, that would imply to me that there's a serious materials or construction issue. User habits would have to be somewhere beyond gross negligence to burn a clutch that fast, and I'm certain that if that were the case, there would be a whole host of other problems, particularly in the valve train, from revving the engine with little or no load on it.

50,000-70,000 was pretty normal up until the 1980's when we started seeing major advances in materials research, particularly the introduction of new ceramics and silicon alloys, and a new clutch in this day and age should have no problem making it past the 100,000 mile mark with reasonable driving habits. Even with bad habits, I would expect at least 50-60 thousand.

 

I've got 55k miles on mine...without an issue. Even smoked it once when trying to burnout in 2nd gear right after getting my 15% pulley and intake done. What a lovely smell that was. BTW, I had the tranny apart last week and was able to hold the clutch in my hands. It looked good. Even the mechanics say there's a ton of meat left on the clutch.

 

I had my throwout bearing go out at around 30,000 miles and the dealer replaced it under warranty. While they had it apart they asked if I wanted to pay for a new cluch disc and I looked at the old one and it looked almost new (I worked in auto parts for a lot of years and have seen a lot of used/worn/destroyed clutches) so I told them just put it back. I have over 73,000 miles now and it is still in and working good. As for my driving, the last time I got stopped I was told, "That was some pretty aggressive driving there." We also do a LOT of miles on the back roads with a lot of clutch & brake smell when we stop.

Earl

 

My 2002 Cooper has a shade over 40K and just replaced the clutch . I guess I do too much "Dragon and/or Dragin'"

 

Well 110K miles of Track and street and still going strong, this includes heavy stop and go traffic (LIE at rush hour not good for stick), 37 HPDE track days this past year and no rpoblems to report, with the exception of the JCW upgrade @18K and a milltek header, the engine has not been touched, still running the original plugs. I intend to run it until it stops before I touch the engine.

 

This is what I like to hear! My MINI just broke 1200miles, so I'm hoping for a long life ahead for the clutch. FWIW, my '90 325iX has 210k miles on the original clutch and is still going strong. My '87 535is autox car had little wear on the clutch when I swapped trannys last year at 270K. I'm not sure of the entire history of that car, so I can't say how many miles were on the clutch, but certainly the last 75k since I've owned it and 50+ autox events. My cars are also subjected to LIE rush hour traffic every day as well.

 

Dealer (Ferman Mini in Palm Harbor FL) took care of it under warranty (thank GOD because I am broke). It was related to the slave cylinder which I have read is not that rare a problem.