Hi All, Just this past Tuesday the 19th I took delivery of my new to me 2008 MCS. It is Dark Metallic Silver with a 6-speed manual, sport stripes, sport suspension, sunroof, bluetooth/USB, and web spoke wheels. I picked it up from Checkered Flag Mini in Virginia Beach, VA for what I feel was a very good deal. It only has 36,500miles on it and is still under factory warranty for another month. Best part is that the car does not have a mark on it and I have its full service history. The recall has already been done as has the chain tensioner already been changed. I generally do all of my own car work so it really will not see the dealer again once the warranty is over but I am glad I have a little bit of time to make sure everything is perfect. So far I am absolutely in love with the little beast and really looking forward to enjoying my new daily driver. I am a rather old school car guy who enjoys working on my cars and has a rather fully tricked out garage to do it in. I am a member of a forum for each car my wife and I currently own and find these forums to be a wealth of great information as well as a place for everyone to swap ideas. I hope I can be as much help to others as I am sure this place will be for me. Which does bring me to my first question. I drove a 2012 MCS as well as an 07 and the 08 I purchased. On the 2012 I noticed a slight "bump or click" to the clutch pedal when it was pressed down but it was smooth as silk on the way back up. On the 2008 I purchased it has the same "bump or click" but it is much more noticeable. It too is fine on the way back up. Is this a fairly common thing or should I be a pest about it before the warranty is up? Thanks
Welcome to M/A..... The 2nd gen manual MINI's come with "Hill Assist".... It could very well be the switch that holds the brakes for a few seconds after you take your foot off the brake pedal to engage the clutch.....
You can actually feel it in the pedal. It is kind of annoying. I am planning on having it looked at before the warranty is up but thought I would ask here also. Thanks for all of the welcomes already!
I'll say I haven't noticed such on my 2012, but if you're three for three noticing it on these cars, I'm probably just not as perceptive. Curious. I'd agree with thought that it would be hill-assist related, something to tell the 'brain' that it can let loose, the clutch is coming out. Does it hill-hold only with the clutch in? I'll have to try that, just for curiousity's sake. Yes, forums, a fine thing, I've learned lots here!
I didn't notice it on the 2007 I drove but that one had a throwout bearing which was really getting tired. It was one hard to push clutch. You would have thought it had a big block connected to it.
Welcome to M/A! I can't offer any advice on the clutch issue other than get it checked out while still under warranty. Even if the dealer says it's fine, it could be helpful in the future to have it documented that you voiced a concern about it. Just a thought, FWIW. I hope that you are ready for miles of smiles in your MINI! Please post pictures if you have a minute. We just love to admire each others' MINIs!
Here are some pictures of my new to me MINI. I have now owned it for exactly one week and am completely happy with the decision to buy a MINI. Front view: Side view: Back: Interior:
The dealer got the clutch issue sorted out. They had to replace a bushing as well as the entire pedal itself. Apparently due to the fact that the pedal is made out of plastic the bushing is supposedly pretty good at wearing out. According to the dealer they all do this just the question is how bad and how tolerant you are of it. The guy who actually worked on the car said it could be back in as little as a year. Thankfully it does not do any real harm it is just kinda annoying so the next time it starts clicking I will just ignore it.
Great looking car! Make sure you check out the Hampton Roads MINI club. They do a lot of great rides in and around Virginia, and are a fun bunch of people to be around.
Thanks very much. I am already familiar with the Hampton Roads MINI club. If you look closely you will see an HR MINI decal on the left rear window I picked up at a recent Cars and Coffee event in Va Beach. They do seem to be a good bunch of people. I am sure I will get to a few events here and there.