Video: Why is my Mini Cooper '05 clutch making this sound?

[BrookelynMini05]

Help me out...
https://youtu.be/JTO4gNzOxdY

What are your first thoughts when you hear this sound?

My mini Specs:

Mini Cooper 2005
Just hit 60,000 miles the other day.

I know a new clutch is something we can't avoid forever; eventually the time will come and that time might very well be now for me, but before I go all in with that 'New clutch' idea I really want to try to understand my car a bit more, in hopes to avoid getting hustled / swindled/ preyed upon in the future. I like the idea of only paying for what truly needs to be fixed. I tend to ask a lot of noob type questions, so apologies in advance if my questions sound ridiculous.
But hey 'Knowledge is power' right?
Or
If I never ask, how will I know. ??🤔

Question:

Could my clutch sound be caused because my Mini is lacking in transmission fluid?

(Or some other type of fluid I obviously have zero knowledge about )

Or perhaps needing new transmission fluid in it?

I ask this because one time, Long long ago....I decided to move to Seattle and my little bucket of an Isuzu amigo was going to get me there. I had $500 to my name and most of that was going to be spent on gas and food.
Halfway through my journey, my clutch started acting funny ( I think it was hitting the floor)
I pulled into a Midas and they told me it was going to be $1500+. Of course I was hysterical and in tears. I was 20-year-old girl, in the middle of 'Who knows where,' so far from home and I didn't have that kind of money to pay for it. They knew my story/situation, yet the Midas mechanics were dead set on their diagnosis- "a new clutch" was my ONLY option in getting back on the road.

**Fast fwd a couple frantic hours later*
A kind gentleman (no connection to Midas) overhears my story and voluntarily looks into my clutch issue. Half hour in, he pulls my car up and says, 'All it needed was 'hydraulic fluid. You're good to go."
My clutch worked again and I was in Seattle the following night.
I will always be thankful for that man.
Also, my clutch didn't go out and need a total replacement until a year and some change later.

I'm not saying this is the case now, but if it wasn't for that man being there, kind and honest with me, I wouldn't have known of my options. This is why I hit on the whole 'knowledge is power thing' earlier.


I like to learn. I'd be more than grateful for any suggestions or opinions about my clutch grinding sound.

-Brooke

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Welcome to the Pelican community, Brooke! The only ridiculous questions are those that are not asked! We are all about empowering individuals to learn and work on their own vehicles. So you're in the right place and we are happy to help you gain more knowledge about your MINI.

I don't believe this is a transmission fluid issue that is making that sound. If you had a fluid issue, I'd expect more of a grinding of gears issue when shifting. (Yes, your transmission is filled with transmission fluid). What you can do is get under the vehicle and make sure there are no hydraulic leaks that you can see. When was the last time you replaced your transmission fluid? MINI does call the transmission fluid "lifetime," but I personally do not believe in any lifetime fluid in a vehicle. I typically change the transmission fluid every 30,000 miles or about once every two years. You can change it and see if the noise disappears. However, I am leaning towards a possible clutch issue here. If you haven't ever changed the transmission fluid, it may be a good idea to do anyways, even if it doesn't solve your issue. Curious: Do you notice any other symptoms while driving the vehicle other than the noise? Does it seem to feel as if it's slipping at all? Give it a good acceleration and see how it acts.

Here is some info about the transmission fluid change - MINI Cooper Manual Transmission and Differential Fluid Replacement (R50/R52/R53 2001-2006) | Pelican Parts DIY Maintenance Article

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Sounds like I imagine a bad throw-out bearing would sound. Unfortunately, that means pulling the transmission off the engine to get at the bearing. That is a big enough hassle (and enough $$) that it is well worth being certain that is what is going on before you start the job. You can try changing the transmission fluid, but be prepared that there's a good chance it won't make the noise stop.

I would find a local specialist (MINI and/or BMW mechanic) and see what he or she has to say about the sound. I fear a new clutch (when it is that far apart, might as well replace it!) may be in your near future...

--DD