MCS R53 oil usage and clutch opinions

[fluffy]

Hey all...

how often do you all with the R53 top up oil?

it's been 6500km's since our's service, has 70 000km's on the clock and the oil level shows it needs about a pint... i see NO oil leaks anywhere so i can only think it's "using" oil. this normal?
can it really be the rings at only 70 000kms for a 2006 model?


NEXT...
CLUTCH... it's been really really stiff since we got it at 63000kms and has slight creaking noises too, so we've known it needs to be done sometime...

but now it's whining sometimes when pulling off...

can i just get a LUK clutch? Valeo? or are there better options that still keep a soft pedal feel?

what do you guys use???

I will definitely weigh up the options with an ACT as i've had one before and loved it, but if it's ALOT more money and adds too much pedal stiffness then i'll stick with stock stuff.

 

[racing snake]

the general "rule of thumb" with oil consumption is 1 liter per 1000km for the newer generation motors. also make sure that the oil you are using is correct for our climate.

either the LUK or Valeo clutches will work well and will remove the stiff pedal, the noise might just be a dry or dirty pivot.

feel free to pm me should you want a quote for the clutch.:thumbs:

 

[fluffy]

thanks snake...

are you able to just supply the clutch or you mean do the whole install?

any idea if it can be a DIY?

I've done the pulley swap, exhaust and header, top strut mounts and serviced the mini - that's as far as my experience goes...
on other cars done engine mounts, coil overs, brakes etc. but never deeper into drivetrain or inside a motor.

 

[Willy]

Fluffy, the clutches are VERY stiff in Cooper S's. As for the noise it makes. Mine did it for 80000 km. They do it. But if you really want to I'd look into a BMW part as well.

 

[fluffy]

I test drove about 15 mini Cooper s's lolz (before we found our minter...)

and 3 had soft decent feeling clutches. and thus, stiff is NOT normal... ppl seem to just live with it because it still grips ok...

im gonna do some more research.

 

[Willy]

Also drove a few, they all felt the same, maybe then yours is quite stiff.

I am just saying the cooper S is quite a bit harder than the stock cooper.

 

[hotchocolate]

Hey Fluffy,

I can say that the oil consumption is about the same on my model. Seems to use about 1 liter of oil every 2000km's or so.

Regarding the clutch, I have also noticed that they tend to get hard with mileage. I'm on 80 000km's and mine is getting harder by the day. Its a common problem on Mini's from, what I have read. Im not sure about the R53, but I know that on the R55/R56 the clutch is only made by Valeo.

 

[fluffy]

sooooo , if the clutch getting stiff is a common issue... then going for an aftermarket clutch might not be a bad idea.
what's the prices of a LUK vs something like ACT?

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sho1 1 litre every 2000kms... then ours at 500ml in 4000kms is good lol.