Finally happened...

[channella]

... drops of oil on the garage floor. 53k miles and 3 1/2 years. Only noticable after an extended and vigorous run though. I assume its covered under the warranty but also guess the clutch might be getting replaced instead given the mileage! I wonder do they discount the cost of a clutch replacement by... nah, no point finishing that thought.

 

[JCB..]

Based on my experience your clutch is good for another 40k at least.

 

[channella]

I didn't realise the clutch could last that long in this car. Looks like it could be RSM under warranty afterall then.

 

[GreigM]

my clutch lasted 17k, a friends lasted 12k - I would say 53k is good mileage. If you're getting the RMS done under warranty they'll tell you if the clutch needs to be done and you'll only pay for parts - there's no extra labour when doing clutch under RMS.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

48K on my clutch and the OPC told me there was plenty of life still left.

 

[jleo]

Is it possible that a leaking RMS can contribute to the clutch failing?

I ask because I've read somewhere that the oil can contaminate the clutch friction surfaces. I had the RMS replaced (under warranty) at 18k miles when I bought my car at 2 yrs old, with a new clutch and flywheel (London commute by previous owner!)

Now at 6 yrs and 60k miles, I'm seeing some oil on the garage floor in the 'usual' spot which I'm not going to worry about for now. However, it feels like the clutch is going again (difficult to select reverse sometimes) and I've never had to replace a clutch on any other car I've driven...a couple that I did a lot of miles in.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

It is possible, but unless the RMS is gushing oil then highly unlikely.
Any small amounts would be burnt off if they somehow did make thier way to the friction surfaces anyway. If it was bad enough to affect the clutch you'd need to be topping it up all the time.

 

[Bill Stewart]

had my RMS replaced at 11k miles, car just valued for trade in and allowance made against clutch replacement as the technician thinks my clutch is heavy and needs replaced. The RMS was only a drip though.

 

[GreigM]

to be fair, at 17k my clutch felt absolutely fine - it was only when the RMS was being replaced I was told it was "down to the rivets"....funnily enough the same phrase was used to the friend at 12k......[8|]