Get any pics?

 

Not under warranty - outside the 12K miles/12 months

I have 14750 miles and it's about 4 months outside the warranty also...
LAME!

No pics yet...I am going to inspect today.
They didn't open it, they only looked in the inspection cover (which is a little suspect)

 

I was told it was $375 labor just to take a look, when they were checking mine out. Highway robbery, I say. That's one slow technician!

 

Total labor cost is estimated $425

 

Sounds to me like the clutch in these cars is inferior. Who knows, may eventually turn out to be a TSB, but probably not since it is a wear item and they can just blame it on abuse

 

I've driven many cars in my time and NEVER had to replace the clutch. This includes powerful cars as well as sporty Miatas, etc.

It is a major disappointment and has me looking at replacing the 8 with something else.

 

You should contact MNAO at the 800 number in your manual and CALMLY explain your predicament and the unsatisfactory response of the dealer. Under normal operation, a clutch in a modern car should not fail in 14K miles. It won't cost you anything to make the call and maybe in their discretion they will cover the materials and/or labor in the interest of customer good will. Try it!

 

Update: stopped at the dealership yesterday to inquire about getting the parts back. Got no compensation for the clutch. Bottom line, my praise for this dealership has officially ended. I used to think they were on my side, but no one went to bat for me. I'm off to another dealership tomorrow to see they give a hoot about my idle vibration problem.