Greets, all!

First, my apologies for showing up in multiple clutch threads. Second, if by some miracle my problem turns out to not be a bad clutch, then this will have been semi-pointless.

As many of us know, out-of-warranty clutch replacement on MINIs is a $pendy proposition. One of my options if the clutch is DOA is to possibly buy the maintenance plan after the fact, and hope that I get further use out of it in addition to covering the clutch. Another is to go aftermarket for the parts (or OE) and have the job done at a local shop.

My questions would be 1)Has anyone had it done by a shop other than the dealer? 2)How was your experience?, and 3)What was your cost, all-in? TIA!