OK I messed up!!! I had a clutch issue with my 2003 mini a few weeks ago. Initial "rattle" noise with vibration through the clutch pedal followed soon thereafter with unresponsive clutch pedal. Instead of taking it to my mini dealer I let a local garage fix the problem :-( They first diagnosed the slave cylinder, then the master then after a week diagnosed a broken pressure plate. Anyway they replaced the clutch/pressure plate and I got the car back yesterday.
Here's the thing - the clutch now engages almost as soon as the pedal is raised - probably 1/2" of travel if that.
Outside of giving the garage a call to get them to fix it does anyone have an idea of what has happened. Is there some adjustment to the travel; could it be bleeding....
You welcome to address any replies to "Dear idiot"..

 

On my Challenger, the clutch engages at 1.5" off the floor -- but that's where the clutch plate makes first contact -- not where it can gain enough power to move the car (if you put it up on stands, start the car and let the clutch out 1.5", the wheels will start moving). Generally, engagement normally happens on most manual vehicles at around the half way point but it's the last 3-5" of movement that the actual full contact happens. Not sure if it's adjustable, but I'll look through the repair manuals to see (might be a later today response if no one else mentions) -- it's not adjustable on the Challenger.

 

The MINI clutch isn't adjustable. I know that people say once the clutch is engaging towards the very end, it's on the way out. Maybe you just aren't used to the clutch engaging soon because you were driving with a worn clutch before? Not sure really. Mine engages a little after half way at 107k. Good luck! Hopefully someone can back me up on this or give better advice.

 

Check to make sure that something is not getting in the way of the clutch going all the way to the floor. Sometimes a floor mat or carpeting can keep the pedal up a bit.

Most clutches today are self adjusting. As mentioned previously as the clutch wears the catch point becomes farther from the floor. And each vehicle is slightly different. I drive three different vehicles, all manual, all with vastly different clutch catching points and clutch feel. My truck has a soft clutch and catches high. My 71 Triumph TR6 catches very close to the floor and is on the stiff side. And the MINI is about in the middle as far as effort goes but I have never paid attention to the catch point. Years ago I used to sell cars and often I would have a new demo. It would always take me from a few days to a week to get used to how a particular car behaved.

You might ask the people who installed the clutch. If they have the skills to replace it they should be able to answer your question. And if the answer is that the clutch is non-adjustable then just drive it for a bit and see if you don't get used to it.

 

On a side note, I hope they did not charge you for the trial and error in trying to diagnose the problem.