The clutch is toast on the 2010 hatchback my daughter drives. Ten year old car with 145k miles on it still running on the original clutch. I am honestly surprised it lasted this long. She's 16 and learned to drive a manual in this car too. Probably didn't help. It's barely getting into the lower gears well and slipping out. No grinding though so I guess that's good.

What else makes sense to have fixed/replaced while getting a new clutch?

I am going to have a local shop with a solid reputation in the area MINI community do the work. I just don't have the space, tools or experience to tackle it myself at this time. Is there any advantage to having them tackle the timing belt while they're at it? That is the other item on my long term list of things for this car.

 

With that many miles, and you plan to keep the car for a while, I'd get the timing chain replaced as well. Just keep in mind, you're driving a 10 yr old car with a lot miles. Probably isn't worth a lot.

 

The clutch removal process involves pulling both axles --- a good time to replace both axle seals. Maybe go a bit further and change the rear main seal too. Throw-out bearing is an obvious candidate.

 

I do plan on keeping it a while. I picked it up a few months ago pretty cheap. Interior and exterior are in great shape. Mechanically, I knew it would need a few things. Clutch and timing chain being the major ones. If I can get another 100k miles or 6 years out of it, i'll be happy.

 

I have an 09 with almost 150K on it. I would recommend doing the cooling system: Hoses, t-stat and housing, water pump and pipe. Also the crank seal should be done with the timing chain. A few of my coils have gone out too. I would replace those and the valve cover gasket as these are common failure points if they have not already been replaced. Change the trans oil.

I am replacing all four shocks/struts too. I thought they were on their way out but after removing have learned they were toast! No leaks but also no piston pressure or rebound at all. (Pic below) I think you need to remove some suspension components to remove the trans. Might be worth it to do front struts too.