So had my '08 Clubman S in for the turbo water pump recall on Thursday. While in for the repair, shop did a top off on fluids and a quick check of the car, gratis. Saturday, got in the car, clutch felt a little stiff and funny, car would not start. Idiot light indicated I needed to depress clutch further so I forced it a bit to the floor. Car started, but tricky for future starts on Saturday and Sunday (handful of additional starts at best). Getting ready to leave on Monday morning for work, pressed clutch down, something snapped, no go. Sheared the plastic pin that connects the clutch pedal arm to the master cylinder. Assumed that must be my problem, managed to find a replacement pin from a local BMW dealer (Mini did not have in stock but same part number for BMW), and spent much frustrating time this evening trying to clear the old pieces of pin and replace with new pin, expecting problem to be fixed. Well, replaced pin and same issue, still cannot start, clutch will not fully depress, and don't feel like forcing and snapping another pin. Checked the brake fluid reservoir- ouch! Pieces of foil and a piece of plastic film in the screen "basket" under the cap. Dealership is 30 miles away, and will call them tomorrow to ask about the fluids. Could there be a clog someplace in the lines? If so, is there an easy-ish way to clear? I'm tempted to open the slave cylinder valve in the hopes of clearing something... Slave cylinder does in fact move when pedal is depressed as much as it will go, and fluid will shoot out of slave cyclinder valve when open and clutch depressed, but obviously I'm not getting full/proper engagement. Thoughts? Not pleased with the dealer, and given the probable hassle getting the car in for them to look at, would probably be happier if I manage the fix myself.

 

Send it back to the dealer on their dime; have them flatbed it back to their service center.
The car won't start because you can't depress the clutch to engage the Clutch Neutral Saftey switch on the clutch pedal.

But why the clutch pedal physically cannot be depressed is for another reason entirely.

- Erik