Hey guys, I have a 2003 mini cooper s 6 speed.

I was driving In the highway and something happened while I was shifting gears and my car started slowing down. I managed to get to the shoulder before I came to a complete stop.

Now when I press the clutch nothing happens. It feels very slack and it doesn't let me put the car into any gear. It's just stuck on neutral. When the car is off I can switch it to every gear just fine because I don't have to press the clutch. But as soon as I start the car it seems to be locked in neutral and doesn't respond when I press the clutch pedal.

Does anyone know what the problem could be?

I had it towed to a shop and they want to charge me $2000 to change the clutch. But I'm worried it may not be the clutch because I'm told the clutch goes bad over time, not just all of a sudden like that. I had no clutch issues at all before that day.

 

Shift linkage cables may have broken. How many miles? When you say 'it feels slack' do you mean the shift lever?

 

I'm assuming the mechanic ruled out any issues with the clutch hydraulics. If this is the case then you need a new clutch.
Yes, the clutch usually wears out gradually but sometimes a component in the bell housing will fail suddenly. It happened to me a number of years ago ( not in my Mini) where the pressure plate let go.

 

If you trust the shop...a no brainer...do what they say....
They SHOULD have looked at the linkage and the master/slave.....any shop should on an ethical level......
They are the hands on pro's...we are the folks guessing from 1000 miles away with scant info.....
Guess it comes down to do you trust the folks you towed it too.....

 

A clutch package from Pelican is around $400 bucks not including the flywheel. Labor is 10 to 14 hours. Lots of little things like proper cv grease and clamps $80.00 from MINI. I would replace the master and slave. However if you don't, try not to open up the hydraulics, they're a witch to bleed.

 

I had the same problem, when i jacked my car up i saw that the boot on the slave cylinder had broken off.
if you have a hydro trans. check under the car for anything leaking. or puddles

(04 mini cooper S)

 

Same here clutch went out will coming down freeway. Had clutch replaced and 3000 miles later I needed a transmission it has been sitting in my driveway since July. Don't know if I want to trough another $4000 into a mini
AMen