Hi,
New to me R53 with 98k Miles and a 20k old clutch has an issue where I have to really mash the clutch pedal all the way to the floor to put it in gear/shift gears. Any idea what could be the culprit? Pedal "feel" is ok.

I was going to do a pressure bleed as my first step.

thanks!

 

Not a helpful answer, I know, but the first Mini I ever test drove was a new R53, and the clutch seemed to grab abruptly when the pedal was about 1/2" off the floor. I was very relieved to find that me R56 doesn't do that!

 

Hopefully you will get some responses on this issue. Welcome to NAM.

Have you done a search to see what has already been addressed? Most of the even a Google search will bring you back here.

 

yup

 

Welcome to NAM. First, I would always recommend you pushing to clutch pedal all the way to the floor when shifting gears. Are you stating that it's a soft pedal and that it only engages all the way pressed to the floor. My pedal is fairly stiff with an 06/R53 with 115K. Clutch was replaced at about 60K. My clutch engages about halfway from the floor. I would start with bleeding your system. There are tons of info here on the process. GL

 

While there can be other causes to the symptom. I suspect a leaky master or slave cylinder. For a properly installed and maintained hydraulic clutch, air will not suddenly enter the system. If the onset of the symptom is rather fast, it is either one of the hydraulic cylinder develop a leak, or the clutch release bearing failed.

 

Does the r53 have a self-adjusting clutch? Or do we need to adjust it ourselves?

 

I have never looked that closely, though am sure there is no adjustment from my handling and bleeding of the slave cylinder after clutch change.

 

Turns out the throwout bearing was the culprit. Replaced the clutch with a Valeo SMF kit and the car drives great!

 

Seriously, the throwout bearing? I just acquired a 2005 JCW and the clutch engagement point is too low as others have complained about. From what I've read here though not all of them are cars with enough mileage to have worn out the clutch or throwout bearing. Are you sure it wasn't a worn clutch or some other component?