I have a manual 2003 Mini Cooper base model that started getting stuck in gear. A little lube on the shift cables helped me get it back into neutral, but now its making a bad noise and then stalling when I get off the clutch in neutral. Some research revealed that the throw out bearings were made out of plastic for this car, so it sounds like I may need to replace mine. Does that sound right, or is there something else that may be causing the problems I am seeing like the shifter cables? Thanks in advance for the help!!!

 

When my throw out bearing went out I could smell the plastic melting.

I've only been a MINI owner for two years so there are probably other failure modes that don't result in that horrible smell.

I found the Mod MINI YouTube channel and a Haynes repair manual very helpful when replacing the clutch and throw out bearing in my 02 R50, Skadi.