I can feel the clutch "shudder" just before it is fully engaged when shifting into 1st or 2nd once I have been driving my car for a while (sometimes it takes up to 3/4 hour).

There is no shudder on downshift, and no apparent clutch slip.

Fellow MINI drivers had told me it might be:

Clutch throw out bearing
Fly wheel
Tranny housing misalignment
Worn plates (at 52,000 km? (32,000 mi))

I have been looking for any kind of similar experience, but have not found any the same. I am also looking for any TBS that might relate to this problem my build date is 07/03

Thanks for any help
Fred

 

Worn plates can almost occur at any mileage when you consider how different people engage the clutch differently. My wife slips the clutch horribly so I'm glad she doesn't drive my Mini very often. I can't break her of the habit.
This does sound like a disk replacement job just waiting to happen.

Start saving your money cause when you have the clutch replaced you may want to go ahead and have such extras as a lightened flywheel and pressure plate installed while you're at it.

Good luck and happy motoring!