Neither was the mechanic untill he learned how to Seriously, I couldn't rebuild an engine untill I bought a car that needed one. I'd never worked on transmission innards untill 5th gear went out on my g/f's Nissan. Learned how to replace a clutch (really easy, and this is a FWD) on that job as well.
No-one was born knowing how to do any of this, that's what books and the internet are for.

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1971 220D/4-speed ~250K mi. Family owned (dads side) through three generations since <5K miles.
1992 Chrysler LeBaron, 3.0V6 125K. Family owned (moms side) through three generations since new.
1977 Chevy Camaro Continual hotrod project
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 472ci and nearly 19' long
1974 Fiat Spider Still needs work

Thanks what a great link i am slowly getting ready to build a 5 speed manual transmission out of my four speeds the shop wants me to provide both transmissions needed to make a 5 speed and $2000 and that does not include installation to heck with that I will work it out my self.
Dave S

Whoah, how much fabrication is involved in doing that? I'm downloading the manual as we speak, but my little 220D would sure appreciate a few less RPM's on level ground...

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1971 220D/4-speed ~250K mi. Family owned (dads side) through three generations since <5K miles.
1992 Chrysler LeBaron, 3.0V6 125K. Family owned (moms side) through three generations since new.
1977 Chevy Camaro Continual hotrod project
1970 Cadillac Sedan DeVille 472ci and nearly 19' long
1974 Fiat Spider Still needs work

here are the engine and chasis/body manuals, in case anyone is interested
http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/

There is a stiff mark up on parts by shops. Usually 2-3x what they pay for them. Looks like you got the 3x. Sorry. I only take my cars to the alignment shop. Everything else I do myself. One exception: adjusting CO on old Bosch fuel injection. I don't feel like paying that much for the special tool and I know a shop that will do the job for $60. Fair enough.

EDIT- As at least one other poster said, I think your problem was hydraulic. I don't think you needed the pressure plate, clutch disk, or throw out bearing. I think they 0wn3d you. Sorry. One more reason not to take your car to a shop.

PS- I always replace the master and slave cylinder as a pair. Watch for the slave to go soon enough.

Price sounds reasonable to me. I just had the rms and clutch replaced on my bmw 325 and the cost was about the same. I do all the small jobs myself but anything that involves pulling the engine out is too much.

yeah, it definitely seems that way now. oh well, at least i got a new clutch out of it.