OK, sounds like you are in gear already, and the noise occurs as you release the clutch to drive off. If so, it sounds vey similar to the case with my clutch after about 100k miles. The clutch was not worn out (but was worn) but the thrust bearing was on its last legs. It was progressively degrading and getting noisier and the force required to operate the clutch was increasing. I evntually heard the grinding noise when releasing the clutch when in second gear too.

In the end, I had the clutch pressure plate and thrust plate (kit) replaced together with the thrust bearing. Had the rear main seal done at the same time. The big issue with getting at the clutch is the time required to remove the garbox. The parts are not abnormally expensive. I figure that if you are going to all the effort to get at the clutch area, you may as well go the whole way and replace all the bits that wear.

Didn't touch the gearbox.

Of course, everything hinges on the diagnosis of the problem. In my case it wes definately the clutch action that was noisy and, as I said, the operating force was very high - leading to a high degree of confidence that the gearbox had to come off to fix the problems.

Generally, clutch problems will develop progressively, so there is little chance of getting stranded. One option may be to put up with it till it gets to a point where it is painfully obvious what the problem is - and fix it then.

Wolfgang