throw out or pilot bearing?

[oc-boxster]

i just picked up a 2002 boxster S with 80000 miles and im assuming its got the original clutch as no service history shows replacement. the car is making some noise as the revs come up and the noise goes away when the clutch pedal is depressed-from what ive read so far is this the throw out or pilot bearing? the bite point of the pedal is nice and low and i dont feel any slipping but there is a hot smell when i park the car-is it ok for me to be driving the car until i can get it checked out? thanks

[dmairspotter]

When the clutch is engaged the pilot bearing is not "working" since the primary shaft and the flywheel are locked together by the clutch. OTOH, stepping on the clutch puts load on the throwout bearing. If you had a ad one, I would expect it to be more noisy when you step on the clutch.

I've never worked on a boxster clutch, so others with more experience may have some better ideas.