Slipping Clutch (Shudder) on 2007 E90 330i

[sabre_zn]

Hi Guys,

Has anyone experienced a shudder on 1st gear or a noise when you release the clutch and the car is in neutral, almost sounds like a loose part turning. When you engage the clutch the noise disappears. Also started noticing that when you engage 1st gear and take off there is a slight noise (more noticeable when driving next to a wall with the windows down). Not sure whether its signs of my clutch packing up. The car has 78000km on the clock, I am the 3rd owner of the car since new. Only had the vehicle for a month now (+-600km), still under motorplan. I am hoping that if the clutch needs replacement it would be replaced under motorplan. It has a manual 6 speed box and I am seriously hoping the bmw technicians at the local dealership don't hang this bill on me should motorplan not cover this.

Anyone else have their clutch replaced under motorplan, I kinda gather that the bmw technicians replace the auto gearboxes easier under the motorplan than the manual ones, suppose less human interference during gear changes hence the motorplan dudes opt to fit the bill (not sure if this a myth or true)

Any help/advise guys will be much appreciated.

Sabre

 

[Philip Foglar]

I have practically the same car, a few years older but with lower mileage - second owner. I think this is one of the common flaws that these cars have, some more than others. Like the squeaking noisy brake sensors, the brake calliper knocking sounds when manoeuvring in parking garages etc. Then there is the metallic ticking noise on some of these engines - hydraulic lifters and so on.

Back to your post though, mine does also make a bit of a noise when letting the clutch out when in neutral and next to a wall. The shuddering I have experienced a few times when the car is cold and my revs on pull-off are just a bit lower than normal.

I would make a list of things for the agents to check out and let them have a proper look at the car. I am going to have to take mine in soon just to have a few things looked at. Mine doesn't like crawling speeds in say 2nd gear which for a 3.0 6I makes no sense - my Wife's E46 320i is happy under the same conditions for instance.

So my list of issues at present: Squeaking brake sensors (front and rear), moderate brake calliper knocking sound (but a common issue and otherwise normal in most cases), not so smooth low rev operation and it also often has a brief hesitation before responding when applying throttle - sort of like it bogs down and then suddenly delivers the power.

Now I am not sure if these above things are characteristics of these cars or actual faults - some use oil, some don't for example...

 

[sabre_zn]

Thanks feedback Philip,

Hopefully the agents sort both our issues out on our cars. Just glad I am not the only one having a few challenges on the similar model.

Sabre

 

[Philip Foglar]

No problem! Hope so too!!

Have you checked the oversees E90 forum? There's tons of info and shared experience with these cars across the board. Even down to tyre choices and so on. I generally only really go there when trying to find answers specific to these cars - basically a worldwide user base on one forum!!! :thumbsup:

But with their forum, don't expect the same general interaction and friendliness that we have with this forum!

 

[bassfx]

could it not be the slave cylinder?

 

[sabre_zn]

Thanks Philip,

Will give it a try...

 

[444YYY]

Hi,
Is it a 'cluck-cluck-cluck' noise? This is the only way to describe it... Lol
If so, it the 2 shafts in the gearbox running 'free' and rattling when in neutral... Its normal on BMW's, and some Mini's have them. Nothing to worry about..

 

[sabre_zn]

Thanks for the feedback 444YYY,

That is the sound, I have been told its a reverse idle and some guys even suggested the Trust bearing be replaced. I have the car booked in at JSN for the 11th May 2011. Hope they find a solution the concern.

Sabre_zn

 

[Philip Foglar]

That is good to hear! I suspected that it was merely a characteristic, the noise that is. Noticed it a few times on idle and initially associated it as part of the engine noise which was needless to say concerning, but then discovered that it went away when the clutch was depressed which was relieving in as far as not engine related but rather clutch release bearing or gearbox noise which most cars have to a certain degree. And 'cluck-cluck-cluck' is the best way to describe this noise - it's the noisy metallic ticking that one has to worry about. Under motorplan this results in various parts in the cylinder head that gets replaced or for that matter the entire head!!!

On the E90 forum there is a lengthy thread dedicated to this issue with videos to illustrate these noises etc. So far and almost a year of owning mine, she seems to be as silent as she should be!! :thumbsup:

 

[AshG108]

i have the same issues on the 320i E90, i have mine booked in for tomorrow, going to see what the outcome is also the car has lost power as well...

 

[sabre_zn]

Lemme know how things go, would like to know what the dealership has to say regarding the root cause of the problem.