320d clutch/flywheel problem - or is it?

[Blackpuddin]

Our '05 E46 320d Touring (135k miles) has just developed a grumbly noise when the clutch is depressed. It only makes that noise for the first half of the pedal travel though - noise goes away when the clutch is fully depressed.
First thought was DMF/clutch replacement, but other owner descriptions I've read don't include this part about the noise disappearing when the clutch is fully down. Thought I read somewhere about a pulley bearing being a possible reason, but can't find that now.
Any BMW brains out there who can shed any light on this? Thanks

[Blackpuddin]

Thanks very much for these replies both.
People seem to lump the BMW clutch pack and the DMF together on the grounds that if you're in there you might as well replace bot,h but is it always the case that if the clutch is being replaced the DMF will also definitely need replacing at the same time? Would it be a false economy to not replace the DMF?
Hate throwing away perfectly useable components if they're still good to go.

[Blackpuddin]

thank you kind sir I will get on the google right now

thanks to Locknut also

[Blackpuddin]

OK, I just spoke to Richard at Brystones, who is a nice guy as reported, he is 99% certain it's the DMF, based on one they did a couple of days ago he reckons about £1100 to sort it. My local non-specialist small operator mentioned £900 a couple of days ago (also using the same LUK pattern parts as Brystones) but that was just a rough estimate, I need to have a proper conversation with him next week.
Thanks again for the advice on here.

[Blackpuddin]

Afraid we never found out as we sold the car instead! Told the next owner about it, he was going to mend it himself he reckoned.

Replaced it with an '03 Focus 1.6 which also has a clutch bearing noise! A whine this time. Thankfully it doesn't have a DMF and apparently it's OK to carry on indefinitely with the noise. Maybe yours will be the same. Good luck.

[Blackpuddin]

The 320d is a good car blighted by one or two difficulties like this and I believe weak turbos.

[Blackpuddin]

I never heard from the new owner but he seemed confident in his ability to mend it. Getting it done by the trade could be up to £1k if you have everything done while they're in there. Jury's out on whether you actually need to need everything done of course. Like many things in motoring it's a gamble.