Cherished E46 M3 clutch rattle/clunk
Discussion
Hi all, recently acquired a very tidy low mileage coupe, 1 previous mature owner. Very very nice. Have noticed a possible problem fairly early on (can only really notice as low speeds).
In first and second gears, depressing the clutch and you hear a clunk, or a rattle which sounds as if its coming from the clutch area, not the diff mind. Saw on a few forums its a common thing? Only happens at low speeds in first couple of gears, say coming up to a roundabout or a speed bump when you push the clutch in. I had a similar thing with my old cooper s although it was noisy in neutral.
Any one had this diagnosed?
In first and second gears, depressing the clutch and you hear a clunk, or a rattle which sounds as if its coming from the clutch area, not the diff mind. Saw on a few forums its a common thing? Only happens at low speeds in first couple of gears, say coming up to a roundabout or a speed bump when you push the clutch in. I had a similar thing with my old cooper s although it was noisy in neutral.
Any one had this diagnosed?
Mine does this too. It happens mainly in first gear. It sounds like some sort of knocking noise. I believe it's something to do with the diff but am happy to be corrected on this. Apparently its a characteristic of the car and is nothing to worry about. I bought mine 19 months ago with 25k on it and now has 37k on. No issues whatsoever in that time (touch wood!)
joema said:
Loads do it. Google m clunk. Seems fairly normal. I'm not worried about mine.
It is not this, the vagueness of this M-clunk thing. It is coming from the bell housing area so clutch/flywheel assy. There is NO sound from the diff. I think the M clunk ghost refers to the diff clunking.My view is this,
If you double de-clutch and it cures it, then the clutch is probably not full disengaging. Clutches on m3 self adjust so if it's still doing this could be clutch wear.
If this does this in heavy traffic, listen for where the clunk is coming from carefully. I have had my clutch replaced recently by the dealership (pedal was getting soft) but the problem persists. Turns out it looks like one of the bearings in the diff (passenger side) bearing is beginning to die. So it allow some play in the diff which causes the clunk when a low gear is engaged. Once you are up to speed - say 30 mph, it disappears.
To have the diff done at bmw will cost 2500. So I am interested to know if anyone has replaced diff bearings and gaskets privately? If you have, please get in touch. I am keen to spend a bit less than 2500, as the running bill for work this year is already 3k - and as much as I love her, she's only worth about 8k
I have found a specialist who could fit a race ready diff but I think that's overdoing it.
Anyone with a view would be great
Cheers
Trev
If you double de-clutch and it cures it, then the clutch is probably not full disengaging. Clutches on m3 self adjust so if it's still doing this could be clutch wear.
If this does this in heavy traffic, listen for where the clunk is coming from carefully. I have had my clutch replaced recently by the dealership (pedal was getting soft) but the problem persists. Turns out it looks like one of the bearings in the diff (passenger side) bearing is beginning to die. So it allow some play in the diff which causes the clunk when a low gear is engaged. Once you are up to speed - say 30 mph, it disappears.
To have the diff done at bmw will cost 2500. So I am interested to know if anyone has replaced diff bearings and gaskets privately? If you have, please get in touch. I am keen to spend a bit less than 2500, as the running bill for work this year is already 3k - and as much as I love her, she's only worth about 8k
I have found a specialist who could fit a race ready diff but I think that's overdoing it.
Anyone with a view would be great
Cheers
Trev
Both my e46s have had this problem, even on the SMG car it was noticable if you were really paying attention when changing gear from neutral to first. No idea if its 'normal' or not but both my cars (touch wood) have ran fine on the whole so far - my current one i've done around 5,000 miles in and the noise hasn't changed, got worse or affected the drive of the car at all.
So,
I took the m3 to bmw main dealer's bodyshop today. Having put the car up on the ramp, and inspected it using torches etc, it looks like the clunk in my drive train turns out to be the beginnings of the floorpan failing.
Nasty shock - although I suppose that means the diff is fine.
The car has impeccable history from bmw and is just past it's 10th birthday, so hopefully they will stomach the cost of fixing it..
Interestingly there was also a a csl having its floor done - I would have thought they would have figured out the floor stuff on the csl...
Anyway, so long as they cover the 3000 bill, I love them! If not, I think I am broadly speaking - dead. My wife will go berserk!
Fingers crossed, BMW, fingers crossed!
I took the m3 to bmw main dealer's bodyshop today. Having put the car up on the ramp, and inspected it using torches etc, it looks like the clunk in my drive train turns out to be the beginnings of the floorpan failing.
Nasty shock - although I suppose that means the diff is fine.
The car has impeccable history from bmw and is just past it's 10th birthday, so hopefully they will stomach the cost of fixing it..
Interestingly there was also a a csl having its floor done - I would have thought they would have figured out the floor stuff on the csl...
Anyway, so long as they cover the 3000 bill, I love them! If not, I think I am broadly speaking - dead. My wife will go berserk!
Fingers crossed, BMW, fingers crossed!
We'll see. It's 10 years and 6 months old.
I bought it as an approved used, so would have thought it would have been done/ checked in advance of sale.
Bmw have had it 5 times this year, and each time I have taken it in, I have asked that they check. Its only just started, having noticed the clunk the week it went in for its oil service.
We'll see
I bought it as an approved used, so would have thought it would have been done/ checked in advance of sale.
Bmw have had it 5 times this year, and each time I have taken it in, I have asked that they check. Its only just started, having noticed the clunk the week it went in for its oil service.
We'll see
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