URGENT: M135i Manual Clutch judder when hot - advice needed

[user11]

I know, I know. I messed up guys but I panicked!

2015 M135i Manual only done ~20,000 miles. Been driving the car for about a year for approx 5,000 miles

So the story is that I recently noticed a judder and vibration from my clutch when moving off from a standstill, it only really happens when the car is hot. Nothing major just v annoying. I do give it gas etc when moving off

The warranty on the car was v close to finishing so I panicked and thought I'd take it into bmw to see if they could inform me on what to do.

They called and asked me if I would authorise them to take the gearbox out and check the clutch at a charge of £400 which they would refund me if they repaired it under warranty. I thought it couldn't be wear and tear at that early stage so thought they'd definitely find something

They didn't. They said it's just slight wear and now I have to pay £400 for them to put it back together and give it back or an extra £600 for them to change the clutch if I wanted

Is it worth getting them to change it whilst the gearbox is out? Or just get it back from them as its not a major issue? I've read in a few places how people have had a similar issue with other BMWs and it's been fine and hasn't worsened etc, even people saying it's normal

They said they can't pinpoint what is happening but can only advise changing the clutch even though it is only slightly worn. They said they can't guarantee that will fix the issue

Thank you

Edited by user11 on Thursday 27th September 10:13

[Elliot2000]

I’d be asking to inspect the clutch and for them to justify why it’s not warranty. Wear and tear will be clutch lining worn down, which isn’t what you have - but clutch judder can be argued isdown to a defective clutch pressure plate, flywheel or even slave cylinder.

Make them prove to you that is wear and tear rather than just accepting it

[Locknut]

The car is under warranty and the garage want £400 to check out a warranty complaint? Very strange! Furthermore they must have found that there is something unusual about the clutch because they suggested further investigation (at your expense).

Also, is that £600 in addition to the first £400 (total £1,000)? The only outstanding work at the moment is re-installing the clutch and that will be the same whether they put back the old clutch or fit a new one. So it seems they are charging you £600 for the clutch kit. I think you could get a reputable kit for a lot less.

In short, the garage seem to be f^^^ing you about. You might need to get professional (legal) advice on this, or at the very least complain to BMW.

[Elliot2000]

With regards to the £400 investigation charge this is normal for clutch complaints - if it is down to something not warranty then it saves the dealer arguing over the cost of the gearbox removal with the customer - if warranty don’t pay at least someone will

[anonymous-user]

Let’s be honest, 3 years, 20k is plenty of time for a clutch to be worn, if given a hard time, and 15k of those miles are an unknown quantity, which is why most, if not all manufacturers only conditionally warrant them.

I think the OP knows what he did wrong by letting the dealer work on the car in the first place.

As for them having to prove it’s wear and tear I’m not sure they have to do that anymore than maybe the OP should prove it isn’t.

Anyway, as to the question of whether the clutch should be replaced, that wouldn’t be a bad idea as it’s in bits but £600 just for a clutch? Really?

[user11]

They said they're changing the clutch only and not the flywheel for £930 (inc the £400 to inspect)

They also said that it's not worn out it's just slightly worn which is the only thing they can think is causing the problem as everything else looks OK. They said they will try and get bmw UK to contribute by calling them today morning and if not I'll have to get in touch with the dealership I bought it from and see if they will pay some goodwill. They understood where I'm coming from in that it's so soon and shouldn't be needing done 1 year and 5k miles into ownership

They also couldn't guarantee that the problem will go away as they're not sure what is causing it and are just advising that it might be the clutch

Some pics of the clutch

https://imgur.com/a/9PKaIc3

[Sardonicus]

Nothing wrong with the wear n tear on that clutch in fact looking at the deposits/dust amount and no signs of colour discolouration of the cover plate surface I would say this car has lived an easy life , the assy's just become faulty due to friction driven plate run-out etc it happens , it is a mass produced part after all that may not of been perfect from the off and just got to the stage where its now noticeable looking at your pics I could well be looking at my own daily's clutch so its not your driving style causing said problem seems costly but aren't dealers always ?

[xjay1337]

Find your own clutch kit and get them to fit it.

[user11]

So would you guys recommend changing it whilst the gearbox is out for another £500? Worst case scenario if bmw uk do not provide any goodwill

I rang around a few local bmw specialists who said they can't source any aftermarket clutches and a bmw one is around £430 so it will cost me around £600-£800 inc labour to do a clutch at a specialist anyway

[Elliot2000]

REALIST123 said:

Let’s be honest, 3 years, 20k is plenty of time for a clutch to be worn, if given a hard time, and 15k of those miles are an unknown quantity, which is why most, if not all manufacturers only conditionally warrant them.

I think the OP knows what he did wrong by letting the dealer work on the car in the first place.

As for them having to prove it’s wear and tear I’m not sure they have to do that anymore than maybe the OP should prove it isn’t.

Anyway, as to the question of whether the clutch should be replaced, that wouldn’t be a bad idea as it’s in bits but £600 just for a clutch? Really?

Whilst I agree people can burn out clutches in 20k miles easily, that’s not what the op is describing, and now seeing the pics of the clutch I’m even more convinced it shouldn’t be down to the op to pay anything. The clutch is not worn, plus they are not confirming g that as the cause of the judder anyway- this can’t be wear and tear - theees no sign of it. There is a problem and they want to just charge for a new clutch which is why I said they need to show it’s worn because as it stands - it’s bot

[Elliot2000]

user11 said:

So would you guys recommend changing it whilst the gearbox is out for another £500? Worst case scenario if bmw uk do not provide any goodwill

I rang around a few local bmw specialists who said they can't source any aftermarket clutches and a bmw one is around £430 so it will cost me around £600-£800 inc labour to do a clutch at a specialist anyway

No - they’ve shown you a picture of an unworn clutch plate - it’s not down to u

[Sardonicus]

These last two ^

[bodhi]

Is the M135i Clutch in any way related to that fitted to the previous gen 1-Series, so E81 - E88? Reason I ask if they were notorious for clutch judder (mine still does it when the engine is cold and it's damp outside), and frequently replaced by BMW under warranty.

[helix402]

xjay1337 said:

Find your own clutch kit and get them to fit it.

Good idea but a main dealer won’t fit non gen parts (except in very rare circumstances).

I’d pay for a new clutch as the box it out now. The car will be stuck on a lift in bits until you make a decision.

The removed clutch is a SAC so should be reset with a special tool before refitting-this is a fiddly job to do. Alignment is straightforward.

New clutch to flywheel bolts should be fitted too.

[anonymous-user]

Elliot2000 said:

REALIST123 said:

Let’s be honest, 3 years, 20k is plenty of time for a clutch to be worn, if given a hard time, and 15k of those miles are an unknown quantity, which is why most, if not all manufacturers only conditionally warrant them.

I think the OP knows what he did wrong by letting the dealer work on the car in the first place.

As for them having to prove it’s wear and tear I’m not sure they have to do that anymore than maybe the OP should prove it isn’t.

Anyway, as to the question of whether the clutch should be replaced, that wouldn’t be a bad idea as it’s in bits but £600 just for a clutch? Really?

Whilst I agree people can burn out clutches in 20k miles easily, that’s not what the op is describing, and now seeing the pics of the clutch I’m even more convinced it shouldn’t be down to the op to pay anything. The clutch is not worn, plus they are not confirming g that as the cause of the judder anyway- this can’t be wear and tear - theees no sign of it. There is a problem and they want to just charge for a new clutch which is why I said they need to show it’s worn because as it stands - it’s bot

After seeing the images and new information I would agree. In normal circumstances that looks fine to go back in.

[user11]

Great news guys

BMW UK have agreed to pay 100% of the parts and labour for a new clutch

Gonna ring them and see if they can change the flywheel at the same time to save them the hassle if it is that that is faulty

Thanks for all the help and advice

[helix402]

Excellent result. Flywheels are quite straightforward to check so at least it’s more black or white if it’s faulty.