Clunking sound when engaging the clutch under power

[ahhbish]

Hi, I‘ve had my E89 (sDrive 23i, 2011, manual) about 3 months now and one thing has been getting slightly worse.
When I change gears from 1st -> 2nd or 2nd -> 3rd I hear sometimes a clunking sound and I can feel the pulse / vibration / knock in the gear stick.

This usually happens when I am accelerating relatively hard and then relatively suddenly push in the the clutch, it is however getting worse, meaning I am hearing the clunking now even when doing ‚normal‘ acceleration.

It feels like something is loose and wobbling and around and like it is related to how much tension is in the transmission when I push in the clutch (more tension = louder sound). I think this is why it only occurs in lower gears too (it never occurs at high speeds on the highway).

I‘ve read a little bit and it seems like a problem with some other BMWs but not necessarily the Z4.

Does anyone know what it might be?
Also, any other advice e.g. should I try an official BMW dealer or rather go to an independent mechanic (I am in Germany)?

I have really bad experience with official dealers here in Germany and would at least like to guide them to the problem if they have no idea.

I am also planning a 5 hour drive up to Denmark soon and am worried if it is something that could cause more damage or nothing to worry about?

Any help appreciated, cheers
Aaron

 

[flybobbie]

Could clutch release bearing or the prop shaft support "center mount" as the load comes and goes.
Also might be rubber shock "universal joint" on the end.
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=LM32-EUR-05-2009-E89-BMW-Z4_23i&diagId=26_0233


Both seem very uncommon faults on the E89.

Find ordinary garage to lift and check the prop shaft.

 

[ahhbish]

Thanks for the tips, I’ll be bring it in to the mechanic today or tomorrow. What do you think about driving it until then, would a biggish trip (mostly highway, about 200km) be a bad idea?

 

[Rockhopper]

Failing DMF would be my guess.

 

[flybobbie]

Thanks for the tips, I’ll be bring it in to the mechanic today or tomorrow. What do you think about driving it until then, would a biggish trip (mostly highway, about 200km) be a bad idea?

Mechanical things give plenty of warning they are failing, i wouldn't go far.

 

[flybobbie]

Failing DMF would be my guess.

What's a DMF?
I see, dual mass flywheel?

 

[Rockhopper]

Yes, sadly an expensive part to replace but check the prop shaft etc first as thats easy to do!

 

[ahhbish]

I visited a mechanic briefly and he drove it a little bit, unfortunately it did not make as loud a sound as it had been, but he still heard it.
He said it was the prop shaft but normal and nothing to worry about, perhaps somewhat influenced by the current temperature (we’d had 30 degree days).

I’m not so convinced, mainly because I haven’t heard about this being a common characteristic with this car. I’ll bring it in to another mechanic tomorrow and see what he says.