Drivetrain clunking

[mikem7709]

Guys, can anyone confirm whether their car does the same ?

I'm getting a "clunking" sound from the gearbox/diff when engaging drive, ie. when in first or reverse if I bring the clutch to the biting point and allow he car to star rolling then if I engage/disengage the clutch I get quite a loud clunking. (Hope that makes sense to someone).

I know these cars are quite "mechanical" but it never seemed as bad as this in my E46 M3, tho that was an SMG so may of masked it slightly ?

 

[Tweed]

Yup, I get this.
Have spoken to my Indy about it, and it's a known issue that can be sorted (can't remember if he said it was a new seal or a bit of grease around the diff).

Mine's always done it, nothing to worry about, I'm told. Just a bit irritating.

 

[dgm]

I know some will tell you it's normal but in my case it got a lot worse until it was very apparent all was not well. After a lot of persistance with BMW dealers, the problem was diagnosed as a loose gearbox input shaft. The gearbox was replaced under warranty after 26,000 miles which did solve the problem, however, I still find the transmission to be noisy in the exact circumstances as that you describe. It's nothing like was before but still niggles slightly. The car wasn't like this when I got it with 4000 miles on the clock so it isn't entirely normal. I had my clutch replaced at the same time as the gearbox so by a process of elimination I think the dual mass flywheel may be the culprit. The issue is more of an annoyance than a problem as the car drives and performs as it should and as long as I have the extended warranty then I'm pretty relaxed about it.

Like you I came from an E46 M3, albeit a manual, and never encountered the same noises from the transmission.

 

[dgm]

Yup, I get this.
Have spoken to my Indy about it, and it's a known issue that can be sorted (can't remember if he said it was a new seal or a bit of grease around the diff).

Mine's always done it, nothing to worry about, I'm told. Just a bit irritating.

I may be wrong but I think the noise mikem is describing is seperate from the noisy diff issue you're talking about. You're right though, a different oil in the diff is the usual solution to noise problems although it actually effects the performance of the diff in negative way by decreasing the friction.

 

[mikem7709]

Thanks for the quick replies. I don`t think its the diff itself, (I had this fail under warranty on my M3) tho I can hear a slight whine in 4th/5th at light throttle but I guess that seems louder as we`re sitting on top of it.

I thought it might be the rubber guibo on the propshaft but it looks brand new with no signs of cracks and the diff itself seems solid with no movement. The problems definately exagerated with Sport mode on, I have an AUC warranty on it for another 10mths so might leave it a little longer and see if it worsens.

 

[srhutch]

Yup, I get this.
Have spoken to my Indy about it, and it's a known issue that can be sorted (can't remember if he said it was a new seal or a bit of grease around the diff).

Mine's always done it, nothing to worry about, I'm told. Just a bit irritating.

Not wishing to point out the obvious, but you aint got a ///M tweed

 

[ali_b]

'M' supplement manual said something about a noisy drivetrain and it to be expected if I remember

 

[Tweed]

Not wishing to point out the obvious, but you aint got a ///M tweed

heh, yeah... I just noticed this was posted in the ///M specific forum when I came back to read replies just now...

I'll... I'll get me coat...

 

[Z4 Beemer]

I also tend to just look at New posts rather than look in individual forums.

I'll close the door on my way out.

Not wishing to point out the obvious, but you aint got a ///M tweed

heh, yeah... I just noticed this was posted in the ///M specific forum when I came back to read replies just now...

I'll... I'll get me coat...

 

[srhutch]

Dont forget to lock it so it doenst happen again :telloff:

 

[EdButler]

Yep ive got this 'diff clunk' with the ring and pinion gears seeming to have a bit of play. Had it since i had the car. I took it to the dealership at the end of warranty and they said they all did it, they even gave it me in writing offering another year of warranty on the parts (good service thanks Sytner Sheffield!)

Nothing to worry about imo

 

[BMWZ4MC]

Mine has done this throughout the time that I've owned it. Of course, the testimony of greatest value would be that from those who've owned their cars from new...