Juddering in First

L

left98204

Member
 Bridgend
I seem to be getting my fair share of annoying problems at the moment.

My car has developed a significant judder when I start off in first gear. If I apply loads of gas it doesn't happen, however if I start off normally, it can be really bad.

Is this a sign of clutch wear or something even more serious?

Any help would be welcomed.

Thanks
 
I had this problem in my 120d. Everything was tried from software updates to a new clutch and it still didnt remedy it 100%. I was a well known issue on the forums and everyone was pulling their hair out over it..

http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2976&hilit=clutch+judder

The GF Mini does it now and again aswell. Its a 1.6 petrol.

Seems the rectification to the problem is to install a SACHS clutch set and LUK mass flywheel on the 1 series?

Maybe BMW are just rubbish at clutches?

Hope you manage to get it sorted out.
 
I had the same problem in my 320Si, my cousin also had the same problem with his 120i. BMW instantly told both of us on two separate occasions that it was the flywheel or clutch, and in this instance both were worth replacing to 'make sure'. Both were under warranty so the replacement was free and remedied it for both vehicles. Another problem is... have you moved your seat recently? Cars with a few miles do get the juddering through wear, In mine I found if you pressed the clutch in a little further the juddering went away. It started for me when my mum drove the car, shes only 5'ft 1 and im 6ft so she moved the seat when I got back in the car moved the seat it started juddering, took it to bmw the first time they asked if the seat had been moved... I said in fact yes... so moved it slightly closer and it kind of sorted the problem. I still wasn't happy so it went in and got sorted. BMW do think that it is driver error, the mechanic also said they have seen clutches wear out in 10k miles with people with bad clutch technique.

It doesnt have to be your fault, my car was a pre-owned vehicle and the previous owner must have rode the clutch like an old lady! Clutches get used to your driving style so maybe it needs adjusting. But if the car has a few miles might be worth replacing. For the Clutch and flywheel replacement it can cost you £1000 + labour but if you press them saying this shouldn't be happening then you might get away with £650. Its an expensive remedy but it sorted mine out. The reason I quote these figures is because a clutch is classed under wear and tear and the car was 4 years old, I had only owned the car a year when it happened to me and I said that there was no way I was paying for it, only having the vehicle a year and doing less that 5k miles.

Also depends on your driving style, do you use the clutch a lot, using it to tieter forward without using the accelerator, if you live on a hill, sit on the clutch at lights... all reasons that can cause excessive wear. Not saying you do but alot of people do. My mum is awful for it, the first mini I had I shared with my mum, brand new and it had a new clutch within a year (granted the clutch wasnt right when we got the car, but she rides it all the time driving me and my dad insane!! :headbang:)

Hope this helps

Tom Scott
 
Dual mass flywheels are the usual culprit, but didn't realise these were fitted to Z4's???

Usually, DMF's are fitted to diesel engines (esp 4-pot) to smooth out the drive and remove any transmission noise and vibration. This paper explains it pretty well:-

http://www.schaeffler.com/remotemedien/media/_shared_media/library/automotiveaftermarket/brochure_1/downloads_5/luk_fail_diag_zms_de_en.pdf

BMW are not (by any means) the only manufacturer with this issue. MB, VW, Audi, Toyota, Ford (the list goes on) have forums-full of disgruntled owners with the problem. The evolution of the DMF was brought about by the desire to dampen noise and vibration through the transmission and drivetrain, and it works (remember shaking gearsticks in neutral and the noise in old diesels?). However, a common side effect is the slight judder sometimes felt on take-up if drive. Hmm, progress :wink:

It could also be a sticky release bearing, or contamination on the friction plate. If it's under warranty get it looked at. If not, you may have to live with it or expect a £££££'s bill. It would really have to annoy me for the latter, as a change is no guarantee of cure.
 
@JupiterJoe No, I haven't rectified it. It doesn't always happen, so I can go months and it can be fine, which recently has happened. I have noticed it crop up again this last few weeks. It is frustrating as it makes the car feel really old, which I kind of know that it is, but everything else works and the car is in great condition, this however is irritating me.

Sounds like there is not one simple solution unfortunately.
 
My E86 did this a few times, most noticeable on the couple of cold mornings that we had just after I purchased the car. I too found that some additional right foot pressure rectified the problem.

Not sure if its a coincidence but I have since done 1.5k miles, some of it in an 'enthusiastic' manner, with no further juddering at all.

I put it down to the car not being driven much before I got it.
 
I had exactly the same symptoms on my old 56 plate 320d. Never really looked into as it would come and go. The wife’s Dad has the car now and it still does it from time to time.
 
Its a well known issue with dual mass flywheels/clutches. You can try the old trick of slipping the clutch ever so slightly for a few hundred meters to clean any contaminants off the friction linings, if you try this a few times with no joy the chances are its the flywheel
 
I have this too on my m54 and like others, happens only occasionally - usually cold starts.

Usually I just dip the pedal, give it some more revs and try again. Once it settles I won't see it again for... Days/weeks/months.

My conclusion after scouring forums was it's just the nature of BMW Dual Mass Flywheels and because-old-car :rofl:
 
yeah mines same, usually on a day where its been quite warm previously then cold morning, if its continuosly cold then it seems fine

but only lasts 2-3 set offs and its gone. Yes slipping clutch gets rid of it quicker, or spirited driving day before never has it in the morning
 
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