[BMW335iOn18s]

Hey guys,

The last few days I've been experiencing a weird vibration in the clutch when pushing the clutch in or releasing it. It feels kinda crunchy, like it's catching on something when I push down or release. Is anyone experiencing something similar? My car is 1 year old and only has 6800 miles...

Thanks
Dave

[Cyberdemon]

If you look under the dash where the pedal pivots while pushing it in by hand, does it appear that anything is visibly wrong?

Is the vibration constant -or only when cold or hot?

Could be an issue with a prematurely worn throw out bearing or some clutch material caught on the flywheel - would probably need to take it in to be looked at.

Do you fully depress the clutch while shifting? Leave the clutch in while stopped at red lights?

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

If you look under the dash where the pedal pivots while pushing it in by hand, does it appear that anything is visibly wrong?

Is the vibration constant -or only when cold or hot?

Could be an issue with a prematurely worn throw out bearing or some clutch material caught on the flywheel - would probably need to take it in to be looked at.

Do you fully depress the clutch while shifting? Leave the clutch in while stopped at red lights?

1. I will check to see if anything is visibly obstructing it when I get to the car

2. I don't hold it in at lights, the clutch pedal is out and the shifter is in neutral

3. It usually only happens when cold, within the first 20 minutes of driving

4. I don't generally abuse the car but it does feel like the mounts in this car are super soft and there's a lot of bouncing around in the driveline during high RPM shifts

5. I do fully depress while shifting but I have a clutchstop installed

6. Sometimes it doesn't want to go into 3rd

I also don't apply more throttle than necessary when starting out in first, and I always rev match

[BMW335iOn18s]

Just an update - i brought the car in for service and the shop foreman explained to me that this is a normal function of the clutch springs and there is nothing he can do. As far as the 3rd gear issue goes, several others have mentioned this issue and he said that even after a new clutch, the cars still exhibited the issue after several thousand miles. The transmission fluid looked clean and didn't have any metal shavings.

[amw896]

I am also noticing a very slight vibration in the clutch pedal at times when changing gears. It is hard to replicate at times but I also noticed that when at a full stop, I would press the clutch in and give the engine a rev and it was the same type of vibration.

Does anyone else get this?

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by amw896

I am also noticing a very slight vibration in the clutch pedal at times when changing gears. It is hard to replicate at times but I also noticed that when at a full stop, I would press the clutch in and give the engine a rev and it was the same type of vibration.

Does anyone else get this?

The dealer said it was the clutch springs finally breaking in. I've gotten used to it and I actually like it. I consider it to be feedback. This car is kind of like a pair of good sneakers. Tight and awkward when brand new, but fantastic and form fitting when broken in.

[amw896]

Not to discredit you at all but I don't trust their opinions a lot of times. Seems they just think of the first thing that pops in their heads because they don't feel like taking anything apart. I've driven other dual mass flywheel cars and although mine shifts super smooth, I've never experience clutch pedal vibes...I bought mine second hand, with super low mileage but I would feel a lot better if others got this sensation too lol

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by amw896

I am also noticing a very slight vibration in the clutch pedal at times when changing gears. It is hard to replicate at times but I also noticed that when at a full stop, I would press the clutch in and give the engine a rev and it was the same type of vibration.

Does anyone else get this?

Yes, I've noticed this on occasion. My 2012 WRX used to do it a lot worse and it did it randomly for 4 years of ownership and nearly 40k miles (owned since new). I was told it was the nature of the clutch as it warms up. I notice it in the M235 and also the WRX when the cars are cold.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Yes, I've noticed this on occasion. My 2012 WRX used to do it a lot worse and it did it randomly for 4 years of ownership and nearly 40k miles (owned since new). I was told it was the nature of the clutch as it warms up. I notice it in the M235 and also the WRX when the cars are cold.

Cool! It's definitely new to me so I was a bit worried.

[aerostar]

Yes, I was getting some judder, too.

People said I was pressing the gas while pressing the clutch at the same time. Not true.

I tested it several times while consciously shifting and it definitely happens once in a while.

I guess it's normal... never happened on my shitty WRX's clutch. xD

[BMW335iOn18s]

I think you guys might be feeling judder from the humidity in the air. I only get it when it's raining or damp outside. But that judder is felt through the car. The vibration in the clutch pedal itself is normal. 2 different things though.

[XutvJet]

Are the clutches organic?

[raleedy]

Earlier cars -- E90 series in particular but others as well -- have had several things in series to make the engagement seem smooth through the drive train: (1) a clutch delay valve, which attenuates engagement especially if the clutch is "dumped"; (2) a dual-mass flywheel, which also absorbs some of the shock of the rotation speed difference between the flywheel and the clutch plate; and (3) a guibo, basically a large blob of rubber in the drive train to take up some of the sudden torque and delay its transmission toward the wheels. Any and all of these can produce some judder or other unexpected behavior on engagement. But I don't know whether any but the dual-mass flywheel are features of the 228 or 235 MT.

[BMW335iOn18s]

The E8x, E9x, F3x, and F2x are all related so I'm pretty sure they all have variations on the same theme.

[nike001]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

6. Sometimes it doesn't want to go into 3rd

I get blocked out of 3rd quite regularly.. it's very annoying.

It's dumb because regular driving I sometimes get blocked out, and on WOT shifts I usually miss it

To me, it seems that it lets me in 3rd easier/more frequently when I rev 2nd gear out just a little bit more (3,000+ RPM)

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by nike001

I get blocked out of 3rd quite regularly.. it's very annoying.

It's dumb because regular driving I sometimes get blocked out, and on WOT shifts I usually miss it

To me, it seems that it lets me in 3rd easier/more frequently when I rev 2nd gear out just a little bit more (3,000+ RPM)

Yup, same here

[BentZero]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

Yup, same here

I noticed this as well

[XutvJet]

I've noticed "blocking" of 3rd and also 4th on very rare occasions. I don't force it. The only time it occurs is when the tranny is cold and shifting at lower rpms. I've also noted that the gear oil in the 6MT transmission must be high performance based because the oil takes quite some time to get fully warm (at least 10 minutes of driving on a stone cold tranny on a sub 50 degree day). Once warm, the 6MT shifts quite nicely.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I've noticed "blocking" of 3rd and also 4th on very rare occasions. I don't force it. The only time it occurs is when the tranny is cold and shifting at lower rpms. I've also noted that the gear oil in the 6MT transmission must be high performance based because the oil takes quite some time to get fully warm (at least 10 minutes of driving on a stone cold tranny on a sub 50 degree day). Once warm, the 6MT shifts quite nicely.

Do most of you guys park outside? I have never noticed this, even on the coldest day. However, my garage doors are insulated, so it never gets much below 40. I am kind to the entire drivetrain on cold days until it warms up, but never had any resistance.

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Do most of you guys park outside? I have never noticed this, even on the coldest day. However, my garage doors are insulated, so it never gets much below 40. I am kind to the entire drivetrain on cold days until it warms up, but never had any resistance.

228s have a getrag manual, totally different. Ours is a ZF unit.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

228s have a getrag manual, totally different. Ours is a ZF unit.

I thought the zf is the auto? I think I seen someone else post that this car has the same gearbox as the previous gen 1m or m135 maybe, one of the two.

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by amw896

I thought the zf is the auto? I think I seen someone else post that this car has the same gearbox as the previous gen 1m or m135 maybe, one of the two.

You're right.

Here's the breakdown. N55/S55 have a ZF manual, the 1M used the N55 ZF manual hooked up to an N54. The N20 has a getrag. All automatics are ZF. The M3/M4 DCT is getrag. You can google part numbers and see how it all comes together.