clutch pedal crunchiness

3133 Views 29 Replies 12 Participants Last post by 3LOU5, Jul 3, 2002

RChoudry

Discussion Starter · Jun 27, 2002

Not sure if its the heat (94+) yesterday here in philadelphia or if the car is still new (531 miles so far), but over the last week I've started to feel a strange feeling when depressing the clutch pedal. It's kinda a notch about halfway into the pedal. There's a thunking kinda sound underneath the trim where the clutch pedal disappears into. I figured it probably was a lack of lubrication on the spring. I remember our Z3 had a similar problem, but it was throughout the whole clutch pedal travel and was much more pronounced. Lubrication by the dealer did the trick.

Anybody have a similar problem?

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bmwsfca

· #21 · Jun 30, 2002

Had the same problem

Samething happened to me. Click noise along w/ snapping feeling from the clutch pedal.

The car went back to the dealer four times.

The hydraulic cylinders were replaced. Clutch fork mechanism as well. The dealer ended up replacing the entire clutch assembly.

The problem has diminished. It still appears once in a while but goes away quickly.

Appears to be more of an annoyance.

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RChoudry

Discussion Starter · #22 · Jun 30, 2002

Did they do a good job with the clutch replacement or did they screw it up?

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bmwsfca

· #23 · Jun 30, 2002

Took several visits

RChoudry, they screwed it up.
The car was in the shop for a week. The transmission was taken out at least three times.

When I got the car back, I normally do a walk around. Horror to find the paint damaged at several spots. Looks like when brake fluid or some similar chemical hits the paint and left to dry. They ended up buffing out the paint - not a good thing for a car that will be a keeper for sometime.

Got home and went into the trunk and found that the entire covering inside the trunk was still dismantled. Although easy to do myself, I took the car right back and had them put everything back. Needless to say, when the Customer Sat Survey people called, I didn't give them high marks.

FYI, I'm sure you're already aware of this, poor scores effect the dealer. Warranty reimbursements is based on the scores. So if you really want to hurt the dealership, blast them on the survey.

Allocation of new cars is a combination of cars sold and customer sat.

I've now been to four different BMW Centers in the SF Bay area and NONE have come close to what I consider excellent .

Thanks for the input about the Steering Retrofit.

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bmw325

· #24 · Jun 30, 2002

Bmwsfca--that's been my experience in the northeast-- 5 dealers all incompetent in 1 way or another. I also feel an occasional pop or click in my clutch pedal, but shudder at thinking about some of these dealer techs attempting to take anything apart without screwing it up. I've never had a dealership experience where they were able to do something correctly the first time and where they didn't manage to make something worse.

Rchoudry--
I have the same feeling in my clutch pedal- but once the car warms up fully it seems to go away. I think that you really should consider living with it-- because we all know what happens when dealer techs attempt to actually fix anything-- especially something where they have to possibly remove something like a transmission. I'd be very scared- and for this reason will never try to have this problem fixed. I've learned my lesson after the whole steering retrofit debacle and several other experiences.

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3LOU5

· #25 · Jul 1, 2002

Bmwsfca--that's been my experience in the northeast-- 5 dealers all incompetent in 1 way or another. I also feel an occasional pop or click in my clutch pedal, but shudder at thinking about some of these dealer techs attempting to take anything apart without screwing it up. I've never had a dealership experience where they were able to do something correctly the first time and where they didn't manage to make something worse.

Holy cow !! Please tell me it's not THAT bad all over ?!

This will be my first BMW and I really hope that the dealer "incompetencies" does not prevent me from the joy of ownership.

I think that you really should consider living with it-- because we all know what happens when dealer techs attempt to actually fix anything-- especially something where they have to possibly remove something like a transmission. I'd be very scared- and for this reason will never try to have this problem fixed. I've learned my lesson after the whole steering retrofit debacle and several other experiences.

I may have to be not so critical of my new ride when it arrives and might have to adopt your current method of dealing with "problems". :tsk:

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Parump

· #26 · Jul 2, 2002

Sort of off topic, but . . .

After reading RChoudry's recounting of the clutch issue, I can only surmise that he must be an excellent surgeon. If I were a trauma victim, I would want a surgeon who is meticulous, considers all treatment options, decisive when necessary, and not arrogant. From his postings regarding the steering rack issues with his prior vehicle and the clutch related questions with the new car, I would venture a guess that he is among the top of his peer group.

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RChoudry

Discussion Starter · #27 · Jul 2, 2002

Wow!

That's the best evaluation I've ever gotten!

Your kind words are appreciated, Parump. Thanks.

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bmwsfca

· #28 · Jul 2, 2002

I second that praise

Thanks RChoudry. Obviously another "car guy" in the good sense.

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bmwsfca

· #29 · Jul 2, 2002

for U3S2A5 - Dealer Service

This is also my first BMW. I expected a lot more and found that so far it's no better than any other dealership organization.

In terms of enjoyment of the car.....nothing comes close. Just need to keep looking for either a good BMW dealer....I'm running out of choices, or find a good independent.

Prior to joining the BMW family, I was a Honda person. Dealers were about the same. Found a good independent who cared for all the cars.

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3LOU5

· #30 · Jul 3, 2002

Prior to joining the BMW family, I was a Honda person. Dealers were about the same. Found a good independent who cared for all the cars.

That's a good point.

I think I may have to go with an independent on things that I cannot fix, as the nearest BMW dealers are like 60-70 miles away from me.

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