2006 Continued clutch chatter/transmission problems and I am fed up!! Need advice - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

EricM · 12th March 2010, 01:55

Okay, here I go,

Just wondering what people would do in my situation. I have an 2006 (Dec.05 build) which has been having clutch problems lately (I am the original owner). Long story short, my clutch has been chattering lately from a stop to first. Here is the order of the problem:

1) 4-3-06.....Transmission failure light comes on. Car got new software.
2) 12-28-09..Clutch chatter when going from stop into first, along with transmission failure light that appeared. Dealer states both "concerns could not be duplicated"
3) 1-8-10.....Transmission failure light comes on. Car not changing gears right. Dealer replaces clutch, flywheel and accessories.
4) 2-9-10.....Clutch still chattering when going from stop into first. Dealer programs software and says everything is fine now.
5) 3-8-10.....Clutch still chattering when going from stop into first. Take car to different dealer, they verify problem and programs new software.
6) Present....Clutch still chattering, albeit a little less on level take off. More noticeable on hill starts.

I am to the point where I am tired of wasting my time (which is valuable), money and energy to have the same problem keep reappearing, after making countless trips to dealerships for this same problem. Totally fed up!!!

What would everyone else do in my situation? I noticed on the service sheet (from the most recent trip to a dealer), it mentioned if the problem persists, I would need to go for a test drive with a BMW regional rep. More of my time wasted on same problem. It even states the shop foreman feels the problem is STILL more pronounced on hills, even after the new work done. I had a friend mention an attorney and the lemon law (as I live in California), or even post on the internet the continued and all previous problems with my car, so everyone can see who is wanting to buy a BMW.

Need advice please? I am frustrated. Thanks.

Eric

Alin10123 · 12th March 2010, 02:20

Dont know about california. But where i am the car would have to still be under warranty to qualify for the lemon law.

Did any of the dealers replace and lubricate the clutch release bearing? If your clutch and flywheel came in a kit, then the clutch release bearing that it included in the kit is not lubricated. They have to physically grease down the bearings.

EricM · 12th March 2010, 02:33

Technically, the warranty on the car ran out last month, but the latest round of work was and still is under warranty because the problem started while under warranty and continues today.

AFC1 · 12th March 2010, 03:03

If you could, I would try to see if your car can be taken back as a lemon, as this problem seems ridiculous, and something you should definitely not have to deal with. An early 06 car often has transmission issues, but these seem way more repetitive than normal. If you do keep the car, I would most certainly get an extended warranty.

afc1

yewcorner · 12th March 2010, 08:40

Hi EricM

I don't know if this helps (see thread: Clutch Judder rectified?)

Having had not dissimilar faults, my Actuators were replaced and the engine management software updated - essentially having driven the car for 23k miles with clutch judder it hasn now gone, car is next to perfect now. My take is that a lot of the SMG faults lie elsewhere and not with the unit (clutch bearing, flywheel, clutch plate etc.) or associated gearbox software?

It's an 05/05 build - I bought it with 30k miles and it is now on 53k miles on original clutch

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricM

Okay, here I go,

Just wondering what people would do in my situation. I have an 2006 (Dec.05 build) which has been having clutch problems lately (I am the original owner). Long story short, my clutch has been chattering lately from a stop to first. Here is the order of the problem:

1) 4-3-06.....Transmission failure light comes on. Car got new software.
2) 12-28-09..Clutch chatter when going from stop into first, along with transmission failure light that appeared. Dealer states both "concerns could not be duplicated"
3) 1-8-10.....Transmission failure light comes on. Car not changing gears right. Dealer replaces clutch, flywheel and accessories.
4) 2-9-10.....Clutch still chattering when going from stop into first. Dealer programs software and says everything is fine now.
5) 3-8-10.....Clutch still chattering when going from stop into first. Take car to different dealer, they verify problem and programs new software.
6) Present....Clutch still chattering, albeit a little less on level take off. More noticeable on hill starts.

I am to the point where I am tired of wasting my time (which is valuable), money and energy to have the same problem keep reappearing, after making countless trips to dealerships for this same problem. Totally fed up!!!

What would everyone else do in my situation? I noticed on the service sheet (from the most recent trip to a dealer), it mentioned if the problem persists, I would need to go for a test drive with a BMW regional rep. More of my time wasted on same problem. It even states the shop foreman feels the problem is STILL more pronounced on hills, even after the new work done. I had a friend mention an attorney and the lemon law (as I live in California), or even post on the internet the continued and all previous problems with my car, so everyone can see who is wanting to buy a BMW.

Need advice please? I am frustrated. Thanks.

Eric

Alin10123 · 12th March 2010, 21:51

So you only updated the software and replaced the actuators? then the problem went away?
Did you ever replace clutch or flywheel? My car had the software updated then the shudder started...

Quote:

Originally Posted by yewcorner

Hi EricM

I don't know if this helps (see thread: Clutch Judder rectified?)

Having had not dissimilar faults, my Actuators were replaced and the engine management software updated - essentially having driven the car for 23k miles with clutch judder it hasn now gone, car is next to perfect now. My take is that a lot of the SMG faults lie elsewhere and not with the unit (clutch bearing, flywheel, clutch plate etc.) or associated gearbox software?

It's an 05/05 build - I bought it with 30k miles and it is now on 53k miles on original clutch

azjulian · 13th March 2010, 02:44

I'll probably get flammed for saying this... But

A clutch is really a very simple thing, it needs to release and it needs to engage. When its engaged, if its worn it will slip, you can see that slip by accelerating in a high gear, the engine will rev away faster than the vehicle speed increases.

SMG is just a standard clutch and then instead of a clutch pedal actuators, so its really a question of what is part of the entire system that controls the clutch i.e oil, pump, actuators, clutch etc and eliminate

The problem that you have at a dealership service center is, your $100+/hr can either pay for someone who really understands mechanics and knows how to diagnose or someone at the other end of the spectrum is the tech who just follows the directions my the tech sheet verbatim.

I had a brand new truck that had a wobbling pulley, I took it back twice, first time they replaced the a pulley guide wheel. Next time they called and said they would need it for a few days.... I got it back the next week they had replaced the engine (I had 1500 miles), I read the report and it showed the questions and the answer for the tech replace engine.... crazy!

EricM · 13th March 2010, 04:56

Called the new service advisor today, but she didn't return my phone call. Nice.

Ahmed · 13th March 2010, 06:52

Chattering means there is a problem with the way your clutch is releasing, or the fact that maybe some tranny fluid has leaked form your pump onto the clutch.

EricM · 13th March 2010, 07:00

I am familiar with the problems with a clutch. My concern is whether I should raise hell now that this would be my fifth time to take it back for the same problem?