[rich1068]

Good news for those who suffer from clutch judder with their diesel E9Xs. It appears there's a hardware/mechanical fix on the horizon.

I've mentioned this issue more than once on here and my E91 has been back to the dealer twice. The first time at about 1800 miles BMW authorised a replacement clutch which seemed to solve the problem for about a fortnight and more recently a couple of weeks ago at about 4500 miles. This last time BMW said everything was normal and the dealer wasn't allowed to do anything. It was quite obvious when discussing the issue with the dealer that they knew there was a problem (not just with my car) but that their hands were tied.

However, my dealer promised to escalate this issue with BMW and I got a call from them today to say that action was finally being taken, that someone 'at the top' was involved, that a modified replacement part would be available from the end of October and would I like them to place an order for the part to be fitted at the end of the month. He didn't have much detail but he guessed at a modified clutch. We'll see.

I'll try and get more details when I can.

[Dizzle]

Be appreciated if you could get more details, leaset then our dealers will know what we're requesting.

Good news though!

[bmwak]

Yes, my dealer showed me BMW's email as mine was in for this. It is a new clutch kit that has a modified clutch pressure plate. It said it is being tested at the moment with the view of being released in December. Its not available to pre-order yet though but dealers will be advised once its arrived.

[rich1068]

Originally Posted by bmwak

December.

Boo!

[leetennis]

This sounds good boys! Recall on the way or just for the severely affected?

[rich1068]

I'm guessing no recall. If you complain enough you might get it. As always there are good and bad dealers when it comes to this sort of thing.

[Frobius]

I'd imagine that if once this is released, if you go in with an issue relating to clutch judder, they'd replace the necessary part - especially now there's going to be a TSB relating to it. I'd also imagine that because it's been acknowedged by BMW UK, the dealers will be more likely to do it as they can just claim the cost from BMW.

Will be interesting to see what the fix is. I had a clutch judder prob on my old 320d. When I checked the history from before I owned it, it had already had 2 clutch and flywheel replacements. That's 3 clutches in 60k!! I think the 1ers have smilar probs too.. makes you wonder!

[B33M3R]

Mine's booked in next week for an inspection regarding the clutch judder so I'm glad Rich has highlighted this. I'd rather wait for this to be released so I'm going to call the dealer on Monday and sound them out!

[gIzzE]

Well 2 months into our X1 and Fiona is refusing to drive it, it doesn't just judder but it makes it feel really heavy too and you have a sort of balancing act to pull away, and in traffic it is really hard work, with her only being 5'3" she is finding it too much, and it is now doing her back in.

So going to get rid of it, love the X1, and have asked him to find me an auto and make sure I have a very good deal on mine, if he can't look after me I will buy another Mercedes, don't like the thought of not having a BMW at all, but the new 5 series was shit, the new 3 series does nothing for me, I don't really want an E91 at this stage, I would have a 1 series but they are just too much money, looking at £29,00 for a 120d Sport with Nav and Harman sound!

Only cars I would own at the moment from BMW is an M3, but don't want 20mpg again, a 7 series, but everyone would think I was doing too well even though you can get a 10 plate for £31k or hire for £399 a month, or the 5 GT which I have been driving around in for a month or so now and absolutely love! But it is the old mans, and his is black which is the only colour I like, the rest make me want to be sick, but can't have the same car as my dad!!

So reckon I will have a little C Class sport estate sat next to me E Class estate, and if it does the comfort thing well I may swap the E Class for a facelift ML.

[rich1068]

Sounds silly but have you tried raising the seat base and bringing the back forward a little? I seem to be able to control the judder more easily from an elevated position. Shouldn't have to but there you go.

[gIzzE]

That is what I do, but she can't reach the pedals when she raises the base, so that is a no go.
I think the fact the seat needs to go forward another inch for her and doesn't is the biggest problem. Trying to use that clutch whilst in a seat that isn't quite far enough forward is the issue.

[rich1068]

Ah, an auto is the only option then as you say. My mum is 5'2" and she can only drive autos. They slightly reduce the risk of losing front teeth if the air bag goes off too.

[gIzzE]

She has driven other manuals no problem, but when a clutch is hard work it makes the seating position becomes paramount, there is no compromise.

[Ryan87]

I get a judder from my car every now and then. Always thought it was me being lazy with the pedal!

Any idea on cost if the clutch does go?

After reading a few threads Im quite amazed that before 60k a clutch replacement is seen as acceptable on a car like this!

[gIzzE]

People on their second and third clutch who have only done 20k miles!

But it doesn't fix it, I think we will see a completely new clutch going in these cars.

[MalM3]

did anyone get the flywheel changed at the same time?

[JonnySi]

I have a 116d performance edition with only 1800 miles that violently judders when setting off. Its booked in so hopefully should be sorted!

[gIzzE]

I removed the CDV this morning, well removed the grommet inside it that restricts the flow of the fluid and makes the clutch feel so heavy.

This has transformed the car to be honest, yeah the judder is still there slightly, however because you are in control of the clutch you can sort of get round the judder, in fact I only got it once coming home pulling out of a junction up a pretty steep hill.

Hopefully Fiona will find this now manageable as I really love this X1, and as much as I loved my previous E91's I think buying another one now would be a mistake, and paying £5k+ to get into an X1 exactly the same with the only difference beting an auto 'box would be more than annoying.


Why BMW still insist on this stupid delay valve is beyond me, it is obviously causing far more grief for them than it is without it.

[rich1068]

See how you go on. I replaced the CDV purely because I wanted to and the clutch did feel better in terms of response/bite/whatever but it made no difference to the judder after a week or so. My logic was that if the clutch felt different (ie no CDV) then you treated it differently. Once settled in to a style of driving the judder returned because it's an inherent fault/bad design.

I've since had the BMW CDV put back in because while the dealer was investigating the problems I have I didn't want to risk BMW calling foul.

[gIzzE]

Problem I had was the delay in the clutch rising was enticing the judder, where as now it seems it comes up at a speed that doesn't give the clutch time to judder.
However, maybe mine is just not bad enough..........yet!

[Jules59]

You would like that maybe BMW could make a clutch work reliably by now. What is wrong with these people.

[gIzzE]

Problem is the Americans started to buy them with 'sticks' so they had to put some sort of safety net in there to save the driveline!!

Just kidding by the way before anyone one across the pond bites!!