Clutch pedal slowly disappeared, couldn't shift gear [V50]

[MyBoy]

Very odd today, I've had this V50 1.6 diesel a few weeks and driving along this afternoon I thought "I'm sure the clutch pedal is a bit closer to the floor." Initially I thought I was imagining things but each time I changed gear it seems to be getting shorter and shorter until it was virtually at the floor. Eventually, I stopped at a roundabout and couldn't change gears.

I thought I was scuppered but hooking my foot under the pedal was able to slide it all the way back up and it has been fine the 20-30min driving I've done since. Having just got the car I am wondering if this indicates something I should be worried about and should be chasing the dealer?

The only other thing, maybe unrelated, is that changing into 3rd (up or down) you get - not a crunch but a gentle sort of grunt. Nothing on the other gears at all. The issue I have is I'm not used to older cars (2012, 95k miles) to know which things could be a problem and which are just the personality of the car, or long-term things to fix one day.

So any insight is welcome, thanks.

[47p2]

1. Check the brake fluid level, the clutch hydraulics uses the same reservoir
2. Look under the car at the bell housing, you will most likely see fluid leaking
3. be prepared to spend money, sounds like the concentric slave cylinder is leaking, gearbox out to repair and best change the clutch and ancillaries at the same time

[E-bmw]

^^^^ Wot 'e said, but also.

Google it, there is a simple calibration procedure for the gear linkages in answer to your secondary issue.

It goes something like "put in 3rd, remove clip from end of cable & re-attach" this adjusts the length of one of the cables & will 100% sort out the gear-change issue, I had exactly the same.

[MyBoy]

47p2 said:

1. Check the brake fluid level, the clutch hydraulics uses the same reservoir
2. Look under the car at the bell housing, you will most likely see fluid leaking
3. be prepared to spend money, sounds like the concentric slave cylinder is leaking, gearbox out to repair and best change the clutch and ancillaries at the same time

Thanks. Is that realistically the sort of thing I might expect to be under their warranty or realistically just one of those things?
Is it easy to check the level myself and even top it up or is this a garage job?

[47p2]

Depends on the warranty company whether they will cover it or not. I personally think it should be covered but that's just my opinion. Topping the reservoir is something you can do, it most likely won't help but should be topped up if low as it is also for brakes. You'll possibly find the clutch might come back for a short time then fail again, best have it checked before it leaves you stranded

[MyBoy]

The odd thing is as soon as I pulled the pedal back (hooked my foot underneath!) it did feel normal - luckily I'm only pottering around and do have breakdown just in case.
I'll ask the dealer - they have their own on-site garage/mechanic who should at least be able to take a look at it.
I had my own normal garage (used for years, well regarded) inspect the car and they found a list of a few things to fix but this wasn't spotted and I'm guessing it's something you'd only notice when it fails?

Is it something a garage could confirm fairly easily without taking it all apart? I hate that kind of issue where you say "it did this thing but it isn't now!"

I'll look underneath for any signs of leakage when I move it. Thanks for the help.

[47p2]

MyBoy said:

The odd thing is as soon as I pulled the pedal back (hooked my foot underneath!) it did feel normal - luckily I'm only pottering around and do have breakdown just in case.
I'll ask the dealer - they have their own on-site garage/mechanic who should at least be able to take a look at it.
I had my own normal garage (used for years, well regarded) inspect the car and they found a list of a few things to fix but this wasn't spotted and I'm guessing it's something you'd only notice when it fails?

Is it something a garage could confirm fairly easily without taking it all apart? I hate that kind of issue where you say "it did this thing but it isn't now!"

I'll look underneath for any signs of leakage when I move it. Thanks for the help.

Yes the pedal will work once pulled up, but it will eventually not work leaving you stranded. Your normal garage wouldn't find the fault unless it was there when the car was being inspected. Leakage underneath will only become evident once the sound deadening mat on the engine under-tray becomes saturated and cannot contain any more fluid, only then will it start leaking out. Ask your normal garage remove the under-tray and inspect for leaks