E36 M3 Duff clutch?
Discussion
Need a little advice folks...
Son has just bought a very nice and well looked after '95 M3. BM and good BM specialist history. Recent work included a replacement clutch assembly (OEM parts apparently) Clutch was renewed in April this year approx 2,500 miles ago by an independant.
Got a call this evening - can't engage any gears with engine running. Gears can be selected with engine stopped.
Engaging 2nd gear, clutch down, starting engine and releasing clutch the car moves - just can't change any! Doesn't seem to indicate a defective clutch? Or am I wrong?
Any thoughts as to what the problem could be if it isn't the clutch?
Just had a chat with the previous owner to get a feel for what he reaction of the independant might be like ...the car is around 50 miles away from them and I don't want to add to the potential costs of repair with a costly "car lift" to their premises.
Son has only covered around 150 miles since buying the car last week and he's assuring me he hasn't abused the car - I believe him too.
Car worked perfectly when test drive took place with no sign of clutch slip.
Without speaking to the garage, I'm assuming that some sort of warranty in terms of time and mileage should be stadard.
My biggest worry is that they may try and wriggle and claim the clutch has been abused. Thoughts on how I should approach the specialist would be appreciated.
Not trying to get "one over" on the garage - if I genuinely thought son had abused the car I'd be telling him he's on his own!
5 months and 2,500 miles doesn't sound good for an OEM clutch.
Thanks.
Son has just bought a very nice and well looked after '95 M3. BM and good BM specialist history. Recent work included a replacement clutch assembly (OEM parts apparently) Clutch was renewed in April this year approx 2,500 miles ago by an independant.
Got a call this evening - can't engage any gears with engine running. Gears can be selected with engine stopped.
Engaging 2nd gear, clutch down, starting engine and releasing clutch the car moves - just can't change any! Doesn't seem to indicate a defective clutch? Or am I wrong?
Any thoughts as to what the problem could be if it isn't the clutch?
Just had a chat with the previous owner to get a feel for what he reaction of the independant might be like ...the car is around 50 miles away from them and I don't want to add to the potential costs of repair with a costly "car lift" to their premises.
Son has only covered around 150 miles since buying the car last week and he's assuring me he hasn't abused the car - I believe him too.
Car worked perfectly when test drive took place with no sign of clutch slip.
Without speaking to the garage, I'm assuming that some sort of warranty in terms of time and mileage should be stadard.
My biggest worry is that they may try and wriggle and claim the clutch has been abused. Thoughts on how I should approach the specialist would be appreciated.
Not trying to get "one over" on the garage - if I genuinely thought son had abused the car I'd be telling him he's on his own!
5 months and 2,500 miles doesn't sound good for an OEM clutch.
Thanks.
If looked after, clutches can be good for 50,000 plus miles easily. The only people I know who have more than one clutch change per year are taxi drivers.
I've got a friend who owns a Mk4 Golf and his car hasn't had a clutch change since day one. It still has the original clutch from when it left the factory, his car has done well over 115,000 miles.
Make sure it is actually an OEM clutch in there and not a reconditioned one. The problem may also lie elsewhere, like clutch bearing. Doesn't sound like a flywheel issue though unless there is a grumbling noise whenever you put your clutch down to select a gear.
I've got a friend who owns a Mk4 Golf and his car hasn't had a clutch change since day one. It still has the original clutch from when it left the factory, his car has done well over 115,000 miles.
Make sure it is actually an OEM clutch in there and not a reconditioned one. The problem may also lie elsewhere, like clutch bearing. Doesn't sound like a flywheel issue though unless there is a grumbling noise whenever you put your clutch down to select a gear.
Thanks for your replies guys.
Not sure it's hydraulics but I've ordered the braided hose as "belt and braces move"
Anyway the BM specialist who changed the clutch in April for the last owner came to see the car (40 mile trip for him - impressed!)
Reckons it's the friction plate sticking and the car's needs transporting to his premises for repair.
Despite the clutch only being 5 months old and only having covered 2.5k miles he's offered me (my son) labour at a reduced rate and a clutch kit (if the examination reveals the car has been abused) at cost price or, a "warranty" replacement clutch if the parts have failed due manufacturing faults but I still have to pay the labour!!
While the replacement wasn't carried out in our ownership - surely if the parts have failed through a material defect labour shouldn't be my responsibility, or am I missing something??
Labour, possibly parts and a £85.00 lift to his garage is starting to get costly in only 5 days of ownership.
Kids and cars
Not sure it's hydraulics but I've ordered the braided hose as "belt and braces move"
Anyway the BM specialist who changed the clutch in April for the last owner came to see the car (40 mile trip for him - impressed!)
Reckons it's the friction plate sticking and the car's needs transporting to his premises for repair.
Despite the clutch only being 5 months old and only having covered 2.5k miles he's offered me (my son) labour at a reduced rate and a clutch kit (if the examination reveals the car has been abused) at cost price or, a "warranty" replacement clutch if the parts have failed due manufacturing faults but I still have to pay the labour!!
While the replacement wasn't carried out in our ownership - surely if the parts have failed through a material defect labour shouldn't be my responsibility, or am I missing something??
Labour, possibly parts and a £85.00 lift to his garage is starting to get costly in only 5 days of ownership.
Kids and cars
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