new clutch - tick tick tick is GONE!!!

[sayemthree]

got my car back today. new clutch. the loud ticking that occured when sitting in N with the clutch out is gone. also got a free one year oil change, a free QT of oil and a 328i folding hard top vert for 4 days. (drop off fri , pick up monday.)

[JCtx]

Care to explain what happened? And at what mileage? Most high-perf manual cars make some noise with the clutch engaged (pedal up). I can hear mine, but only if I pay attention; perfectly normal. Curious about your issue.

[Nawaaz]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

got my car back today. new clutch. the loud ticking that occured when sitting in N with the clutch out is gone. also got a free one year oil change, a free QT of oil and a 328i folding hard top vert for 4 days. (drop off fri , pick up monday.)

I'm confused on why your clutch went out....?....

[M3twins]

Yes, please elaborate.

[sayemthree]

it did not go out. it had a pretty loud tick whenin N and the pedal was up. it would come and go, louder or not. at worst it would sound like a helicopter hovering 1000 feet above me. now its silent.

[Nawaaz]

^Well, it's great that it was all covered under warranty.

Did BMW or the dealership give you a hard time at all?

[foosh]

You'll hear it again when your new clutch is broken in. I can't imagine how the dealership convinced BMW to approve that unless there was something else going on.

[rideontwo]

Throw out bearing. And I'll agree with foosh on this statement. "You'll hear it again when your new clutch is broken in."

[aremmell]

Yeah, I asked my dealer about the noise too and he said it was normal.

[foosh]

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Yeah, I asked my dealer about the noise too and he said it was normal.

It is . . . totally normal!

Every E9X M3 6MT does it, but most owners don't notice, likely because most keep the clutch pedal depressed, or just plain aren't paying attention. Only the most "attentive" among us have noticed, and even fewer among us are "troubled" by it.

I suppose it is possible that a brand new clutch installation, including a new throw-out bearing, which is responsible for the noise, will be quiet for a very short period of time. You can even tell the difference on a broken-in one when the car is cold vs. hot, if you really pay attention.

It is true that high-performance cars come with compromises associated with that level of performance. They tend to be more idiosyncratic and are often perceived as "less refined" than their lower level of performance siblings. If stuff like that bothers you, then you should probably stick with a less performance-oriented vehicle.

I've always gone with the tried and true philosophy with regard to my equipment, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." You're exposing yourself to good odds of troubles due to a sloppy, out-of-spec, installation by talking an uninformed dealer into a clutch replacement for no good reason other than a minor noise. I'd be more worried if it didn't start making the noise after your new installation.

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by Nawaaz

^Well, it's great that it was all covered under warranty.

Did BMW or the dealership give you a hard time at all?

not a bit and they put on new front and rear pads at 9000 miles.

[sayemthree]

so sounding like a helicopter is hovering over you is normal?

[southlight]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

so sounding like a helicopter is hovering over you is normal?

Every now and then, yes! Best of luck that you won't hear it again, but I wouldn't bet on it.


Best regards,
south

[NugeMobile]

+1 on all these comments. Before checking w/the forum, I asked about this when I took my 90 in for the 1,200 mile -- said it was totally normal, and confirmed on the forum. Helicopter hovering is a great way to describe the sound -- I liken it to a kettle of boiling water. In any event, as the dealer said and confirmed w/mostly everyone (that's anal retentive enough to hear it), it's totally normal.

Out of curiosity, what dealer did you bring it to? I go to Bev Hills BMW (and dread it every time)

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by NugeMobile

+1 on all these comments. Before checking w/the forum, I asked about this when I took my 90 in for the 1,200 mile -- said it was totally normal, and confirmed on the forum. Helicopter hovering is a great way to describe the sound -- I liken it to a kettle of boiling water. In any event, as the dealer said and confirmed w/mostly everyone (that's anal retentive enough to hear it), it's totally normal.

Out of curiosity, what dealer did you bring it to? I go to Bev Hills BMW (and dread it every time)

McKenna and its been excellent. deal with Terry Reames.

[SS32]

I'll have to keep an ear out for this; I haven't heard it. The only "odd" noise I've heard is the flywheel at low speeds sounding like a blower.

[spyderco10]

Originally Posted by foosh

It is . . . totally normal!

Every E9X M3 6MT does it, but most owners don't notice, likely because most keep the clutch pedal depressed, or just plain aren't paying attention. Only the most "attentive" among us have noticed, and even fewer among us are "troubled" by it.

I suppose it is possible that a brand new clutch installation, including a new throw-out bearing, which is responsible for the noise, will be quiet for a very short period of time. You can even tell the difference on a broken-in one when the car is cold vs. hot, if you really pay attention.

It is true that high-performance cars come with compromises associated with that level of performance. They tend to be more idiosyncratic and are often perceived as "less refined" than their lower level of performance siblings. If stuff like that bothers you, then you should probably stick with a less performance-oriented vehicle.

I've always gone with the tried and true philosophy with regard to my equipment, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." You're exposing yourself to good odds of troubles due to a sloppy, out-of-spec, installation by talking an uninformed dealer into a clutch replacement for no good reason other than a minor noise. I'd be more worried if it didn't start making the noise after your new installation.

I will have to agree with everything you said. My brother had an aftermarket stereo shop put a stereo in his E36 M3, and they accidentally poked a hole in his A/C system. At first they denied it, but ended up admitting it and BMW had to replace the A/C system.

[FlyFish]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

so sounding like a helicopter is hovering over you is normal?

Maybe it really was a helicopter hovering over you...ever think of that???

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by FlyFish

Maybe it really was a helicopter hovering over you...ever think of that???

LOL when I found myself looking up out of the side window I decided to take it in.