[yatin c]

I'm beginning to wander if the 118i needs its clutch replacing. Its a ed 57, with 41k on the clock. has the comprehensive insured warranty through mondial.

On Friday I felt it might have slipped a little in first on a hill, and then just slightly more dull changes the rest of that day. Saturday was a day of rest. Sunday again I felt the changes wernt sharp, although there is a clear biting point, and I can cause the car to stall in any gear if stationary with handbrake on and gradually releasing the clutch.

Today on the way to work it was 90% of normal, took it for a good spin (rolling changes up and down, then full throtle each gear) at lunchtime again and was the same. On the way home I did wander if the changes were a bit blunt and it was hard to tell if there was a feint wiff on a slow moving hill with traffic stop/starting (ive disengaed stop start last 2 days). by this stage you do wander if you are imagining things!

My quandry is that do I take it to an independant to just get the clutch changed? (Ive had a few mechanics recommended by friends, but for the past 10years or so ive been a dealer network user). Ive also heard a lot of clutch centres specifically like adding that a dual mass flywheel is needed whilst theyve got your car open, also they may not have specific model knowledge.

Or do I take it to the local dealer (but virtually every interaction ive had with them over the past few years has become "complicated" although for relatively simple or routine things). Atleast then if there are any "extras" they might be covered by the warranty. is the flywheel covered by the extended insured warranty?

Not sure what might be the best way forward, but think im usually quite a perceptive driver and on many occassions have felt there is something wrong early on, got the car "checked out" and told its fine, only a fortnight later for it to become a lot more apparent.

Thoughts appreciated. Apologies for long post.

Yatin

[m1bjr]

Find a steep hill, put it in high gear (2k rpm) and floor it.
If the clutch slips, the rev counter rising and noise will tell you its slipping.
If no judder either then its probably not the clutch / DMF.

DMF faults normally manifest as vibration at low rpm under high load.

The only possible issue I can think of from your vague description is a sticking release fork/damaged bearing.

Steve

[yatin c]

Thanks Steve

Tried that out today seems fine. No issue with the revs or noise. no judder.

Basically I thought I had one incident when it slipped on the Friday, but I wasnt paying attention at the time, thats what started me paying attention.

Since then the only thing I think might be happening is that the changes arent as sharp. By that what I mean is that in the 335i whilst pressing on every gear change I can feel a clear physical sensation when the clutch engages fully / revs pick up. This usually happens to a lesser extent in the 118i. I guess now it feels less definate, but probably no different from the normal gearchange in an older honda accord etc

Anyways I think Im going to just observe how it behaves over the next few days and then deal with the dilema of using the dealer or an independant.

Yatin

[m1bjr]

Okay Yatin,

My recommendation is to get the clutch fluid replaced then.
Im not familliar with the 1'er but guess it shares fluid with the brake cylinders just like a 3'er

My thought is some dirt in the 'clutch delay valve' will cause the clutch to engage more slowly.
(Search for CDV)

It's like a damper to stop peeple duping the clutch and wrecking diffs/gearboxes.
It is restriction in the clutch hydraulic pipe at the gearbox.
But some crap in there would cause a more sloppy change.
It can be removed entirely as I have done this on my last two cars.

A simple to bleed the clutch - a job any garage can do in about 30mins.

Steve

[yatin c]

thanks steve, will take up that advise. regards, yatin