M3 transmission 'noises'?

Palmnuts · 03-09-2009, 05:18 AM

I don't really know the best way to describe this but I wondered if anyone else experiences any noise from their clutch/gearbox?

I happens mainly when warm and when you're manouvering at slow speeds such as selecting first gear then lifting the clutch is (as in slow moving traffic) or going between 1st gear and reverse. The only way I can describe it is a 'clonking' sound as the car takes up drive.

I have also noticed that (again, worse when warm) the gearchanges are very abrupt - it's like they bang in and this happens in all gears.

I know the manual says to expect some noises due to the design of the car but this seems to be getting worse so if anyone can shed any light on this then let me know!

Thanks

booforty · 03-09-2009, 07:27 AM

Hi mate,

There is a lot of commentary on this in the US M3post forum. Personally, I don't have the clonk you describe and my gearbox is actually quite smooth compared to others who have reported notchy changes. Might be worth posting this in the M3 forum also to see what other UK M3 owners have experienced

Hope you don't need another trip to the stealers!

biscuits · 03-09-2009, 08:26 AM

I find that you can get the odd clunk from the drivetrain when engaing and disengaging the clutch, but as has been said before, because of the "more direct" design of the M3, a lot of the slack and softening measures have been removed.

Manual rear wheel drive will always be a bit worse than a front-wheel drive car, due to the length of the drive train. My old 2.0 twin-cam Sierra had the same kind of issues.

Or it could just be your a fussy fecker

Palmnuts · 03-09-2009, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biscuits

Or it could just be your a fussy fecker

Fussy?? Moi?

Erm, well, I guess so. I'm actually really anal about anything that doesnlt seem perfect. Must be a mental problem

Speedtrap · 03-09-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biscuits

I find that you can get the odd clunk from the drivetrain when engaing and disengaging the clutch, but as has been said before, because of the "more direct" design of the M3, a lot of the slack and softening measures have been removed.

Manual rear wheel drive will always be a bit worse than a front-wheel drive car, due to the length of the drive train. My old 2.0 twin-cam Sierra had the same kind of issues.

Or it could just be your a fussy fecker

I agree with Paul - do get the odd ones

After all I am a fecker but not fussy

Palmnuts · 03-11-2009, 06:47 PM

All confirmed by the dealer - the noise is known as 'diff backlash' and is entirely normal!

Still - I've never known another car too have such a noisy drivetrain but if thats the way it is, that's just he way it is!

dxb335d · 03-12-2009, 05:42 AM

Just buy a Lambo.

biscuits · 03-12-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Just buy a Lambo.

Yeah, then you'll have loads to complain about !

dxb335d · 03-12-2009, 07:20 AM

Nah mate, Murci is ok mate as is new Gallardos. No major probs with those.

biscuits · 03-12-2009, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Nah mate, Murci is ok mate as is new Gallardos. No major probs with those.

In the same way you don't get any problems with Audi's, BMW's, et all... the more mass produced, the less common issues you'll get (I don't mean quality of fit/finish)... same with all manufacturing...

dxb335d · 03-12-2009, 07:29 AM

LAMBO FTW

biscuits · 03-12-2009, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

LAMBO FTW

I think your missing my point Carlos, a Lambo is just as suseptable to mechanical issues as any other low volume production car/item.

You want an accurate/reliable watch, you buy a casio/seiko... you want a nice watch, different story

dxb335d · 03-12-2009, 07:36 AM

Fack problems, Buy a Lambo... enjoy the power. If it breaks expect MUCH better service than BMW provide.

biscuits · 03-12-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Fack problems, Buy a Lambo... enjoy the power. If it breaks expect MUCH better service than BMW provide.

dxb335d · 03-12-2009, 07:47 AM

Palmnuts · 03-12-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Just buy a Lambo.

LOL...if I had the cash I would, hence the reason I'm 'only' looking at an M6!! They're still just a bit rich for me at the moment....but, one day.......

Not only the purchase price though, the running costs I'm sure will be in a different league to even an M Power BMW. Where I paid just over £400 for a small service, I'm sure there are no services for Ferrari's/Lambo's etc that fall much below 4 figures. Running one as an everday car would be in a different cost league.

dxb335d · 03-12-2009, 10:21 AM

Yes your very correct there. When The V12's valve clearances need adjusting its over 3k bill every 15k or so.

03-09-2009, 05:18 AM	#1
Palmnuts Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,958 Posts Drives: Huracan Evo & M8 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Leicestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	M3 transmission 'noises'? I don't really know the best way to describe this but I wondered if anyone else experiences any noise from their clutch/gearbox? I happens mainly when warm and when you're manouvering at slow speeds such as selecting first gear then lifting the clutch is (as in slow moving traffic) or going between 1st gear and reverse. The only way I can describe it is a 'clonking' sound as the car takes up drive. I have also noticed that (again, worse when warm) the gearchanges are very abrupt - it's like they bang in and this happens in all gears. I know the manual says to expect some noises due to the design of the car but this seems to be getting worse so if anyone can shed any light on this then let me know! Thanks
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03-09-2009, 07:27 AM	#2
booforty Major General 337 Rep 8,811 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 E92 M3 [0.00]	Hi mate, There is a lot of commentary on this in the US M3post forum. Personally, I don't have the clonk you describe and my gearbox is actually quite smooth compared to others who have reported notchy changes. Might be worth posting this in the M3 forum also to see what other UK M3 owners have experienced Hope you don't need another trip to the stealers!
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03-09-2009, 08:26 AM	#3
biscuits Dimmer than a dim thing 80 Rep 1,291 Posts Drives: M4 GTS, EQC, X5 40d, simrig Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW X5 (F15) 4 ... [0.00] 2016 BMW M4 GTS [10.00]	I find that you can get the odd clunk from the drivetrain when engaing and disengaging the clutch, but as has been said before, because of the "more direct" design of the M3, a lot of the slack and softening measures have been removed. Manual rear wheel drive will always be a bit worse than a front-wheel drive car, due to the length of the drive train. My old 2.0 twin-cam Sierra had the same kind of issues. Or it could just be your a fussy fecker
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03-11-2009, 06:47 PM	#6
Palmnuts Lieutenant Colonel 170 Rep 1,958 Posts Drives: Huracan Evo & M8 GC Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Leicestershire, UK iTrader: (0)	All confirmed by the dealer - the noise is known as 'diff backlash' and is entirely normal! Still - I've never known another car too have such a noisy drivetrain but if thats the way it is, that's just he way it is!
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03-12-2009, 05:42 AM	#7
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 957 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Just buy a Lambo. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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03-12-2009, 07:20 AM	#9
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 957 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Nah mate, Murci is ok mate as is new Gallardos. No major probs with those. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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03-12-2009, 07:29 AM	#11
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 957 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	LAMBO FTW __________________ 997.2 GT3
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03-12-2009, 07:36 AM	#13
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 957 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Fack problems, Buy a Lambo... enjoy the power. If it breaks expect MUCH better service than BMW provide. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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03-12-2009, 07:47 AM	#15
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 957 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	__________________ 997.2 GT3
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03-12-2009, 10:21 AM	#17
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 957 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	Yes your very correct there. When The V12's valve clearances need adjusting its over 3k bill every 15k or so. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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