Drive train issues / clutch

[michel lane]

Does anyone know what the life of these clutches are ? . I currently have 22k on the clock and the car is starting to drive like a kangaroo when in M mod around town .

When on the motorway at around 80mph , the rev counter starts to climb without any assistance on the loud pedal .. It's only when you touch it , the rev drops back to normal ? Could it be a software bug ?

I know that most DCT on the exotics need replacing around 20k , Porsches are around 60k , so I am hoping that German engineering would last longer ..

[mr-karim]

Do you have BMS on?

[Twitch Massacre]

I don't know about DCT but I know the clutch on the SMG failed all the time. My old M6 had the clutch replaced twice (once out of warranty, which was horrible). I'm hoping it's different with these transmissions as they use two clutches. It also seems to me like they should be more durable as I would believe they are under less stress having two working together.

[MattUK]

The DCT I had on my M3 was fine upto 35k when I gave it back, not a single problem with it. I have only ever had trouble with SMG 1 when it was brand new, it was always breaking, but SMG II was faultless too, so personally, I wouldn't have any worries about the DCT unless you have modded stuff that may impact it, then I couldn't comment.

[michel lane]

Yes the BMS is installed , could the BMS effect the transmission ?

[Twitch Massacre]

Originally Posted by michel lane

Yes the BMS is installed , could the BMS effect the transmission ?

Yes it can. Anything that adds torque will affect the transmission as it would demand the transmission to handle more power. Not sure that it adds enough power to hurt the DCT though. I would guess the extra torque is negligible to this transmission, as it should be pretty robust.

[bigbrian]

I seriously doubt BMS has caused or is causing the issue. If the transmission is that susceptible to problems with the bump in torque BMS provides we are in for a world of shit down the road.

Brian

[michel lane]

In most exotics cars with DCT , there is a feature to see what the wear of the unit is, does the BMW unit have such a feature ?

[mr-karim]

Originally Posted by michel lane

Yes the BMS is installed , could the BMS effect the transmission ?

What boost are you running? What gas?
I think you should lower boost

[michel lane]

Just running 2.75 on the BMS , shell optimax 99 .

[M6-Coupe]

I don't know if this help, since still I have no idea about what you said "drive like a Kangaroo"
I got my car last September. After brake-in period I felt unusual behavior of car. everyday in the morning (let's say cold engine) when I tried to back up, I used to feel shuddering from the rear right. After couple minutes it was running fine with no issue. I showed my car to dealer several times and every time heard "it's normal"... since I knew the huge power and torque can have this behavior (and because this is my first M car)I accepted, but because I used to drive manual cars for over 20 years, it seemed like clutch or flywheel problem. The shuddering got worse and worse till I felt it even when the engine was warm. Finally last time I asked the dealer to have my car checked by BMW NA rep. The rep came in Irvine and test drove my car. I was told by SA that the clutch is "pre-matured" because of aggressive driving!!! (I don't know whether or not M car is designed for aggressive driving but if not why I'm driving M6 instead of 328???). Long story short, They ordered the clutch kit including Flywheel and I'm waiting for part to come in. probably in two weeks they will replace the clutch kit. The funny thing is I neither tracked the car nor used the LC more than 10 times. For sure this is manufacturing defect...
DCT's clutch is not supposed to be worn or damaged very fast like manual cars
BTW, my car is bone stock and I have 10K mile on the clock!

[michel lane]

I think I maybe experiencing the same symptoms , a clutch replacement on this is not going to be cheap ! How much is it costing ?

[Twitch Massacre]

Originally Posted by michel lane

I think I maybe experiencing the same symptoms , a clutch replacement on this is not going to be cheap ! How much is it costing ?

If your clutch failed within the warranty period it should be covered, or is it a different coverage in the UK?

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by michel lane

I think I maybe experiencing the same symptoms , a clutch replacement on this is not going to be cheap ! How much is it costing ?

I believe the cost is about 4-5K;however it's part of 4 years/50K maintenance!

[michel lane]

I currently have the maintenance pack on mine till 2017, does the maintenance pack cover this ?. If it does I will address it with the dealer .

[michel lane]

Originally Posted by Twitch Massacre

If your clutch failed within the warranty period it should be covered, or is it a different coverage in the UK?

I need to find out from the dealer .

[Twitch Massacre]

Originally Posted by michel lane

I need to find out from the dealer .

If your maintenance pack is anything like our comprehensive warranty then you should be covered. However, if you're running the BMS piggyback, I'd advise you to remove it and take it to a performance shop to clear any and all fault codes just to be safe. You don't want them diagnosing the car and blaming your issue on any mods and then voiding your warranty.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by Twitch Massacre

If your maintenance pack is anything like our comprehensive warranty then you should be covered. However, if you're running the BMS piggyback, I'd advise you to remove it and take it to a performance shop to clear any and all fault codes just to be safe. You don't want them diagnosing the car and blaming your issue on any mods and then voiding your warranty.

+1
Good point!! They are looking for any excuse to avoid warranty coverage!

[michel lane]

I will do, thanks . I have a code reader so I will deal with this myself before I take it in.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by michel lane

I will do, thanks . I have a code reader so I will deal with this myself before I take it in.

Keep us in the loop Michel.

[michel lane]

I found out the the service packs in the UK comes in two levels, service pack and service pack plus. Service pack is the general oil change and filters , plugs .Service pack plus cover clutches, pads, disks etc ...

It booked into the dealership to get it checked out . I unfortunately had the standard service pack ....

During a small state of insanity , I went and test drove a vantage S V8 auto today .. The gear change is so violent its like the older M5 , the throttle response is rubbish . When you put you foot to the floor in auto mode , there is a delay of 2 seconds before it decides to kill the power and choose the gears for you !.

The cabin is really outdated and ride quality is pretty poor . The noise is great , but that's what you get for poor sound dampening . This was a 2014 model , I was disappointed on the refinements and sat nav in the cabin . But the biggest difference was the gear change , what a load of crap, just image changing on a a sweeping bend at 100mph , you end up spinning the car , or exiting a roundabout catching the apex ...

Then I realised why it felt terrible , I was driving the state the art BMW M6 , even the dealer said " Why" , I guess I was bored on a sunny day .

Car is going in on Tuesday next week, I am getting my reader back on the weekend , so will be able to tell you if the reader works with the BMW .

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by michel lane

I went and test drove a vantage S V8 auto today .. The gear change is so violent its like the older M5 , the throttle response is rubbish . When you put you foot to the floor in auto mode , there is a delay of 2 seconds before it decides to kill the power and choose the gears for you !.

I know what you are talking about. Month ago I test drove 2014 Jag F-Type(brand new) and 2011 911TT back to back. When I got back to my car I felt so happy!!! M-DCT is so fast compare to PDK or ZF8... Our cars in sport+ engine and S3 are really fast