Hi There

I've got an e46 325Ci Convertible (M Sport) on a 2004 '54' Plate with 90300 mils on the clock (most of which i have done), i've owned for 3 years with no problems what so ever up until now, and it seems that they have all come at once, and most probably are all linked.

1. I have a very bad clutch judder once the car is up to temperature, it bad when setting off and really bad when when down shifting (to the extent my passengers can also feel it through their seat) - i have a feeling the clutch on is way out or is it something else. If a new clutch is required what kind of costs am i looking at?

2. I have a rattling coming from the engine - sounds like loose nuts and bolts rattling around and i have no idea what it is. Some people have mentioned it could be the vanos unit(s) - but not sure, aldo what is the vanos units?

3. Severe loss of power. doesn't even feel like a 2.5 completely lost that pokyness - in fact the drive has become so rough it doesn't feel like i am even driving a BMW and does not feel like it did when i first bought it.

I've been told to get sell the car but i have become attached to it and cannot bear to part company.

It might sound like the car has been neglected but i can assure you it hasn't - been serviced regularly and had the oil changed regularly and the exterior/interior is perfect, even the wheels haven't been scuffed.

i think it may be down to the age and mileage.

Any help on the above issues will be greatly appreciated, and any recommendations where I can take the car to get checked over and repaired, (Main Dealer prices are too steep, even for a diagnosis)

Thanx

Q1 - Go for the new clutch option (If it is manual of course) also, it could be the thrust bearing has expired but you would hear it whine or rattle...

Which links me nicely onto Q2 - Tappets, Thrust bearing, Shock tops, collapsed vanos... Get your head under the bonnet with a tube to your ear and locate the noises.... Hope This Helps.

Daz

BTW, Like everyone tells me... It's a BMW so ignore the age issue B)

Hi there,

you seem to be very unlucky atm and i cant even see that they are all related, the clutch thruss bearing will make an engine noise when the cluch is unengaged,

but if the cars only done 93k i cnt see that its an age related problem, bmw engines are if looked after properly good for a lot more miles than that.

Good luck with diagnosis and hope you sort them out soon.

Hello and welcome along

Hope you can get all the probs sorted soon but cant see how selling is gonna help, surley you wont get much for it in that condition!

Hi there,

you seem to be very unlucky atm and i cant even see that they are all related, the clutch thruss bearing will make an engine noise when the cluch is unengaged,

but if the cars only done 93k i cnt see that its an age related problem, bmw engines are if looked after properly good for a lot more miles than that.

Good luck with diagnosis and hope you sort them out soon.

it is unlucky, but as they say bad luck luck comes in 3's. I dont think it is the thrust bearings as the the noise is there regardless whether the clutch is engaged or dis-engaged.

Thanx

Any recommendations where i can get a full diagnosis and the work carried out around the yorkshire region at a decent price. As I mentioned above main dealer prices are a bit steep. I'd still probably buy original BMW parts, its just the labour costs are extortionate