My Oct 09 BMW 1 Series diesel has been suffering from clutch judder for the last few months from cold.

This disappears when the car has warmed up. BMW forums show it to be not uncommon (52 pages to date). The forum shows that BMW recognise there is a problem on diesel engined cars and have developed a replacement dual mass flywheel and clutch to cure the problem.

Initially, BMW dealers carried out a software update (increasing idle speed), but this wasn't the answer.

I have just visited the dealer, who agreed it was a known problem. They knew of the new clutch/ flywheel but stated that if my car needed a replacement, I could either have a new clutch fitted or wait for the new design assembly which would mean waiting.

I said I would choose to wait. They had the car in to check it, did the software fix and fitted a replacement clutch.

I queried this and was told that the problem with both clutch and flywheel only affected 120D cars, which I find puzzling.

The judder has not reappeared yet, but it is very early days. The babybmw.net forum shows some owners who have just the clutch replaced have had the judder return later.

Have you heard of the problem and if so what causes it?

My car is under warranty until October, so I will hope that if the juddering does return it does so before then.

Asked on 24 January 2012 by limmo

Answered by Honest John