Clutch issue - Page 4

equ · 05-08-2019, 03:20 PM

So are they NOT covering or that's still up in the air?

Clutches are crapshoot, despite JV's bottomless hate for VW's, I don't think they are any worse than other cars. I've had two a4's from new to 40-45k miles, no clutch issues at all even with AWD and plenty of snow action (while i got a new clutch from warranty each on a e46 zhp and a e90 330i thanks to throwout bearings - and yes I shift to N at a light, do not keep the clutch in. Both before 40k miles).

C's previous TDI VW Golf was turned in at 70 or 72k miles, no clutch issues. The only clutch we ever "wore out" was on the e39 528i at 135k and that wasn't even the friction material instead it was the springs in the dual flywheel weakening/breaking, causing rattling and noises.

BahnBaum · 05-08-2019, 04:10 PM

I was at about 160K on the original clutch on my A5 and it was still fine when I traded it in.

Alex

JST · 05-08-2019, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equ

So are they NOT covering or that's still up in the air?

Clutches are crapshoot, despite JV's bottomless hate for VW's, I don't think they are any worse than other cars. I've had two a4's from new to 40-45k miles, no clutch issues at all even with AWD and plenty of snow action (while i got a new clutch from warranty each on a e46 zhp and a e90 330i thanks to throwout bearings - and yes I shift to N at a light, do not keep the clutch in. Both before 40k miles).

C's previous TDI VW Golf was turned in at 70 or 72k miles, no clutch issues. The only clutch we ever "wore out" was on the e39 528i at 135k and that wasn't even the friction material instead it was the springs in the dual flywheel weakening/breaking, causing rattling and noises.

Still up in the air on coverage, though the Vortex peeps say they generally haven't had any luck on this front.

I never had any trouble with our GTI, A6, or the last Mark VI Golf R, but there does seem to be some level of concern with the Mark VII R (and maybe the Mark VII GTI).

kognito · 05-08-2019, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BahnBaum

I was at about 160K on the original clutch on my A5 and it was still fine when I traded it in.

Alex

But that is also a VW drivetrain. . . .you're not helping

ZBB · 05-08-2019, 06:27 PM

So why wouldn’t this not be covered under warranty? Claiming it’s a wear item?

I’ve only ever had one manual car where the clutch was replaced. It was a ‘65 LandCruiser that had an oil leak issue — would lose a quart of oil every 150 miles, and if on a longer drive, oil would sweep through the firewall and pool on the passenger footwell (not a big deal since there was no carpeting or floor mats).

The leak was coming from the gasket between the transmission and engine. Since they had to do all the work to drop the trans, it made sense replace the clutch while in there. But the clutch still had roughly 50% of its life left — and was 26 years old...

JST · 05-08-2019, 08:11 PM

Yes, the claim apparently is that it’s a wear item. I’ve not heard that yet, but that’s what people on Vortex are reporting.

John V · 05-09-2019, 05:37 AM

I don't hate VWs. I don't even dislike them. I just know how they handle warranty claims on stuff like this because I lived it with a few different dealers before giving up and just fixing the car myself. You're confusing my modern BMW hate for VW hate

Right after Marisa bought her MkIV 1.8t the rear brake seized up. It had maybe 6,000 miles on it. VW refused a warranty claim because brakes were wear items.

Modern VW reliability is pretty good. It sucks that they screwed up on the Golf R clutch.

Josh (PA) · 05-09-2019, 09:47 AM

did you teach your kids to drive it? (kidding)

That really sucks, I'm sorry to hear. I've never had to replace a clutch on any of my cars (including the e39 m5 which supposedly has a very undersized one for the drivetrain). I would be REALLY pissed if I had a new car like that and it crapped out in 16k miles. Good luck. I'd aske to see all the parts and look for chunks of friction plate, etc.

rumatt · 05-09-2019, 11:22 AM

I was going to say he should ask for it back, teach his kids to drive on it, then ask for it to be replaced under warranty.

equ · 05-09-2019, 11:56 AM

There was a run of 987's where the clamping wasn't enough, pedal went soft etc and they went through clutches. My 2006 was not in the VIN range. It could happen to any car, though generally surprising as it is a simple and usually reliable item. We've only paid out of pocket twice, it was under $1k both times. (the e39 DMF self-destructing at 135k and C's father burning her Subie clutch in about 30 minutes after not having driven stick for ten twenty years).

05-08-2019, 04:10 PM	#32
BahnBaum Tilting Rocinante Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Havre de Grace, MD Posts: 6,244	I was at about 160K on the original clutch on my A5 and it was still fine when I traded it in. Alex __________________

05-08-2019, 06:27 PM	#35
ZBB Relic Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: A very fast golf cart Location: The Valley of the Sun Posts: 12,821	So why wouldn’t this not be covered under warranty? Claiming it’s a wear item? I’ve only ever had one manual car where the clutch was replaced. It was a ‘65 LandCruiser that had an oil leak issue — would lose a quart of oil every 150 miles, and if on a longer drive, oil would sweep through the firewall and pool on the passenger footwell (not a big deal since there was no carpeting or floor mats). The leak was coming from the gasket between the transmission and engine. Since they had to do all the work to drop the trans, it made sense replace the clutch while in there. But the clutch still had roughly 50% of its life left — and was 26 years old... __________________ ZBB

05-09-2019, 09:47 AM	#38
Josh (PA) Hello. Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 5,531	did you teach your kids to drive it? (kidding) That really sucks, I'm sorry to hear. I've never had to replace a clutch on any of my cars (including the e39 m5 which supposedly has a very undersized one for the drivetrain). I would be REALLY pissed if I had a new car like that and it crapped out in 16k miles. Good luck. I'd aske to see all the parts and look for chunks of friction plate, etc. __________________ Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3

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05-08-2019, 03:20 PM	#31
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	So are they NOT covering or that's still up in the air? Clutches are crapshoot, despite JV's bottomless hate for VW's, I don't think they are any worse than other cars. I've had two a4's from new to 40-45k miles, no clutch issues at all even with AWD and plenty of snow action (while i got a new clutch from warranty each on a e46 zhp and a e90 330i thanks to throwout bearings - and yes I shift to N at a light, do not keep the clutch in. Both before 40k miles). C's previous TDI VW Golf was turned in at 70 or 72k miles, no clutch issues. The only clutch we ever "wore out" was on the e39 528i at 135k and that wasn't even the friction material instead it was the springs in the dual flywheel weakening/breaking, causing rattling and noises.

05-08-2019, 08:11 PM	#36
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,614	Yes, the claim apparently is that it’s a wear item. I’ve not heard that yet, but that’s what people on Vortex are reporting.

05-09-2019, 05:37 AM	#37
John V No more BMWs Join Date: Apr 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8 Location: Glenwood, MD Posts: 14,753	I don't hate VWs. I don't even dislike them. I just know how they handle warranty claims on stuff like this because I lived it with a few different dealers before giving up and just fixing the car myself. You're confusing my modern BMW hate for VW hate Right after Marisa bought her MkIV 1.8t the rear brake seized up. It had maybe 6,000 miles on it. VW refused a warranty claim because brakes were wear items. Modern VW reliability is pretty good. It sucks that they screwed up on the Golf R clutch.

05-09-2019, 11:22 AM	#39
rumatt Mugwump Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3 Location: NY Posts: 17,475	I was going to say he should ask for it back, teach his kids to drive on it, then ask for it to be replaced under warranty.

05-09-2019, 11:56 AM	#40
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	There was a run of 987's where the clamping wasn't enough, pedal went soft etc and they went through clutches. My 2006 was not in the VIN range. It could happen to any car, though generally surprising as it is a simple and usually reliable item. We've only paid out of pocket twice, it was under $1k both times. (the e39 DMF self-destructing at 135k and C's father burning her Subie clutch in about 30 minutes after not having driven stick for ten twenty years).