Hard clutch on a 131 BMW 1 series.

spunkymunky

Hi

I bought a second-hand BMW 1 series (131) in December 2020. Mileage was low with 19K kilometers, now has about 44K. I’ve lived and driven in the city for most of the last 3 years, so a lot of up and down the gears.

I've noticed over the last year or so that my knee is quiet sore (a recent MRI has shown a possible tendon swelling and a tear), and the base of my left foot is sore after driving a while. It definitely feels like the clutch is quite hard to press when changing gear.

 Is this a normal occurrence on a BMW? Is there a way to find out if the clutch has indeed hardened? If the clutch has hardened, would a replacement rectify this and make life easier for my left leg or is there something less intrusive I can try?

 Thanks

Henry Ford III

Get someone else to try the clutch. See what they say.

spiggotpaddy

You could change fluid, it cost nothing, the slave may need to be bled.

freshpopcorn

What car did you drive previously?

spunkymunky

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601465#Comment_121601465

Another BMW but it was automatic.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601423#Comment_121601423

The missus drive the odd time and hasn't noticed anything.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121601454#Comment_121601454

Ok, could take a look at this. Google right?

freshpopcorn

It's hard to know.

I drive an Mrk 5 VW Golf.and my mother has a 3 series and I find the clutch heavier but I always put it down to getting used to it.

spunkymunky

3 years of driving and it only feeling worse. Now I live the city, so definitely would be using the gears a lot more than the burbs but to the point where I have daily pain in my left knee only.

I may have an injury i dont know about but all seemed fine before.

Would a garage be able to a check to see if there is unexpected resistance?