Hi, My 07 does that as well. There is a technical service bulletin about it (SI M21 01 07).
"The customer may complain of a honking or howling noise while engaging the clutch, following a downshift from 3rd to 2nd gear and/or from 2nd to 1st gear.
CAUSE
Due to an unfavorable tolerance interaction of the clutch and dual mass flywheel
CORRECTION
On a customer complaint basis, replace the clutch assembly. Do not replace the dual mass flywheel."
I didn't know about the TSB while it was still under warranty, so I never had it fixed - as long as you rev match (heel and toe shift) it's not an issue. So far I've put on 115,000 km with no further clutch problems.
By the way someone posted a link around here somewhere with a list of all TSB's. Very handy!
Definitely rev matching on the down shift and at 115 mph no sifting involved. Do you think it could be my serpentine belt (only 43K miles on it) because it sound like a belt vibrating/slipping?
OK I've taken enough ribbing on the downshift at 115 Mph and thanks to everyone who kindly responded back to this thread. After digging into this a little bit more it appears that this is a common issue with the stock clutch/flywheel that appears to start surfacing after 15K miles. The issue / sound is normally heard sometimes when downshifting (rev matching) but I have also heard it (on occasion) when I take it over 90 mph.
Which leads me to another question because it sounds like not to many have really taken these little rockets over 100 mph.
How fast have you had yours up to? Last summer on a back stretch of country highway I made it to 137 with still some peddle to go.
118 mph just before braking into turn one at Willow Springs International Raceway. I'm certainly not one to say I don't speed but generally 5mph over is all I go unless it's a freeway then I've been known to go as fast at 80mph in the #1 lane.
Mine is a 2010 and while I had an issue with my clutch (not the same as yours) around 30k miles I've been trouble free since the $0.00 cost replacement of the clutch, flywheel, throwout bearing, and pressure plate.
jbewley is spot on and I totally agree that no matter if you know the road or not it was reckless. Case in point, we hit two deer in the same location (at night) in my wife's 530i (at the speed limit of 65) and I dare not think what would have been left (if anything) in the mini at high speeds. NO apology for being a wet blanket Jbewley but more of a voice of reason and common sense. Thanks,
