Diagnose that noise! - E36

Okay, if I had to guess, I'd guess slipping clutch, but I have less than a year's experience with manual transmissions, so I want to confirm it.

Situation: Yesterday and it started yesterday, I noticed that as I would shift into first or second gear and give it half throttle or more, it would make a bumping noise like I'm going over lots of little bumps. It didn't seem to happen as much in higher gears. It sounded like it was coming from below me. It was accompanied by an acrid smell, perhaps like brakes.

Am I correct?

Sounds like clutch to me. What happens in fourth or fifth when you try to accelerate? Do the rpms climb, but the car doesn't accelerate well?

Yeah, it seems a little sluggish...

Sluggish? Or does the engine "race"?

Sounds like a clutch to me. The smell is the big ticket to that diagnosis. The tach should rev but the vehicle speed does not increase proportionately. To test, climb a hill in 2nd at about 3k and punch it. If the car doesn't accelerate and/or you are tasting the smoke... go home while you still can and change the clutch.

Note- its a dual mass flywheel and a lot of shops are not keen on resurfacing. Call around - someone will clean it up for you but if its only mildly "blue" and the surface feels OK to the touch (not grooved/ridged) I've had good luck with an orbital loaded with Emory cloth alone.

I'd have to get back to you on that. I didn't drive it today.

Turned out to be worn driveshaft guibo and center support making a bunch of racket.

cheaper than a clutch, that is for sure.