First, I must say how totally impressed I am with the service received from Sytner BMW, Birmingham.

1. At my first service, approx. 7000 miles, I remarked that that minor clutch judder was being encountered, Sytner checked the tolerances on the clutch, checked with BMW HQ & replaced the clutch. Nice one!

2. At the vehicles first MOT 23 May 2012, 10400 miles I said that reverse gear, was often difficult to engage, Sytner confirmed this after a test drive. There may be damage to the gearbox & the clutch again needs to be replaced.

This problem must be a regular occurrence, as the parts required are not available & resupply is awaited from Germany. I also note from your site that BMW have problems with their dual mass flywheel, certainly on the 1 series diesels. This could be the root cause of the problems I am having? Are the problems due to the flywheel fault?

Of course the 3 year BMW Warranty expires 27 May, 2012!

I bought this car as I have always wanted a BMW & they last 'forever', or so I thought.

It is beautiful drive, except in snow, slush or ice when it turns into a 'white knuckle drive'! I borrow my wife's Nissan Micra! I am seriously thinking of getting rid of the BMW now.

I could take out an extended warranty, but feel this is a BMW problem. In fact I would go as far as to say my car, or its clutch/flywheel, is not fit for purpose.

Three clutches in 10,400 miles is not good enough, especially as the clutch may not be the starting point of the problem, nor does it bode well for the future.

Being a pair of pensioners, we don't want/need hefty car repair costs.

BMW confirm that the work they are currently doing under warranty will not carry any warranty of its own, ie, all warranties expire 27 May, 2012.