It's unacceptable for a new car to suffer from this IMO. If the dealer can't solve it, then I would want my money back.
My elderly VW used to suffer from this but it had 140K on the clock so about time for a new clutch anyway.
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It's unacceptable for a new car to suffer from this IMO. If the dealer can't solve it, then I would want my money back.
I never had noticed on the few new Astra's I have driven (petrol & diesel).
I did experience judder on a BMW 320d from on and off from new. It seemed to be worse if left for a long time. You never new whether to give it more or less revs. I think it just needed to 'bed in' as it has now completely vanished and the clutch can be released smoothly w/o use of accelerator (as I expect from most diesels). Probably a result of many times releasing the clutch onto 3000rpm of diesel fly-wheel inertia was enough to bed it in..!
I also heard Mondeo 2.2DCis were quite easy to stall and hard to get smooth take off because of the high initial torque. I think the transmission line parts are also more beefy on diesels and perhaps need more time to bed in.
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Dont Network Q offer an exchange/peace of mind type guarantee in their blurb ?
Yes. 30 days / 1000 miles.
www.networkq.co.uk/nq/morefromnetq/cars30dayexchan...o
However the OP has owned the car for two months.
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However the OP has owned the car for two months.
Yes, but I wonder how much of that 2 months has been waiting on the dealer, hoping he'd fix it?
It sounds like the clutch judder is something that the car is susceptible to, perhaps somewhere that contamination can get in or lack of quality control on the clutch manufacture? If some cars don't suffer from it then it should be possible to fix it. Unfortunately the dealer sounds as if they aren't too interested to help
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My neighbour has recently taken delivery of an '06' reg Astra 1.6 Twinport somethingorother.
I'll have a word next time I see him and ask if he's noticed anything.
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Have you tried taking it to another (competent) dealer?
I had a clutch slip problem on a Picasso HDI a few years back. The supplying dealer could 'find no problem' whereas the next dealer I took it to fitted a new clutch under warranty, no questions asked. It is from the second dealer that I have gone on to buy other cars from, whilst the first dealer went bust. So good service does get its just reward.
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As one or two may know from another thread, I had an Astra on hire last week. 06 reg, 11K on the clock and no clutch judder.
On the other hand my Vx Omega has suffered with clutch judder on wet mornings since about 50K. My previous car was a Vectra - that had clutch judder from 30K.
Perhaps it's a Vx "feature".
Les
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I was quite surprised to read these comments, as the clutch on my 1.6, new last September, is fine, with plenty of feel. I didn't have it in the winter though.
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Brand new Citroen C4 diesel demonstrator the other week, only 1500 miles on it and a very likeable vehicle, had a very slight hint of clutch judder on initial takeup. I imagine if one lived with the car one would learn - probably unconsciously - to eliminate it by slightly changing one's dance step... Either that or it's a fault that might get worse with wear.
Sorry about these carp Astras though. Quite handsome IMO.
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Mr deleted has explained that clutch judder is a characteristic of the model when starting the vehicle from cold. It is for this reason, regrettably, no modification or repair can be recommended.
What surprises me is that GM (Vauxhall) made such an admission. It's one thing for a dealer to make such a statement, but for the manufacturer to concur .......... Unbelievable.
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L\'escargot.
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It's natural to think that the person replying from a company is speaking with the full authority of the company, Obviously they think they are, but this may not necessarily be the case. Perhaps if the matter was taken to the highest level possible ~ the Dealer Principal and Vauxhall's CEO ~ the reply may be different.. I still find it hard to believe that both the manufacturer and the dealer state that the car has an inherent fault which cannot be cured.
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L\'escargot.
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However, Mr deleted has explained that no vehicle will run as smoothly with the air-conditioning on .......
This is something else I don't agree with, and which I personally would take to a higher level. The more I read the original post the more I think that the manufacturer's spokesman is incompetent and that their viewpoint would probably not be concurred by someone at a higher level.
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L\'escargot.
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Thanks for this post, I really think this is the case and most of the time the manufacturer's customer service departments are only there to fob people off, it must be what they are trained to do.
I have now forwarded their reply by e-mail to Bill Parfitt who is the Executive Director of Vauxhall, I've actualled second-guessed his e-mail address from that of the lady's at customer services and haven't received an undelivered report, so it looks hopeful!
I have also been in touch with Consumer Direct who have forwarded the details of my case on to Norfolk Trading Standards who are going to advise me further. I'm going to fight this case until I get a satisfactory solution!
Matthew
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Good luck! I just hate these 'Customer facing centres' and 'call centres' and other proceduralised banks of human robots, these people would once have been doing repetative tasks in factories, but these jobs no longer exist, so they are installed in rows within huge hangars connected to the telephone system and given a PC and perform voice in/out functions for the grinding cogs of an inflexible and uninteligent computer-based 'customer service' system.
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I have now forwarded their reply by e-mail to Bill Parfitt who is the Executive Director of Vauxhall .....
I think you're now moving in the right direction. The manufacturer's spokesman you've dealt with so far merely agreed with the dealer's service manager and didn't actually say anything constructive.
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L\'escargot.
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Just wondering how this post fits with the 'no naming and shaming' policy of the Backroom. I would doubt that anyone who knows anyone who knows someone who reads the backroom is going to buy an Astra. I wouldn't!
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Ive got a 06 plate 1.8 SRI Astra hire car while my 206 is being repaired, No clutch judder from it.
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The judder doesn't tend to present itself generally until the car has done around 10,000 miles.
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Where did this 10,000 mile fact come from, I thought you'd had the car for 2 months?
I feel there's some confusion between a poor car and carp customer service. I get to drive any Vauxhall I like and most days I pick the Astra. I've driven about 50 and don't believe what Vauxhall are telling you.
The dealership are trying to fob you off IMO because it's not a warranty item I suspect. The request to drive another 1.8 should be taken up at another dealership. Meantime, I'll ask my Vauxhall technician.
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Maz
It's a Network Q car, had 11,000 miles on it when I bought it. The 10,000 fact comes from other driver's experiences on the various Astra forums. My previous Astra developed it after about 7 months of driving at around 7,000 miles. The problem becomes much more prevelant once the weather gets cool and damp, when the car takes longer to warm up.
Not every car will have the problem either, depends on the batches of clutches/flywheels used at the time.
Maff
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maff257,
Next time the clutch judders, try slipping it for a few seconds before pulling away to see if the problem disappears. If it does, then there's more than likely some contamination on the clutch plates that the slipping has burnt off.
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Ive been abusing the clutch on the 1.8 SRI Astra 06 plate hire car for the last week & it still wont judder.
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Spoke to my neighbour. Not had a problem on his 06 plate 1.6 so far (2,000 miles)
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Without wishing to offend, does driving style have any influence? For example, I remember a few years ago someone at work complaining about a vibration at the front of their car when starting off. One of our garage technicians went out with the owner at lunch to observe exactly what the symptoms were. His expert diagnosis was that the owner was engaging the clutch so instantly that he was inducing wheelspin! Everyone engages the clutch at a different speed and perhaps the Astra likes a leisurely approach. Someone who doesn?t have a problem with the Astra may have a different style. I also remember a colleague who insisted that his gearbox crunched every time he changed from 1st to 2nd but I couldn?t replicate the problem. Get someone else to drive it. Just a suggestion.
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L\'escargot.
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I think there may be something in that idea.
Although in the opposite sense - I try my best to drive very smoothly, and I have meekly and humbly suggested that SWMBO should do the same. So, in a bid to see if this is the problem, I have given the clutch the equivalent of the Basil Fawlty roadside assistance treatment this evening. Lets see what happens!
Number_Cruncher
Right! That's it!
You've tried it on just once too often!
Right!
Well, don't say I haven't warned you! I've laid it on the line to you time and time again!
Right!
Well?this is it!
I'm going to give you a damn good thrashing!
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But a car should be designed to suit all driving styles if it's a mainstream model. I've been driving 14 years, have owned about 10 cars and driven many many more and the only cars I've ever had with this problem have been the two Astras, that must tell you something.....
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There must be thousands upon thousands of Astras and Astra derivitives out in the world running as they should ,i recently had one as a hire car and was most impressed ,saying do not buy this car because you have had a bad experience is not really the answer as you will be well out numbered by satisfied owners.You appear to have a lemon serviced buy a not to good agent why not do a bit of homework and find an agent with a good reputation and have the vehicle independently tested and reported upon.
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Latest reply direct from the MD of Vauxhall:
I can confirm as stated in the previous e-mail that there is no evidence to suggest a design flaw which causes the clutch judder when pulling away from cold. This would, however, be deemed to be a characteristic of this model of vehicle, which has been caused in certain weather conditions. For this reason, we would not be in a position to offer any form of compensation.
Hmmm all sounds a bit fishy to me...
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Why did you buy another astra when you had problems with the previous one? If clutch judder is a "characteristic" of the model then that model needs to be steered clear of! Having said that, I've got a Vectra and I am pleased with it. There is no clutch judder but I had a learning curve to dive it smoothly because the engine is powerful.
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Latest reply direct from the MD of Vauxhall: .......... the clutch judder when pulling away from cold. This would, however, be deemed to be a characteristic of this model of vehicle, which has been caused in certain weather conditions. For this reason, we would not be in a position to offer any form of compensation.
What I find the most astonishing in all this is that a managing director should make such a damning statement. Managing directors don't make such statements and remain in the job. To my mind it demonstrates a complete lack of maturity and understanding of business methods. I would have expected him to have placated you by saying something like "I have referred this matter to our Mr So-and-so who will liaise with your dealer's service manager until a satisfactory conclusion has been reached."
It beggars belief.
How can a car manufacturer hope to continue to sell their products after their MD has made a statement like that? Are you sure it was the MD and not an office junior?
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L\'escargot.
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It was direct from his e-mail address to mine, definitely him!
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The result ? - For a couple of days, judder free! Although back to normal now ;-(
So, contamination is likely, but I haven't seen any oil leaks in the area.
Number_Cruncher
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I've now found out the garage lied to me about who the last owners of the vehicle were, so it was not as described to me at point of sale. Which may explain why I've had so many faults with it. Letter going off to them tomorrow quoting the Sales of Goods Act 1979 ( as amended) and we'll see what they have to say about that. Luckily I also paid deposit on credit card so that makes the credit company jointly liable, so letter going off to them too.
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Why oh why do people complain about the previous ownership of a vehicle after they have bought it?If it is genuinely important who the previous owner was,please check it out first,and properly.Simple really.
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Amazing!
I have a family memeber and a works friend that have both noted the clutch judder and I told them that they were not relasing it properly :(
I will update them and hope you start a group that can claim their money back under the trades description act:
Goods not suitable for the job - or something like that.
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No vehicle should suffer from clutch judder unless there is a problem,ie oil contamination of plate.My neighbours have two new shape 1.6 Astras.An 04 plate and a two week old 06 plate both purchased brand new.He drives 400 miles a week.Just asked him about clutch judder and he has not experienced it.
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Amazing! Goods not suitable for the job - or something like that.
"Not fit for purpose" is probably the phrase to which you're alluding?
However when I see this phrase I alway think that the definite article 'the' should be included as it would make it more complete.
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Dragging up a post from the past.
I've just seen a neighbour who has had a new Astra 1.6 for about 6 months (it was 6 months old when he bought it).
He's just got rid after the garage refused to ackowledge a clutch judder - it was so bad he was having to rev to 4,000 rpm for hill starts when it was cold otherwise it would judder to the point of almost stalling. He was also very disappointed with the 1.6 engine which had a noticeable flat spot, which the garage also refused to acknowledge.
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Lots of (esp. FWD) modern cars do this to some extent and have what I consider horrible drive takeup characteristics compared to the cars of the 1980s and early 1990s that I drove in my first years of motoring.
This is primarily why I move to diesel and automatics.
It's a shock when I drive someone else's car or a hired/courtesy car.
Modern engines seem to have a low idle speed, light flywheel and with no torque at all below 1000rpm. I remember in the 1980s, cars could set off in second at idle speed with nothing more than a second or two of clutch feathering.
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The only car I ever experienced this in was my old 330d - only on sort of dew laden mornings...
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I don't think I'd buy a new car full stop. I much prefer older ones. They're a lot less trouble and much more reliable.......
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Without doubt.
Edited by isisalar on 16/02/2008 at 22:49
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Your solution is quite simple. they admit it judders: it's a design fault.
So not merchantable quality and full refund NOW!
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>>it's a design fault.
That there is now a modified clutch available which cures the problem. Any good Vauxhall garage will know all about it.
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I have a 2006 06 zafira bought new 1.6 which was fine until after its first interim service at 6000 miles Since then dreadful clutch judder when cold espec. when damp or low temp. N ow at two years and 24000 miles I have just booked it in for 2yr service and asked if they can check the clutch. The look on the guys face said it all I dont hold out much hope but watch this space. I know there is a problem you all know there is a problem and if we all make enough noise vauxhall who are the masters of self denial will have to admit their at fault and give us what we paid good money for ,a reliable does what it says on the tin family car
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I have just booked it in for 2yr service and asked if they can check the clutch.
There has been a replacement clutch issued, and if I'm not mistaken should a customer complain of the clutch juddering when cold, Vauxhall will look into it and replace if found to be faulty. Take a look at the latter end of the following thread.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=38296
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