DS3 1.6 HDi Issues - Clutch?

[devilsadvocate]

Hey

My other half has a 2010 1.6 HDi DS3 with 65k on the clock.

Up until 2 months ago, it was working fine but one day it suddenly became more difficult to pull away.

It feels like the clutch is not grabbing properly but there is no slipping or juddering like you would expect if the clutch was on its way out.

I wouldn't expect a clutch to go after 65k miles unless its been abused which this one hasn't.

It does pull away but you feel the engine vibrate and there is no definable 'bite' like you would expect, you just get the engine noise until it starts to move forward.
If you go to pull away hard like put some power on and lift the clutch, you would expect the bite to come in and it to pull away quickly but it doesn't, it just vibrates and pulls away very slowly.

The clutch does not slip and if you bang it in 5th gear at a low speed, the revs don't shoot up when you floor it like you would expect for a failing clutch.

Its odd.

Any ideas?

Thanks

[Shauna_H]

I had a clutch replaced on my 2 year old DS3 at around 30k and it had been giving me problems from I got it at 15k, the life of a clutch is dependant on the driver. There's no such thing that a clutch will last to 70/80k, I've seen clutches being replaced after a few thousand miles. At 65k, I wouldn't really be too annoyed at having to replace a clutch.

[devilsadvocate]

I had a clutch replaced on my 2 year old DS3 at around 30k and it had been giving me problems from I got it at 15k, the life of a clutch is dependant on the driver. There's no such thing that a clutch will last to 70/80k, I've seen clutches being replaced after a few thousand miles. At 65k, I wouldn't really be too annoyed at having to replace a clutch.

You had to replace a clutch at 30k miles and only 2 years?

I realise it depends on the driver but I know how she drives and the clutch is not abused.

Perhaps I am so used to German cars where the clutches usually last to 100k+.
My E46 has 96k miles, 15 years old and still on the original clutch!

Seems odd how its not exhibiting the normal busted clutch symptoms like slipping when pulling away at load or the revs shooting up when in high gear at low speeds.

She has owned the car 5 years and had nothing but problems with it, I guess you get what you pay for and I shouldn't be surprised the clutch is already on its way out by the sound of it.

[Shauna_H]

You had to replace a clutch at 30k miles and only 2 years?

I realise it depends on the driver but I know how she drives and the clutch is not abused.

Perhaps I am so used to German cars where the clutches usually last to 100k+.
My E46 has 96k miles, 15 years old and still on the original clutch!

Seems odd how its not exhibiting the normal busted clutch symptoms like slipping when pulling away at load or the revs shooting up when in high gear at low speeds.

She has owned the car 5 years and had nothing but problems with it, I guess you get what you pay for and I shouldn't be surprised the clutch is already on its way out by the sound of it.

Warranty replaced my clutch as I had complained about it not being right from I first got the car and when they stripped it my release bearing was in pieces. I had a Mini previously and my clutch went suddenly at around 79k or thereabouts - not all german cars clutches last to 100k + lol and I had no warning, started to get a little hard to get into gear and the following day it had completely lay down on me, so you don't always get your usual warning signs.

Is it mainly town driving she does or more motorways?

[BenS]

German vs. French - you said it yourself!

[lfcrule1972]

Mmm I'm waiting to see how long the clutch in my S1 lasts, Audi claim they're fine with the 250ish BHP but loads on the Audi forums tell a different story.

I'm factoring in to buy a sintered clutch at some point so the longer the OEM one lasts the better....

As for the DS3, I think mine had around 35k miles on it when i traded it - no issues up until then.