E92 335i manual - knock before full stop

[olegmukhanov]

I am new to this forum but have searched all over to find a solution to this problem but have found only ones applying to the A/T gearbox while my car is manual.

Sometimes just before coming to a stop there is a knock from the rear of the car like someone rear-ended me or a box moving in a trunk. This however happens intermittently with no obvious pattern to it.

The car is 2006 50k miles and has used BMW warranty but they are saying that it is normal while obviously it is not. Nothing in handling or braking is compromised but it is rather annoying and frustrating.

I would much appreciate your view on what it could be and how it could be fixed! Thank you.

[Ian1973]

check the differential perhaps?

[olegmukhanov]

Thank you for your reply Ian - much appreciated.

But what exactly could be wrong with the differential - are you thinking it's the fitting became loose allowing for some movement from time to time? In this case wouldn't it be happening all the time?

Could that be anything else?

[mattjw916]

Your car should not "clunk" when coming to a stop, there is definitely a problem.

Put the car up on stands or a hoist and grab a pry bar and gently wiggle all the suspension parts looking for excess play. A car that old really shouldn't have bushing or bearing issues yet but you never know until you check. If the suspension seems firm and the wheels spin smoothly, i.e. it's not bearings or bushings, then you can begin investigating the drivetrain.

Try another dealer with a competent service dept if you can't find anything obvious or they won't help you and have a service tech ride around with you so you can point out the issue. Having owned 3 e9x's I've never experienced what you are describing so I seriously doubt the car is working as intended.