Well I have been having this issue with my 3 now for quite a few months, just got so annoyed with it today decided to post about it. Its the 3 that's down in my sig, when leaving from a stop in 1st gear it feels like wheel hop in my truck but from the engine/transmission since I KNOW I am not spinning the tires, it will also do this in 2nd gear but not as harsh. It only happens when releasing the clutch and not after while driving, it happens more often when its damp out but not soaking wet rain, it can go days without happening but the next it could happen, the only pattern I have found is if its humid (foggy, damp, drizzly) it will chatter more than usual and the chances of it chattering are much higher, if its a dry sunny day it will chatter about 10% of the shifts if humid/damp about 85% of shifts and if rainy about 50%. The first time I noticed this was on a rainy day, that was also the worst experience with it, went to leave after the car sat overnight and it was like BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM till the clutch was let out all the way. Now it just feels like a very severe miss when pulling away in 1st and shifting to 2nd. Any ideas or suggestions? I almost wonder if a plug fell out on the top/bottom of the tranny letting water get into the clutch more than normal.

 

The only thing that comes to mind is a possible oil leak somewhere (like engine rear main), once mixed with water (condensation, humidity) thins it out and gets on your clutch somehow. I am just brainstorming here. Not sure on it's validity, only on it's logic.

 

Tirol:
I had the same experience with my '86 Mazda 323. I did not fix it because I needed a larger vehicle anyway, so I traded it in. I had a small rack for my music cassettes (do you remember those?) and when the clutch chattered all my cassettes fell out. Usually I could eliminate the chatter by slipping the clutch once to heat it up. Then it was good for the rest of the trip. I heated it up really good before I gave it to the dealer.
I believe the clutch disk has some glazing on it and now it will not tolerate any moisture. Essentially it means the clutch needs to be replaced before long.

 

I bet I can thank the paper routes for that, I start and stop over 200 times a day, never thought I would wish for a slushbox but I do right now LOL. I will heat it up a bit and see if it helps any. Your logic makes sense though since my brakes tend to squeal after about a month then I just ride the brake for awhile and it clears up, again thanks to the paper route I believe. Also why I got my 323 going again, less wear and tear on the 3. Will let you know how it goes in about ohhhhhhh 4 hours when I get back. BTW isnt 30,000km a bit short for clutch life? I bought the car last year with 12k on it.

 

Do we really need to answer this? Just re-read the above statement (of which I shortened). That's a lot of strain on clutch. Wish you said this on first post. You just answered your own question.
More walking and less stops would benefit both you and your car. Get a small little red wagon (you know the one you pull): http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Cl.../dp/B00000IS6G

 

Sorry I omitted that, at the time when the chatter did start though I was not using the car on the paper routes since the 323 was working at that time, it had been chattering about a month before the 323 broke. As for the wagon I cant use it on the routes I have, I average 27km a day on my paper routes although you can take off about 6km just going to and from the routes, if I had more time to deliver the papers I would use the cart the newspaper provides but since I have only till 6am to be finished and the papers are dropped off for pickup no earlier than 3am it would be impossible I have tried actually on one of my Sunday routes since one route is just down the street from my house but it takes 2 hours walking that route. Again sorry for not saying so the first time.

Second, after this morning the car made a liar out of me and didnt chatter once, it was raining though so maybe it was just one of those days or maybe because it was warmer this morning than it has been in a very long time. With the 323 now running I wont be wearing out the 3 so much.

 

There are Pros and Cons to everything and you are now realizing that. Next you have to figure out whether or not that much deliverying is worth it, or maybe cut back on the # routes to save your car, if that's an option.
Hopefully things will work out for you with a beater!

 

Noggin:
Now and then I get into the teaching mode and expand the subject to things other than automotive. But I believe that the paper distribution specialist knows more about distributing papers than I do.
Please have a good night's sleep and relax.

Tirol:
I think in part the chatter may be caused by a failing throw out bearing.
In your neck of the alpine woods driving is much harder on the vehicles than in the USA. You do much more short distance driving on much more congested roads with lots on hill starts and so on.
I still think this clutch is due for a replacement. I am a bit worried about secondary damage to the half shafts, cv joints, and motor mounts.

 

You are absolutely right. I do enjoy helping people. Sometimes I do get too involved. I am actually trying to help the person and feel sorry for the person's misfortunes, therefore going beyond the call of duty. I am doing my best, but there is always room for improvement. We are all not perfect.
I think you would make a great boss!

 

".....I think you would make a great boss"

Hah! I don't think so, I think we would go bankrupt based on our business sense!

Tan