Weird noise. Clutch? Gearbox?

[Tommy90]

Hi everyone.
I’m new here and the new owner of a VW Golf GTI Mk7.5 (169 kW) manual 6sp.
I’ve already run into my first issues My car makes a strange sound at idle; it’s a sort of rattling noise, and the engine runs a bit roughly. When I press the clutch pedal down, the noise stops and the engine runs smoothly.
I’ve also noticed that shifting is stiffer when the engine is cold—gears 1, 2, and 3, as well as reverse, feel a bit notchy.
It improves once warmed up, though it still doesn't feel quite right compared to the other gears.
I don't hear any strange noises while driving. Unfortunately, I don't know when—or if—the transmission fluid or the clutch were ever changed.
The car has 117,000 km on the clock. Could this be a bad clutch or a transmission issue? I’m planning to replace all filters and fluids soon.
I’ve attached a video with the sound—the strange noise disappears after about 14 seconds when I press the clutch. About 19 seconds noise are back when I release clutch.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Wx1qASvGLY0
Thanks. Tomas

[Watts]

Sounds like a dmf fault. Chances are you'll need a new one and likely a clutch whilst it's apart.

[Tommy90]

A DMF issue would probably be better than some kind of transmission fault, wouldn't it? I was worried it might be the input shaft bearing of gearbox.

[Bluest]

Not sure where you are located, but i have a good used low mileage DMF you could have for not much money. See my ad in the for sale section.

[Tommy90]

From Slovakia. Thank you. I want to buy the new one clutch set.
Could the transmission input shaft bearing be causing those problems?

[Tommy90]

from outside
At around the five-second mark, I press the clutch, and at around the eight-second mark, I release it.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TvIsowEkQlQ

[MinchCS]

DMF would be my guess too listening to that. You should be able to feel some vibration in the clutch pedal too.

[Tommy90]

I just got back from the mechanic.
He insisted that it couldn't be the clutch.
He claimed a faulty clutch wouldn't cause grinding in gears 1, 2, and 3; according to him, it's the synchronizer rings.
So now I don't know what to do about it.
Should I try to convince him (not sure how yet ) to replace the entire clutch kit? I’d hate to take it to a stranger who might just poke around, take wild guesses, and charge exorbitant fees—you know how it is...

[MervJnr]

I feel like we have the same issue.. I have a chattering noise that comes and goes when I engage / disengage the clutch. The gearbox is not very pleasant to use. When cold, the box is notchy and almost crunchy, as if the clutch isn't fully engaged - the gearstick is pulled in sometimes.

As you say, it gets better after warming up a bit but even then it's not great - notches are still there intermittently across gears 1-5. There have been a couple of times where it has taken me well over a minute to get it into gear from a cold start.

I read that the clutches aren't brilliant on these cars? I don't think it is uncommon for them to be replaced around 60-70k miles, which you are roughly at. I'm just hesitant to spend ~£1000 (at a guess) to have the clutch replaced (+DMF as well by the sounds of it) and the issue to still be there. 

[Tommy90]

I finally convinced a mechanic to replace the clutch for me. I should have a new one in about two weeks. After reading countless articles and tips from forum users, and chatting with ChatGPT, I suspect it’s the DMF. If it were the synchronizers, the gears would grind constantly, regardless of whether the car was warm or cold; in this case, the issue actually improves when the car warms up.
Plus, I haven't even had the transmission fluid changed yet... so I’m going to have the whole job done at once. I really hope I’m not mistaken.