My son is gutted as his pride and joy (V reg 20V 1.8 GTi) has developed a problem.

Difficult to describe but some kind of severe virbration like the engine is out of balance when you let the clutch out. Undrivable and he said there was a strong smell of burning.

Seems out of balance when you rev it in neutral too but not as bad.

Oil and water seem fine, my guess (not very well educated) is a clutch problem.

Anyone any ideas before I call someone in.

Sounds like the pressure plate has lost some bits off it, the cover has lost some of the springs or likely the front bearing in the gearbox has gone to lunch..

None of which sounds cheap

On the new generation VW's the high density flywheel is susceptable to damage. I've just had a new friction unit fitted to my VW engined Skoda under warranty, apparently VW are mending between 3-5 every day (?) I hope he was pulling my whizzer as that sounds like an awful lot... the bill was circa £700.

Hope it's not this....

Steve