09-26-2005, 09:00 PM | #1 |
swinging for the fences
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 5,042
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Clutch?
I think the clutch on the M3 has about had it (102k on the original clutch). The reason I say this is that the engagement point is REALLY high. I don't feel any slipping.
Bentley manual: "THe clutch is hydraulically actuated by the master and slave cylinders. Clutch disc wear is automatically taken up by the pushrod travel of the slave cylinder, making periodic ajustments unnecessary. A soft or spongy feel to the clutch pedal, long pedal freeplay, or grinding noises from the gears while shifting can all indicate problems with the clutch hydraulics. In these circumstances it is best to start with a clutch fluid flush, followed, if necessary, by replacement of the hydraulic parts." At any rate, if I DO have to replace it, should I put a lightweight flywheel in? TD, I know you've done this. Would you do it again? Does it make a noticeable difference? TIA, as usual. |
09-26-2005, 09:02 PM | #2 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Time to junk the car.
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09-26-2005, 09:03 PM | #3 | |
Finn is in puppy heaven
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '02 325i
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,405
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09-26-2005, 09:22 PM | #4 | |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,636
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09-26-2005, 10:19 PM | #5 |
Founder emeritus
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Maryland
Posts: 21,007
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And my only caveat is don't if you are sensitive to the noises your car makes. From time to time (and it's actually quite inconsistent) it's really pretty loud. And when it's loud, the car sounds like farm equipment. If this would bother you, don't do it.
Otherwise, there is no down side to the mod. I've had it so long that I forget what the car drove like before, but I clearly recall it being a big difference when I got it. |
09-26-2005, 11:06 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,514
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That's exactly what happened when the clutch went out, after 17k miles, on the "ZHP" that I owned. Almost overnight, the clutch engagement was really high. The early failure turned out to be due to a defective pressure plate, so they were cool about replacing it under warranty.
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09-27-2005, 04:19 AM | #8 |
The user formerly known as rwg
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4
Location: Vegas baby!
Posts: 8,261
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102k miles? Wow. Replace it. Use a light flywheel or replace it with stock equipment, but e36 M3 clutches have about a 70k life, I think. Your car will be much more fun to drive once you put some new metal in it.
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09-27-2005, 08:28 AM | #9 | |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4
Location: Metro Boston
Posts: 25,280
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Quote:
I expect to pay the 1K for extended maintenance on the 330i. I am guessing at some point in those 100K miles it will need a new clutch. I wonder if they would let me put in a LWFW. |
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09-27-2005, 10:57 AM | #10 |
Doctor Mudgeon
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,433
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I love lightweight flywheels. The added noise is a non-issue to me, but it is NOT insignificant. (It helped that the car on which I installed the flywheel was so noisy already that a little clutch chatter barely registered on my bleeding eardrums.)
My Focus is fun to drive but the freaking engine just REFUSES to slow down with the clutch disengaged. It takes a little while to build revs, too. The computer has a lot to do with this, of course, but the flywheel is also partly to blame; if I keep this thing long enough to wear out the clutch, I'm putting in a LTW unit. |
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