Clutch slipping sanity check. - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

xom · 18th April 2008, 23:08

Ok I'm pretty sure that my clutch is slipping but just wanted some confirmation.
Yesterday I had it in sport and DSC off, turned left and gave full throttle which caused the rear to briefly brake traction. I shifted to 2nd and full throttle and engine rev'd to 6k and I wasn't really moving anywhere close to what I should have. Shifted 3rd and same. It is fine around town and on the highway. It just seems at 8/10ths or so the slipping happens.

thanks.

Bigbenny · 18th April 2008, 23:30

But this does not mean it's the end of the clutch you have in there right now. From the sound of things, prepare to get a new clutch disc, pressure plate, and either a new flywheel, sand yours down lightly or get it resurfaced.

How many miles are on your clutch? When you go 8/10ths what gear are you in?

I know that sometimes if a clutch is glazed you can just drive it very gently for a while and the glazing wears off, but if yours is slipping in higher gears at 80%, it may be time for a replacement. I'd look up more on the glazing to see if anyone else has encountered this. I'm betting you're not the only one. Luckily the clutch is easy to replace and won't make you broke doing it.

xom · 18th April 2008, 23:35

Clutch has 72k and I'm in 2nd and then 3rd and it slips.
I've made an appointment to get it replaced. Thank you for the confirmation.

Bigbenny · 18th April 2008, 23:42

72K is not bad at all for a clutch on a M5. Especially good in hilly San Fran. These cars do take a bit of punishment lugging around 4000 pounds and by throwing 400 hp at it. When it's done at least you won't have to worry about your clutch, right.

Oh, when you get it done please tell me how much it put you back and where you got it done, dealer vs. and indy shop. I might be replacing mine sometime just to get it out of the way. Thanks.

Fitz · 19th April 2008, 23:20

You say you got 72K miles out of a stock (OEM) clutch? That's amazing. I only got 25K from mine.

Are you replacing with another stock one?

RUFM5 · 21st April 2008, 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by xom

Ok I'm pretty sure that my clutch is slipping but just wanted some confirmation.
Yesterday I had it in sport and DSC off, turned left and gave full throttle which caused the rear to briefly brake traction. I shifted to 2nd and full throttle and engine rev'd to 6k and I wasn't really moving anywhere close to what I should have. Shifted 3rd and same. It is fine around town and on the highway. It just seems at 8/10ths or so the slipping happens.

thanks.

Sounds like you have glazed the organic clutch disk. Very common issue on the OEM clutch.

tstaples · 21st April 2008, 06:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

You say you got 72K miles out of a stock (OEM) clutch? That's amazing. I only got 25K from mine.

Are you replacing with another stock one?

Fitz,

My M5 is pushing 75k on the original clutch, and it is still quite strong. The previous owner didn't abuse it. (Thanks PilotMike!) The stock clutch is actually quite good, but will not tolerate excessive slipping. if you match revs while shifting, and don't mat the gas fully until the clutch is fully engaged (i.e. proper manual transmission shifting techniques), then the clutch will be quite durable.

When i was 10, my dad taught me to drive on an ancient '46 Willys surplus army Jeep with a non-syncromesh tranny. You HAD to shift correctly or you went nowhere!

ard · 21st April 2008, 07:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

You say you got 72K miles out of a stock (OEM) clutch? That's amazing. I only got 25K from mine.

Are you replacing with another stock one?

Uh, I replaced mine at 94k... and it didn't need it! (Had a rear main seal replaced under CPO warranty, so I went and did the clutch.) I looked at the disc and there was still meat on it.

I drive way too fast, but I rarely (perhaps never?) 'break the tires loose'... in any gear. (Uh, why? You actually go slower when your tires are spinning...) You can wring alot of performance out of an M and not destroy the clutch that we hear about so often....

Fitz · 21st April 2008, 15:52

This is the first I've heard of long-lived SAC clutches - and very good to hear. Mostly I've heard the horror stories. As I was the second owner, I can't say how the first drove the car, my OEM failed catastophically at 25K miles. Didn't start slipping, just disintegrated like nothing I've ever seen.

As they say down under, "Good on ya!"

slayer1974 · 21st April 2008, 16:10

Hi, was it wet when your did this? How are your rear tyres for wear? Sounds like you either spun the tyres OR you floored the accelarator before fully disengaging the clutch and just slipped the clutch yourself, it does'nt necesarely mean your clutch is smoked, regards, Ste.