The time has come....Unfortunately (clutch related) - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

jajo · 9th March 2004, 20:23

I sent my car to the dealership last night for its scheduled appointment today about my clutch. The clutch is so bad that it slips even in first gear at times.

Today the dealership called to update on the situation. It will cost $900 for a new clutch. Man, I was hoping it would be under warranty

Oh well....But $900 for a new clutch???? I went to dial-a-clutch.com and found a "stock" M5 clutch for 300 bucks, and it's made by LuK. Is this the same manufacturer BMW uses? My family is friends with a guy that owns a transmission shop, and he can replace it for about $100. So $400 total is better than $900, right?

So how is this clutch by Luk? Any experiences with it?

Thanks

RRoberts · 9th March 2004, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by jajo

I sent my car to the dealership last night for its scheduled appointment today about my clutch. The clutch is so bad that it slips even in first gear at times.

Today the dealership called to update on the situation. It will cost $900 for a new clutch. Man, I was hoping it would be under warranty

Oh well....But $900 for a new clutch???? I went to dial-a-clutch.com and found a "stock" M5 clutch for 300 bucks, and it's made by LuK. Is this the same manufacturer BMW uses? My family is friends with a guy that owns a transmission shop, and he can replace it for about $100. So $400 total is better than $900, right?

So how is this clutch by Luk? Any experiences with it?

Thanks

The stock E39 M5 clutch (self-adjusting pressure plate and disc) are indeed manufactured by LuK. And $900 may be the full list price for the kit (includes t/o bearing). Discounts of 20% or more (check Pacific BMW) are readily available on BMW parts. Aftermarket sources, such as the one you cite, are possibly even cheaper but you need to make sure you are getting the correct parts. There are at least three and maybe four pressure plate and disc assemblies that look very similar, but have different ratings and different part nos. (E39 540 & M5, E52 Z8, and E46 M3).

If your car is still under warranty and not full of mods, the first thing to do is fight for a free clutch replacement. If the clutch is slipping as readily as you describe, you may need a new flywheel as well. In fact, the slippage may be due to a failed flywheel or main bearing seal. This can't be learned until the car is apart, but you will easily win the warranty replacement argument if this is the failure. However, this approach puts you in the hands of the
dealer.

I also think the $100.00 replacement labor estimate is on the low side, unless this is being done as a favor. I have seen estimates in the range of $700.00 - $1100.00 for this job, dealers and non-dealers included. I have also done the job myself (twice), and pretty much a full day is required. Also, a couple of BMW-specific tools are needed.

If this will be on your nickel, then you will have an opportunity to join the clutch upgrade club. There are choices and trade-offs.

Regards, Dick Roberts

Off · 9th March 2004, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRoberts

If your car is still under warranty and not full of mods, the first thing to do is fight for a free clutch replacement. If the clutch is slipping as readily as you describe, you may need a new flywheel as well. In fact, the slippage may be due to a failed flywheel or main bearing seal. This can't be learned until the car is apart, but you will easily win the warranty replacement argument if this is the failure. However, this approach puts you in the hands of the dealer.

I completely agree. The flywheel and the main bearing seals are likely culprits. And they will replace the entire clutch assembly under warranty given both are defective.

In fact, my beast is in the shop right now for a clutch replacement. I asked the SA if clutch failures were common for M5's with only 15K miles on them. "400hp, what do you expect?" was his response. I guess they still won't acknowledge the clutches are weak.

He told me if there were any signs of abuse on the clutch, he would charge me $2K+ to replace it. He stated abused clutches were the norm with M3's and M5's. He told me not to worry though, given the excellent condition the beast was in, he knew it was driven with care.

So I sweated bullets for a day wondering if they would charge me for a clutch or not. SA calls me the next day, says "I'm happy to inform you the clutch with be replaced under warranty." The clutch had worn down evenly, but the pressure plate and flywheel showed wear. They'll also replace the main bearing seal, since the tranny was already lowered.

Be firm, but nice, and I think the dealer will take care of you. I believe member Greg also said to replace a failing clutch ASAP, since it's condition will worsen to the point of the dealer calling abuse.

Before you take it in, it doesn't hurt to have your beast in top form, either.

jajo · 9th March 2004, 23:26

Guys, thanks for the replies. I'll comment further about the posts when I get home from work later tonight. I replied now just to let you guys know I'm reading and I appreciate the comments. Thanks!

Alaris · 9th March 2004, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by jajo

Guys, thanks for the replies. I'll comment further about the posts when I get home from work later tonight. I replied now just to let you guys know I'm reading and I appreciate the comments. Thanks!

I got my clutch replaced for free at 34,000 miles or something... I took the service manager for a spin, told him I know many documented cases of premature clutch failure and warranty replacement, and he agreed with me that it was slipping and replaced it no cost.

jajo · 11th March 2004, 10:58

Dick, just got the car back today. Looking at the receipt, the labor alone was $539 and the clutch was $354, only about 50 more dollars than the one at dialaclutch.com. The $100 labor from the family friend would be just as a favor, so yeah, thats why it would be so cheap. Obviously, I had the clutch changed at the dealership... for a grand total of $987.56. I'll tell you what though, this car feels brand spanking new right now. It feels like a champ, but I'm not allowed to take it over 4000 rpms until my 500 mile break in is up. I love getting the car into fourth gear and pressing on the gas. I havent felt it with no slippage in forever!

Off, the clutch assembly was replaced, as it says here on my receipt. Included are the plate, the disc, and bearing. The service advisor said there was no need for an new flywheel, so that wasn't a culprit, but I guess everything else was. Anyways, I'm happy you got one under warranty. I obviously didnt

I go to the service advisor "Hey, it's not my fault the M5 can't handle me." We all had a hearty chuckle.

I'm always friendly to the guys at my dealership. I can't say enough about the dealership. They said the car would be done by next Tuesday or so...I got it back today!! We asked why it wasn't under warranty, and its because they say of abuse. Off, like Greg said, its better to bring the car in at the beginning of a clutch problem. The clutch looked abused because of so much slipping during the past couple weeks. I learned my lesson.

Nick, you're a lucky guy. I guess next time I'll take one of the service people for a ride.

Anyways, new tires + new clutch = fun times (after 500 miles)