Once again: Anyone with an aftermarket clutch? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Ilya Zverev · 14th September 2001, 21:57

Sorry repeating my post from the bad clutch poll, since the old tread got no responses...

M5 clutch is the weakest part of the car... Everybody who really drives this car recognizes it... Every driving instructor I talk to and every mechanic includung the ones from BMW recognize this fact... Driving school in SC can't replace them fast enough...
The issue is simple.. It's underengeneered...
BMW will never officially recognize that... They came up with a great line that it was done on purpose to protect the drivetrain of the car... If you drive with DSC on, and launch it hard, the brakes will stop the rear wheels from spinning and the clutch would slip protecting the transmission... Sounds like bullshit to me... I always have the computer off and the clutch is still slipping like crazy... I've been driving clutch all my life.. from bullshit russian cars to top european models and I do know what to look for...

It never smelled or burned, it's just worn out.
The load spring is weak to begin with, since I noticed slipping diring european delivery merging into autobahn, fast 1-2 and 2-3 would slip immediately... You need to pause for a second or too to let the clutch catch up...
It's totally unacceptable on an 80K dollar car..

What pisses me off is that BMW NA is bullshiting the owneres of it's flagship car over 1400 bucks...
I just got back from the dealer and got the same responce. need approval from BMW NA rep to replace clutch before 10K miles... Outrageous...
I f I pay for the clutch I'm insalling a real one.. Anyone ordered the clutch from NOwak or Sachs?
I've heard Century (or smth like that ) makes a clutch to fit into M5

V2 Pilot · 14th September 2001, 23:20

I agree with you about the clutch and would like to know anything you find out. I have 22k on my 2000 M5 and the third gear synchro just went out. BMW is replacing the tranny for free butsaid that it is unlikely that they will give me a new clutch "if it shows any burn spots, no free clutch"?

Since I will have the tranny out, I would like to find out any recommendations on what a factory clutch should cost, what the aftermarket options are and what the best short throw shifter option is.

Any ideas?

AndyMenard · 15th September 2001, 00:12

Doesn't the Nowack N500 come with an upgraded clutch?? Anyone know if this is true and if so, what clutch are they using?

Teutonaddict · 15th September 2001, 00:12

I agree that it's a pretty chicken-**** position for BMW NA to take with the people buying their flagship performance sedan. It reminds me of their new car repaint fiasco from ten years ago. Can you say "Class Action"? I knew you could!

Fortunately (knocking on desk), I've not encountered any clutch problems in 25K miles (as of today!). However, there are far too many long-time manual transmission performance-car-drivers that have worn out clutches for this to be anything other than poor design.

One suggestion would be to shop around to other Authorized BMW Service Centers, as there seems to be (from what I've read here) quite a bit of variability in how these claims are handled. I think to my own warranty experience across eight dealerships in six metropolitan areas in the last ten years, and some were most definitely better than others.

Good luck, and keep us posted!
-Dave

DavidB · 15th September 2001, 04:29

I am also having a clutch going bad. It was slipping on every 1 to 2 gear shift under acceleration. I took it to the dealership and explained the problem. They were unable to create any clutch slippage. I took the service advisor for a test drive and it failed to slip.

I am looking for a long term solution. If anyone has any experience with the aftermarket clutches, please reply.

V2 Pilot · 17th September 2001, 01:01

I can add that on Friday I ordered the UUC Motorwerks Ultimate Short Shifter - street version and will have it installed when my new tranny shows up. From what I have read searching this web site, other web sites and talking to a few people it seems the best way to go.

I spoke with Rob at UCC and asked him his opinion about clutches on the M5 when I ordered the shifter. He said that he has talked with drivers, racers, mechanics and factory reps and came to the conclusion that for even hard street driving that the factory clutch should hold up. According to Rob the factory clutch is made by Sachs and is has the same specs as the clutch in the BMW 850 CSi, 5.5 litre V12 that is rated at nearly 400 hp and 500 ft/lbs. of torque. Anyone know if that is true?

beanboy · 17th September 2001, 07:29

ya, m5 clutches are complete shitt. Mine went out at 11k miles. I can already tell it is wearing down a lot after 2k miles...talk about fucking worthless. $1500 for something that lasts 11k miles? What a fucking joke. Lets see, if I have the car for 100k miles, thats $13,500 in clutches alone!

I agree with BMW coming up with bullshitt excuses for the reason the clutch slips. Its like how they tried to justify the worthless cupholders to me....the sales guy said that "German's don't use cupholders-they don't drink and drive". German's drinking and driving? naaaaaaahh... (notice the sarcasm).

I'm waiting for a Dinan or a joe-blow or ANY AFTERMARKET CLUTCH! I'm sure its just a matter of time before this clutch blows and then its off to the shop for a new clutch (which, btw, took 2 weeks to get because it had to be flown over from Germany). CLUTCHES WILL GO OUT. Why not keep some in stock somewhere in the US so the owners don't have to wait two weeks????

Parker

Need4Spd · 17th September 2001, 07:53

I had over 80k miles on my M-3 and no clutch slip at all. So this car, which costs over 2X, had better do as well or better! I've been driving clutch equipped cars for more than 20 years, have somewhere between a quarter to half a million miles, and have yet to ruin a clutch, so IF I have a problem, I'd better not get any B.S. Still, I'd be interested in a clutch upgrade if one became available.

V2 Pilot · 17th September 2001, 19:18

I sent an email to Nowack. Thorsten Michler replied "I am sorry, but we sell the clutch upgrade only with the N500 engine kit."

Sachs web site doesn't list part numbers, so I can't tell much from that either.

I left a message for Dinan to call me back with their thoughts.

V2 Pilot · 18th September 2001, 17:21

Dinan called back and said that the recommend changing the flywheel to either their aluminum version or lightened stock version. They stay with the factory clutch.

They also say that their supercharger should be up and running on a test mule within a month and should have a saleable version to the public in six months.

They are estimating $20 to $25K

for the kit with 500HP. They have not said if they will recommend an upgraded clutch or not.

Nowack wrote back in email - "the clutch we offer is exclusively made for us, so you cannot buy it anywhere else."

If anyone can figure out where that clutch is made, maybe we can get the manufacturer to make a saleable version to the public

tfung · 18th September 2001, 20:41

Quote:

Originally posted by V2 Pilot
Dinan called back and said that the recommend changing the flywheel to either their aluminum version or lightened stock version. They stay with the factory clutch.

are either of their flywheels available yet? The website still isn't showing it...