Clutches why/when/hows

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In all my research of this car in preparation for my impending purchase, ive yet to come across any info on clutches. What sort of life can you expect from them? How easy are they to change and what sort of cost is it?

Most rear wheel cars are a fairly simple task of dropping the box, but is it the same on the Z4's? Any specialist tools needed?

Thanks in advance!!!
 
Other than arming yourself with a decent set of Torx spanners or sockets to undo the bellhousing bolts the box will come out like most other rear wheel drive cars after the propshaft is dropped. How long a clutch lasts depends on mileage and how its been driven as its hydraulic wear is taken up automatically until it gets so worn that it slips or the clutch slave cylinder wears out its seals and fails to throw the actuating rod far enough to operate the clutch would expect it to leak if the seals fail.
 
Other than the weight of the box and a few bolts being a bit of a pig, its pretty much the same as any other rwd car to change a clutch. Most cars seem to last well on wear, as said it depends on how the previous owner uses the clutch. Its not an issue with these cars , in the same as most rwd cars. DMF can be noisy /rattle a little , but nothing to panic.
Having changed a gearbox on an RX8 one day and say to my mate to check the clutch, which he said it was fine, for him to blow it up the following week and having to drop the box again , to change the clutch this time , I can recommend a gearbox lift ,which straps round the box and has wheels to roll it back and drop down. Not expensive, but also great to help align the box shaft into the clutch on re-assembly .
 
Thrustyjust said:
Other than the weight of the box and a few bolts being a bit of a pig, its pretty much the same as any other rwd car to change a clutch. Most cars seem to last well on wear, as said it depends on how the previous owner uses the clutch. Its not an issue with these cars , in the same as most rwd cars. DMF can be noisy /rattle a little , but nothing to panic.
Having changed a gearbox on an RX8 one day and say to my mate to check the clutch, which he said it was fine, for him to blow it up the following week and having to drop the box again , to change the clutch this time , I can recommend a gearbox lift ,which straps round the box and has wheels to roll it back and drop down. Not expensive, but also great to help align the box shaft into the clutch on re-assembly .
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Good idea, ill look into that. Without me looking at google, what sort of costs are we looking at for the clutch? i presume a non dmf version is a big no-no?
 
I'm on 105k miles and original clutch! - still fine.
(Hopefully haven't tempted fate by announcing that!)
 
Mine lasted 120k from new with very few clutch drops , can prob count between 5 and 10 max ever. I replaced it recently myself and interestingly they don’t originally fit the largest clutch disc size 225mm from memory I think so I fitted a disc from the e46 330i 240mm and z4 luk 3.0i flywheel , deleted the Cdv by drilling through and the clutch feels amazing! I think given the larger size this one may last even longer!
 
To add the DMF did not need changing and was within spec in both side to side and lateral movement but I changed it anyway.
 
I have 195k on original clutch (per prior maintenance history has not been done all service done at BMW) . And since I bought the car used 6months ago. I wanted a complete going thru by dealer. I had them do a value cover gasket as I knew that was leaking. Yes I know cost cost cost could have had it done cheaper some place else. But I wanted a first BMW certified bill of health. The head mechanic who worked on the car stated it was one of the cleanest and well cared for car he has seen. I had him check the Vanos, CCV while he was in there and all good. The clutch also passed. So quite pleased. As this is just a summer nice weekend ride. Hope to get many more miles out of it. Prob next year will do the vanos and ccv just for preventive maintenance but since will only put 3-4k yr at most on it so far so good.
 
Perfect. Thanks guys for all the info. Reading between the lines it seems dont worry and even if it does go, its doable by DIY! excellent. Another reason to buy my first Z4 :wink: :P
 
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