Would like some advice on my clutch

[Ross Miller]

Hi everyone, last week I bought my dream car and as much as I am in love, I'd like to know if the clutch is like this in all ///M's.
I viewed a few Z4M's before purchasing mine but they were all private sellers and understandably preferred not to let a complete stranger test drive their car (i wouldnt either). My question is, is the clutch this sharp in all ///M's? it seems like theres barely a bite to it, like its either engaged or not, on or off.....no in-between. Im getting used to it but the 1st into 2nd change is still a little jolting if its anything but prefect.

Hope I'm describing this well enough.

 

[mr wilks]

First step would be removal of cdv , welcome to the forum

 

[M M M]

Yep, remove the CDV. Transforms the drive and I'm surprised they haven't all been done by now!

 

[Ross Miller]

Yep, remove the CDV. Transforms the drive and I'm surprised they haven't all been done by now!

First step would be removal of cdv , welcome to the forum

just did a little research on what a CDV is and I'm so happy, I thought it was me being a terrible driver but this thing seems so stupid. thanks guys

 

[Gazza51]

Your description would not be caused by a CDV.

 

[Simon 3.2M]

Sounds normal mate , just need to get used to it. My clutch seems binary almost as thought I'm on the throttle before it's engage which causes a jolt. Simple solution - go onto the throttle a split second later BTW, I've removed my CDV which made a big difference.

 

[Mangozac]

Sounds normal. Removal of the CDV helps a little but it will still have that "on/off" characteristic...

 

[Vanne]

:!: wait, you bought the car without a test drive?? WTH?? seller didn't want a potential buyer to drive the car? how on earth would you sell a car then?? :!:

clutch varies from car to car. my current one has about 1cm from on to off, previously about 2 inches. my mates also has 2 inches of engagement.

 

[Mangozac]

:!: wait, you bought the car without a test drive?? WTH?? seller didn't want a potential buyer to drive the car? how on earth would you sell a car then?? :!:

I missed that bit! Crazy indeed!

 

[Bodyboarder]

Ive never let a perspective buyer drive my car .... if it’s a good car you can tell and every car I’ve sold has gone to the first person who’s looked at it . It’s just not worth the risk / hassle if anything were to happen

Oh and get that cdv removed ... it made a world of difference to my car !

 

[Bing]

:!: wait, you bought the car without a test drive?? WTH?? seller didn't want a potential buyer to drive the car? how on earth would you sell a car then?? :!:

I missed that bit! Crazy indeed!

I didn’t drive mine before I bought it... but I had no reason to question the history because I bought it from a friend who was the first owner.

 

[Ewazix]

So the CDV makes clutch engagement HARSHER and removing it will smooth progress? Thats not quite how a hydraulic clutch DELAY valve works :wink: its literally a slow release valve,
A worm clutch with limited travel is just that.
I'd suggest bleeding the clutch hydraulics then if its no better getting a quote for a clutch or you are not going to get the best from your car.

 

[-Tom-]

I didn’t test drive my M, nor my previous si

I’ll add to the above in agreement. It sounds normal. It can be a bit of a pig around town and in traffic to be honest, but when you get used to it; and especially when you hook it up properly with your foot down, it will all make sense. Enjoy!

 

[mmm-five]

Maybe ‘smoothing’ is the wrong word, but all it does is delay the clutch’s full disengagement so that you lift off the clutch pedal, floor the throttle and then kangaroo (from a standstill) or hear/feel the clutch slip a little (on full bore, light lift gear changes) as you realise that the CDV hasn’t quite fully released its hold yet.

The removal means the driver is fully in control of both pedals and can judge for themselves when there’s enough bite to launch it without slipping/burning the clutch - which enables a ‘smoother’ launch.

But that’s the way BMW designed it so that the clutch/flywheel takes the damage from ‘energetic’ launches rather the the rest of the drive train.

 

[mr wilks]

Maybe ‘smoothing’ is the wrong word, but all it does is delay the clutch’s full disengagement so that you lift off the clutch pedal, floor the throttle and then kangaroo (from a standstill) or hear/feel the clutch slip a little (on full bore, light lift gear changes) as you realise that the CDV hasn’t quite fully released its hold yet.

The removal means the driver is fully in control of both pedals and can judge for themselves when there’s enough bite to launch it without slipping/burning the clutch - which enables a ‘smoother’ launch.

But that’s the way BMW designed it so that the clutch/flywheel takes the damage from ‘energetic’ launches rather the the rest of the drive train.

That must be the best explanation yet its definitely not imagination that removal improves engagement & those who think it is should maybe try one directly before & after before they make comment .

 

[Ewazix]

I'd agree with all the above (and yes i've driven a zed without CDV) but the op isn't describing the common mistiming issue caused by CDV, but "no bite, either on or off" which in fairness sounds like a thin clutch / weak spring nearing the end. But yes try cdv 8)

 

[mad4slalom]

:!: wait, you bought the car without a test drive?? WTH?? seller didn't want a potential buyer to drive the car? how on earth would you sell a car then?? :!:

I missed that bit! Crazy indeed!

I bought mine untested, i drove three others but wrong spec and i had talked myself out of other cars in the past. When i saw this one I just knew that I felt happy with the car and the vendor, gut feeling or a bit of a gamble ? Who knows but turned out to be a beaut and have loved it for six years,I use it sparingly now but when I do , what a thrill, plus it is holding its own or even rising slowly so imo a good buy.

 

[Mangozac]

:!: wait, you bought the car without a test drive?? WTH?? seller didn't want a potential buyer to drive the car? how on earth would you sell a car then?? :!:

I missed that bit! Crazy indeed!

I bought mine untested, i drove three others but wrong spec and i had talked myself out of other cars in the past. When i saw this one I just knew that I felt happy with the car and the vendor, gut feeling or a bit of a gamble ? Who knows but turned out to be a beaut and have loved it for six years,I use it sparingly now but when I do , what a thrill, plus it is holding its own or even rising slowly so imo a good buy.

I'm really surprised by the number of people saying this! Sure, I can see some circumstances where a test drive might not be necessary, but not just a seller being precious. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Z4M fanatic but it's a 12 year old BMW, not a collectible supercar!

 

[Bing]

I'd agree with all the above (and yes i've driven a zed without CDV) but the op isn't describing the common mistiming issue caused by CDV, but "no bite, either on or off" which in fairness sounds like a thin clutch / weak spring nearing the end. But yes try cdv 8)

This is a possibility, especially if it’s been driven hard in its life. But I’d be interested in what other cars the OP has driven. I do find everything more immediate than any other manual car I’ve driven, but then it’s a sports car, and there’s a lot of power sitting right behind that clutch engagement. The CDV removal transformed my car at low speed / launch between 1st and 2nd, and I remember the kangarooing feeling sudden and surprising when it happened. As ever, try an easy - costless- fix that is a proven benefit first before starting expensive work like taking the clutch apart

Even I managed to do it myself and I am s**t with spanners :lol:

 

[AndyBeech]

I missed that bit! Crazy indeed!

I bought mine untested, i drove three others but wrong spec and i had talked myself out of other cars in the past. When i saw this one I just knew that I felt happy with the car and the vendor, gut feeling or a bit of a gamble ? Who knows but turned out to be a beaut and have loved it for six years,I use it sparingly now but when I do , what a thrill, plus it is holding its own or even rising slowly so imo a good buy.

I'm really surprised by the number of people saying this! Sure, I can see some circumstances where a test drive might not be necessary, but not just a seller being precious. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Z4M fanatic but it's a 12 year old BMW, not a collectible supercar!

I imagine the issue is less about being precious but insurance. It's highly unlikely that many (if any) private buyers will have insurance to drive your car fully comp which, goes without saying really, brings a whole world of hurt should the worse happen on said test drive. Let alone if you're unlucky enough to get pulled over... :|