I hate my clutch. I really really really hate my clutch. It makes my driving experience not fun. I feel like I'm breaking the powertrain by shifting with my stupid clutch. The pedal has no feel, and even worse, it feels like it engages at different points. Sometimes it engages at the last inch, sometimes it engages a little bit lower. It just feels like any time I take off or shift, it's randomly hard or randomly soft.

I had the clutch replaced with OEM parts in January but it was that way even before I replaced it. Is this a CDV? I've looked twice under the car and I dont see the CDV, (I'll take a pic). What else could be the problem?? I mean it's effecting the drivability of the car! Could it be air in the lines? I topped off the fluid, so I know its not that.

Anyone know any good mecahnics around the glendale area I can take my car to? I want this problem solved once and for all

I hate my clutch. I really really really hate my clutch. It makes my driving experience not fun. I feel like I'm breaking the powertrain by shifting with my stupid clutch. The pedal has no feel, and even worse, it feels like it engages at different points. Sometimes it engages at the last inch, sometimes it engages a little bit lower. It just feels like any time I take off or shift, it's randomly hard or randomly soft.

I had the clutch replaced with OEM parts in January but it was that way even before I replaced it. Is this a CDV? I've looked twice under the car and I dont see the CDV, (I'll take a pic). What else could be the problem?? I mean it's effecting the drivability of the car! Could it be air in the lines? I topped off the fluid, so I know its not that.

Anyone know any good mecahnics around the glendale area I can take my car to? I want this problem solved once and for all


It's the self adjusting clutch system the E46 has =). Im not used to it after first couple minutes after driving my beater. UUC has the Sachs OEM style clutch, without the self adjusting feature =). Go get one and have any good bmw mechanic put that bad boy in.

It's the self adjusting clutch system the E46 has =). Im not used to it after first couple minutes after driving my beater. UUC has the Sachs OEM style clutch, without the self adjusting feature =). Go get one and have any good bmw mechanic put that bad boy in.


Man my clutch has less then 6,000 miles on it. Sachs OEM you say? I think that's exactly what I put in... Damn it...

How could they design such a god awful clutch mechanism? My 97 s10 had a better clutch feel then my car..

Yep, there's a Sach's OEM kit WITHOUT the self adjusting mechnasim. Try removing the CDV if you have one to get more "feel". Supposedly it helps. I learned to get used to the factory feel. The self adjusting feature is "supposed" keep the engagement point the same as the clutch wears, but it changes the engagement more often. Go clutch designers.

If you got a 330i, most likely, you got the CDV... very easy to remove

http://www.zeckhausen.com/cdv.htm

you can buy a modfied one, modify it yourself, or just plain remove it for free.

I looked under my car, i dont see a CDV valve before the slave cylinder at all.

Damn.. Yeah I'm positive I have a sachs clutch, but I dont know which kit it is. What does the self adjusting mechanism look like, are there any pics of the both clutches? I havent seen a CDV under my car. I have a late production 01. (04/01)... But I'll look again. It's absolutely driving me bonkers

Do you think there might be air in the line? Or is it definitely the stupid self adjusting mechanism?

Grrrr :shifty


Yep, there's a Sach's OEM kit WITHOUT the self adjusting mechnasim. Try removing the CDV if you have one to get more "feel". Supposedly it helps. I learned to get used to the factory feel. The self adjusting feature is "supposed" keep the engagement point the same as the clutch wears, but it changes the engagement more often. Go clutch designers.

If you got a 330i, most likely, you got the CDV... very easy to remove

http://www.zeckhausen.com/cdv.htm

you can buy a modfied one, modify it yourself, or just plain remove it for free.

I looked under my car, i dont see a CDV valve before the slave cylinder at all.

If you live in Los Angeles, I recommend you take your car to:

John Handel
European MotorWerks
86 E. Live Oak Ave
Arcadia, CA 91006
626-445-6600

Ask him for a sprung hub clutch with a generation II UUC flywheel, or see what he recommends. Guy's a wizard when it comes to BMWs.

Clarification:

Our direct-fit, non-Self-Adjusting clutch is not a Sachs unit. It is our own proprietary design with much greater clamping force and a superior facing material. This product fits 330 5-speed and 325Xi models only. Details:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/performance_clutches/

For the 325i (and all other E46 5-speed models incl. 330/328/323), we offer our Stage2 / E34 M5 clutch conversion. Using our special flywheel, you can use a standard Sachs E34 M5 clutch (no Self-Adjusting mechanism) or any of our UUC Performance clutches. Details:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/LFWLE46SH.htm

For the 330 6-speed, it's a similar concept but a custom clutch. Our special flywheel adapts the 330 6-speed to an E36 M3-style pressure plate, but the clutch disk is still unique to the 330/6. Details:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/LFWLE46SH2.htm

Hope that helps!

- Rob

Clarification:

Our direct-fit, non-Self-Adjusting clutch is not a Sachs unit. It is our own proprietary design with much greater clamping force and a superior facing material. This product fits 330 5-speed and 325Xi models only. Details:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/performance_clutches/

For the 325i (and all other E46 5-speed models incl. 330/328/323), we offer our Stage2 / E34 M5 clutch conversion. Using our special flywheel, you can use a standard Sachs E34 M5 clutch (no Self-Adjusting mechanism) or any of our UUC Performance clutches. Details:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/LFWLE46SH.htm

For the 330 6-speed, it's a similar concept but a custom clutch. Our special flywheel adapts the 330 6-speed to an E36 M3-style pressure plate, but the clutch disk is still unique to the 330/6. Details:
http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/LFWLE46SH2.htm

Hope that helps!

- Rob


wow, that looks like a pretty good clutch but $658 for a clutch kit is a bit too rich for my blood. Is there any other direct replacement clutches that dont have the self adjusting mechanism!?

Is the e34 m5 clutch a direct bolt on to the e46 330?

BTW 330s have dual mass flywheels right? I take it the flywheel you sell with the e34 m5 clutch kit for the e46 is a completely custom flywheel?

Can it be purchased by itself?

Is there any other direct replacement clutches that dont have the self adjusting mechanism!?

None better nor less expensive.

Is the e34 m5 clutch a direct bolt on to the e46 330?

BTW 330s have dual mass flywheels right? I take it the flywheel you sell with the e34 m5 clutch kit for the e46 is a completely custom flywheel?[/QUOTE]

No, it can only be used with the UUC Stage2 flywheel - that's the idea, the UUC flywheel converts the 330 to use the M5 clutch.

Can it be purchased by itself?

Sure, $599. We offer it packaged with a genuine BMW M5 clutch for $974.

- Rob

from Gustave's site...

http://e46m3performance.com/installs/lock-valve/index.htm

The pictures are really helpful.

The UUC clutch seems like a fair deal at six bills, unless you aren't used to BMW and P-car part prices. And you have to admit that their parts are dead sexy.

Good luck.

Bill