clutch slurrrr

**grumps** · 04-03-2010, 01:52 AM

Hi all took my sg (47k) to westerly exeter today and explained my clutch issues within normal spirited driving and was told the fault is down to a worn clutch ie:87mm of travel as opposed to 350mm when new and out side normal spec i explained about software upgrades(clutch wear recognition) that i have heard about three in 04 but their reply was bmw had not released any up dates! and it was outside of warranty (uac) which i find unfair having only owned the car for 5 months and have covered only 3.5k with only one trip to the ring, any help and advise much appreciated.

_Nathan_ · 04-03-2010, 08:47 AM

Only thing that can really be recommended is to make the massive journey up to see Andy at Murketts as they seem to be the only dealer that actually understands these cars. There have been updates for sure though.

Has it ever had a clutch before? If not then maybe it actually is worn? 47k miles is a fair distance.

PS. 350mm of travel? where is that measured? Not at the clutch I assume?

**Mark CSL** · 04-03-2010, 08:58 AM

You could also ask them to take it out and mesure the clutch plate.

If it is below the clutch plate limit you will have to pay but if the clutch plate is over the min thickness they should cover it ok

**shimmy** · 04-03-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumps

Hi all took my sg (47k) to westerly exeter today and explained my clutch issues within normal spirited driving and was told the fault is down to a worn clutch ie:87mm of travel as opposed to 350mm when new and out side normal spec i explained about software upgrades(clutch wear recognition) that i have heard about three in 04 but their reply was bmw had not released any up dates! and it was outside of warranty (uac) which i find unfair having only owned the car for 5 months and have covered only 3.5k with only one trip to the ring, any help and advise much appreciated.

the first thing they will do is reteach it over about 1/2 hour. If you go to Lydney and see Simpsons Motorsport, Ant will do that for next to nothing. All your bitting points will be learnt afresh and updated software loaded up. From Devon this is your best first step.

Then see if anything comes back.

My first clutch was replaced at 42k miles BUT as is wasnt fully worn out it was replaced under BMW good will (no warranty) so i paid half labour which gave me 2 years warranty. second clutch now being done at 67k miles f.o.c under warranty.

NZ_M3 · 04-03-2010, 11:42 AM

There's actually 3 adaptation settings for the SMG clutch alone.

The first is a clutch curve reset (done with the car off)
The second is clutch take up point reset (done with the car off)
the last and most important is the clutch slip reinitialisations (done with the car on)

Personally I think the last re-adaptation makes the biggest difference to the way the clutch behaves (I reset each separately on mine to see what the difference was and it was only on the last re-adaptation that I really noticed a difference). This last re-adaptation change the tolerance given for clutch slip and takes into account wear and the SAC (Self Adjusting Clutch pressure plate) self adjustments.

My clutch is really new however and even that makes a difference to the way it would engage (most noticeable on take off and initial engagement).

I didn't have any slur as such, but did notice a slight slip on intial engagement - it was only upon the last re-adaptation that this cleared completely.

I am making it a habit now to re-adapt the clutch setting on a regular basis and hopefully this will prolong my clutch (theoratically it should) - we shall see!!

**mole** · 04-03-2010, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NZ_M3

There's actually 3 adaptation settings for the SMG clutch alone.

The first is a clutch curve reset (done with the car off)
The second is clutch take up point reset (done with the car off)
the last and most important is the clutch slip reinitialisations (done with the car on)

Personally I think the last re-adaptation makes the biggest difference to the way the clutch behaves (I reset each separately on mine to see what the difference was and it was only on the last re-adaptation that I really noticed a difference). This last re-adaptation change the tolerance given for clutch slip and takes into account wear and the SAC (Self Adjusting Clutch pressure plate) self adjustments.

My clutch is really new however and even that makes a difference to the way it would engage (most noticeable on take off and initial engagement).

I didn't have any slur as such, but did notice a slight slip on intial engagement - it was only upon the last re-adaptation that this cleared completely.

I am making it a habit now to re-adapt the clutch setting on a regular basis and hopefully this will prolong my clutch (theoratically it should) - we shall see!!

How do you reset these?

Thorney · 04-03-2010, 12:16 PM

Take it somewhere else, the amount of times now I get a call about dealers not knowing the CSL is almost at epidemic levels now.

THe only places I personally know have a good idea on CSL's are either Murketts or BMW Battersea.

Magsy · 04-03-2010, 12:44 PM

Can we have your input here John? Do you get these cars in with the slur and are you able to put it right without a new clutch?

NZ_M3

I've done those resets and teach ins multiple times but it doesn't help, infact sometimes it makes it worse. If there is anything specific about the procedure you know please let us know. (Car hot or cold? I'm starting to think I need to do it stone cold in the morning)

Mole

To do this you need a BMW Diag system (GT1, DIS etc) or a 3rd part tool such as AutoEnginuity.

_Nathan_ · 04-03-2010, 01:51 PM

Take it on a track day and give it loads of abuse, always feel sharper after that IMO.

**shimmy** · 04-03-2010, 02:09 PM

well you asked for it so here is my view

ive read it before but i believe there is a problem with the SMG clutches with adjusting the bite points whilst it wears and is being used and abused, probably made worse when it is used hard over time

my first clutch lasted 42k miles but was slipping on and off for the last 10k miles. had a few teach sessions on it and went and away and came back still the same after a while

second clutch had hard use mostly on track but not only and has started to slip now in less than 2 years with 25k miles. I think if it would have been not under warranty i would have put up with it, played with it, made it better but eventually it would have needed changing

Somewhere the mechanics or the software on worn clutches deosnt work properly and it will be a big cost item in these cars if they need changing every 25-40k miles

Just have to keep mine slipping under 2 years!

04-03-2010, 01:52 AM	#1
grumps S4 - Getting the hang of it Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: devon Posts: 181 Casino cash: $632	clutch slurrrr Hi all took my sg (47k) to westerly exeter today and explained my clutch issues within normal spirited driving and was told the fault is down to a worn clutch ie:87mm of travel as opposed to 350mm when new and out side normal spec i explained about software upgrades(clutch wear recognition) that i have heard about three in 04 but their reply was bmw had not released any up dates! and it was outside of warranty (uac) which i find unfair having only owned the car for 5 months and have covered only 3.5k with only one trip to the ring, any help and advise much appreciated. Last edited by grumps; 04-03-2010 at 01:55 AM.

04-03-2010, 08:47 AM	#2
_Nathan_ Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,099 Casino cash: $13060	Only thing that can really be recommended is to make the massive journey up to see Andy at Murketts as they seem to be the only dealer that actually understands these cars. There have been updates for sure though. Has it ever had a clutch before? If not then maybe it actually is worn? 47k miles is a fair distance. PS. 350mm of travel? where is that measured? Not at the clutch I assume? __________________ Nathan

04-03-2010, 08:58 AM	#3
Mark CSL CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Posts: 8,777 Casino cash: $42229	You could also ask them to take it out and mesure the clutch plate. If it is below the clutch plate limit you will have to pay but if the clutch plate is over the min thickness they should cover it ok __________________ www.procarkits.co.uk

04-03-2010, 12:16 PM	#7
Thorney S5 - Full Throttle Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 469 Casino cash: $3876	Take it somewhere else, the amount of times now I get a call about dealers not knowing the CSL is almost at epidemic levels now. THe only places I personally know have a good idea on CSL's are either Murketts or BMW Battersea. __________________ http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk

04-03-2010, 01:51 PM	#9
_Nathan_ Driving it like I nicked it Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,099 Casino cash: $13060	Take it on a track day and give it loads of abuse, always feel sharper after that IMO. __________________ Nathan

04-03-2010, 11:42 AM	#5
NZ_M3 S5, Sport On, DSC M-track Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,434 Casino cash: $13579	There's actually 3 adaptation settings for the SMG clutch alone. The first is a clutch curve reset (done with the car off) The second is clutch take up point reset (done with the car off) the last and most important is the clutch slip reinitialisations (done with the car on) Personally I think the last re-adaptation makes the biggest difference to the way the clutch behaves (I reset each separately on mine to see what the difference was and it was only on the last re-adaptation that I really noticed a difference). This last re-adaptation change the tolerance given for clutch slip and takes into account wear and the SAC (Self Adjusting Clutch pressure plate) self adjustments. My clutch is really new however and even that makes a difference to the way it would engage (most noticeable on take off and initial engagement). I didn't have any slur as such, but did notice a slight slip on intial engagement - it was only upon the last re-adaptation that this cleared completely. I am making it a habit now to re-adapt the clutch setting on a regular basis and hopefully this will prolong my clutch (theoratically it should) - we shall see!!

04-03-2010, 12:44 PM	#8
Magsy Wonky 'L' after Washing Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 6 Casino cash: $346	Can we have your input here John? Do you get these cars in with the slur and are you able to put it right without a new clutch? NZ_M3 I've done those resets and teach ins multiple times but it doesn't help, infact sometimes it makes it worse. If there is anything specific about the procedure you know please let us know. (Car hot or cold? I'm starting to think I need to do it stone cold in the morning) Mole To do this you need a BMW Diag system (GT1, DIS etc) or a 3rd part tool such as AutoEnginuity.

04-03-2010, 02:09 PM	#10
shimmy CSL Register Uber-poster! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Uk Posts: 14,646 Casino cash: $43909	well you asked for it so here is my view ive read it before but i believe there is a problem with the SMG clutches with adjusting the bite points whilst it wears and is being used and abused, probably made worse when it is used hard over time my first clutch lasted 42k miles but was slipping on and off for the last 10k miles. had a few teach sessions on it and went and away and came back still the same after a while second clutch had hard use mostly on track but not only and has started to slip now in less than 2 years with 25k miles. I think if it would have been not under warranty i would have put up with it, played with it, made it better but eventually it would have needed changing Somewhere the mechanics or the software on worn clutches deosnt work properly and it will be a big cost item in these cars if they need changing every 25-40k miles Just have to keep mine slipping under 2 years! __________________ .