Is it possible to adjust the engagement point on the M3's self adjusting clutch?

MMMorish · 08-17-2010, 09:18 PM

Like the title says, I want to adjust the engagement point as I find mine is too high and after 2 years and 17000km I still can't manage to shift smoothly all the time (even after 12 years driving strictly manuals).

MNm3 · 08-18-2010, 12:55 PM

I'm in the same boat here. I've been driving standard since I got my license. I still find it hard to drive my M3 smoothly unless in M mode and ripping it...

Driving around town is no bueno most of the time.

Great question!

sasdee · 08-22-2010, 10:23 PM

Would be interested if this type of adjustment is possible as well.
s

mfeltiii · 08-23-2010, 11:24 AM

Wouldn't the clutch stopper effectively lower the relative engagement point?

SlammedR8 · 08-23-2010, 11:38 AM

Hey Nick,

You've seen this thread before... isn't this what you are looking for?
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=320787

JCtx · 08-23-2010, 01:22 PM

Another on the same boat

. I can drive most manual cars as smooth as an automatic right off the bat, and the ones I can't it takes me a day at the most, but just can't tame this beast

. Now that I'm down to one manual car, I'm making significant progress. I blame the clutch itself, not the hydraulics. And to answer the question, no, the engagement point is dictated by both the master and slave cylinders, and they're not adjustable. And the only thing a clutch stop does is not allow the pedal to go all the way down (not smart IMO), but engagement point is exactly the same. My clutch feels exactly the same after a bleeding job, but I never had trouble with that. Mine engages right where it should be, but it's hard for me to pinpoint exactly where in the travel (I'd say between 50 and 60%). A low engagement point means air in the system (a bleed job can help there), but a high engagement point means excessive clutch wear, where slipping comes next. I'm sure your clutch engages the same way as new, meaning clutch is fine and it's just your perception, but you should drive another M3 just to make sure.

And as far as the smoothness, we just have to learn the nuances of our clutch. It's like each gear change requires a different approach, and we have to remember ALL of them to be smooth

. I'm getting the hang of it... finally. Good day gang.

MMMorish · 08-23-2010, 07:10 PM

Thanks for the replies. I played with the idea of the rubber clutch stop, even bought one, but decided not to install it because like elp_jc mentioned, I didn`t think it was a good idea to prevent the clutch from going all the way down either.

I think you`re right elp_jc, mine engages at about the 60% high mark. I`ve got it pretty smooth but still no where near perfect like I know I can drive. Any other car and I would drive it like an auto, but this car is just a PITA.

rominl · 08-23-2010, 07:14 PM

very simple, just get a clutch stop

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT

this is the one i have. very easy, 30 seconds to change out, and i shift so much faster now. the engagement point is much closer to the clutch stop so you can engage much easier and more precisely

08-17-2010, 09:18 PM	#1
MMMorish Just call me J.J. McClure 156 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & C4 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	Is it possible to adjust the engagement point on the M3's self adjusting clutch? Like the title says, I want to adjust the engagement point as I find mine is too high and after 2 years and 17000km I still can't manage to shift smoothly all the time (even after 12 years driving strictly manuals). __________________ MODS: Meisterschaft GT Racing Exhaust / BMC Air Filter / UUC SSK & DSSR (Modded)/ RPI Scoops / Passport SRX Hardwired / Custom Wrap 3M Clearbra / 20% Tint / 50% Windshield Tint / Key Hole Delete / Matted Out Accessories / VRS Type II Diffuser / Smoked Reflectors / Euphoria 6K LED Interior Lights / Rear Fog Light Mod / 6000K HID's / 6500K LUX H8 Angel Eyes / RDash License Plate LED Kit / LED Xenon Reverse Lights "M3 drivers have no friends"
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08-18-2010, 12:55 PM	#2
MNm3 Lieutenant 68 Rep 531 Posts Drives: 2009 Le Mans Blue e90 M3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	I'm in the same boat here. I've been driving standard since I got my license. I still find it hard to drive my M3 smoothly unless in M mode and ripping it... Driving around town is no bueno most of the time. Great question! __________________ Gone but not forgotten...2009 E90 Le Mans Blue M3 6MT De-Chromed, Rogue SSK, Brembo BBK, Eibach Pro Kit, Eisenmann Race Black, MS Filter. 1998.5 Titanium Silver E36 M3 Coupe NASA GTS2 Race Car.
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08-22-2010, 10:23 PM	#3
sasdee New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Would be interested if this type of adjustment is possible as well. s
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08-23-2010, 11:24 AM	#4
mfeltiii Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 262 Posts Drives: '10 AW E92 6mt Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: S. FLA iTrader: (1)	Wouldn't the clutch stopper effectively lower the relative engagement point?
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08-23-2010, 11:38 AM	#5
SlammedR8 Major General 521 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: 2019 X5 40i/2020 R8 V10 Spyder Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (2)	Hey Nick, You've seen this thread before... isn't this what you are looking for? http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=320787 __________________ Current: 2019 BMW X5 40i - Carbon Black/Tartufo Individual Leather 2020 Range Rover HSE - Black/Black 2020 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder 6MT - Ascari Blue/Black
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08-23-2010, 01:22 PM	#6
JCtx Major General 258 Rep 5,012 Posts Drives: No BMW yet Join Date: May 2008 Location: El Paso TX iTrader: (0)	Another on the same boat . I can drive most manual cars as smooth as an automatic right off the bat, and the ones I can't it takes me a day at the most, but just can't tame this beast . Now that I'm down to one manual car, I'm making significant progress. I blame the clutch itself, not the hydraulics. And to answer the question, no, the engagement point is dictated by both the master and slave cylinders, and they're not adjustable. And the only thing a clutch stop does is not allow the pedal to go all the way down (not smart IMO), but engagement point is exactly the same. My clutch feels exactly the same after a bleeding job, but I never had trouble with that. Mine engages right where it should be, but it's hard for me to pinpoint exactly where in the travel (I'd say between 50 and 60%). A low engagement point means air in the system (a bleed job can help there), but a high engagement point means excessive clutch wear, where slipping comes next. I'm sure your clutch engages the same way as new, meaning clutch is fine and it's just your perception, but you should drive another M3 just to make sure. And as far as the smoothness, we just have to learn the nuances of our clutch. It's like each gear change requires a different approach, and we have to remember ALL of them to be smooth . I'm getting the hang of it... finally. Good day gang.
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08-23-2010, 07:10 PM	#7
MMMorish Just call me J.J. McClure 156 Rep 2,834 Posts Drives: E92 M3 & C4 Corvette Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	Thanks for the replies. I played with the idea of the rubber clutch stop, even bought one, but decided not to install it because like elp_jc mentioned, I didn`t think it was a good idea to prevent the clutch from going all the way down either. I think you`re right elp_jc, mine engages at about the 60% high mark. I`ve got it pretty smooth but still no where near perfect like I know I can drive. Any other car and I would drive it like an auto, but this car is just a PITA. __________________ MODS: Meisterschaft GT Racing Exhaust / BMC Air Filter / UUC SSK & DSSR (Modded)/ RPI Scoops / Passport SRX Hardwired / Custom Wrap 3M Clearbra / 20% Tint / 50% Windshield Tint / Key Hole Delete / Matted Out Accessories / VRS Type II Diffuser / Smoked Reflectors / Euphoria 6K LED Interior Lights / Rear Fog Light Mod / 6000K HID's / 6500K LUX H8 Angel Eyes / RDash License Plate LED Kit / LED Xenon Reverse Lights "M3 drivers have no friends"
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08-23-2010, 07:14 PM	#8
rominl Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 278 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (0)	very simple, just get a clutch stop http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...STRK:MESELX:IT this is the one i have. very easy, 30 seconds to change out, and i shift so much faster now. the engagement point is much closer to the clutch stop so you can engage much easier and more precisely __________________
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