Woo Baby! Just popped it into 3rd!! - BMW Forum

Eric S. · 06-23-2006, 09:21 AM

I just posted my 550th post and noticed that I am now in the rare company of the "3rd gear" members. Yippppeeeeee (pop the champagne corks...).

And I did it without being a post whore! (if you don't count this one)

LOS · 06-23-2006, 09:58 AM

Dang, now I know why your clutch is going bad... 3rd gear!

Do you think you can damage anything else if you keep driving the car (clutch issue)?. Also 128k on an original clutch? I don't think that's the original. They go out around 70k from previuos research. The M5 is even worse, 50k and it has nothing to do with the way you shift either. It had to do with the parts being used.

LOS

Eric S. · 06-23-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOS

Also 128k on an original clutch? I don't think that's the original. They go out around 70k from previuos research. The M5 is even worse, 50k and it has nothing to do with the way you shift either. It had to do with the parts being used.

LOS

LOS - Man you are ALMOST to 3rd gear as well, man! :-) To answer your question, I am fairly certain it is the original clutch for the same reason the car had so many miles on it when I bought it (103K in Oct '04) yet was in pristeen condition - The original owner drove the thing ridiculous highway miles daily. Highway miles create very little clutch wear since once you get to 6th you basically leave it alone for mile after mile.

Another example of the low-wear condition of the car is that I just replaced all control arms and struts, yet noticed very little difference in control, indicating that everything I replaced was still in decent condition.

I guess my little foray to the drag strip a couple of months ago didn't help the clutch at all...

As far as further damage, I don't know. I am guessing that the risk right now is low since the sound is barely noticeable. But it could get loud real quick, so I will be on the lookout. Not yet decided whether I want to try to tackle a clutch job myself or pay someone. I did one clutch on my own, on my 1982 Datsun pickup 10 years ago, and it was a pain. The 540 requires multiple special tools and other assorted BMW-tech black magic I am sure (there's a good clutch replacement write-up out there which I've bookmarked at home - looks like it's time to go back and re-read it!)

Torque · 06-23-2006, 01:13 PM

The clutch on my forum-vehicle is worn out ... and I keep wanting to shift, but I lack the gears to do so.

thejobman · 06-23-2006, 09:03 PM

Thats it! I am sick being in IDLE! I am going to start saying hi to all the new members in the "New Members Check In" forum...

that should put in a high gear by next week