Clutch slipping? - United Bimmer Community

**Tochenzo** · 02-18-2006, 06:56 PM

Whenever i accelerate in gear (2nd and up), my rpm's go down first and then go back up. Is this due to my clutch slipping or is there another problem? I know my clutch is probably pretty worn out since it's still the original clutch at 80k miles. If it is the clutch, do you guys recommend just switching to an M3 clutch since i'm going to be looking at some major power mods in the future?

**Dudesky** · 02-18-2006, 07:21 PM

Can you clarify? Do you mean when you accelerate right after you shift, or are you already in gear and just push the gas pedal further down? Once the gear is locked in, there should be no slippage occuring. Maybe you're not locked in gear yet, and the clutch is still trying to catch up? This happens when the revs are not matched.

**Tochenzo** · 02-18-2006, 07:43 PM

it does it both, some times when i shift to 3rd from 2nd it takes a while for the rpm's to actually increase

also...lets say im in 4th gear cruising, if i step on it all of a sudden, it takes 1-2 seconds before my rpm's actually increase

**xsperf** · 02-18-2006, 08:35 PM

if it takes 2 seconds for the RPM to rise, then its probably NOT the clutch, it would be the clutch if the RPM shoots up and the speed is the same

**Tochenzo** · 02-18-2006, 11:05 PM

sorry guys my mistake i mixed it up lol, my rpm's go up first, then settles back down after 2 seconds, so im guessing this is because it's slipping and not engaging right away when i shift gears? So do you guys have any recommendations for clutches? Will I need a new flywheel too?

**94bmw325i** · 02-18-2006, 11:15 PM

Umm if you want to put in an M3 clutch, I am almost positive that you HAVE to get an M3 clutch cylinder, or slave whatever it's called lol.

**tomctx** · 02-19-2006, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tochenzo

sorry guys my mistake i mixed it up lol, my rpm's go up first, then settles back down after 2 seconds, so im guessing this is because it's slipping and not engaging right away when i shift gears? So do you guys have any recommendations for clutches? Will I need a new flywheel too?

If this is just started, your flywheel is probably okay. You won't really know until you remove the clutch assembly and have a look.
The standard 328 clutch is pretty stout, don't know if you want to spend the extras bucks for the M3 clutch assembly.

**Dudesky** · 02-19-2006, 07:10 AM

I'm not sure there's a problem here, or maybe I'm not understanding what you're trying to describe. Everything you're describing seems to indicate that the engine rpm's aren't matched to the shift. Not to insult you, but are you sure you're rev matching?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tochenzo

also...lets say im in 4th gear cruising, if i step on it all of a sudden, it takes 1-2 seconds before my rpm's actually increase

How fast are you cruising? Higher gears (3rd, 4th, & 5th) will lag at first if the car is below the speed range for that particular gear.

**Tochenzo** · 02-19-2006, 08:19 AM

i'm like going 60 in 4th gear usually, i know thihs can't be me because it just started doing this a few weeks ago, i just didn't really care about it until now since it's starting to do it in every gear when i shift.

let's say im shifting from 2nd to 3rd, the rpm's would just stay still for a while then move up then come back down(it does this after i have the clutch completely out and im pressing the gas pedal)

**xsperf** · 02-19-2006, 12:20 PM

i wouldnt get an m3 clutch, i know with a 325, there are fitment issues

**devinwwu** · 02-19-2006, 12:46 PM

that sounds like the same issue i was having when i did my clutchy. mine was on the 2-3 shift too gettin on the freeway i would quickshift, let the clutch out and immediately back on the gas hard the revs would go up and down if i pressedthe pedal in and out then after a second or two i would match revs and take off, but the clutch was out the whole time.

if you replace the clutch i would recommend doing a lightweight flywheel. i felt the biggest increase in acceleration from this mod. if you have any questions about the install let me know cause i've done it before. pelican parts has a very good write up on it too.

what upgrades are you considering doing, you might look into doing a stage 1 or 2 upgrade on the clutch if its going to be a whole lot of change. i have the stage 3 spec clutch in and it is great

**TJsBimm** · 02-19-2006, 12:57 PM

Not to change the direction here but i had my clutch done a yr ago and the new one feels less reponsive. I figured the one that was in b4 the new was stock, but feels like shit. I had it done at the stealership. I was thinking it was a different set up in the car b4 i changed it but bmw didn't say anything so......Any thoughts

Storamin · 02-19-2006, 01:57 PM

Get the car up to 20mph and put the car into 5th gear and give it all the throttle you can. If the revs go up while the speed doesn't, your clutch is slipping.

What it's doing now is a little odd... synchros maybe?

**94bmw325i** · 02-19-2006, 02:11 PM

storamin when you do that, can you go straight to 5th from like 2nd, or do you have to go through the gears? I think my trucks clutch is slipping thats why im asking. It will be drivable soon, it seemed to shoot up the revs when I drove it around the neighborhood when the tow truck dropped it off.

**///M Power** · 02-19-2006, 02:52 PM

Get to a stop sign. Try adn start the car from 3rd gear. If you can chances are you're clutch is on it's way out.