Should I upgrade clutch with VT2-625 kit?

[ss540i]

Hey guys, i'm in the process of installing a ESS 625 supercharger kit on my 11 E92 and was wondering if it is recommended to upgrade the clutch when installing kit. I don't want to run into any clutch slipping because of the increased power. Wanted to get your guys' opinion/experience on this. If I should have to upgrade, what kits do you guys recommend? Thanks

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by ss540i

Hey guys, i'm in the process of installing a ESS 625 supercharger kit on my 11 E92 and was wondering if it is recommended to upgrade the clutch when installing kit. I don't want to run into any clutch slipping because of the increased power. Wanted to get your guys' opinion/experience on this. If I should have to upgrade, what kits do you guys recommend? Thanks

If your clutch is strong there should be no reason to replace it. Even with the supercharger, these cars don't make enough torque for the clutch to be an issue based on what I've read.

[squartus]

Should be fine, unless you have one of the clutch failures. The 2008-2013 6MT clutches have been known to fail due to broken spring straps in the pressure plates.
Which of course with my luck happened to me. Didn't even know they were breaking until I did the swap, just lucky did not totally fail.



Swapped out for a spec flywheel/clutch.

[SYT_Shadow]

No need whatsoever. The clutches in manual Ms have always been extraordinarily overengineered and hold insane amounts of power.

Barring the odd manufacturing glitch, you are good to go

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by squartus

Swapped out for a spec flywheel/clutch.

What stage SPEC did you end up going with, and how's the pedal feel?

[squartus]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

What stage SPEC did you end up going with, and how's the pedal feel?

The spec Performance clutch/flywheel. Feels pretty close to OEM, does engage a bit quicker and grabs harder but after it broke in feels like never had anything different.
Its not a super stiff race clutch you you cant slip and leaves you with a sore left leg thats for sure.

[X5-User]

[QUOTE=squartus;21670100]Should be fine, unless you have one of the clutch failures. The 2008-2013 6MT clutches have been known to fail due to broken spring straps in the pressure plates.
Which of course with my luck happened to me. Didn't even know they were breaking until I did the swap, just lucky did not totally fail.

Swapped out for a spec flywheel/clutch.



This is new to me!! Anyone else can confirm if this is a common problem in 6MT e9x M3?

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-M3

This is new to me!! Anyone else can confirm if this is a common problem in 6MT e9x M3?

Absolutely. I've come across a half dozen of them in the last year just on the cars I've worked on. One caused a clutch fire which totaled the car.

[longuyen88]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Absolutely. I've come across a half dozen of them in the last year just on the cars I've worked on. One caused a clutch fire which totaled the car.

Do you exclusively work on M cars? How often do you service BMWs?

[L4ces]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

Absolutely. I've come across a half dozen of them in the last year just on the cars I've worked on. One caused a clutch fire which totaled the car.

Do you happen to recall if they were all 2008 model years?

[squartus]

Originally Posted by L4ces

Do you happen to recall if they were all 2008 model years?

Mine is a 2010

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by longuyen88

Do you exclusively work on M cars? How often do you service BMWs?

Yes only M cars. It's all I do.

Originally Posted by L4ces

Do you happen to recall if they were all 2008 model years?

No it was not exclusive to the 2008 cars. The one that caught fire was a 2011.

[Mvy]

Sorry to thread jack, but one question on this clutch failure problem. If you upgraded the 08 flywheel does that have any impact to the issue? Maybe at least you would be in there and see if something was not right?

As to the OPs original question, I would agree no need to upgrade the clutch with an SC. I haven't had any issues so far.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Mvy

Sorry to thread jack, but one question on this clutch failure problem. If you upgraded the 08 flywheel does that have any impact to the issue? Maybe at least you would be in there and see if something was not right?.

The issue isn't the flywheel, its the spring straps on the clutch assembly that fail. It's the same design- they didn't change that part of the clutch when they made the change in 09.

[R3dliner]

Are majority of people sticking with the dual mass flywheels or is putting a single mass flywheel doable?

[Mvy]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

The issue isn't the flywheel, its the spring straps on the clutch assembly that fail. It's the same design- they didn't change that part of the clutch when they made the change in 09.

Think the shop would notice broken springs when changing the clutch and flywheel though right? Im assuming you cant do a clutch job without checking these springs but not sure.

[deansbimmer]

Originally Posted by Mvy

Think the shop would notice broken springs when changing the clutch and flywheel though right? Im assuming you cant do a clutch job without checking these springs but not sure.

They might. It depends on how attentive the tech is, and how aware of the issue he is.. More often than not, problems will go unnoticed because the tech isn't aware of what to look for or the tech is just in there to R&R a specific part, not inspect all the surrounding assemblies.