Clutch Spring Removal Review

Black Gold · 02-04-2012, 12:00 PM

I am the owner of an 09 6mt m3. I have owned some manual transmssion cars, and while I would not say I am the best driver in the world, I am a prety good MT driver.

The m3 was difficult for me from day 1. The clutch was way too light for one. It was too long as well. It had a high engagement point. And worse, in combination with the high engamgement point, it had a spring action at the top that made the clutch non linear.

All of this combined to make the car a bit of a chore to drive smoothly and it was hard to shift quickly on the lower gears. Driving my friends evo, carerra s and gt500, the difference was huge. They all complained about the m3 clutch for the same reason, and we could all drive those cars perfectly smoothly but struggled a bit in the m3. Dont get me wrong, I could drive the m smoothly, but required a lot of focus and effort especailly at low speeds.

After reading the long thread about this mod I decided to do it. I got some help from Richard @ M-world (highly recommended, Richard is great) and got to work. We found out that my car, being an 09, had the dual spring setup. We removed the springs completely.

One thing to note is that we took the entire spring assembly out including the cylinder it goes around, tested the clutch feel, and then put the assembly back in without the spring and there was no difference between the assembly being in or out, as long as the spring was removed. The side to side play was increased on the clutch the same amount in both cases. So from our work, there is no need to put this part back in.

The feel of the clutch now? MASSIVE difference. I was thinking going in that there was a pretty good chance there would be no difference. Couldnt have been more wrong. The clutch stiffness increased by at least 50%, possibly more. Feels very similar to the weight of an e46 m3 clutch or stiffer, which IMO is great and exactly what I was looking for.

In addition, the clutch feels shorter and you can feel the engagement point. Shifts are 100x smoother and very easy to hit. The clutch is smooth, stiff and linear. The way the car should have come. I now love driving my car again, and the improvement is just as noticeable at low speed shifting as it is when shifting quick.

Epic improvement and highly recommended to anyone who isnt satisfied with the feel of the OEM clutch setup.

My only regret is not doing this from day 1.

I was honestly thinking of trying a DCT m3 and possibly selling mine because of the annoyance of the stock clutch. Now, no chance for that. Love the car again!

Next up I am adding a zhp shift knob and the Turner Motorsport aluminum racing pedals. Cant wait!

Robmaster · 02-04-2012, 12:22 PM

thanks for the review. this would be my next mod too.

i found out, that the E46 M3 doesnt have this spring. so i think there is no problem to take them out.

Black Gold · 02-05-2012, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robmaster

thanks for the review. this would be my next mod too.

i found out, that the E46 M3 doesnt have this spring. so i think there is no problem to take them out.

Do it now! haha, jk but really you are missing out. It is an unbelieveable difference. Like I said, i expected no change, but I could not have been more wrong. I will never go back

MatthewDavid · 02-05-2012, 06:31 PM

This only applies to 10 and older right? They fixed it for 11+?

PhillyNate · 02-05-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewDavid

This only applies to 10 and older right? They fixed it for 11+?

I had the same exact question. I believe the 2011's have a different spring setup.

reechar · 02-05-2012, 10:06 PM

Did this on an 08 and added the ZHP shifter. Great combo and very happy with the results.

Z K · 02-05-2012, 10:31 PM

I think I'd like the extra feel but I don't think I'd want the extra pedal effort in my daily driving. But sounds like a good mod!

alicefrerichs · 02-06-2012, 01:15 AM

Great combo and very happy with the results.

Robmaster · 02-06-2012, 01:45 AM

my daily driver is a E39 523i and the clutch pedal is much harder than in the M3!

Richard@M-World · 02-06-2012, 02:02 AM

Always glad to help. Enjoy!

Maseroche · 02-06-2012, 03:46 AM

Any adverse effects after removing the springs? I'd love to do that if it's the kind of mod that won't have any effect on the reliability of the car.

oct1285 · 02-06-2012, 11:58 AM

DIY?

roddyc · 02-06-2012, 01:12 PM

I echo your sentiments...between this and the illuminated ZHP knob I did, no regrets for not going the DCT route, although I did have the tiniest when I first got the M.

mgiglio2 · 03-10-2012, 04:38 PM

After reading this review and the DIY, I finally removed the clutch spring on my own. It wasn't hard...just awkward. If anyone is on the fence about this, don't be. It does make the pedal harder but thats the point. Even after this mod, the clutch is still lighter than 95% of cars Ive ever driven. My first car was a 95 325i which had a much harder pedal even after this mod. Would highly recommend this to anyone thinking about it.

KROD · 03-11-2012, 11:44 AM

how long does this take to do? Can it be reversed back to the oem feel?

Black Gold · 03-11-2012, 11:45 AM

30-45 minutes max.

and yes, it could be reversed, but i would be surprised if anyone wanted to go back after doing this mod.

BMWJ · 03-11-2012, 12:22 PM

doesn't work on '11s. I did it on my 08 and liked it. Tried again on my '11 and hated it.

SirSpeedy · 03-11-2012, 02:40 PM

I removed the clutch spring on my '11 with great results. MT owners, don't forget about the clutch travel/ stop mod. For those not aware, it is worth searching the forum and a trip to the hardware store.

tha_good_life · 03-11-2012, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewDavid

This only applies to 10 and older right? They fixed it for 11+?

Can someone confirm this? I swore it was only for 08. In the DIY thread, most people had 08 so I didn't think it applied to my 2010.

BMWJ · 03-11-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bapesta206

Can someone confirm this? I swore it was only for 08. In the DIY thread, most people had 08 so I didn't think it applied to my 2010.

definitely didn't apply to '11 I disagree with poster before you. I think it's only '08s they changed the spring in '09

Singletrack · 03-12-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bapesta206

Can someone confirm this? I swore it was only for 08. In the DIY thread, most people had 08 so I didn't think it applied to my 2010.

I was under that impression also. I thought they went from a single spring to a dual spring IIRC....too lazy/busy to search right now : )

italyix · 03-12-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reechar

Did this on an 08 and added the ZHP shifter. Great combo and very happy with the results.

x2...also added a clutch stop. Shifting is even better now.

02-04-2012, 12:00 PM	#1
Black Gold Major General 592 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (15)	Clutch Spring Removal Review - 2009 M3 I am the owner of an 09 6mt m3. I have owned some manual transmssion cars, and while I would not say I am the best driver in the world, I am a prety good MT driver. The m3 was difficult for me from day 1. The clutch was way too light for one. It was too long as well. It had a high engagement point. And worse, in combination with the high engamgement point, it had a spring action at the top that made the clutch non linear. All of this combined to make the car a bit of a chore to drive smoothly and it was hard to shift quickly on the lower gears. Driving my friends evo, carerra s and gt500, the difference was huge. They all complained about the m3 clutch for the same reason, and we could all drive those cars perfectly smoothly but struggled a bit in the m3. Dont get me wrong, I could drive the m smoothly, but required a lot of focus and effort especailly at low speeds. After reading the long thread about this mod I decided to do it. I got some help from Richard @ M-world (highly recommended, Richard is great) and got to work. We found out that my car, being an 09, had the dual spring setup. We removed the springs completely. One thing to note is that we took the entire spring assembly out including the cylinder it goes around, tested the clutch feel, and then put the assembly back in without the spring and there was no difference between the assembly being in or out, as long as the spring was removed. The side to side play was increased on the clutch the same amount in both cases. So from our work, there is no need to put this part back in. The feel of the clutch now? MASSIVE difference. I was thinking going in that there was a pretty good chance there would be no difference. Couldnt have been more wrong. The clutch stiffness increased by at least 50%, possibly more. Feels very similar to the weight of an e46 m3 clutch or stiffer, which IMO is great and exactly what I was looking for. In addition, the clutch feels shorter and you can feel the engagement point. Shifts are 100x smoother and very easy to hit. The clutch is smooth, stiff and linear. The way the car should have come. I now love driving my car again, and the improvement is just as noticeable at low speed shifting as it is when shifting quick. Epic improvement and highly recommended to anyone who isnt satisfied with the feel of the OEM clutch setup. My only regret is not doing this from day 1. I was honestly thinking of trying a DCT m3 and possibly selling mine because of the annoyance of the stock clutch. Now, no chance for that. Love the car again! Next up I am adding a zhp shift knob and the Turner Motorsport aluminum racing pedals. Cant wait! __________________
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02-04-2012, 12:22 PM	#2
Robmaster Colonel 151 Rep 2,757 Posts Drives: 2010 E82 135, 2005 E87 130i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (3)	thanks for the review. this would be my next mod too. i found out, that the E46 M3 doesnt have this spring. so i think there is no problem to take them out.
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02-05-2012, 06:31 PM	#4
MatthewDavid Captain 148 Rep 774 Posts Drives: 21 X5 M50i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F82 M4 [0.00] 2012 E92 M3 ZCP [0.00] 2008 E92 M3 [9.00]	This only applies to 10 and older right? They fixed it for 11+? __________________ -Matthew
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02-05-2012, 10:06 PM	#6
reechar Poorhouse 15 Rep 131 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northern Virginia, US iTrader: (1)	Did this on an 08 and added the ZHP shifter. Great combo and very happy with the results.
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02-05-2012, 10:31 PM	#7
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I think I'd like the extra feel but I don't think I'd want the extra pedal effort in my daily driving. But sounds like a good mod!
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02-06-2012, 01:15 AM	#8
alicefrerichs New Member 0 Rep 7 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: hit iTrader: (0)	Great combo and very happy with the results.
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02-06-2012, 01:45 AM	#9
Robmaster Colonel 151 Rep 2,757 Posts Drives: 2010 E82 135, 2005 E87 130i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Switzerland iTrader: (3)	my daily driver is a E39 523i and the clutch pedal is much harder than in the M3!
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02-06-2012, 02:02 AM	#10
Richard@M-World 78 Rep 684 Posts Drives: NASA TTA #92 M3 Join Date: May 2011 Location: TX/IL iTrader: (0)	Always glad to help. Enjoy! __________________ Authorized AiM Dealer - Solo/Solo DL \| SmartyCam HD \| www.m-world.us
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02-06-2012, 03:46 AM	#11
Maseroche Major 55 Rep 1,447 Posts Drives: '12 BMW M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bahrain iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW M3 [0.00]	Any adverse effects after removing the springs? I'd love to do that if it's the kind of mod that won't have any effect on the reliability of the car. __________________ Khalid '12 BMW E92 M3 '03 BMW E46 M3 '14 Mercedes-Benz S400 '18 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
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02-06-2012, 11:58 AM	#12
oct1285 Captain 54 Rep 608 Posts Drives: Out of warranty Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: TX iTrader: (4)	DIY?
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02-06-2012, 01:12 PM	#13
roddyc Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 288 Posts Drives: 13 BMW M5 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Frisco, TX iTrader: (8)	I echo your sentiments...between this and the illuminated ZHP knob I did, no regrets for not going the DCT route, although I did have the tiniest when I first got the M.
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03-10-2012, 04:38 PM	#14
mgiglio2 Private First Class 9 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlantic Highlands, NJ iTrader: (4)	After reading this review and the DIY, I finally removed the clutch spring on my own. It wasn't hard...just awkward. If anyone is on the fence about this, don't be. It does make the pedal harder but thats the point. Even after this mod, the clutch is still lighter than 95% of cars Ive ever driven. My first car was a 95 325i which had a much harder pedal even after this mod. Would highly recommend this to anyone thinking about it. __________________
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03-11-2012, 11:44 AM	#15
KROD Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 219 Posts Drives: IB E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas iTrader: (2)	how long does this take to do? Can it be reversed back to the oem feel? __________________ Space Grey E92 M3
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03-11-2012, 11:45 AM	#16
Black Gold Major General 592 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (15)	30-45 minutes max. and yes, it could be reversed, but i would be surprised if anyone wanted to go back after doing this mod. __________________
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03-11-2012, 12:22 PM	#17
BMWJ Lieutenant 61 Rep 480 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	doesn't work on '11s. I did it on my 08 and liked it. Tried again on my '11 and hated it.
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03-11-2012, 02:40 PM	#18
SirSpeedy Private 3 Rep 75 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Scottsdale iTrader: (1)	I removed the clutch spring on my '11 with great results. MT owners, don't forget about the clutch travel/ stop mod. For those not aware, it is worth searching the forum and a trip to the hardware store.
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