Difference between 08 and 09 clutch? 09 much softer?

The only thing I hate about the spring in the 08 is that it's not linear. You get half way down and the spring rate changes. Take the spring out and it's just the slightest bit harder to depress the pedal, yet the feeling is perfectly linear and much easier to know when the clutch is re-engaging. Shifting becomes so much smoother. My 1-2 shift improved greatly once I took the spring out.

I thought it was you're never supposed to buy the FIRST model year of a performance vehicle...Damn, I wouldn't have waited

So it looks like it's a mixed bag. Some like it some don't. The question now is, for those with 09's who would prefer 08 clutch feel. I would assume it shouldn't be too difficult to make change.

Does anyone know if the part for the 08 clutch is still available? The cost is less then 20 dollars I think.

Not a bad investment to be able to give both version a try for an extended period of time.

michaeldorian wrote

So it looks like it's a mixed bag. Some like it some don't. The question now is, for those with 09's who would prefer 08 clutch feel. I would assume it shouldn't be too difficult to make change.

Does anyone know if the part for the 08 clutch is still available? The cost is less then 20 dollars I think.

Not a bad investment to be able to give both version a try for an extended period of time.

You can buy mine.

I can't imagine the clutch feeling much softer than it already does. The E9x clutch is shockingly soft, especially considering it's a heavy duty, dual disc clutch. Try comparing it to an E46 M3 and you'll see what I mean about how soft the E9x is.

FStop7 wrote

I can't imagine the clutch feeling much softer than it already does. The E9x clutch is shockingly soft, especially considering it's a heavy duty, dual disc clutch. Try comparing it to an E46 M3 and you'll see what I mean about how soft the E9x is.

The 09 is really really soft. It feels like a corolla clutch. ND54 can attest to this. He jumped in my car yesterday and was like wtf, your clutch is like melted ice cream.

michaeldorian wrote

Does anyone know if the part for the 08 clutch is still available? The cost is less then 20 dollars I think.

As far as I know, the only change was ADDING an inner spring to the '08s single (large) spring, so it might be as easy as just removing it . Worth a try, as you can always add it back if desired. Hope this helps.

elp_jc wrote

As far as I know, the only change was ADDING an inner spring to the '08s single (large) spring, so it might be as easy as just removing it . Worth a try, as you can always add it back if desired. Hope this helps.

True, but putting the clutch spring back in wasn't easy.

FStop7 wrote

I can't imagine the clutch feeling much softer than it already does. The E9x clutch is shockingly soft, especially considering it's a heavy duty, dual disc clutch. Try comparing it to an E46 M3 and you'll see what I mean about how soft the E9x is.

I know.
E36, E46 M3 clutches were known for "butter-ly" feeling clutches in their time. When I drove E9X M3 very first time, I was shocked how smooth E9X M3 clutch was.

But if I can make it even smoother, I want to do it. =)

Not to get off topic but try a GT3 clutch. You will LOL at how stiff it is. It's easy to slip and doesn't chatter, but you will get a nice workout for your left leg.

Well I have an '08 & just got a UPS package of the '09 Dual Spring Clutch Spring. I guess I'll figure out which set-up, the '08, the '09 or no Spring clutch at all. After reading this post & the others, I guess it is a personal clutch feel that will win out. The '09 Dual Spring was only $10.

mrtm2008 wrote

Well I have an '08 & just got a UPS package of the '09 Dual Spring Clutch Spring. I guess I'll figure out which set-up, the '08, the '09 or no Spring clutch at all. After reading this post & the others, I guess it is a personal clutch feel that will win out. The '09 Dual Spring was only $10.

Great! Take pics and report back.

I am generously offering to trade my 08 M3 for someone's 09 so that they can have my vastly superior clutch feel. Act now before it's too late.

I have an 09 and like the feel better without the new style spring. I think it feels more linear and you can feel the clutch engage better. I think the pedal effort is about the same.

michaeldorian wrote

Great! Take pics and report back.

Kept the spring out...what a PITA to even try to get the new one in, so I didn't even get to try the '09 one.

Also, getting the old one out was a piece of cake.

F%$K..... I just realized I have the same problem. I mean.. it's starting.
I really don't think that changing the way I get in the car will completely avoid this.
BMW does not sell car seats for the M3 (or E92)... What can we do?
There must be a good way to protect it.

jlaw wrote

I am generously offering to trade my 08 M3 for someone's 09 so that they can have my vastly superior clutch feel. Act now before it's too late.

ummmm......Tempting.

I was at the dealer on saturday playing around with a left over 08 E90 M3 and i nearly punched my foot through the floor because the clutch is so much lighter than my 05 ZHP.

It was incredible, it takes almost no effort to get the clutch in. I wonder how that will affect the drive after having a 600 Lbs clutch pedal... hmmmmm cant imagine what the 09 is like.

Is there a write up on how to install the spring part weather 08 or 09? And a part # for the 09 Part?

If its a $10 $20 part i just would buy it to try it out.

asp17 wrote

Is there a write up on how to install the spring part weather 08 or 09? And a part # for the 09 Part?

If its a $10 $20 part i just would buy it to try it out.

Here is the thread:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5647628#post5647628

zuggerat89 wrote

I was at the dealer on saturday playing around with a left over 08 E90 M3 and i nearly punched my foot through the floor because the clutch is so much lighter than my 05 ZHP.

It was incredible, it takes almost no effort to get the clutch in. I wonder how that will affect the drive after having a 600 Lbs clutch pedal... hmmmmm cant imagine what the 09 is like.

Well I finally got the '09 spring in today! What a PITA!!! I did find out one reason it was that way...the cast part that holds the pin for the top part of the spring has some cast slag that gets in the way (see picture) that had to be filed down wth a 1/8" to 1/4" square long file. A HUGE tip to re-install any of the springs is to first attach ONLY the bottom half on the clutch pedal side. Then push the clutch all the way down & keep it all the way down to assemble the rest of the spring & get the top pin into place.

Well if you punched your foot to the floor with the '08 I can't image how you would feel with the '09...I did that with the '09 & thought the '08 wasn't that bad.

Anyway, I think I'm just horrible at shifting because I still have a problem taking off in first & shifting into second...after that I'm fine. I'm not sure if I like the '09 at all & will drive around for a little bit more to decide. If I don't like it, I'll be putting the '08 back in.

mrtm2008 wrote

Well I finally got the '09 spring in today! What a PITA!!! I did find out one reason it was that way...the cast part that holds the pin for the top part of the spring has some cast slag that gets in the way (see picture) that had to be filed down wth a 1/8" to 1/4" square long file. A HUGE tip to re-install any of the springs is to first attach ONLY the bottom half on the clutch pedal side. Then push the clutch all the way down & keep it all the way down to assemble the rest of the spring & get the top pin into place.

Well if you punched your foot to the floor with the '08 I can't image how you would feel with the '09...I did that with the '09 & thought the '08 wasn't that bad.

Anyway, I think I'm just horrible at shifting because I still have a problem taking off in first & shifting into second...after that I'm fine. I'm not sure if I like the '09 at all & will drive around for a little bit more to decide. If I don't like it, I'll be putting the '08 back in.

Loved to hear in more detail what you think the differences are. Does the 08 feel heavier with more resistance and push back? That was my observation.