Clutch pedal freeplay on an M Coupe

jpapanas · 01-08-2012, 11:37 AM

I test drove an M Coupe for the first time this weekend. This 2007 Alpine White on Imola Red and Carbon Leather trim - beautiful combination - and even better in person...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M...item4cfcfa6e60

Is the clutch pedal freeplay adjustable on these cars? This one had very little freeplay in the clutch pedal and the clutch didn't engage until the very top of the pedal travel. Is this normal?

Btw - this car is in amazing cosmetic condition for the mileage...

Z4-VILLA · 01-08-2012, 11:40 AM

There is a clutch pedal made by Mason engineering it runs for about 245.00 supposedly it removes the play at the cost of some further modification. I have yet to purchase this MOD...you can google for yourself and see if this product is to your liking.

3002 tii · 01-08-2012, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z4-Villalona

There is a clutch pedal made by Mason engineering it runs for about 245.00 supposedly it removes the play at the cost of some further modification. I have yet to purchase this MOD...you can google for yourself and see if this product is to your liking.

The RE bushings should also help

http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogu.../CLU-BUSH.html

But in terms of OP's question about engagement point, CDV + clutch stop should help.

BlackMoupe · 01-08-2012, 01:31 PM

Just FYI, you should be able to knock $1-2K off that car. Even with CPO, thats a bit high for 48K. Usually 30K miles or less is over $30K

Z4-VILLA · 01-08-2012, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

The RE bushings should also help

http://www.rogueengineering.com/rogu.../CLU-BUSH.html

But in terms of OP's question about engagement point, CDV + clutch stop should help.

Polurethane motor mounts too...

bluecobra · 01-08-2012, 07:26 PM

So there is no real way to adjust the clutch engagement point ??

My 2006 M Coupe has a lightweight J&B flywheel and a J&B clutch. The engagement is about 1/2 inch off the floor. It has been difficult to get adjusted to.....any ideas?

gcochard · 01-08-2012, 07:41 PM

According to the service manual, the clutch engagement point is self-adjusted due to the hydraulic nature of the clutch. A clutch stop will let you make it feel less long though.

3002 tii · 01-08-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluecobra

So there is no real way to adjust the clutch engagement point ??

My 2006 M Coupe has a lightweight J&B flywheel and a J&B clutch. The engagement is about 1/2 inch off the floor. It has been difficult to get adjusted to.....any ideas?

Many of us use adjustable clutch stops. You can make your own hitting the local home depot for few bucks or buy one for about $10 shipped. Just make sure it says z4 specific as other models may not work. It's been discussed a lot, do a search and you'll see which are the "approved" ones. I first had an eBay one, worked great 90% of the time but swapped after a hot summer day at VIR (over 100 degrees) where the car wouldn't want to start unless I really stomped on the pedal. Not a big deal.... I ended up getting the Rogue Engineering one and asked them to trim off a piece. Don't recall the exact measurement but again, it's mentioned somewhere here.

jpapanas · 01-10-2012, 07:44 PM

Thanks for all the advice...

I think the CDV and the engagement point being right at the top of the pedal travel made it difficult to get a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd
- as described here: Theory of Operation - what is a CDV?.

I'm going to have to drive another one to see if it feels the same - otherwise i'm going to have to factor in a new clutch pedal, clutch stop and/or modified CDV - if i continue my search for an M Coupe...

Finnegan · 01-11-2012, 11:56 AM

If you drive different cars you'll probably get a mix of cars with the CDV intact and a lot with the Zeckhausen CDV (which is a "stealth" CDV delete). This is a popular mod, and I'd expect it would be there on a lot of cars. Really no reason to remove it when you sell.

Also, I've found things can be jerky going 1st to 2nd if the revs drop too much while shifting. You can try to smooth things out by keeping the revs close to where they'll end up once the next gear is fully engaged. Do that by feeding in a bit of throttle when upshifting rather than letting off the throttle completely. (Assuming you're doing that.) It's sort of an upshift "heel/toe" thing.

And yes, the CDV can, IMO, help with this. (<-Too camps on this, those that see no difference and think stock is fine; those that can't stand the CDV.) Clutch pedal stop doesn't change anything, but means there's less "throw" from disengaged to engaged and a lot of folks like that.

beta · 01-11-2012, 01:09 PM

The CDV will not make the shift any easier. The only thing it does is allow you to take the clutch out quicker. If you release the clutch slowly there's no difference between having and not having the CDV.

All the CDV does is force the fluid to be released slowly, so if you let out the clutch quickly the clutch fluid still lets out gently.

01-08-2012, 11:37 AM	#1
jpapanas New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Clutch pedal freeplay on an M Coupe I test drove an M Coupe for the first time this weekend. This 2007 Alpine White on Imola Red and Carbon Leather trim - beautiful combination - and even better in person... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-M...item4cfcfa6e60 Is the clutch pedal freeplay adjustable on these cars? This one had very little freeplay in the clutch pedal and the clutch didn't engage until the very top of the pedal travel. Is this normal? Btw - this car is in amazing cosmetic condition for the mileage...
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01-08-2012, 11:40 AM	#2
Z4-VILLA Banned 114 Rep 2,460 Posts Drives: Z4M Hardtop Roadster Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Classified iTrader: (0)	There is a clutch pedal made by Mason engineering it runs for about 245.00 supposedly it removes the play at the cost of some further modification. I have yet to purchase this MOD...you can google for yourself and see if this product is to your liking.
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01-08-2012, 01:31 PM	#4
BlackMoupe Mouper 114 Rep 1,064 Posts Drives: _____ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: _____ iTrader: (1)	Just FYI, you should be able to knock $1-2K off that car. Even with CPO, thats a bit high for 48K. Usually 30K miles or less is over $30K
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01-08-2012, 07:26 PM	#6
bluecobra Private 2 Rep 82 Posts Drives: 2006 Z4M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Alabama iTrader: (0)	So there is no real way to adjust the clutch engagement point ?? My 2006 M Coupe has a lightweight J&B flywheel and a J&B clutch. The engagement is about 1/2 inch off the floor. It has been difficult to get adjusted to.....any ideas?
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01-08-2012, 07:41 PM	#7
gcochard Captain 24 Rep 784 Posts Drives: 2011.5 E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South OC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [0.00]	According to the service manual, the clutch engagement point is self-adjusted due to the hydraulic nature of the clutch. A clutch stop will let you make it feel less long though.
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01-10-2012, 07:44 PM	#9
jpapanas New Member 2 Rep 6 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the advice... I think the CDV and the engagement point being right at the top of the pedal travel made it difficult to get a smooth shift from 1st to 2nd - as described here: Theory of Operation - what is a CDV?. I'm going to have to drive another one to see if it feels the same - otherwise i'm going to have to factor in a new clutch pedal, clutch stop and/or modified CDV - if i continue my search for an M Coupe... Last edited by jpapanas; 01-11-2012 at 08:41 AM..
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01-11-2012, 11:56 AM	#10
Finnegan Dog Listener 707 Rep 7,850 Posts Drives: Z4M/. Z3M, E36/46 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Teaching the dog to slalom iTrader: (22)	If you drive different cars you'll probably get a mix of cars with the CDV intact and a lot with the Zeckhausen CDV (which is a "stealth" CDV delete). This is a popular mod, and I'd expect it would be there on a lot of cars. Really no reason to remove it when you sell. Also, I've found things can be jerky going 1st to 2nd if the revs drop too much while shifting. You can try to smooth things out by keeping the revs close to where they'll end up once the next gear is fully engaged. Do that by feeding in a bit of throttle when upshifting rather than letting off the throttle completely. (Assuming you're doing that.) It's sort of an upshift "heel/toe" thing. And yes, the CDV can, IMO, help with this. (<-Too camps on this, those that see no difference and think stock is fine; those that can't stand the CDV.) Clutch pedal stop doesn't change anything, but means there's less "throw" from disengaged to engaged and a lot of folks like that.
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01-11-2012, 01:09 PM	#11
beta Lieutenant Colonel 80 Rep 1,663 Posts Drives: 2006 M Roadster Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (2)	The CDV will not make the shift any easier. The only thing it does is allow you to take the clutch out quicker. If you release the clutch slowly there's no difference between having and not having the CDV. All the CDV does is force the fluid to be released slowly, so if you let out the clutch quickly the clutch fluid still lets out gently. __________________ modification journal
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