Clutch

[tommygoldy]

Just bought a 325i touring and I love it. However, it's my first manual BMW, and the driving experience (particularly in town traffic) is somewhat hampered by a very stiff feel on the clutch. It doesn't slip in any way that affects performance, but it bites fairly high up (I'd say about 3/4 of its travel).

The clutch also seems fairly unforgiving, a bit on and off rather than a nice progressive feel. It's quite easy to stall pulling away (and for some reason even more so in reverse)

Is this normal or is it likely to be on its way out? Or a hydraulic issue?

[Brianmoooore]

325 has a heavy clutch by E30 standards, and a VERY heavy clutch by new car standards.
RH drive E30s have separate reservoirs for the clutch fluid and the brake fluid, and consequently the clutch fluid doesn't always get changed as often as it should be, if ever.
Check the fluid in the reservoir to see if it is the colour brake fluid should be. If it's black and there's a substance that resembles tar at the bottom of the pot, then this could be part of the trouble. Be aware though, that if the fluid is as bad as this, both the clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder are very likely to fail with new fluid.

[tommygoldy]

325 has a heavy clutch by E30 standards, and a VERY heavy clutch by new car standards.
RH drive E30s have separate reservoirs for the clutch fluid and the brake fluid, and consequently the clutch fluid doesn't always get changed as often as it should be, if ever.
Check the fluid in the reservoir to see if it is the colour brake fluid should be. If it's black and there's a substance that resembles tar at the bottom of the pot, then this could be part of the trouble. Be aware though, that if the fluid is as bad as this, both the clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder are very likely to fail with new fluid.

Will have a look tomorrow. Thanks!

[tommygoldy]

Fluid is pretty brown and murky. Shall I change it?

[tommygoldy]

Another thing that can cause a heavy pedal and which also can make the clutch quite on/off is if the release bearing is binding on the guide sleeve due to old grease/no grease/rust. Unfortunately, the only way to rectify this is to drop the box.

In which case I probably might as well have a new clutch. Thanks though!

[Grrrmachine]

As Brian says, if you've got manky fluid then it's best to do a proper clutch service (new master and brake cylinder). These don't require the gearbox to be removed, although the master cylinder can be fiddly.

[mcbonio]

Yeah as the guys say, these old turds have heavy clutches, your leg will build up strength in a week and you'll get used to it and come to realize a heavy clutch is better.!

To Willnz: the 535i box in my e30 is very heavy too.! I thought there was something up with it at first.!

[tommygoldy]

Thanks guys. I'll get a new master and slave cylinder. They're not too expensive and I suppose it can't do any harm. I'm assuming that the ones from GSF or Euro are OK.

It's my girlfriend's leg I'm worried about TBH... but I do feel that it's currently a little on/off.

[Brianmoooore]

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/
The similarity to the ECP website is NOT a coincidence!

[tommygoldy]

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/
The similarity to the ECP website is NOT a coincidence!

Cheaper at GSF, although their parts are unbranded as opposed to Pagid at the site above...

[Brianmoooore]

Don't even consider the cheaper version when two are offered. These cheap parts are offered for bodge artists to patch up and sell cars on. You'll soon be doing the job again if yoou fit these.

[tommygoldy]

Don't even consider the cheaper version when two are offered. These cheap parts are offered for bodge artists to patch up and sell cars on. You'll soon be doing the job again if yoou fit these.

Fair enough - advice received with gratitude!