I received conflicting opinions about replacing the clutch in my 1997
328i (88 K miles).
1. From an independent BMW shop: "Don't let it go too far or you'll
have to replace the flywheel too."
Estimate: $800 - $900
2. From a BMW dealer's service writer: "You always have to replace the
flywheel."
Estimate: $2158
Have you replaced a BMW clutch without replacing the flywheel?
Thanks...
-george
bfd - 20 Nov 2007 21:23 GMT
> I received conflicting opinions about replacing the clutch in my 1997
> 328i (88 K miles).
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Have you replaced a BMW clutch without replacing the flywheel?
I did on my 1990 E34 535i, 5 spd, 115K miles. I went to an indy who
said the dual mass clutch could be replaced once without replacing the
flywheel. I believe he just sanded down the flywheel and replaced the
clutch kit, all for almost $1k.
Would I do it again? Probably not. I can feel the flywheel sometimes
when I shift gears in high speed. In hindsight, I should have replaced
the dual mass flywheel with a single mass one from an E28/24 and used
the E28 clutch kit. THAT, was the correct replacement. Oh well, if I
get to 150K, then it was worth it.
I presume you can get a single mass flywheel from an earlier model
like an E30 or E21. That is something you'll need to research. Good
Luck!
adder1969 - 20 Nov 2007 21:27 GMT
> I received conflicting opinions about replacing the clutch in my 1997
> 328i (88 K miles).
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Thanks...
> -george
Both options sound a bit on the pricey side.
I did mine at about 160k miles and I after I was thinking maybe I
should have done the flywheel too. ...but if you've got no symptoms
now and money is a bit tight then I wouldn't worry about it until it
was inspected.
Thomas Oertel - 20 Nov 2007 22:28 GMT
I had this work done on my 1998 328i at 74,470 miles in May 2007:
Replace Clutch and resurface flywheel: Labor $780, Parts $350 = $1130
My independent BMW shop sent the flywheel out to a machine shop.
I'm in Alexandria, VA outside D.C.
Tom
>I received conflicting opinions about replacing the clutch in my 1997
> 328i (88 K miles).
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Thanks...
> -george
Ali - 21 Nov 2007 18:56 GMT
There is no reason to replace the flywheel unless it is defective.
Therefore when the gearbox is removed to replace the clutch, they should
inspect the flywheel and determine if it is OK. Be careful though, because
mechanics like replacing dual mass flywheels because there is torsional
movement in them, even though they are actually designed to be like this!
Have I replaced a clutch without replacing the flywheel, yes, lots.
>I received conflicting opinions about replacing the clutch in my 1997
> 328i (88 K miles).
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Thanks...
> -george