[rightaway]

I have a 2009 328i and looking to upgrade the clutch with something that hold better but have the same pedal feeling. I went to the local car parts stores and this is what they say they have.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by rightaway

I have a 2009 328i and looking to upgrade the clutch with something that hold better but have the same pedal feeling. I went to the local car parts stores and this is what they say they have.

The factory clutch is made by Luk on most MT bimmers.

[StealYourFace]

When you say you want a clutch that holds better, can you describe what makes you think the stock clutch is lacking?

I replaced the stock clutch at 80k miles (Second owner, if I had the car since new I am sure I would have gotten at least 125k out of it). Almost 50k miles later it feels exactly the same. CDV delete of course. I didn't even have to have the flywheel resurfaced- if you can even resurface a dual mass flywheel.

I can't complain for a second about the trans/clutch/shifter in this car, one of the smoothest, easiest to drive and most satisfying manuals I have ever owned. I think the heavy flywheel has a lot to do with that.

I don't see how a car with this amount of power would require an 'upgrade.' (Different isn't always an upgrade).

[rightaway]

I have the cdv out but it feel like the clutch just slips and doesn't grab. for example, if I turn the traction control off and try to get a hold hole shot, it doesn't just get up and go, it slips.no tire spinning

[willsull80]

At 200ft lbs I think kitten fur wouldn't slip. Has this clutch been abused/glazed?

[rightaway]

I'm not sure. I bought the car used from one owner. I guess I'll never be the burn out king with this car

[StealYourFace]

If the clutch is slipping, when you have the cruise control set on the highway, it will turn off going uphill, because the engine will begin to rev faster than the car is going for that gear. Similar to when you have the cruise set on a snowy road- the tires begin to slip and the cruise turns off.

[playground]

sach makes oem stuff

[Tim603]

I just had to replace my clutch about a month ago with 118k on the original. I went with clutchmaster stage 2+ (one side organic, one side ceramic) and a stock LUK dual mass factory replacement flywheel. I LOVE the clutchmasters so far, definitely recommend it! Also I considered the SPEC clutch but i heard alot of mixed opinions on it

[rightaway]

Originally Posted by Tim603

I just had to replace my clutch about a month ago with 118k on the original. I went with clutchmaster stage 2+ (one side organic, one side ceramic) and a stock LUK dual mass factory replacement flywheel. I LOVE the clutchmasters so far, definitely recommend it! Also I considered the SPEC clutch but i heard alot of mixed opinions on it

what part number is the clutchmaster because I don't see one for a 2009 328i anywhere.... where did you get it?

[Tim603]

Originally Posted by rightaway

what part number is the clutchmaster because I don't see one for a 2009 328i anywhere.... where did you get it?

Its the FX250 I think? I called the number on their website and he helped me find the right one to order online. He said it was a stage 2+ which is the FX250 I believe. It was $720 for the clutch, pressure plate, and pilot bearing

[Casca]

Looking at differences between 325i and 330i, I was surprised that most places had diferent clutch kits for them. ECStuning did list the same clutch kit (LUK or BMW) as fitting both, but places like rockauto and partsgeek had a couple choices for my 325i by LUK or Sachs ($160 for LUK and $320 for Sachs). Looked up for 330i on rockauto and they had Vaelo for just under $300 or Exceedy...no Luk or Sachs.

I am wondering if 330i OEM clutches are better than 325i (328i shares the same clutch as 325i).

The diameter on the 325i is 228mm. The diameter on the 330i is 240mm. I assume this is for the actual contact area of the clutch.


I recently replaced the clutch and flywheel myself with LUk parts and installed the 3-stage intake at the same time. Everything was good. I didn't notice any slipping, it felt good. I could slam on the gas as hard as I wanted and I didn't notice anything wrong with the drivetrain.

@ 3 weeks later I did my differential conversion from the stock ratio of 3.23 to what I have now which is 3.73. I also got the tune for my 3-stage as well. It pulls much harder, it is very noticable. However I can feel the clutch slipping. I don't think these upgrades are that extreme and would imagine the OEM clutch should still be perfectly suitable, but I can diffinently feel it slipping.

When I did the clutch job, I did make the idiotic mistake of removing the lock ring from the pressure plate before torquing it onto the flywheel. After a lot of searching the internet I did figure out how to reset it and am pretty sure I did in fact reset it and it went on the flywheel set the way it is supposed to. But now I have doubts.

[SDemetris]

Originally Posted by Casca

Looking at differences between 325i and 330i, I was surprised that most places had diferent clutch kits for them. ECStuning did list the same clutch kit (LUK or BMW) as fitting both, but places like rockauto and partsgeek had a couple choices for my 325i by LUK or Sachs ($160 for LUK and $320 for Sachs). Looked up for 330i on rockauto and they had Vaelo for just under $300 or Exceedy...no Luk or Sachs.

I am wondering if 330i OEM clutches are better than 325i (328i shares the same clutch as 325i).

The diameter on the 325i is 228mm. The diameter on the 330i is 240mm. I assume this is for the actual contact area of the clutch.

those are the diameters of the plate. they are interchangeable on our cars. either clutch can be put on a 325, 328, or 330

[Casca]

Originally Posted by SDemetris

those are the diameters of the plate. they are interchangeable on our cars. either clutch can be put on a 325, 328, or 330

Well, ordered the vaelo clutch kit for an e90 330i. Being shipped in from the UK. $309 shipped. Rockauto is calling it, "designed for European market" hopefully that means it was engineered for the 330i's there putting down 270+HP and ....it fits me car. I'll update when I get it and do the install.

[Casca]

Got my new Valeo 330i clutch kit and was comparing it to the OEM 325i/328i BMW one that I replaced with the LUK 325i kit that is currently on the car.

The disc, I think the OEM was a valeo as well. Material looks the same, but the 330i one is bigger and a bit more solid


The throwout bearing, slightly different, but looks the same height, same dimensions (by eye) that it needs to be where the arm makes contact. I didn't like the throwout bearing that came with the LUK kit as it was made for two different versions on one part and some people will install it wrong and screw everything up. I luckily read instructions. Usually.



Pressure plate, as far as I can tell, they look exactly the same. LUK, Valeo....same facotry, different badge?

Old OEM pressure plate


New Valeo pressure plate. Note the center lock ring thing pressing down on the fingers and how the springs look? DO NOT REMOVE THAT LOCK RING TILL THE PRESSURE PLATE IS MOUNTED AND TORQUED ON THE FLYWHEEL! This is where I didn't read instructions the first time.


Except the fingers

Old OEM


New Valeo


Both new and old pressure plate contact surface area is the same and the flywheel contact surface is the same as the pressure plate.

Old disc on pressure plate


New disc on pressure plate


Also, master and slave cylinder is the same on 325i or 330i. This should be a direct fit and work with no problem. Now I just need to get motivated to actually drop the transmission again.

If you're going to change the clutch on a 325i or 328i, I'd recommend to not use the actual part OEM calls for. Found info saying these clutches are just in margin for what torque these cars make and improving the torque just a little will have your clutch slipping. The clutch on the 330i however, can take much more than the torque the 330i puts out. I don't think n52's need clutchmaster, spec or act, but it does need a better clutch than what came on 325/328. And my LUK 325i/328i kit cost $169. The Valeo 330i kit cost $251, although they had to ship it in from the UK so another $50 for shipping.

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by Tim603

I just had to replace my clutch about a month ago with 118k on the original. I went with clutchmaster stage 2+ (one side organic, one side ceramic) and a stock LUK dual mass factory replacement flywheel. I LOVE the clutchmasters so far, definitely recommend it! Also I considered the SPEC clutch but i heard alot of mixed opinions on it

What was wrong with the flywheel?

The oem flywheel is supposed to be good for 2 clutches.

[TheSt|G]

Good to know the 330i unit bolts up without issue, though our trans do have slightly different part numbers.

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

What was wrong with the flywheel?

The oem flywheel is supposed to be good for 2 clutches.

If you wear a clutch down too much you will need to replace the flywheel.

[Tim603]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

What was wrong with the flywheel?

The oem flywheel is supposed to be good for 2 clutches.

It's like when you wear in brakes, the two surfaces mate with eachother. When replacing it's always good to replace both surfaces to avoid premature wearing plus after taking it apart my flywheel was glazed as hell

[Tim603]

Anyone who would put that back on with a new clutch is an idiot

[NaturalBornDriver]

For those who have swapped their 325/328i clutches over to the 330i's, is the pressure plate also a direct swap or did you have to go with the oem part?

Since the pressure plate part numbers seem to differ:

2007+ Part# 21207587368

04-06 Part# 21207567626

[Victor328i]

Originally Posted by rightaway

what part number is the clutchmaster because I don't see one for a 2009 328i anywhere.... where did you get it?

I was on clutch masters the other day and there's literally 5 or 6 different grades of clutch you can get, for dual mass and single mass flywheel. I used the mobile site though.

[328XIdiot]

LuK is the OE manufacturer of the clutch on the e90. If you buy a Valeo, or SACHS, it will be purchased from LuK. Better off buying from LuK. Same goes for the DMF. Clutchmasters likes to buy OE covers from SACHS and LuK and paint them a different color and call it an upgrade. They are just swapping discs around.