Help! Clutch or more? 2011 N55

DukeDvl007 · 02-02-2018, 05:55 PM

My 2011 335i N55 just died. I'm pretty sure its the clutch but I'm not sure as I'm not the most technically inclined but I get by. Everything is stock and I've been having issues with accelerating the past 2 weeks with it going into gear but revving high before finally grabbing gear and going. Clutch slippage right? Well I've been babying the clutch ever since it started hoping to hold off until after I return from deployment in June. (I leave in two weeks) But while I was driving home today, I put it in neutral to brake and when I put it into 3rd gear, it started shaking and grinding. So after a tow, I'm in this dilemma, should take it to a dealer or shop and try not to get boned by buying the parts myself? Should I try to replace it myself, I have very little transmission experience but I do have mechanic friends. Which clutch and flywheel should I get? Not trying to spend over $1000-$1200, I'm in the military, not a corporate executive. Any responses are greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Ozzie335i · 02-03-2018, 08:08 AM

You need to check out the kits available from ECS... When you change the clutch remember to change the one time usage bolts and change the oil in the tranny. There are people at ECS that can help you on line with a parts list.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 02-03-2018, 08:56 AM

A clutch job is going to run you between $1000-1600 from an independent shop. The labor alone will run about $500-600. You can get a clutch for about $350. If you need a new dual mass flywheel, you'll spend an additional $750. If you go with a single mass flywheel conversion from Valeo, you'll spend approximately $750 for both the clutch and the flywheel.

The latter option will save significant future costs, as the flywheel will be able to be refinished for the next clutch job. The drawback is increased noise when in neutral.

GATORB8 · 02-03-2018, 09:09 AM

Do you have access to a base auto hobby shop with a lift? That would be a great help.

As long as you make sure you have access to the right tools and have patience and follow the steps one by one, you can do it yourself. I was able to do mine on jack stands in the garage, only needing help aligning the sockets to the top couple trans bolts where you're blind from below. I followed the Bentley shop manual step by step.

Careful going too long before changing, you can wear out the flywheel, and that will more than double the cost.

02-02-2018, 05:55 PM	#1
DukeDvl007 New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335I N55 Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Pensacola, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335I [0.00]	Help! Clutch or more? 2011 N55 My 2011 335i N55 just died. I'm pretty sure its the clutch but I'm not sure as I'm not the most technically inclined but I get by. Everything is stock and I've been having issues with accelerating the past 2 weeks with it going into gear but revving high before finally grabbing gear and going. Clutch slippage right? Well I've been babying the clutch ever since it started hoping to hold off until after I return from deployment in June. (I leave in two weeks) But while I was driving home today, I put it in neutral to brake and when I put it into 3rd gear, it started shaking and grinding. So after a tow, I'm in this dilemma, should take it to a dealer or shop and try not to get boned by buying the parts myself? Should I try to replace it myself, I have very little transmission experience but I do have mechanic friends. Which clutch and flywheel should I get? Not trying to spend over $1000-$1200, I'm in the military, not a corporate executive. Any responses are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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02-03-2018, 08:08 AM	#2
Ozzie335i Lieutenant Colonel 659 Rep 1,525 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DFW iTrader: (1)	You need to check out the kits available from ECS... When you change the clutch remember to change the one time usage bolts and change the oil in the tranny. There are people at ECS that can help you on line with a parts list.
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02-03-2018, 08:56 AM	#3
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	A clutch job is going to run you between $1000-1600 from an independent shop. The labor alone will run about $500-600. You can get a clutch for about $350. If you need a new dual mass flywheel, you'll spend an additional $750. If you go with a single mass flywheel conversion from Valeo, you'll spend approximately $750 for both the clutch and the flywheel. The latter option will save significant future costs, as the flywheel will be able to be refinished for the next clutch job. The drawback is increased noise when in neutral.
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02-03-2018, 09:09 AM	#4
GATORB8 Captain 225 Rep 807 Posts Drives: 2011 335is 6MT Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335is [9.50]	Do you have access to a base auto hobby shop with a lift? That would be a great help. As long as you make sure you have access to the right tools and have patience and follow the steps one by one, you can do it yourself. I was able to do mine on jack stands in the garage, only needing help aligning the sockets to the top couple trans bolts where you're blind from below. I followed the Bentley shop manual step by step. Careful going too long before changing, you can wear out the flywheel, and that will more than double the cost.
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