*The Official E53 Manual Transmission Registry Thread*

[mcurcio1989]

^ I'm interested to hear what people say on this. 3-4 seems so high. I would think you could get a clutch for under $300. Of course pilot bearing, and resurfacing the fly wheel will add a little cost on. I don't know how much labor is though. I don't anticipate having to change mine in the near future but I am just curious if anyone on here has.

[mcurcio1989]

^hey RB while where on the subject of clutches what is the concensus on starting out in 2nd? I generally start in first if I am at a dead stop but if I am moving at all I'll start in 2nd. Occasionally I'll start in 2nd from a stop.

I cannot really complain about the stump puller 1st because it is very nice when your towing but for normal driving it is definitely kind of annoying and I don't want to prematurely wear out the clutch by starting in 2nd.

[mcurcio1989]

^hey RB while where on the subject of clutches what is the concensus on starting out in 2nd? I generally start in first if I am at a dead stop but if I am moving at all I'll start in 2nd. Occasionally I'll start in 2nd from a stop.

I cannot really complain about the stump puller 1st because it is very nice when your towing but for normal driving it is definitely kind of annoying and I don't want to prematurely wear out the clutch by starting in 2nd.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by mcurcio1989

^hey RB while where on the subject of clutches what is the concensus on starting out in 2nd? I generally start in first if I am at a dead stop but if I am moving at all I'll start in 2nd. Occasionally I'll start in 2nd from a stop.

I cannot really complain about the stump puller 1st because it is very nice when your towing but for normal driving it is definitely kind of annoying and I don't want to prematurely wear out the clutch by starting in 2nd.

I start in second occasionally, most popular when doing a "rolling stop" when I'm not quite below 5 mph and won't be coming to a complete stop. The point is to not drop the hammer on the clutch when starting in 2nd, I do a little bit of clutch slip for smooth engagement.

Like I mentioned above, its all about how you engage the clutch, how often you slip it, if the hydraulic fluid is regularly changed, etc. If you come to a complete stop and always start in 2nd gear than over a long term i could see it wearing the clutch some. The point is to be in the proper gear for your engine speed, i.e. not downshifting to 1st gear at 15 mph LOL

[motordavid]

Dunno about 'consensus', but I do easy 2nd gear starts regularly: from any kind of slight downhill start, or a not fully stopped situ where I know I don't need first to get back up through the gears.

Am careful of/lightfooted on clutch...have not burned out a clutch since I was drag racing in the mid '60s.

Our '01 3.0 5 speed has ~94k miles and other than a bit of 'noise' when parking in garage and releasing clutch, it operates well. I rarely do 2nd gear starts from a dead stop...
GL, mD

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by mcurcio1989

^ I'm interested to hear what people say on this. 3-4 seems so high. I would think you could get a clutch for under $300. Of course pilot bearing, and resurfacing the fly wheel will add a little cost on. I don't know how much labor is though. I don't anticipate having to change mine in the near future but I am just curious if anyone on here has.

Parts are $300, not sure if the kit includes a new flywheel though, probably doesn't.

Home Page Search SiteSearch 21217528208 ES#41161 Clutch Kit - 21217528208


If anyone wants a shop reference for a clutch job in Jersey, pm me. The guys literally rebuild transmissions, install limited slip diffs, and do clutch jobs all day long, one of the owners is a certified Mercedes Black Series tech.

[95M3Gretchen_&_06X5Rolf]

Hi all,

3-4K sounds high - I do most of my own work but a clutch swap was too much a few years ago for my old M3 (E36 3.0L inline 6, so should be comparable) - I had my trusted indy install a UUC lightweight flywheel and an M5 clutch and the total for the job (and parts) was around 3, so stock parts ought to be less. Sounds like you're in NJ?, but if not and you're in MD I'd be happy to direct you to my trusted guy.

As for that stump pulling 1st - I'm beginning to master the gentle pull away from 1st but I only use it when at a complete stop and not on a downhill, otherwise I always do a gentle start in 2nd (unless running from the law or gun toting Floridians).

[Wired.Right]

If I could upload the video I have of my X5 pulling out not 1 tree stump but 3 I would.
New tires are going on next week for snow season. Cooper HT Plus 285/50/20

I LOVE MY X5, It does everything and then some.


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[Ricky Bobby]

That is quite the fat tire for 20s, is your speedo/transfer case ok with the increased rolling diameter?

And you definitely are the most utilitarian of us in this thread, pulling stumps like a boss! And 286k to boot, really inspiring to me, I have 215k less than you so I'm looking forward to many more years! Very partial to your color too <3 Topaz

[Wired.Right]

Thank you Ricky Bobby, I have had these same tires for the last 70,000 miles (give or take a few miles) As all X5 have their camber issues and towing does not help I finally need new tires. These Coopers are non directional. So I cross rotate and every other direction I could rotate. As far as hard on the trans or car it's self. They have been fine so far. Advice to everyone with an X5. Oil and Gas is cheaper than buying a replacement Engine, Differential or Transmission. So with that said use Super Unleaded and Get those fluids changed often DO NOT go by BMW recommendations. I would have never got to the mileage I have with BMW recommendations of 15,000 mile Oil changes and 100,000 mile or Life Time Oil in the diff and Trans.


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