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Thread: Best affordable Clutch kit? Suggestions please!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
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    Rowland heights, CA, U.S.
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    1997 BMW M3 COUPE

    Best affordable Clutch kit? Suggestions please!

    Hello everyone! my clutch is going to give in soon and I am searching for an affordable clutch under $800, $400-600 range preferably! I've been researching what clutch would do great and have longevity while I drive it on a daily. For what ive been reading, apparently the e46 clutch and the e39 m5 fits on the m3? Am I correct on that? ANY suggestions for clutch and flywheel or anyone selling it?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    Seattle
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    99 M3

    Best affordable Clutch kit? Suggestions please!

    Stock M3 clutch and pressure plate offer good service and reliability, as I got ~ 174K miles from my stock clutch.
    If you are going with a single mass FW, then E34 M5 spring hub disk and pressure plate is way to go.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Last edited by bluptgm3; 08-17-2018 at 09:12 AM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
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    97 M3/4/5, 98 M3/2/5
    Quote Originally Posted by Dannnzz View Post
    Hello everyone! my clutch is going to give in soon and I am searching for an affordable clutch under $800, $400-600 range preferably! I've been researching what clutch would do great and have longevity while I drive it on a daily. For what ive been reading, apparently the e46 clutch and the e39 m5 fits on the m3? Am I correct on that? ANY suggestions for clutch and flywheel or anyone selling it?
    E46 M3 and E39 M5 uses the same spline but not the same as the E36. Stock is fine for 60-100k+ miles if not abused on a stock motor.
    I have a Clutchmaster FX300 and JB Racing lightweight flywheel if you're interested as I am local as I am going twin disc with a E46 M3 transmission.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    FL
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    are slow.
    If you're on a tight budget, the OEM clutch lasts a long time, feels great, and very streetable. Why not just go OEM Sachs clutch and pressure plate, slap it on the original flywheel (flame suit on) and go on your way. As long as the original flywheel isn't destroyed internally, you can usually get 2 clutches out of them. I lightly sanded mine with 400 grit sandpaper and then hit it and of course the pressure plate face with brake cleaner to make sure they were clean, and I drove that M3 for another 90k+ without any issues

    Obviously you should change out the pilot bearing, throwout bearing, and pivot pin. Stick with ONLY OE for these.

    https://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/...289-MFG38.aspx

    You'll likely want to change your Guibo while all of this is apart, as well as your shifter linkage bushings, and your transmission mounts (this is a absolute must). I would advise you go with the E21 320i mounts. You'll have to drill a slightly larger hole for the brace itself, and shave down the very slight tab next to the hole, it's all very easy to do.
    Mount Part number: 23711175424

    http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_te...anny_mount.htm


    Motor mounts would be a great idea as well, again do OE. Don't fall into the trap of aftermarket mounts. They are not worth it.
    Part number: 11812283798

    Stick with Corteco or Lemforder only for these.

    All of this will put you right at 600-700, and you'll have a much better daily driver than if you went with just an aftermarket clutch kit.

    Best of luck.
    Last edited by Hova; 08-18-2018 at 12:07 PM.
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  5. #5
    Join Date
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    '98 M3 Alpine White
    Stock. gripforce.com used to have the best pricing for a whole kit including DM flywheel, LUK and Sachs parts. Used a few. Prices seemed to be better by phone. Rockauto of all places still has LUK flywheels and LUK repsets as well as Sachs. Used a bunch of these, too, and Rockauto has good pricing. No tax and they often ship from California warehouses. They both offer the LUK DMF037 flywheel but a lighter dual-mass LUK DMF073 might be an option. The DMF073 has the slot for the flywheel lock, too.
    Last edited by tjm3; 08-19-2018 at 03:55 PM.
    See ya later,

    tony
    '98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2018
    Location
    Vancouver BC Canada
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    3
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    M3
    OEM worked great for me

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Reno, Nevada
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    My Cars
    1994 325is M3 Clone
    Quote Originally Posted by tjm3 View Post
    They both offer the LUK DMF037 flywheel but a lighter dual-mass LUK DMF073 might be an option. The DMF073 has the slot for the flywheel lock, too.
    In regards to those sku's, do they actually fit the s50? Those flywheels indicate 96+ models only.

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    '98 M3 Alpine White
    Good question. The OP's post has '97 M3. You'll need to wade through the LUK/www.schaeffler.us website for a cross ref, and they don't make it easy, either.
    See ya later,

    tony
    '98 M3, '92 Dinan3, '05 R1100S BCR, '07 R1200S, Aprilia T

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