M3 clutch engagement seems low

[jvmarino]

I have a 98 M3 sedan that I bought last fall that needed a new clutch. The old clutch was slipping a bit and engaged fairly high in it's travel (but seemed normal to me at the time). After getting the new clutch installed, the engagement point is just a bit off the bottom (maybe 3/4" of travel from the bottom). The hydraulics were never disconnected, but the shop checked for air in the system after I questioned them on the low engagement. No problems found with that. My clutch stop is actually no longer installed (looked to have broken), but I have no need for it anyway since the engagement is so low. The clutch operated fine and seems to completely disengage, I am just curious if the E36 M3 is supposed to have a low engagement point.

[art@rmeuropean]

My 99 I got last week is the same way and it has a new clutch too.

[dos Santos]

I have a small clutch stop in mine, and mine engages as soon as i lift off. I drive Audis on the weekend, and getting back into my car after an Audi (or any other car for that matter) is tricky. I usually stall out once or twice getting back in.

That being said, I have had numerous educated people drive my car, including a guy that races M3s in the ALMS races, and he said it's fine.

So as long as it's not slipping, maybe it's ok?

[Estrl M3]

my 98 m3 sedan was also this way after first purchase because it had a new clutch installed <200 miles before i bought. i since have put 2k on it and engagement has been progressivly getting longer. so i believe it is just a new clutch issue and should wear off after a few thousand miles.

[nodsc]

my 98 m3 sedan was also this way after first purchase because it had a new clutch installed <200 miles before i bought. i since have put 2k on it and engagement has been progressivly getting longer. so i believe it is just a new clutch issue and should wear off after a few thousand miles.

yeah it should feel lower than an old clutch for sure. If your gears start grinding thought could be a cluctch master or slave cylinder.

Or worse case the pressure plate is defecctive.

[weenerdog]

Mine has to be on the floor to get it into first; I was worried about it. Did the Clutch Valve Delete, bled the system with a new pressure bleeder, etc. No change. Drove a buddy's M3; the clutch felt identical.

[rcM3]

Mine is ultra-low too and its been consistently that way for the past 30k miles.

[jvmarino]

Glad to hear it's just not mine. I have gotten used to it, but everytime I drive the M3 after driving another car for a bit, I always think I should ask about it in the forum.

Hoping everyone has long stretches of happy, trouble-free motoring..............

[mmark.]

Mine has a low biting point also.
Friend of mine who's E30 M3 has a very quick biting clutch, stalled my car twice before we got going.

Another reason to excercise good shifting habits in these cars.

m