[woodex m.e.]

Hi All,

I will attempt to keep this as simple as possible. I just did my first clutch job on my 07 single turbo 335xi. Never done a clutch on anything else and I changed a bunch of stuff all at once so I'm not completely sure what to expect. I installed the SPEC 3+ clutch and SPEC single mass steel flywheel.

When driving the whole car vibrates to varying degrees depending on RPM and gear selected. If I push in the clutch and rev the engine it also vibrates accordingly, just to a lesser degree. To me this indicated the single mass flywheel balance or flatness is most the culprit. I also installed the twisted tuning aluminum transmission mount insert only a little while before so I know its amplifying anything going on. I literally drove it 5 miles on the new mount with the factory clutch and flywheel, so I do know it was a lot smoother before the clutch and flywheel change.

I have read of other with somewhat similar issues and just wanted to make sure this is typical. I don't mind the vibrations as long as everything is technically in check. Again this is all new for me so my mind is thinking anything from bent crankshaft end, to out of balance flywheel, to its just normal for this setup. Ive driven it about 450-500 miles.

I don't really have anywhere in Maine where I can take something like this and get an experienced opinion.

Thanks

[woodex m.e.]

Im sure someone must have this issue. Car vibrates when revving in neutral, at a stop. Between 2200rpm to 3500rpm. Significantly reduces vibrating at higher rpm.

[cortez08]

Originally Posted by woodex m.e.

Im sure someone must have this issue. Car vibrates when revving in neutral, at a stop. Between 2200rpm to 3500rpm. Significantly reduces vibrating at higher rpm.

I have the same setup as you. E92 XI Doc Race spec 3 w/smfw. Twisted aluminum transfer case mounts as well. It vibrates up to 3000 with rattle between 2000 and 2800 rpm when accelerating. I have AKG motor mounts as well. It vibrates but doesn't bother me that much. Based on what you said everything seems normal compared to mine but vibration does clear up after 3500rpm. Maybe it's a matter of perception.

[woodex m.e.]

Originally Posted by cortez08

I have the same setup as you. E92 XI Doc Race spec 3 w/smfw. Twisted aluminum transfer case mounts as well. It vibrates up to 3000 with rattle between 2000 and 2800 rpm when accelerating. I have AKG motor mounts as well. It vibrates but doesn't bother me that much. Based on what you said everything seems normal compared to mine but vibration does clear up after 3500rpm. Maybe it's a matter of perception.

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like mine is behaving exactly as yours is. Its hard to find others with such a similar setup wth us beng awd and what not. How is that doc race kt treating you? Im still on the wastegate springs while ive been sorting things out.

[Cm452]

The question is what is the vibration like? If it is subtle, like the what the chassis picks up with firm engine mounts or on a cement highway, then you may be fine. If it feels like a tire out of balance, or a borked drive shaft, then there may be something worse at hand. Did you use the clutch alignment tool?
-Cm

[woodex m.e.]

Originally Posted by Cm452

The question is what is the vibration like? If it is subtle, like the what the chassis picks up with firm engine mounts or on a cement highway, then you may be fine. If it feels like a tire out of balance, or a borked drive shaft, then there may be something worse at hand. Did you use the clutch alignment tool?
-Cm

I did use the alignment tool, but technically speaking it wouldn't matter as that tool is intended to help you assemble the system. Once the transmission is mounted it can only be in one place and no where else. The vibration varies sometime and is not consistent. At its worst it feels like a vibrating driveshaft.

[mfatse]

I think I’m experiencing a similar vibration. Dkm twin disk, revshift 90a motor mounts and getting a vibration between 1800-2300 rpm. Strange thing is, it only showed up 2,000 miles or so after putting the clutch/flywheel in.

Happens when at a dead stop or when moving, but is most pronounced in lower gears…. The best part is, sometimes it’ll randomly stop for a short period of time and then start again.

Replaced every damn pulley on the car (including alternator, power steering pump, and harmonic balancer).

Any ideas?

[dubversion]

I know this is an ancient thread, but i'd still like to comment for those that face SPEC 3+ clutch issues in a manual N54 application (I have E91). My issues started when i couldn't go out or in a gear after 120.000 km of SPEC 3+ usage. Only when the engine is off was i able to switch gear, which at least gave me the opportunity to get the car relatively easy on the trailer to garage. We decided on a new clutch plate and not renew the clutch bearing or flywheel (i have the SPEC single mass). It solved the gear switch problem, but a new problem was noticed: a few dozen kilometers into the break- in perdiod, i suffered from vibrations, getting worse over time, just like the OP. It got worse to the point that a switch gear, specifically going up, was paired with pretty heavy vibration. The vibration became so strong that i thought my drive shaft was warped or something. While driving and pushing down on the clutch slightly, you could feel the vibration. Lower RPM, more noticable vibration. Took it back to garage and decide to get a new SPEC clutch bearing. I am now still in the break-in period, but it seems that this was the (second) issue. Vibrations are gone.

Do note that this is my second 335i N54 with Spec 3+ (first one got stolen). In all cases the SPEC 3+ gives gear chatter. Apparently it's okay and i did drive more than 120.000 km with it. Gear chatter is less when the car is cold, and worse when it is warm. You only hear it when you are in neutral with running engine (e.g. at traffic light).

Hope this helps someone out there.

Moral of the story: always replace clutch plate and bearing, as the bearing is relatively unexpensive.