How's the clutch feel compared to an E36 M3, or an E90 335i?

[tracerit]

I currently drive a 99 M3 and the clutch seems "sensitive"? It's my first manual transmission car so excuse me if I'm not using the right terms haha. It's hard for the clutch to grab, i literally have to burn the clutch a bit by using gas up to 800rpm to get going.

For fun, I test drove an E90 335i manual and was really surprised how easily the clutch was engaged. It's nearly impossible to stall the thing. The 335i is out of my price range, so I'm looking at the ZHP.

In my area, there are no ZHP's for sale currently, and the closest one is a two hour drive away. Until one pops up, if anyone has had experience with either of the cars described, how does the clutch feel?

[static667]

It depends on the car, sometimes. The condition of the clutch, condition of the brake fluid, and whether or not the car still has the CDV (clutch delay valve). Removing the CDV can make a major difference in how your clutch feels. I used to have to burn my clutch to make shifting smooth, but once it was removed, it was like night and day.

[webster]

make sure your brake fluid is fresh and your CDV is gone or modified and the clutch engagment is great. almost impossible to stall in my experience so far. the only time i've stalled it is when i started the car and forgot i was in gear lol

[llll1l1ll]

I believe my CDV is still there and I don't have to give it any gas to get going. I just let the clutch out slowly and the car crawls. The CDV makes it act funny sometimes, though - particularly when trying to shift quick when accelerating. Because it engages so slow, I end up burning the clutch a little too much.

[M0nk3y]

Removing the CDV helps, but the clutch on the E36 M versus the 335i are certainly different.

The clutch compared to on my E86M to my dad's E92 328xi is night and day. My clutch is extremely heavy, and sensitive. It stalls very easily if you're not use to it because it comes out very quick and there is little room for error in the "friction zone".

Versus my dad's clutch, when I drive his car...it's extremely light (and I'll agree it's almost impossible to stall the car). Especially when getting in the car, it almost feels like there is no friction there.

I have a feeling the M car's have heavier clutches compared to non-m cars

[RITmusic2k]

In my experience, the ZHP clutch sits almost exactly midway between an e36 M3 and an e90 335i, in terms of pedal heaviness and of grabbiness. I bet you'll like it.

[az3579]

In my E30, which had an E36 M3 engine and transmission, it was much heavier to press and had less margin for error in the friction zone for a smooth shift. In the ZHP, the clutch is MUCH lighter, so you'll have quite an adjustment to make, though that adjustment happens fairly quick (within 10 minutes). I can tell you this with exact experience; I still drive my old E30 from time to time (it now belongs to my friend) and then have to switch back to my car for the drive home.

In the E46, it's harder to stall with the CDV, though it's also impossible to rev-match. To drive it smoothly, you have to slip the clutch a lot more, which increases clutch wear on top of what the CDV is doing to wear it even more. I wouldn't be surprised if a clutch only lasted 50-75k miles with a CDV installed.

Also note, the ZHP has a self-adjusting clutch, so you will NOT feel when the clutch is getting worn based on pedal slippage position! You'll know when your clutch starts to slip on its own... :(


I believe my CDV is still there and I don't have to give it any gas to get going. I just let the clutch out slowly and the car crawls. The CDV makes it act funny sometimes, though - particularly when trying to shift quick when accelerating. Because it engages so slow, I end up burning the clutch a little too much.

You can get going without giving it gas even without the CDV. This is the case with ANY car; you don't have to give it any throttle to get going, as long as you slowly engage the clutch (slowly come off the pedal). It's just easier in the ZHP because the pedal is lighter to press than the E36. As the cars get newer, the clutch pedal seems easier and easier to press.

I've driven a 335i as well, and couldn't tell much of a difference between it and my ZHP as far as pedal weight and engagement goes, but I only drove the 335i for about 15 minutes and only once.

[lilcdkey]

E36 M3's have a more difficult clutch to use than most other BMW's so you should be fine.

[danewilson77]

lilcd....check yer PM's.

[lilcdkey]

Just pmd u back DW

[nike001]

lol I stall e9x's left and right. mainly 328's because they require more revving when engaging the clutch

[az3579]

lol I stall e9x's left and right. mainly 328's because they require more revving when engaging the clutch

That's a classic; always blame the equipment. :rofl




I do it all the time....

[nike001]

That's a classic; always blame the equipment. :rofl




I do it all the time....

It's ridiculous. The e90 328's are so numb and disconnected, it was absolutely asinine for them to hook a MT up to it. 335's aren't as bad.

Besides the 335 power and the looks of ONLY the M-tech/M-sport package equipped cars, I still prefer my zhp over all

[tracerit]

In my experience, the ZHP clutch sits almost exactly midway between an e36 M3 and an e90 335i, in terms of pedal heaviness and of grabbiness. I bet you'll like it.


now you got me all excited, if that's how the clutch feels it'll be perfect for myself. the only zhp in my area for sale has troubles starting, so can't really test drive it.

[llll1l1ll]

I still prefer the clutch in my E30 vs. the ZHP. It's heavier and gives more feedback. Plus, I can rev match easier.

[tracerit]

heavy clutch = grabs easier?

[llll1l1ll]

Eh, I wouldn't think so - but I don't know so. I just like a heavy clutch.

[nike001]

I still prefer the clutch in my E30 vs. the ZHP. It's heavier and gives more feedback. Plus, I can rev match easier.

remove CDV

[RITmusic2k]

heavy clutch = grabs easier?

They're two separate, albeit related, aspects of clutch behavior. "Heavy" refers to how much effort is required to depress the clutch pedal. "Grabby" refers to how broad the friction zone is, e.g., if the clutch slips across a large span of the clutch pedal's travel, it's not as grabby as one that goes from fully disengaged to fully engaged with hardly any room for slipping.

Generally speaking, a heavier pedal means the pressure plate has thicker diaphragm springs that can generate more clamping force, thereby increasing the clutch's grabbiness... but friction material can play an even bigger role. Even with the same pressure plate, a six-puck race carbon clutch will bite way harder than the organic disc we get from the factory.

[Rovert]

I've driven my friend's E36 M3's and the stock clutch is much heavier to work with. I couldn't image pumping' that pedal in traffic while uphill...haha. I've never had a problem with my clutch feeling with/without the CDV. I still never felt the difference when I had it taken out compared to when it was in and I can be known to work the clutch hard and fast but most of my rev matches are very very close.

[llll1l1ll]

remove CDV

I will at some point! I think where the CDV slows me down most is shifting quickly from 1st -> 2nd and then sometimes with 2nd -> 3rd.

[az3579]

I've driven my friend's E36 M3's and the stock clutch is much heavier to work with. I couldn't image pumping' that pedal in traffic while uphill...haha. I've never had a problem with my clutch feeling with/without the CDV. I still never felt the difference when I had it taken out compared to when it was in and I can be known to work the clutch hard and fast but most of my rev matches are very very close.

It truly isn't so bad to drive every day. It just feels heavy initially because you're not used to driving it every day. If you give it an hour or so, you'll be operating that clutch with no more effort than your ZAM. It doesn't get bad at all during stop and go if you're used to it.