Clutch on car #436 goes at 21,300 miles - others?

[jmoskowitz]

The clutch just went out on my 5 year old 2001 Z8. I would think we should get a lot more mileage than that before failure. I was on the highway just before and everytime I went for more power the engine would rev up 2000 - 3000 rpms without catching and you could smell the rev limiter. I pulled into a gas station to get gas and never was able to get it back into any gear. Flatbeded it (another whole story - tow truck owners can't find where to hook into the undercarriage), to the dealer whp out in a clutch, flywheel and ball bearing for $2900.

How are others doing on mileage and clutches???

Jay

[atlantaZ8]

Coincidentally, I have a 2001 and just rolled over 21,000 miles. So far, so good. I did replace the clutch delay valve with a hollowed out version a few thousand miles ago so that probably helps.

[Z8mania]

Assuming its not you burning the clutch, then I would agree with Atlanta Z8.

Clutch Delay Valve. See more here:

I just drove over to Dave Z's house in NJ and he did the operation. I forget the price, but it was fairly nominal, like $25 or so + buying him lunch at his favorite place and the food and company is quite good!

Mine was going at around 17500 or so.

Also that your car is 5 years old I would be making sure to change the battery to a new one and you might want to get the car aligned as well as replace the diff and tranny fluids.

[GOBOSH]

2001 with 25,000 miles going strong. I did the CDV change out early on. I also have an 2000 M-5 that is pushing 60,000. I'm on the origianl clutch as well.

[5280-Z8]

The Z8 comes equipped with a screw in tow hook which is supplied in the tool kit. You pop out a plastic trim piece on the driver's side (if I recall correctly) just above the front air dam and the tow hook screws into an extension to the unibody "frame". BMW road assist came out on a dead battery or I would have been looking as well.5280-Z8/645,

[metzger]

Tons of folks with e39 M5's had this problem, and that car has the same drivetrain. I think the clutch is designed to be the weak point in all M cars. That said, I've had 3 in addition to my Z8 and never fried a clutch yet. Can't say why not. Consider removing the CDV.

[joea2]

[IMG]

[Z8mania]

I would advise flatbedding only. JMHO.

[Z8mania]

well done! :-)

[5280-Z8]

Maybe I mis-spoke. The "tow hook" is for attaching the cable of a flat bed hauler to pull the car up and provides one of the the three point attachments of the car to the flat bed. The operator attached to the rear axle or rear attach points via chain and hooks.

I agree that this car is not meant to be "towed".5280-Z8/645,

[bfd]

Another option is to just remove the CDV - its FREE!

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_techtip/techtips/check_valve.htm

However, if you are burning up your clutch, then you may want to consider the UUC aluminum flywheel and 850CSi clutch kit:

http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/flywheel/V8/index.htm