E60/E61/E63 V10 - System Adaptions / Clutch Adaptions Sign Off Clutch Going?

E60/E61/E63 V10 - System Adaptions / Clutch Adaptions Sign Off Clutch Going?

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Discussion

BDM

Original Poster:

407 posts

181 months

Friday 11th April 2014
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Just wondered if this is a common thing or if a sign of a clutch going. Mileage is around 60k mark and no clutch change yet. Just want to know if to prepare myself or not really... Know around this milage it will no doubt be a potential.

Cheers

jcolley

183 posts

125 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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BDM said:
Just wondered if this is a common thing or if a sign of a clutch going. Mileage is around 60k mark and no clutch change yet. Just want to know if to prepare myself or not really... Know around this milage it will no doubt be a potential.

Cheers
If you're referring to the SMG adaptations needing to be reperformed relating directly to clutch wear, I would say no, there isn't any direct correlation.

Getrag, in effort to maintain an affordable cost to manufacture the GS7S47BG SMG3, chose not to use direct position sensors for every moving component inside the actuators. Instead, they programmed the computer to store the current flow values of solenoid control valves in certain positions, assuming those will never change. However, with age, all things electrical change. Insulation breaks down, magnetic coupling changes, and connectors oxidize, all things which change the current flow to the solenoid control valves. The SMG module is smart, but not smart enough to recognize these, so we begin to feel them as harsh shifts or poor rev-matching.

IMO, BMW's biggest failing with the SMG3 was not including the 15 minutes of computer work it takes to perform the full SMG adaptation as part of the routine maintenance schedule. A poorly shifting SMG will surely wear the components faster than one shifting smoothly and who knows how many clutches/flywheels were replaced over the years which could have lasted much longer if the system was routinely calibrated.

I changed my clutch at 72k miles and if was not able to visually tell the difference in thickness between the new and old clutch discs without a micrometer. I had to readapt my SMG several times over the last two years and had I not had a spare clutch and flywheel in the garage, would have been content to put the old ones back in.

Schermerhorn

4,342 posts

188 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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jcolley,

would a transmission fluid change help restore the smoothness of the clutch when channging gear?

I had a transmission error with my M6 last week and BMW cleared the fault codes but the same code momentarily came back on again. It is during the 'kick down' phase in 7th gear even though there is no physical kick down. I am wondering if it is something like a clutch position sensor or something simpler like a transmission change.

I have the AUC warranty package and it sure is handy but I really don't like leaving my car for days or weeks at a time with the garage.

jcolley

183 posts

125 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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Schermerhorn said:
jcolley,

would a transmission fluid change help restore the smoothness of the clutch when channging gear?

I had a transmission error with my M6 last week and BMW cleared the fault codes but the same code momentarily came back on again. It is during the 'kick down' phase in 7th gear even though there is no physical kick down. I am wondering if it is something like a clutch position sensor or something simpler like a transmission change.

I have the AUC warranty package and it sure is handy but I really don't like leaving my car for days or weeks at a time with the garage.
A lot of guys have reported that changing the transmission fluid does in fact smooth thing out. It is specified in TIS as well as the maintenance schedule booklet that comes with the car to be done every 3rd oil change, but it seems a lot of dealers "overlook" that. It's not hard to do yourself even, I've done it on jackstands.

Having said that, it won't cause error codes. I would ask them what the codes were that they cleared. The E60 is great about telling what it thinks is wrong, but it seems a lot of dealers ignore the error codes and then stab randomly. Imagine going to the doctor complaining of stomach pains and he tells you "nevermind that, your complexion is really pale" and prescribes skin cream.

Ask them what the 4 digit codes were they read out. Diagnosis (proper) starts there.

Schermerhorn

4,342 posts

188 months

Monday 21st April 2014
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jcolley,

I will do that. Thanks for your input on the matter!