Z4M Clutch Delay Valve - Worth Binning?

[Polarbert]

I've read a lot of people saying that this transforms the clutch feel in the car, but others saying that they didn't really notice a difference.

Is there much cop to having it taken out? I can't say I've ever had a problem with the clutch although sometimes it does take longer than I'd like to engage.

[scz4]

Big difference in IMO, especially when coupled with a clutch stop like this https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-BMW/Performanc...

Quicker\smoohter changes, but also less jerky pulling away, reduced the kangarooing effect.

[Slippydiff]

scz4 said:

Big difference in IMO, especially when coupled with a clutch stop like this https://bimmian.com/Accessories-for-BMW/Performanc...

Quicker\smoohter changes, but also less jerky pulling away, reduced the kangarooing effect.

From the above ad "Allows You To Sit Further Back In Your Seat And Relax While Youre Driving"

Can someone explain the above to me ? (not the grammar fail BTW)

I've had a couple of 1MC's, I never had any issues with the clutch pedal, it's position, stroke length, speed of action etc, really never got this obsession with CDV's and stops ?

[AW10]

The "theory" behind the adjustable clutch stop is that most people depress the clutch pedal to the floor ignoring the bite point. Assuming the bite point is early-ish in the pedal travel any further pedal movement is not needed so an adjustable clutch stop helps reduce unnecessary pedal travel and might just allow you to sit a tiny bit further back.

I think about the only travel they really help is that of money - from the buyer to the seller.

[Beedub]

cdv makes alittle difference but gives a more natural feel to clutch action.... the clutch stop to me is utter bks.

[scz4]

Beedub said:

cdv makes alittle difference but gives a more natural feel to clutch action.... the clutch stop to me is utter bks.

Have you tried it, or just hunch you have? I'm talking from experience and fitted it to my previous ///M cars too, we both know the Z4M\E46 needs all the help it can get in this department, ZHP gear knob also helps the change and gives a nicer\shorter throw, with some weight, standard knob isn't great.


Granted, the text in that link does make it sound far more interesting and life changing than it actually is!

So for less than £100 the above three changes\mods you can make a positive difference, chuck in some redline oil and you're laughing.

Edited by scz4 on Wednesday 13th January 16:48

[api330]

The clutch stop is a great mod and removing the valve works well as well, I have had two Z4MC and did both mods as soon as I brought the cars, So much smoother to drive when done,

[Slippydiff]

So in essence we're saying the clutch actuation/driveline of the Z4/Z4 MC ain't all could could be ? ? Or a German BMW built by Americans for Americans (who can't drive...) which in turn meant the Americans felt the need to come up with an unnecessary fix for a problem that doesn't really exist

Reminds me of the "larger" brake pedals for those wanting to track their SMG equipped E46 M3's that some American genius came up with : http://www.custom-performance.net/productcart/pc/v...

Or this : http://m-power.ru/text/tuning/pedal_m3_e46.htm

Now I might be in the minority here, but surely you'd just get the brake pedal from an auto E46 rather than spending
$250 on this tat ?

[BuzyG]

Don't get the point of any of these mods other than many people enjoy modding their Zeds, nowt wrong with that as simply something to do at the weekend. But negligible change in performance for road work. Clutch works just fine as it comes out of the box.

[scz4]

BuzyG said:

Don't get the point of any of these mods other than many people enjoy modding their Zeds, nowt wrong with that as simply something to do at the weekend. But negligible change in performance for road work. Clutch works just fine as it comes out of the box.

Of course it works fine, but it can be much improved for not very much money, so why not? I'd also argue fine is acceptable in a 320d, but I want better than that for my weekend car. I guess it also depends what you've come from, I had a S2000 before, which was the pinnacle of manual gearboxes IMO.

[Polarbert]

Thanks for the information. I do have an F10 M5 gearknob in the car which has made it better. Wouldn't think I'd need a clutch stop being 6'1. Can't say the clutch is often problematic but it definitely doesn't behave as I'd expect.

[Baz Tench]

I had the cdv removed from my e46 M3, and together with the Royal Purple gearbox oil I now use, it has really made a difference!

[Polarbert]

Well I'm having it in for new spark plugs and a good service in a few weeks so will see what the bloke says.

[Fishy Dave]

I removed my CDV and noticed very little difference in my Z4M.

[jayemm89]

I had a Z4M and considered having it removed. The general consensus seemed to be it made a huge difference on regular Z4s and not anywhere near as much on Ms.

My current E46 M3 is much, much nicer to drive but it's a totally different gearbox.

I eventually found in the Z4 a large part of the problem was the throttle being quite snappy when applying it going into second gear. It takes some getting used to. I actually used to skip 2nd gear when the car is cold - my M3 is similar, but it's 10x nicer when warm than the Z4M.

I don't know what it is with performance cars and second gear? I know at least five which just didn't like second, especially cold.

[AW10]

jayemm89 said:

My current E46 M3 is much, much nicer to drive but it's a totally different gearbox.

Don't they share the same gearbox?

[jayemm89]

AW10 said:

Don't they share the same gearbox?

I'm reasonably sure they don't. I think the E46 M3 is a getrag unit and the Z4 is a ZF unit.

The gearshift is one of two major things constantly moaned about on the Z4 M - lot of people tried different things to fix it, a lot involving stiffer engine mounts etc... but not sure anyone really cracked it.

[Beedub]

jayemm89 said:

I'm reasonably sure they don't. I think the E46 M3 is a getrag unit and the Z4 is a ZF unit.

The gearshift is one of two major things constantly moaned about on the Z4 M - lot of people tried different things to fix it, a lot involving stiffer engine mounts etc... but not sure anyone really cracked it.

and yet... the gearbox is one of my fave parts of the z4m... feels fantastic, lovely throw, very mechanical rifle bolt type action, i can ram home gears as fast as i want... mines never been anything but a joy... maybe because my car hasn't had lots of different owners with varying degrees of care for it, maybe i just got a good one.

[jayemm89]

Mine was a four owner car - one being BMW, one being my step-mother. 27K on the clock when I got it, always serviced and always cared for. The gearshift was fine, but it liked to kangaroo hop on occasion. Second was always stty when cold. That said, 3-4-5-6 when on the move were a delight. Never had a problem with the car when giving it some - it just got better. Getting around town however, not fun.

Sport mode in it also a waste of a button IMHO. I hate these buttons which are thinly veiled sprint boosters.

[AdamD]

Mine has been removed, it kerb slip on enthusiastic 1st to 2nd shifts and you can judge the bite better.

Worth doing with no downsides.