No clutch on these compressors, they're the clutchless variable vane type ;)

KyleB what part # are you looking at for this car. I see that the denso compressor has a clutch. I could be looking at it wrong though.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

That's the diagram using my VIN. It looks like a clutch, but in reality it's just a big pulley. All E60s use a variable vane compressor.

Ok I got it. I just read up on it briefly. So the pulley has a clutch but not like traditional (older) compressors. It's used for "brake away" if the compressor locks up. Am I correct on my assumption.

The compressor stays engaged 100% of the time, there is a solenoid that controls the height of a swash plate, which basically controls piston travel inside of the compressor based on cooling demands. What usually fails on these E60 compressors is the solenoid that controls the swash plate. The compressor in my car is on the way out, solenoid is getting lazy.

How they operate is what I get but what is the clutch used for that is built into the pulley.

AC Compressor Clutch For BMW 128 130 323 325 328 330 335 525 528 Reman 97391 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?m...2F382288333653

No clutch!

https://axleaddict.com/auto-repair/V...nt-Compressors

That was a good read

Ok so I got the vacuum pump, Kyle do you think it's a waste of time evacuating and refilling without changing the my compressor ?

Should I just swap the compressor or would it be worth, doing as sean suggested first.