hmc

I am curious about clutch life on 545/550 cars due to high torque, as well as CDV effect on clutch life. I do understand driving style plays a big role in clutch life. These are my questions:

Did you modify/delete CDV (clutch delay valve)?
Did you ever replace clutch/flywheel/both?
- If yes, at what mileage? Did you drive aggressively?
- If not, how many miles you have now?

tiangco.a

Replaced my clutch and flywheel at 96000kms. I was not aggressive, and i knew how to drive standard. I bought my car preowned so im thinking that the previous owner had effed it up, and it just took some time to really wear.
The flywheel was burnt and could have been machined, but i just replaced it.
I did the CDV delete, it supposed to save your clutch a little more.

jm545i

I'm at 43k miles on the original clutch.

I did the CDV delete a few thousand miles after I bought the car (did it at about 32k). There is a great deal of slippage with it installed, I would take it out (or replace with a unit that has the restrictor valve innards removed) the next time you swap the brake fluid.

I drive aggressively but don't abuse the clutch (or slip it more than I have to), and double-clutch/rev-match on upshifts and downshifts (to the best of my ability anyway). So far no problems.

thedreamshop

I bought my 04 545i CPO with 21K miles. I have always felt the clutch was abused by the previous owner. It likes to judder and slip n stick sometimes. I installed the modified CDV, It did not improve. I have been double clutch down shifting only, no double clutch up-shifts.

John@Motorcepts

who was the special guy who helps people take out their CDV? I forgot where I found the post. I wanna take mind out...if I have one that's the case.

krusir

+1. I did exact the same thing in my previous 2002 540i. Took CDV out around 2K miles.... My original clutch still in good shape at 167K miles when I sold the car. In my first 2K drive, the CDV just help to kill clutch, at 1st, 2nd gear, 9 out of 10 times is not smooth at all. Life get back to perfect after "NO CDV". And my clutch life (167K miles) proof it.

I current have 2009 535xi. I also removed CDV at first week of ownership. Car is at 12K miles.

thedreamshop

On your E60 did you fully remove the CDV or did you install one without the restrictor plate inside? Like the one Zeckenhousing racing sells with the guts out. I feel that if I took it out completely it would be better but I think you would need a pipe bender since the tube is spiraled and fixed, right? If you can fully remove it how did you do it?

jm545i

You didn't ask me, but I'll answer - I think better better to replace with a Zeckhausen-like unit for exactly that reason. Also it gives the look of stock when you take it in for service.

hmc

Back to my original questions, please.

Please tell me your current mileage, original clutch or not and when replaced if replaced.

SilberGrauE60

Currently 37,000 miles on original clutch and CDV valve intact.