BMW E46 Clutch Replacement and Common Faults
The E46 clutch whines or vibrates: what is wrong?
Whining or rattling while the pedal is pressed usually comes from a worn release bearing. Vibration when pulling away often points to wear of the dual mass flywheel. You can drive with the noise for some time, but the parts are worth replacing together when the gearbox is off anyway.
Why does the E46 diesel clutch slip?
The standard clutch cannot handle the extra torque from a power upgrade or a tuning box. The slip shows at full throttle at low revs. The clutch of a larger diesel does not necessarily fit a smaller one, because the diameter of the clutch shaft is different. Check the fit before buying.
What is worth renewing at the same time in an E46 330d clutch job?
The release bearing is bought separately, because it does not come with the clutch kit. The clutch fork support (21511223328) can break and the plastic nub wears, so they are worth replacing. Installing an SAC clutch requires, if needed, the manufacturer's special tool and a centring tool.
Can you tell the condition of the N42/N46 engine clutch from the pedal?
No, because the SAC pressure system hides the wear. The clutch disc often needs replacing at 200,000–250,000 km, so age and mileage tell more than the pedal.