BMW E46 M3 Clutch Replacement DIY (2001-2006 BMW M3)

►The clutch on any car is a critically important piece that can cripple a vehicle's ability to drive instantly. High-performance cars are especially susceptible to clutch wear, thanks to overzealous drivers and their high-strung nature. Replacing the clutch in your BMW E46 M3 is challenging but not impossible in a DIY setting. You'll need a large selection of tools, a good jack or two, an extra pair of hands, and plenty of patience, but we're here to show you that it can be done.
The clutch is responsible for transferring engine torque to the transmission and beyond. It's a fibrous material designed to wear slowly and allow smooth transitions from a stop and between gears. Hard launches and aggressive shifting will significantly shorten the clutch disc's life. The other components in the clutch system are the pressure plate and flywheel. They can also be damaged with the clutch disc, though many clutch kits will include one or both items. Both the SMG and manual transmission use a clutch and the same transmission. However, this video won't have the extra steps associated with the SMG transmission removal and installation.
Follow along as FCP Euro's BMW Expert, Gareth Foley, takes us through a clutch replacement on a BMW E46 M3.
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Tools Needed
02:28 - Job Start/BMW E46 M3 Reinforcement Plate Removal
02:58 - BMW E46 M3 Exhaust Removal
04:27 - BMW E46 M3 Driveshaft Removal
06:40 - BMW E46 M3 Shift Linkage Removal
08:06 - BMW E46 M3 Transmission Removal
11:14 - BMW E46 M3 Clutch & Flywheel Removal
11:54 - BMW E46 M3 Rear Main Seal Removal
13:33 - BMW E46 M3 Rear Main Seal Swap
15:05 - BMW E46 M3 Rear Main Seal Install
17:19 - BMW E46 M3 Clutch & Flywheel Install
23:10 - BMW E46 M3 Transmission Prep
26:34 - BMW E46 M3 Transmission Install
28:55 - BMW E46 M3 Shift Linkage Install
29:39 - BMW E46 M3 Driveshaft Install
32:16 - BMW E46 M3 Exhaust Install
34:56 - BMW E46 M3 Reinforcement Plate Install
35:21 - Wrap-Up
Buy The BMW E46 M3 Parts Used Here:
Clutch & Flywheel Kit - www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Crankshaft Seal Kit - www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Steel Clutch Fork Pivot Pin - www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Clutch Pivot Fork - www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
Clutch Release Bearing Guide Tube - www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
BMW M3
2001 BMW M3 Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2002 BMW M3 Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2003 BMW M3 Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2004 BMW M3 Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2005 BMW M3 Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2006 BMW M3 Clutch and Flywheel Kit
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[@DonBMW]

Great video! I've done this job on an E36 and on jack stands. Best tips for someone doing this at home. 1. Wear safety glasses. 2. a Long 1/2" Ratchet is your best friend for those trans bolts and many others if you don't have an impact. 3. Must raise car at least 19" to get good clearance. 4. Mark the position of the driveshaft where it meets the tranny, middle and the differential (slight overkill, but if working along don't want that separating). 5. Last but not least. Small scissor jack that will save you a ton of struggle w the tranny and the exhaust. I went with a SMF also and refreshed all components. Car drives amazing and my shifts and super smooth and precise. Done!

[@fcpeuro]

Great tips and excellent work Don!

[@Himoutdoors]

Maximum respect Don 💪🏻. I’d like to give it a try but my with my gravel driveway, it might be a struggle. I only have an E90 325i though, so might be a little easier to do, but manoeuvring a transmission on gravel……

[@KNOWYOURSELFllc]

@@fcpeuro what is you out the clutch in then when you put in gear and it’s not grabbing to go

[@kostas_wellknown4519]

You are the top mechanic engineer ever born ! One problem , why dont you wash the gear box inside ? Greece loves BMW !

[@jamesk3565]

Awesome how to. Most of those tips are universal for this repair

[@eazy__m3]

thanks for the video! hopefully you guys can start adding some helpful tips for the smg versions as well

[@konturgestalter]

This channel is just top notch... thank you

[@fcpeuro]

Appreciate the kind words kontugestaltung!

[@CharlesChristena]

These e46 videos are amazing. Thanks!

[@fcpeuro]

Glad you like them!

[@964tractorboy]

A great video. Thanks. That dinner and shower was well-deserved.

[@danielduke7933]

Great video having a hard time find a rear main seal kit for my 2006 bmw 325xi though 😅

[@merlin6973]

Thank you.

[@slurp3711]

can y'all make a video of how to replace a e60 m5 smg clutch

[@ST-lb8wp]

thanks! came out perfect, even with SMG.

[@fcpeuro]

Nice work!

[@tarashinponnen5998]

Keep up the great content 👍

[@fcpeuro]

Thank you for watching!

[@oldjarhead1125]

Nice instructional video. Thanks

[@fcpeuro]

Our pleasure Old Jarhead!

[@seanmiller8701]

Where did you find that rear main seal tool for $30? It’s $161.98 on FCP Euro, and $93 on Turner though they don’t sell it with a handle. Would be nice to see up close how far in the seal is front and back of the plate. I’m about to do a clutch in a couple weeks.

[@kenkasitz3987]

Great video. Putting grease on the release bearing guide tube is a no no. If it was metal on metal, sure, however the release bearing on these are some sort of composite plastic and self lubricating. The grease could potentially gum up with clutch dust over time and make the movement of the release bearing sticky.

[@frontspring1]

Trust it won't gum up

[@elijahroberts6850]

please do oil pan gasket and oil filter housing gasket for e36 M3

[@DutyHonorCountry]

Would this clutch kit be able to sustain the power of an AA supercharger?

[@pduh42]

Thank you for the educational video! Tomorrow I'll do a clutch replacement on an m3. Did clutches but only on Japanese cars. On my E34 I only got as far as driveshaft (carrier bearing) and shifter components. :)

[@fcpeuro]

You got this!

[@pduh42]

@@fcpeuro I did it, but omg putting the trans back. that was a pita, took me a while to figure it out 😅

[@newtypecs700]

I LOVE YOU GUYS !

[@fcpeuro]

We love you New Type CS

[@zosimajoe1012]

really nice job. i have question plz : My BMW 116 i N45 e87 ( P018481) i looked only to change the clutch, DMF will not change, ist that bad ? and i wanted to buy the clutch, so on BMW website it should be 228 mm diameter but what i found it is 230mm diameter, so will work or must be 228mm diameter ?? thanks again

[@marknoir]

Amazing…

[@zbby2943]

This for SMG as well?

[@carloscordeiro6618]

What everyone thoughts on this DKM clutch kit? Any issues for those that installed it?

[@HLinHD]

Ok, why does why s54 look completely different to this s54 with the trans off? My starter is loose, and the whole right side is cut off where as your engine follows the shape of the bell housing

[@whoquadrophenia]

Sorry to bug you, but im putting the transmission back on my buddies e46 m3 on jack stands. Its almost in like maybe about 1/2inch plus to go but cant get it to go in further also there isnt any engagement on the input shaft and i can spin the output freely in gear. Do i need to wiggle, push and scream? Is that normal to be difficult to get it in that last little bit? Also i know cant get the same force on it while laying on my back and pushing with my hands.

[@edc8926]

How did you end up getting it to go the last 1/2””? I’m having the same issue right now.

[@MotorCityMoto]

What type of grease do you recommend?

[@fcpeuro]

Hi MotorCityMoto; manufacturers usually include them in the clutch kit. Otherwise, a tiny amount of synthetic spline lube will work.

[@delazlo]

3:09

[@petereacmen716]

🤣🤣🤣

[@fcpeuro]

[@racingjimmer]

I bet it leaked oil when you were done...

[@AvidUTuber]

Did he miss something?