[Jaronbwall]

Hello everyone,
When driving my 335i the car is amazing. Regardless if I'm in wall to wall traffic, blasting twisty roads, or highway cruising. Turn on the air-conditioner with the fan and the clutch goes to shit. The shifting gets jerky, friction point is completely different, and it's not as smooth.
Is my clutch going bad or is this a common issue?
2009, 78,000 miles, mostly stock.

[Miller335]

A/C puts a good amount of load on the engine.
I doubt anything is wrong, but if I had to take a guess if something was amiss just based on what you said there could be something going on with your dual mass flywheel.

[Jaronbwall]

Originally Posted by Miller335

A/C puts a good amount of load on the engine.
I doubt anything is wrong, but if I had to take a guess if something was amiss just based on what you said there could be something going on with your dual mass flywheel.

I knew the A/C added load to the engine but it still feels weird.

[335NJ]

I have the same thing going on, but don't really think it's an issue.

I agree though, it feels like the revs gotta be at 5k in each gear to avoid the car from stumbling on the next gear engagement. Really annoying.

[Jaronbwall]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

I have the same thing going on, but don't really think it's an issue.

I agree though, it feels like the revs gotta be at 5k in each gear to avoid the car from stumbling on the next gear engagement. Really annoying.

Exactly! When driving to work I'm short shifting to conserve gas and gets annoying. Maybe my clutch fluid needs bleed and replaced. Anyone do the CDV modification and experience this? Could be a cheap and easy fix.

[KeepRidingDirty]

Originally Posted by Jarronbwall

Exactly! When driving to work I'm short shifting to conserve gas and gets annoying. Maybe my clutch fluid needs bleed and replaced. Anyone do the CDV modification and experience this? Could be a cheap and easy fix.

I have CDV delete and I can tell you, car is still jerky as hell. It helps a little bit but the jerkiness remains. This is the hardest car to drive smoothly I've ever owned.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Jarronbwall

Exactly! When driving to work I'm short shifting to conserve gas and gets annoying. Maybe my clutch fluid needs bleed and replaced. Anyone do the CDV modification and experience this? Could be a cheap and easy fix.

I had the issue before, and after the M3 CDV install. The install was done by a shop that followed every procedure in the bleed process, etc.

[fdawg4l]

If the car drives fine without AC, I wouldn't worry. Everything changes with the AC on. I find I can't time downshifts right but I adjust after a bit every summer. It's pretty normal.

[Gizm0]

With the AC on, the compressor is putting a load on the engine therefore the revs will fall much quicker than if your AC was off.

Try this... AC OFF, in neutral or with your foot on the clutch, rev it to 6 grand and then let go off the gas. Time how long it takes for the needle drop back to idle. Now turn the AC on and repeat the same procedure. It will probably take half the time for the needle to drop down to idle.

With the AC on, when upshifting, you have to shift much quicker so the engine rev doesn't drop below the tranny rev... You can't do lazy shifts with the AC on.

When downshifting, you have to blip the throttle harder (assuming you heel/toe or rev match) for the shift to be smooth.

Personally I hate how the shifts feel with the AC on. I'm so used to drive with the AC off that when I turn it on, I have to relearn how to shift smoothly.

[335NJ]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

With the AC on, the compressor is putting a load on the engine therefore the revs will fall much quicker than if your AC was off.

Try this... AC OFF, in neutral or with your foot on the clutch, rev it to 6 grand and then let go off the gas. Time how long it takes for the needle drop back to idle. Now turn the AC on and repeat the same procedure. It will probably take half the time for the needle to drop down to idle.

With the AC on, when upshifting, you have to shift much quicker so the engine rev doesn't drop below the tranny rev... You can't do lazy shifts with the AC on.

When downshifting, you have to blip the throttle harder (assuming you heel/toe or rev match) for the shift to be smooth.

Personally I hate how the shifts feel with the AC on. I'm so used to drive with the AC off that when I turn it on, I have to relearn how to shift smoothly.

Agreed 100%

I hardly ever run the A/C, but when I do it's like a totally different car.

[Jaronbwall]

Originally Posted by 335NJ

Agreed 100%

I hardly ever run the A/C, but when I do it's like a totally different car.

I agree with you guys. I'll just deal with it at this point. You can't beat the physics of engine load.