► Our BMW Catalog Manager, Gareth Foley, walks us through step-by-step on how to replace the clutch, flywheel, and rear main seal on a 2001 BMW E46 3-series. These instructions will pertain to basically any BMW E36 and E46 needing transmission work.
This car is actually a SPEC E46 race car owned by one of our video editors on the Content Team. Because of that, he’s gone with a Fidanza billet aluminum flywheel (11.8lbs, linked below) along with an E36 M3 clutch and pressure plate. Since it’s a race car, we chose to go with a non-sprung clutch disc.
A significant portion of this DIY is dedicated to replacing the rear main seal on the E46, which should also be addressed if you’re planning to do all of the disassembly required for a clutch and flywheel. Gareth also shows how to remove the exhaust, driveshaft, and transmission as part of the process.
Read this DIY on our blog: https://blog.fcpeuro.com/how-to-replace-the-clutch-flywheel-rear-main-seal-on-a-bmw-e46
Shop The Flywheel:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-flywheel-e36-m3-fidanza-195321?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mps%20bmw%20e46&utm_content=clutch
Shop The Clutch:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-clutch-kit-m3-z3-e36-k70238-01?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mps%20bmw%20e46&utm_content=clutch
Shop All E46 Clutch Components Here:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/325i/Clutch-and-Flywheel/?year=2003&m=20&e=177&t=6&b=5&d=589&v=
Shop Specialty Tools Used Here:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-flywheel-locking-tool-cta-8809?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mps%20e46&utm_content=e46%20performance%20clutch
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/pilot-bearing-removal-tool-cta-8070?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mps%20bmw%20e46&utm_content=clutch
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-bush-83300490729?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=mps%20e46&utm_content=e46%20performance%20clutch
0:00 – Choosing the Right Parts
0:52 – Tools Needed
3:45 – Exhaust Removal
7:07 – Transmission Mount Removal
8:10 – Drive Shaft Removal
10:05 – Shifter Linkage Removal
13:22 – Transmission Removal
15:55 – Transmission Explanation
16:42 – Pressure Plate Removal
17:30 – Remove Flywheel
18:35 – Pull out Pilot Bearing
20:00 – Rear Main Seal Removal
21:25 – Swapping Rear Main Seal
23:59 – Install Rear Main Seal
26:48 – Pilot Bearing Install
28:28 – Nerding out over Lightened Flywheel
30:28 – Flywheel Install
33:24 – Clutch Disc Install
34:22 – Pressure Plate Install
36:34 – Transmission Refresh
40:10 – Transmission Reinstall
41:45 – Reinstall Remaining Parts
43:49 – Conclusion, G is Tired
These Parts Fit The Following Vehicles:
BMW 323Ci
2000 BMW 323Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 323i
1998-2000 BMW 323i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 323is
1998 BMW 323is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1999 BMW 323is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 325Ci
2001 BMW 325Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2002 BMW 325Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2003 BMW 325Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit Up to 9/2003
BMW 325i
1992-2002 BMW 325i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2003 BMW 325i Clutch and Flywheel Kit Up to 9/2003
BMW 325is
1992 BMW 325is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1993 BMW 325is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1994 BMW 325is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1995 BMW 325is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 328Ci
2000 BMW 328Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 328i
1996 BMW 328i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1997 BMW 328i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1998 BMW 328i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2000 BMW 328i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 328is
1996 BMW 328is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1997 BMW 328is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1998 BMW 328is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
1999 BMW 328is Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 330Ci
2001 BMW 330Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2002 BMW 330Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2003 BMW 330Ci Clutch and Flywheel Kit Up to 3/2003
BMW 330i
2001 BMW 330i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2002 BMW 330i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2003 BMW 330i Clutch and Flywheel Kit Up to 3/2003
BMW 525i
2001 BMW 525i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2002 BMW 525i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2003 BMW 525i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
BMW 528i
1997 BMW 528i
1998 BMW 528i
1999 BMW 528i
2000 BMW 528i
BMW 530i
2001 BMW 530i
2002 BMW 530i
2003 BMW 530i
BMW M3
1995 BMW M3
1996 BMW M3
1997 BMW M3
1998 BMW M3
1999 BMW M3
BMW Z3
1997 BMW Z3
1998 BMW Z3
1998 BMW Z3
1999 BMW Z3
2000 BMW Z3
2001 BMW Z3
2002 BMW Z3
BMW Z4
2003 BMW Z4 2.5i Clutch and Flywheel Kit
2004 BMW Z4 2.5i Clutch and Flywheel Kit Up to 10/2003
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Nice and informative video!
Question question. You guys sell the Valeo Singlemass conversion kit, does the Genuine BMW release bearing work with this kit , or is the release bearing shipped with the kit unique to it?
i own 2001 330xi 3 series e46 manual clutch goes in and goes into all gears fine- on take off in gear the engine goes but sudden rpm excells in gear hi then lowers to normal then excell in speed changing gears is fine its like has no power its not constant it does it when it wants to
what is the hp rating of this clutch used and listed in the description? thanks
A rear main seal is in my near future on my wife's E36. Of course, the clutch and will be done at the same time. This video is hugely helpful, thanks!
I used to think BMW were bad with "specialty bolts/tools" until I bought an Audi… it was all down hill from there.
Is it OK to let the trans hang by the motor mounts like that when you are getting to the top bolts? Then support the trans after getting them loose?
Picked up my first German car (02 E46) a few months ago, and FCP has been invaluable in both parts as well as informational videos these past few months! Kudos and I wish yall well in your endeavor outside of TCR 🙂
So after engine rebuild this is most difficult to do on car i guess. Even with all that staff support its exhausting. Great video man. I gonna do this job probably next year together with straigh pipe and LSD diff set. Its gonna be tough week :D. But i will use spring loaded clutch to be more comfy and want to avoid that diesel rattle sound. I hope its go well.
Are there significant differences for this job on the xi series?
Garet
Would like a sprung clutch plate. Could you source one for this setup fir my 1999 S52 motor, greatly appreciated. Matching this motor with a Getrag 250 from a E36 for my e30 swap
Norm
made this look so easy, im motivated now
A good one would be oil pan gasket replacement.
Hi, how long did you let the bead of sealent on the corners dry?