Manual 88 325IS BMW, Shifts into gear fine, won't move

Complete Transmission Repair Cost Guide Transmission Forum – Ask an Expert BMW Manual 88 325IS BMW, Shifts into gear fine, won't move

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  • #5643
    E30Lyfe
    Participant

    My 88 325IS will start properly, go into every gear just fine, at low rpms the car will roll fine, when you try and gas it, the car simply acts like its in neutral, still rolling at this low speed, like 2mph-5mph. Any ideas, Im thinking clutch.

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    #5659
    Hostgator
    Member

    It’s more likely the clutch plate or the friction plate. One or the other is likely worn out and is pretty much spinning, rather than taking up when the clutch is engaged.

    The way a manual works — broadly — is that you press on the clutch pedal and the throwout bearing lifts and separates the clutch plate and the friction plate. With the engine free-wheeling and the transmission stopped, you shift gears, let the clutch go and you’re in business.

    If the clutch plate or the friction plate faces are worn, then you get the spinning situation I mentioned. I experienced the same type of performance in an old Opel Kadett L that I used to own. The clutch plate was shot and no matter what I did, the little 39-horsepower horizontally opposed four could barely move the little wagon. (Believe it or not, the engine was pretty well matched to the weight of the wagon and performance was suprisingly good). Since I was in college at the time and needed the transportation I took the vehicle in to friend’s shop and we did the work (okay, I “supervised” and he did the job — I was paying him after all) but I will admit that I was pretty accurate in my diagnosis of the problem.

    He replaced the throwout bearing just to be sure and gave the gears a once-over. Everything worked out and I drove the Open for another five years until I had graduated and was moving into my full-time career. It was a nice vehicle and served me well.

    I hope this helps. I think you should get your car into the shop asap to have it fixed. It will cost you about $750 for the work and parts, depending on the part of the country you are in. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with. I do enjoy reaching out to readers.

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