NOBODY CAN START THIS CAR BUT ME

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/14/2016 at 12:40 • Filed to: None

The clutch pedal on my 335xi has an annoyingly long throw, so I got a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! to shorten the pedal throw between the engagement point and the “floor.” It adjusts by removing washers from the middle section. Right now, starting the car takes a little extra something .

Some cars, including mine, need a few of the washers in the middle of the clutch stop to be taken out so you can press the pedal far enough to trip the clutch interlock switch and start the car. I took out a couple washers to get the car started, but it takes a good amount of extra pressure on the pedal to fully compress the foam pad before the car will start.

I could very easily take another washer out to make the car start normally, but part of me doesn’t want to do that, because it’s like my little secret, only I know how to start the car. Well, me and the rest of you, Oppo. It’d be a cool anti-theft feature above and beyond the fact that many would-be car thieves can’t drive stick.

But...it’s also kind of annoying to have to press extra hard on the clutch to start the car.

I’ll probably take that washer out tonight.

DISCUSSION (10)

E90M3 > Textured Soy Protein
06/14/2016 at 12:48

Good it’s not just me, the E9X clutch does have a really long travel.

Textured Soy Protein > E90M3
06/14/2016 at 12:58

This stopper definitely shortened the travel, even with a couple washers removed. I’d call it 10 bucks well spent.

E90M3 > Textured Soy Protein
06/14/2016 at 13:01

I’ll have to look into that

Twinpowermeansoneturbo > Textured Soy Protein
06/14/2016 at 13:12

I’ve installed one of these on my 335xi, M235i, and the 335Xi I have now. It is always the very first thing I do to a new car. Interestingly though, I never have to remove more than one washer to get the car to start and it isn’t hard for me to get it started with the clutch stop installed.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Textured Soy Protein
06/14/2016 at 13:12

I know people with manual cars who will leave them running in the parking lot if they're not stopping for long.

-this space for rent- > Textured Soy Protein
06/14/2016 at 13:59

Where is the interlock switch? Can you extend the surface that pushes the button down or have the Germans overcomplicated that to the point of lunacy?

Textured Soy Protein > -this space for rent-
06/14/2016 at 14:15

Not sure where exactly the switch is, but the stopper is very easy to get at. I took it on and off the care a couple times in order to adjust it by removing washers. Really if I take one more washer out of the stack in the middle I’ll be good to go.

DipodomysDeserti > Textured Soy Protein
06/14/2016 at 14:16

I converted my motorcycle to run off capacitors, so it is kick start only now. If you hold the brake or have the headlight on while trying to kick start it, it will drain the capacitors too quickly and the bike won’t start. My little secret.

EyeFuzz > Textured Soy Protein
06/14/2016 at 14:50

Bought the same thing for my R56 Mini S. At first it would take serious pressure to start, but after a few weeks the foam must have compressed and its perfect with no trouble starting. Makes for a much better shift in my opinion!

Bullitt Ride > E90M3
06/14/2016 at 16:55

I just taught my leg (muscle memory) where the bite point is on my E90. Only if I’m sitting stopped do I hold the clutch all the way in.