Spec 01-2/03 BMW 330 3.0L / 01-03 530 3.0L 5spd / 01-02 Z3 3.0L Stage 1 Clutch Kit
The SPEC SB031 is a Stage 1 clutch kit for the 3.0L six-cylinder BMWs of the early 2000s with a five-speed manual: the E46 330i and 330Ci, the E39 530i and the Z3 3.0. It suits owners whose original clutch is slipping at high mileage, smells hot after a spirited drive, or has an engagement point that has crept to the top of the pedal, and who want a little more holding power than stock without giving up a smooth, daily-friendly pedal.
These cars pass the inline-six's torque through a dual-mass flywheel, then the clutch disc, into the five-speed gearbox. SPEC builds the SB031 to bolt to that factory dual-mass flywheel, so you keep the stock damping and idle smoothness. Its Stage 1 disc uses SPEC's molded high-performance organic lining, which the maker describes as offering smooth engagement and long life, closest in feel to a factory clutch. SPEC rates the kit at 430 ft-lb of torque capacity, well above what a stock or lightly modified 3.0L makes, which leaves margin for intake, exhaust and tune work. The kit weighs about 15 lb.
With the engine warm, accelerate hard in fourth from around 2,000 rpm. If the tach climbs faster than road speed, the clutch is slipping. Before replacing it, check the hydraulics: low or dark fluid, a soft pedal or a leaking slave cylinder can cause drag and grinding into gear that a clutch will not fix. Listen at idle for a rattle that fades with the pedal down; that points to the dual-mass flywheel, which has to be sound for this kit. Our slipping diagnosis guide walks through the load test, and the repair cost guide helps you budget the job.
Our listing covers the 2001 through February 2003 BMW 330 3.0L, the 2001-2003 530i 3.0L five-speed and the 2001-2002 Z3 3.0L. SPEC's own SB031 page lists the E46 330 five-speed for 2001-2005, the 530 for 2001-2003, the Z3 3.0L for 2001-2002, plus the 1999-2000 E46 328 and E39 528, the late-1998 to 2000 Z3 2.8 and the 2004-2006 X3 E83, all with the factory dual-mass flywheel. The 330 with the six-speed (ZHP, from March 2003) is not covered; SPEC uses a different kit for it. Because five-speed and six-speed E46 cars overlap in 2003, confirm your gearbox and the flywheel type before ordering, or send us your year and VIN to check. More clutch parts are in the rebuild kits category.
If the car is getting more power than a Stage 1 suits, the ACT BM17-HDSS street kit covers a range of E36, E46 and E39 sixes; check its listing against your car.
| Brand | SPEC |
| Part number | SB031 |
| Fits | Spec 01-2/03 BMW 330 3.0L / 01-03 530 3.0L 5spd / 01-02 Z3 3.0L Stage 1 Clutch Kit |
| Vehicle fitment | BMW 330 (2001-2003) |
| Type | Clutch Kits - Single |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
No. SPEC lists the SB031 for the E46 330 five-speed. The six-speed ZHP cars built from March 2003 use a different SPEC kit.
No. SPEC builds the SB031 for use with the factory dual-mass flywheel. The flywheel must be in good condition, so inspect it for play and heat damage before reusing it.
SPEC rates the SB031 at 430 ft-lb, comfortably above a stock or lightly modified 3.0L six.
SPEC's Stage 1 uses a molded organic lining designed for smooth engagement and long life, so pedal feel and take-up stay close to a factory clutch.
SPEC's SB031 page also lists the 2004-2006 X3 E83 and the 1999-2000 E46 328 and E39 528 with the factory dual-mass flywheel. Send us your year and VIN to confirm before ordering for those models.
The clutch shares the brake fluid reservoir on these BMWs. Use fresh fluid of the grade printed on the reservoir cap and bleed the slave cylinder after the install.
