Hi Folks-

New to the Lambo forum. The site looks terrific; and also the members seem both knowledgable and nice. As preamble, I'm not yet a Gallardo owner, but, perhaps, hope to be in the reasonably near future. This brings me to my clutch-related question. After reading LOTS of reviews on the car, I get the distinct impression that the Gallardo is a robust, and reasonably user-friendly vehicle, particuarly for an exotic. However, though its not written about as much, the clutch appears to be the weakest link in this car's equation. I've spoken with several dealer service people and I'm led to believe that, even for those owners who are not abusing their cars it is not uncommon to burn through clutches every 5K to 10K miles. <gulp> Now, though I've not yet settled on one Gallardo in particular, I'm basically only interested in a standard 6-speed car. Also, I would intend to use the car mostly for cross-country drives from the East coast to the West coast which I tend to do about three to four times per year. There will also be about 25% city driving, but no drag racing and no autocrossing. So I hope this sets the stage for the core of my question. I'd be appreciative to hear enlightened opinions from you kind people regarding the sort of longevity I can realistically expect to achieve between clutch replacements. Since, as you know, this process is quite expensive (~$7K per) I'd really like to go into this thing with my eyes open, so to speak. Anyway, that's my question. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you may care to offer...

angeno

I'm on my 3rd Gallardo. I kept the first one for 10,000 miles (manual), the second one for about 5,000 miles (e-gear), and just took delivery of the third one (e-gear). With each year that passes, the car gets better and better. I've never had a problem with the cluch and drive my cars pretty hard. I've heard all the stories about clutch problems, but I think if you avoid dumping your clutch, you should be fine for at least 10,000 - 15,000 miles.

Also, a little piece of advise. I'm a big e-gear fan. Lambo had the system down pat and it's alot of fun (it's built by ZF -- same as Ferrari). The car runs great (faster than a manual - unless you can shift in .15 seconds) and is pretty much bulletproof -- unless you use the launch function (about 5 times will cost you a new clutch - if your lucky - you may do more costly damage).

Most people that go with the manual are traditionalists who think it just wrong to go with anything else. Well, thats just silly. If there is a better, easier and faster proven technolgy -- there is no good reason not to use it. Ferrari has won like a million straight Formula One championships using it!!!

Plus, you will suffer upon re-sale if your go with the manual. Something like 75% of all new Lambos are e-gear and like 90% of all new Ferraris are F1. Ferrari doesn't even offer its flagship (the 599 GTB) with a manual -- and I bet Lambo will follow suit soon. The 599s results speak volumes about the transmission. The 599 is faster to 100km than the ENZO, even though its heavier and has less hp (about 35). The reason, the new F-1 Superfast shifts in an astonishing 100ms. Thats 150ms faster than the ENZO, which makes up for the weight and hp.

SO - GIVE THE E-GEAR A TRY. YOUR CLUTCH SHOULD LAST LONGER AND YOU'LL LOVE IT!!!

P.S. About the Gallardo in general. Ive got 5 "supercars" (599, LP640 Coupe, 360CS, Gallardo Spyder and F430 Spyder) and if I had to have only one, it would probably be the Gallardo Spyder -- followed closely by the 599. But I think I would give the edge to the G because its a rag top.

Whatever you decide... Good luck.

If you live in an area with lots of hill and traffic jams you can expect a very short clutch life . In 2006 cars Lamborghini offers a sintered Iron clutch for the manual tranmission only. Beware the paddle shifter. One thing you should also be aware of is the Ferraries are two wheel drive. Big difference in shift times

Thanks so much folks for your thoughtful and sensible response to my inquiry.

From what I have heard the latest revision clutch and software "E" on the 2006 and later Gallardo's is the last revision. I'm told you can expect up to 20k-30k kms on a clutch depending on driving style.

I have heard mixed feedback on whether an E-gear or manual will give you longer life. Obviously the driver is the big factor, if you can't drive a stick well you'll toast the clutch early in a manual car.

There are Gallardo's out there with up to 53,000kms with really no out of the ordinary repairs on them other than one clutch.

I picked the Gallardo based on my research and feedback on the maintenance. I too didn't want and can't afford a car with heavy repair bills. You need to expect the huge prices on the common things that need replaced, such as several hundred dollar oil changes, common parts like tires and brake pads that will set you back ~10times more than for an average car.

As for the E-gear, it is a blast. I have always had manual cars and didn't want an E-gear until I tried it. The more I use it the more I love it, and man can it shift fast!

After you replace the clutch for the 1st time on the older Gallardos...is it the "New" type clutch that should last longer than original??? Is the software updated to "E" when the clutch is changed by the dealer?

I think you can have the dealer update the software at anytime -- at least that's how it works with Ferrari, and both systems are made by ZF.

I have an 04 6spd and the clutch was replaced at about 6800 miles and a cost of 7K+ by Lamborghini of Atlanta. They put in the newer clutch and I have just over 8K on it now and no problems.

ive just had a new button clutch fitted to my 04 6spd gallardo fitted by lambo agents , i drove it softly as i had just spent my unborn sons inheritance on it and i got a whole 970km out of it

help guys i need advice e gear or manual in a hilly area . Anyone know of a hi performance clutch upgrade for a 04 manual gallardo?