I've had two Sport shift cars and done over 30k miles in them with no clutch issues
It is a myth that they only last 15k and the ASM ones are more of a problem
Three issues affect ASM clutch wear, the high reverse gear, creep mode and lack of clutch learns
Understand them and work with them ASM can last longer than a manual as it is gets a consistent change

 

What happens in the car when you perform the clutch relearn procedure? I'm assuming it is some type of recalibration but I have no idea what is actually happening.

 

It "learns" the kiss and bite point of the clutch so that it can make clean clutch engagements
It also allows creep mode bugger the clutch as well

 

Ant that would be totally false. You can do clutch learns, avoid creep mode, and minimize reverse (certainly up hills), and it doesn't matter. The fact is that the clutch wear appears to be highly random (particularly with the Sports ****), even on the same car with the same driver. AM considers a clutch wearing out at 8000 miles to be within the "normal range". What does that tell you?

It also has a higher than normal failure rate. Having the clutch "fail" is better if you are under warranty since its covered, but it doesn't matter if its not, its still time for a new clutch.

I've had one clutch fail, one clutch wear out early (at least early from my perspective, not AM's), and one defective clutch. So yeah, I've been a bit unlucky. But given the number of failures I've seen people report and the number of people with clutches wearing out very quickly, not to mention AM's position on it, the problem is not a "myth".

Its a great car, but the clutch is the weak link. As long as you accept that and are prepared for the expense its OK. But trying to convince people otherwise so they get surprised and angry doesn't help anyone.

So in summary for the original poster: Get the car. Do clutch learns. Avoid creep mode. Avoid backing up on hills. Expect to replace the clutch within 10,000 miles. Have fun.

 

Got any evidence other than your personal experience?

Here's some though a small group far more than a few personal experiences

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...ntage+clutches!

I said that only lasting 15k is a myth not that they don't fail

 

There's plenty of information around now. You just have to want to look for it.

But that poll is pointless. Doesn't deal with worn clutches at all. The only thing I see is that out of 25 polled, 20% of ASM1 clutches have failed. Why don't you try to spin a 20% failure rate as being good?

The only real data is what AM has, and they are not giving it out. They know, for most clutches, at what mileage and touch count (Sport-Shift keeps a counter) was the clutch replaced and was it worn or did it fail? They've also made various updates to the clutch and Sport-Shift software and they would know what kind of effect, if any, they've had.

Fact: AM considers a worn out clutch with 8000 miles and/or a 1700 touch count to be normal. That tells me how long they expect it to last, and they have the statistics.

 

As you say AM have the data and are very unlikely to share it
At least the PH poll is gathering some other data for people to make their own informed judgement
I'd be interested to know the source of the 8k miles figure

 

I'm at 22k miles on my 07 sportshift with no issues. Mine resets every cold start because I got in the habit of turning off the climate control and radio every time I finish driving. Cold start in neutral and wait 8 to 10 seconds before putting it in gear and you're set. Calling the reset a "procedure" makes it sound like a hassle, but it's not. Keep in mind that the shifts on the original sportshift are not as quick as the later SS transmission, but they're certainly faster than the standard manual. Also consider that the car does not have a roll stop, so if you are stopped on an incline, you have to use the handbrake instead of the clutch to keep from rolling backward as you start out in first gear. It's one of many charming quirks of the car that make driving it a unique experience.

 

I appreciate all the info and input from everyone here..looks like I will be pulling the triger on this one and just hope everything will work out with it I will keep you guys posted and let me know if there is anything else I should worry about..thanks again

 

My sport shift 07 Vantage lasted 40,000 miles, much better than average.

 

The dealer said that the info came from the factory and I confirmed it with the AM regional rep.

Mind you, I only had one clutch wear that fast, but its the fact that they insisted that it was in the "normal range for wearing out" and thus not covered under warranty that's the issue. They sent me pictures and it did look very worn. So i figured that it had to be something with the Sport-Shift mechanism that caused it to wear that fast but they insisted everything was fine and that it was normal wear. My first clutch went 14k before blowing a spring (which was covered), so I still can't figure it.

Current clutch has been going fine with no sign of wearing out yet, so hopefully its wearing at a more normal rate than the one that went fast.