Dual Mass Flywheels

[RSM Masser]

Well I must admit these was a new one on me, however a bit of google search and I am slightly better informed.
Their benifits seem to be limited and reliability is questionable. My BMW Mini Cooper D with 60k on a 57 Reg has had an occasional clutch slip when going up a steep hill recently so I decided to check out the cost of a new clutch quoted anything from c£500 to over £1500 - I never bothered with the dealer.

£500 was not too bad - expensive yes, but an understandable cost - sadly the next day - bang - no clutch RAC tow to garage (mini specialists in Croydon) and its out with the spanners.

The dual mass flywheel is shot, the release bearing has snapped and the bill has rocketed to £1300! Imagine I had gone to the £1500 garage! The flywheel alone is £400! Without labour or vat.
I have not seen the parts yet but I will be writing to BMW (I don't expect much - they will say its wear and tear do doubt)

The morale is if you have a soot chucker and suspect clutch slip - get it changed soonest.

Piston dads and various other we sites all have views on the DMF - generally they aren't liked

 

[BennyD]

Can't you get a one piece flywheel from a tuning company?

 

[philw696]

Been on the spanners all my life guys. Don't like them because they don't last and are expensive but the biggest fault without causing offence is the drover and type of driving. Be very careful putting a solid flywheel on a modern diesel I have seen on fwd cars broken drive shafts and crankshafts. Luk and valeo design them for the manufacturers. Also only buy from a good factor as a lot of fakes out there. Phil.

 

[allandwf]

Remember those, my old GTV 3.0 had one, also needed changed

 

[RSM Masser]

Final bill was £1200 - a new release arm required as the original had broken! I don't think Mrs RSM canes the living daylights out of the car (at least not too much) so the driver and driving theory for its failure is discounted (had it been any of my kids or their respective boy racer friends then it would be different)

The release arm is made by Valeo - not sure about the flywheel but a new one was £400 - ouch.

 

[philw696]

It would be Valeo or Luk. You have to replace it all to play safe and ensure you get a valid warranty. Joys of modern motoring. Days have long gone from a simple clutch change. Phil.