I know the S has a dual mass flywheel. But, what about the standard Cooper? Are we in the same boat? Sometime, hopefully not for a looong time, my car may need a clutch. It will wear out like anything else. And, I pretty much decided that if and when it goes, it's getting a lightweight flywheel and a stage 1 clutch. But, is there any problems with the OEM flywheel compared to say, a Spec flywheel? Or, are they both non dual mass, just put it together and go?

 

The oem flywheel on the cooper is also dual mass. Is there a reason that you can't use a dual mass flywheel with an uprated clutch?

 

I think the flywheel, if its dual mass, has to be matched to dual mass clutch. If it isn't, it causes a vibration. Really bad too. I think. Anyone know for sure?

 

That's new to me...but I'm definately not an expert. It is definately dual mass though.

 

...but it's lighter on the regular cooper (28# on the S, only 18# on the non-S)

 

a dual mass flywheel contains the springs that are normally on the clutch plate. from what i can guess is that if you use a clutch plate that contains springs along with a dual mass flywheel you might get some weird feelings with clutch engaugment, might be overly smooth, but not quite right. if you use a dual mass clutch with no springs on a Spec flywheel you will get some harsh application and some noise.

i also read on another thread that the flywheel on the non-s is a normal flywheel and the S has a dual mass. also the MINI TIS cd i have is showin that the non-s does not have a dual mass.

 

I looked for oem flywheels on different auto parts websites and they all list the oem non s flywheel as a dual mass.

 

My BMW ETK cdrom also lists the non-S part as a "twin mass flywheel".

 

my TIS cd only lists up to '04 so its possible that they have changed the flywheel. the pictures it shows for the non-s flywheel and clutch indicate that it was, atleast at one time, a regular clutch and flywheel.

 

I looked up 3/2003 build MC in my ETK since that's the build date I have.
I couldn't find in my TIS where they designate what kind of flywheel it is.

 

There seems to be a 60/40 split on what is said here. Is there possibly a Mini tech who can give a definite answer. And believe me, what some auto parts stores have on their website is a total load of BS. What they print is just what they are told, not what is true.

 

I'm now thinking that me and my ETK are wrong and littlemini's right.

The Bentley manual (page 20-3) says:

"Two versions of the clutch are used:
---Cooper models use a traditional clutch with integral damper springs.

---Cooper S models use an upgraded clutch without damper springs. Torsion
forces are absorbed by a special dual mass flywheel."

However, I'll bet that he part weights on the ETK are probably about right.
(7.649 kg for the MC, 12.200 kg for the MCS flywheel, or 16.83 vs. 26.84 lbs.)

The clutch discs are slightly different in weight.
(0.882 kg for the MC, 0.786 for the MCS or 1.94 vs. 1.73 lbs.)

 

I have taken apart dozens, including the one I have out right now with a clutch worn out and can tell you that in the last 5 years, I haven't ever seen a Cooper with a DM flywheel. Solid steel standard flywheel that can be resurfaced at your machine shop.

Chad

 

I was going by what the auto parts dealers were saying. After seeing the new clutch that I just installed, the springs are on the clutch disk and not the flywheel.