I have about 33k on my Mini and BMW has decided to replace the trans for me, in the process I figured I would get rid of the heavy flywheel. I plan to do some basic mods like intake exhaust tune and pulley so I don't need anything crazy for the clutch.

Will I have any issues sticking with the stock clutch?

 

No you shouldn't have any issues... at least to my knowledge. I'm running the stock clutch at 55k miles, but ~3-7k with my mods done (did the mods at different times).

-Cody

 

I just installed a ligght weight flywheel and stg3 clutch and my car rips up to redline....bes mod imo next to pulley

 

To answer your question out-right. Some where in the range of 220-240 hp. Depends on driving style and torque.

 

I've got 113,000 miles on the OEM clutch, and it still isn't slipping or showing any signs that it needs to be replaced. Mods are in my sig.

Scott
90SM

 

Glad you like it....

 

Sounds like a winner to me but I'm getting the whole trans replaced and talked to them and they said for an hour of labor they can swap them. I called helix and got quoted at $850 in labor + parts. Which would turn out to 1100 with a stock clutch reusing the flywheel.

I found the stock clutch for around 200 from sachs and was wondering if I should do it just because I enjoy my butt the shape and size it is

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no actual extra labor involved in swapping clutch and FW once the trans is out. Isn't this knd of a rip-off?

 

That bolt can take at least 4 paid coffee breaks to fully unscrew.

 

Torque not HP is the great clutch killer!

 

Hey I'm getting the dealer to do the trans without any major hardships, if I have to pay 100 to do the clutch I'll pay it lol. better then the 850 in labor helix quoted me

 

Ya, except helix actually knows what they're doing...

$100 for what? Its a warrant job, they get paid by BMW. Why do they get to collect another hour and a half of labor from you?

Most dealers charge between 1400-2000 for a clutch job, some out here in southern California want 3000+. How much of that they get reimbursed for I have no idea, but I'm sure they're also getting reimbursed for parts (otherwise it wouldn't really be a warranty job.). Milking every dime out of you...

 

$100 to do an aftermarket flywheel and replace the stock clutch. I'm confused why you are trying to put down my dealer?

I would also assume that while Helix knows what they are doing, so would the certified techs at Princeton BMW/MINI.

 

"Certified" doesn't mean much, you'd be surprised how easy it is to get "Certified". I wouldn't trust my car at the dealer for an oil change, let alone a transmission. There are hundreds of horror stories on NAM about dealers.

I wasn't trying to put your dealer down, I was just wondering why they were charging you for warranty work. Whether they put the stock clutch and flywheel or an aftermarket clutch and flywheel in your transmission it takes the same amount of time, not to mention they're GETTING PAID by MINI USA to do the install, under their contract for warranty work. So in addition to the $1400 they'll likely bill MINI for, they're milking you for $100 to do absolutely nothing...

 

And selling the stock clutch MINI replaces under warranty Oh if only I were a dealer

 

Exactly .

They're going to make easily $2000 on your "Warranty" work. That's not even factoring in whether the next unlucky soul that needs a clutch decides to have them install it for 2 grand .

 

They are getting paid to install MINI oem equipment, they have a sign that says they will not install any aftermarket or non-bmw parts. The service manager is doing me a favor with installing a lightweight flywheel for me. I don't mind paying an hour of labor to have them do it and cover it.

Regardless, if I went to another place it would be a minimum of $750 more then I'm paying now to get the flywheel installed. Unless you found a really cool mod-friendly dealer I doubt you could get them to just toss the flywheel in for free anyway.

 

I get it. They have you over a barrel so they're going to soak you. I had an LSD installed locally (NOT by the dealer). The shop put the clutch and fw in for free.

If you think about it, they're not doing you a favor at all. They will either put in aftermarket parts, or not. Apparently they do. If they do, they shouldn't gouge you.