Hello all,

I've got an '06 MCSC that needs a new clutch (past owner pretty much burned through it), and was wondering if anyone has paired the FX100 or FX200 clutch from Clutchmasters, and a new OEM flywheel from Mini (LuK).

I know that most people would go with an aftermarket flywheel when installing an aftermarket clutch - makes sense, since you get the benefits of a single-mass lightweight flywheel. But, I'm trying to avoid any chatter, and through these forums, I've been reading that chatter is pretty much expected when going from the OEM dual-mass flywheel to an aftermarket single-mass like Clutchmaster's.

Anyone have any experience with this type of setup? Or is this just a really stupid thing to do, heh.

My car already makes enough funny noises from interior trim creaks, convertible top clicks, brake squeaks, air conditioning gurgle, and the exhaust is loose...all of which I've chalked up to the car's 'character' heh. But, I really dunno if i could deal with chatter coming from under the bonnet on top of everything else.

 

Clutchmasters is a good company I had a stage 2 on my Spec V, wish I had a stage 3. The reason most people go with an aftermarket flywheel is not only for the performance gain but also fo the fact that you have to have the stock flywheel machined so that the new clutch will grip better to the older flywheel. I look at it this way. You are already in there and it is a PITA to get there you might as well do both. If you do it yourself please post pics of the process. Oh ya and an upgraded clutch and flywheel will be a little harder to drive in stop and go traffic.

 

Oops, just noticed I posted this in the 2nd Gen area, can the mod move this thread to the 1st Gen area?

Porthos, thanks for the input, though to my understanding dual-mass flywheels cannot be resurfaced, and need to be replaced, so I was thinking of buying a brand-new OEM LuK flywheel and either the FX100 or FX200 clutch from CM. But maybe i just misunderstood what you said?

And yeh, replacing the clutch and flywheel I've hear is a real pain, but I've found a good shop that works on MINIs so I'm thinking of going with them to get it done. The first project I did on my car was to replace the rotors, pads, pad sensors, flush the brake fluid, and clean the wheel sensors - which took me much longer that it probably should have. And that I hear is a piece of cake in comparison to a clutch replacement job, so I think getting to the clutch might be waay too time intensive for me, heh.

 

Yes your right brakes are about 1000x easier. But I am still going to suggest you get a lightned flywheel. It tends to be cheaper and you will get better performance. Also you don't want to get you clutch and then be like "crap I really should have gotten the flywheel also. What mods do you have anyway? Cause that will also effect what clutch you should get too.

 

Can't wait till clutchmasters release product for the R56. We barely have any options!

 

I know!

With the huge amounts of torque that people will soon be pushing...our stock clutches are not going to last long I'd imagine.

 

Oh! Wasn't aware that CM doesn't make product for the R56 yet. Heh, the title of this thread (and it being in the wrong forum area at the moment) proly gave you false hope . I've sent the Mod a PM, so hopefully it'll be moved into the appropriate area soon.

 

Yep, true. I just bought the car a few months ago, so not a lot yet. For now only adding better aftermarket parts as the car's original parts wear - a good way of keeping my car expenditures within a budget, heh. But in the future I do plan on a few mods...

I'm leaning towards getting the FX100, but from what I've read the difference in feel from the 100 to the 200 is slight, and the extended-life of having the kevlar disc rather that the organic is tempting. But on the other hand, the kevlar material doesn't recover well from glazing, while the organic does...not that I am a bad driver, but it is riskier, heh.

The previous owner went through the first clutch before 20k miles i think he said, and the second is already showing signs of wear at 60k...so i really want to stay away from the OEM parts, or at least the clutch.

 

Spec Clutches aren't that bad either and they make them for the r56. But I tell you always do a clutch and flywheel together cause you already in there anyway and you won't regret it. That is going to be one of my projects in the next year in a half after exhaust and suspension.

 

Yea but judging how many clutches are failing really early (35,000 miles), the quality of LuK components is questionable. It looks like we are going to roll the same pair of dice the R53 guys are rolling with the prematurely failed clutches on their cars. The thing that sucks is that it's really hard to diagnose bad driving habits from normal wear and tear for a clutch system, and the dealer is sure going to say it's your fault... especially both the flywheel and clutch!

 

Well the flywheel better not fail. Cause that will be engine fail. But I am seeing that MINI does have weak clutches. I want to upgrade mine but I want to go with the stock for as long as I can. Though when I thought my clutch was going, MINI told me that you smoke them out and not tear them up. I found out my issue was from the pedal sticking and causing the clutch to spin out and I know that just rubbed some life of the clutch.

 

It's not really that the flywheel has a catastrophic failure, but if there is any surface cracking present.

 

Ya if you get an aftermarket one though most have a replacable face so that you don't have to have it resurfaced

 

The FX200 should be plenty for your car unless you are doing a big build. We've done plenty of installs with the clutchmasters w/ stock flywheel. A lot of our clients aren't willing to deal with the chatter associated with the light flywheels.

If you plan on sticking with a stock flywheel I would recommend having the shop doing the install check the condition of your current flywheel before replacing. The stock flywheels are pretty durable.

 

LIGHTWEIGHT FLYWHEEL FTMW!!!!! But get what you want

 

Hi Ralph,

Sorry, not mechanically inclined...but if I'm experiencing low to moderate slipping already, especialy when driving on the highway. Is that a sign that my flywheel needs replacing too, on top of getting a new clutch? Definitely want a aftermarket clutch but want to run an OEM flywheel...just don't know if I should just get a new flywheel at the same time I get the new clutch or just keep the flywheel that's on it, hoping it still ok? What are characterisitic of a poorly conditioned flywheel? From what I've read, resurfacing the flywheel is not an option, correct?

Is there a specific clutch combo (pressure plate/disc/sprung or unsprung?) recommended if I go the route of aftermarket clutch and OEM flywheel? Brand and model would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Jay

 

I thought clutchmasters doesn't make anything for the R56 yet and only Giken ones were available...