My dual mass flywheel was flawed like many of yours and denied warranty by mini at 39,00mi. I spent quite some time looking at the different clutch + flywheel options and hadn't found anything viable until now. Clutchmasters has now released their clutch + flywheel combo for the R56. See link.

http://clutchmasters.com/custom/documents/03-635_PR.pdf

Of course your other options are:

Os Giken - Clutch + Flywheel ~$2000
Pros:
-Many setups in use.
Cons:
-Price
-Some reports of slipping

Competition Clutch - Clutch + Flywheel - ~$1400
Pros:
One user reports "feels like stock"
Cons:
Production on hold due to flaw in product (Called Competition on 1/15/2012)

 

I def wouldn't recommend being the first to get one. And with the track record of failures from clutchmaster I wouldn't suggest them. Get the OS Giken or go stock/JCW setup.

 

Way - any idea what the JCW setup runs?

 

I have an OS Giken. It slips when you treat it like a normal clutch and tey to feather it into gear. With you just give it a little gas and pull the clutch out and bam you are in gear.

 

So just to clarify, Cooper S and JCW have different clutch and flywheel? Cuz I had in mind they are the same between the 2 cars!

 

No, the MCS and JCW are different and if you upgrade to the JCW on a MCS you need to upgrade the flywheel as well so it's sort of an upgrade package.

 

Sorry not quite true, yes the MCS flywheel and clutch kit is different, to the JCW flywheel and clutch kit, different operational weight balance and clamping pressure, however, you can fit the JCW clutch kit to the MCS flywheel, as both share a 228mm circumference diameter, that said, I wouldn't recommend this, as when it's time to replace the clutch, it's also time and you should replace the flywheel too! Regardless of model, the DMF flywheel is a 1 time, 1 use component, per clutch kit, that cannot be resurfaced, and should not be reused, a second time.

 

I'm interested in understanding the best R56 clutch options as well. I like the OEM pedal feel but I think my clutch is starting to go at ~50k miles due to a surplus of torque with a tune from RMW. I'd like something rated for a bit more torque and I'm not sure if the JCW version would be enough of a bump up over stock. I drove a R53 with an OS Giken clutch and I didn't like the feel of the engagement. It would be a real pain in stop and go traffic. I'd like to hear from someone who's tried the new OS Giken Grand Touring clutch. Hopefully it has a more street friendly feel. I 'd also like to hear from someone running the clutchmasters kit mentioned above with the FX300 or FX400 disk.

 

I have had clutchmaster before on my last car and they were ok. But with out getting a light wieght flywheel with the clutch it is kind of a waste. In your comment though of a fx300 or fx400 you might as well go with an OS Giken because you are going to get the same engagement. Plus anything over fx300 is meant for the track and not the street. Just thought I would let you know.

 

Stage 3
http://clutchmasters.com/shop/?page=...169&AppID=2671
Stage 4
http://clutchmasters.com/shop/?page=...169&AppID=2673

 

I'm having clutch issues as well from being tuned and overwhelming my stock clutch. So the general concensus is that for the R56 the OS Giken is the best option?

Is the reported slipping issue a problem with the cultch or with the driving style? Any other aftermarket clutches recommended? I mostly see the Giken mentioned so I'm guessing it's the one most are using.

 

Well I just broke my clutch Friday. After less then 10k miles on it it sounds on feels like the pressure plate went out. I am waiting on a response from Way on what I can do.

 

Let us know what route you take on the fix, I'm interested in finding the right clutch/flywheel combo as well. Sorry about yours going out.

 

I'm interested in the outcome as well. Not sure if I should order a Giken now after all the things I'm hearing about them.

 

I believe this is why the clutch on my 09 JCW went out at 28,500. I believe there was a problem with the clutch on the early 09 JCWs. Mine never felt right. I have driven manual transmission cars for over 20 years and I had never burnt up a clutch or even made one smoke before this car.

So a combination of a poor design on the early JCWs and Jan's tune did my clutch in. I really don't know...only a theory.

The clutch was replaced under warranty and I had Jan turn down the boost on his last tune. I was making 22 to 23 psi of boost at times. Now its down around 19 to 20 psi.

 

Sounds right to me. I've read posts regarding the R56 prematurely failing so, if true, being tuned would only accelerate the process.
I have about 37k miles on mine and experiencing slip under heavy acceleration in various gears. I think I'm past the point of warranty replacement on mine.

After doing some research there doesn't seem to be one clear aftermarket replacement clutch that gets mainly good feedback.
I like the price of the Spec but those that have used it say they don't last. Same for the clutchmaster. And now I'm reading about the Giken slipping regularly too, although not sure if it's the result of poor quality or having to relearn how to shift with the STR which most people seem to have.

I'm hoping to get some feedback on the new GT series from Giken.
Either way, I'll need to make a move soon as I don't think my stock clutch will last much longer.

 

I have been talking to some people and we are thinking it might hydraulic not the clutch. So I am going to see if the dealer will check that before cracking into the transmission.

 

Porthos, any update on the clutch? This morning under low RPM high gear (6th, aka heavy load), I watched my RPMs rev as I built boost and stayed in place on the highway. UGH. By the time I got to my destination, I could smell the clutch while accelerating in 3rd gear... not good. Also, any hard acceleration in lower gears gives lots of shuttering feedback, so pretty sure its clutch/flywheel chatter =\

Need to replace asap...

Don't think I want to spend 2k on the clutch.

Looks like OEM replacement is a mere $202 which includes the clutch disk... not sure if this is the two major components covered...
http://www.parts.com/parts/index.cfm...earch&siteid=2

take a look at RealOEM for reference;
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...31&hg=21&fg=05

Also, same PN shows up for MCS and JCW.... so not sure whats up. Regardless, I think I want to avoid OEM since they're crap to begin with, and can't hold my powerl levels anyways.

Also, are all these aftermarket clutches SMF?

 

Yes! I have some pictures. Let me get home and I will upload them. I am not pointing fingers at anyone right now of what happened but, I am sending it back to OS Giken to get their opinion on it and then sending that info to the shop that installed it to see what they think. I ended up forking up some serious money to put a stock clutch back in it because I had no car and needed it back right then and there. I have got been procrastinating and haven't mailed it out yet because I have had a lot on my plate lately.

 

OH wow didn't even see that you said you broke your OSG clutch, sheesh!

 

Porthos I got the OS Giken GT clutch and LSD installed 1 month back and it makes a weird noise some times when releasing the clutch pedal in gear.
I took it to the track and heard loud, deep, metallic, knocking noises coming from the LSD after 20 laps when wheels where turned all to the right in 1st gear and releasing the clutch...
I'm really getting nervous about this clutch LSD combo...