I replaced the stock flywheel and clutch in my 120K R53 a while back. It had been slipping and getting progressively worse. Went for the Valeo kit and really liked the lighter pedal feel.
Well, about 24 months and 8K miles later and it's slipping again. My wife is the primary driver and has been driving a stick for over 20 years. She doesn't ride the clutch pedal, drives it mainly as a freeway commuter. It's a little hilly where we live - but nothing crazy.
I run a 15% pulley and a sprint booster (amongst other thing - but those 2 seem most relevant).

Considering the stock setup lasted *much* longer - and I'm tuned into the slight vibration in the drivetrain with the single mass flywheel - I'm considering going back to stock. Should be a little easier to do second time around.

Has anybody had a similar experience with the Valeo clutch?

 

I had a similar problem with a Valeo kit on a customers car.

Since then, I refuse to use them. OEM LUK only.

 

54,000 miles so far on my Valeo with no issues. Of course I got 366,000 out of the stock set up (and still had life left in it), so I may not be a good one to compare to.

Nik

 

I've got right at 33K miles on my Valeo clutch in my 03' JCW R53. The stock clutch lasted 150k miles.

The Valeo has been great. My car makes around 225hp, and it seems to hold the power just fine. There are tons of people who run these Valeo clutch kits......it's rare that you ever hear about people having issues with them.

No matter what clutch you are talking about....if it's slipping after 8K miles, it was either defective from the factory (low pressure plate pressure), was installed wrong, or someone is slipping the hell out of the clutch.....or all of the above.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I've dialed back the sprint booster a little and it seems to help. I'll keep an eye on it.

 

I really don't like those sprintboosters.....especially for trying to take off nice and smooth. With just a little bit of throttle travel, you get a lot of throttle opening. If you are revving the hell out of the motor every time you take off in first gear causing the clutch to slip alot......that's horrible for the clutch.

Also....if it slips under wide open throttle...it's shot and needs to be replaced.

 

Interesting thread here....I was strongly considering a Valeo clutch for the R52 JCW car....now maybe I need to rethink this considering what was posted above

Bryan

 

If I had to do it again....I would still go with the Valeo kit.

 

I can't comment on the longevity because I only have about 5,000 miles on it, but look at the exedy SMF kit (https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...417171&jsn=321) the flywheel is lighter than the valeo by a few lbs and it's a few bucks cheaper. I also think that you can run more aggressive friction discs and clutch covers with the included flywheel if you want to down the road.

 

Thank you...that at least gives me another option

Bryan

 

I wouldn't base your decision on a single data point. A lot of people use these clutches and they are an OE manufacturer.
I'm the OP btw.

 

I've got 35k on my Valeo kit, 15% pulley, 2% overdrive pulley, CAI, chipped, AutoX regularly, no issues so far, I like the easier pedal feel too.

 

mine have held up with one exception, hot trackdays it will start to slip in gears 3rd and above after a few sessions when it gets good and hot. I'm running 200whp

 

For anyone reading this thread who is thinking about a Valeo clutch - I found the issue with mine.
It had nothing to do with the product or the installation. I sat in the car with the car's primary driver for about 2 minutes and saw why it went through a clutch in 8k miles.

"Slipping it is fine, right?". :face palm:
Looks like her driving style has regressed and some re-education is in order.

 

I had the Valeo on a bolt-on R53 for 60k miles without issue. Felt way better than the OEM setup.

Edit: Just saw your last post. Yeah man, I've seen some people who slip the clutch to some extent in EVERY gear. I had a guy comment on how I drive one time when I test drove a Golf: "You let the clutch out really fast in all the higher gears." Yes, I do, yet you feel no jerkiness....