2003 Mini Cooper R50

[Blackie]

Clutch kits, is it still a case of you get what you pay for? I’ve seen a full kit with solid flywheel on eBay for £230, but it’s not a big brand name, however it does allegedly have a 2yr warranty.

Should I ignore the impatience and continue to save for a LUK kit?

 

[Coog]

Some are crap, some are fine. What's the brand?

 

[Blackie]

Some are crap, some are fine. What's the brand?

No brand on the listing Craig….

FOR MINI COOPER S R50 R52 R53 DUAL TO SOLID MASS FLYWHEEL CONVERSION CLUTCH KIT | eBay

FOR MINI COOPER S 1.6 R50 R52 R53 DUALMASS TO SOLIDMASS FLYWHEEL CONVERSION CLUTCH KIT SET KIT INCLUDES 1 x SOLID FLYWHEEL 1 x CLUTCH COVER PLATE 1 x CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE 1 x CLUTCH BEARING +FLYWHEEL BOLTS OE QUALITY | MADE IN EUROPE FITS: MINI COOPER S (R50,R53) (163 BHP) 03/2002 - 09/2006...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Coog]

Could be anything then. Worth asking to see what it is so you can at least do a bit of research on them. I've had cheap clutches last just fine and I've had others last literally a few months!

 

[Blackie]

Good thinking @Coog

 

[Blackie]

So I’ve asked and I can’t find any information in a fairly quick search online. The seller states it’s manufactured by PCS Europe?

 

[PieMan1]

Just my 2p's worth.

It may have a 2 year warranty. Do you want to be pulling the clutch and flywheel of for warranty issues? Take the extra weeks/months etc to save for an LUK it'll save alot of hassle.

 

[svensktoppen]

How much more is a branded kit?

 

[Blackie]

Just my 2p's worth.

It may have a 2 year warranty. Do you want to be pulling the clutch and flywheel of for warranty issues? Take the extra weeks/months etc to save for an LUK it'll save alot of hassle.

Very true!

How much more is a branded kit?

The cheapest I’ve seen is a Valeo at nearly double the price.

FOR MINI 1.6 COOPER S DUAL TO SOLID MASS FLYWHEEL CLUTCH CONVERSION VALEO R53 3276428350240 | eBay

YOU ARE BUYING VALEO SOLID FLYWHEEL CLUTCH CONVERSION KIT KIT INCLUDES 1 x VALEO SOLID FLYWHEEL 1 x VALEO CLUTCH COVER PLATE 1 x VALEO CLUTCH PRESSURE PLATE 1 x CLUTCH BEARING + FLYWHEEL BOLTS FITS Description Model Year kW HP cc Build MINI (R50, R53) Cooper S Engine Code: W11B16A, Transm. Type...

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Calco]

FWIW, I bought a Borg and beck 3 piece kit from ebay for my brothers c4 picasso. Came boxed in proper packaging etc, after fitting it failed within a month.

When removed we found no stamps or anything, apparently fake clutches are a thing.

Motor factors from now on!

 

[Blackie]

FWIW, I bought a Borg and beck 3 piece kit from ebay for my brothers c4 picasso. Came boxed in proper packaging etc, after fitting it failed within a month.

When removed we found no stamps or anything, apparently fake clutches are a thing.

Motor factors from now on!

Hmmmm….. maybe might go the extra expense and go down that route as well!

 

[Calco]

Yea I would definitely consider it. It was sickening to do it twice and it's my game

 

[chapletown]

Luk or nothing..

 

[tiw30]

That one doesn't post to NI but to be honest if you fit a solid flywheel you will regret it, most people I have fitted one for have come back for a dual mass and to be honest I don't blame them

 

[Bryan]

Always the way mate!! Lol. Thanks for the thought though, I truly appreciate it. Tell me, do they use the same gear cables as the Midlands?

I'm not sure to be honest. Judging by the position of the selectors I would say they could be slightly longer. If you need a shifter and cables you can have that one.

With regard to the clutch I'd be going LUK on my own car and I'd stick with a dual mass flywheel as well. On the cars that I sell I fit Borg & Beck clutches and haven't had any issues so far and I've done 4 or 5 Minis so far.

 

[Blackie]

@tiw30 & @Bryan

As far as I’ve discovered the R50 has a solid flywheel as standard, whereas the R53 has the dual mass.

Based on that I’ve read that the heavier dual mass negatively affects the drive ability of the R50’s, makes them sluggish to accelerate apparently due to the fact the R50’s lack the supercharger lol

Unless I’m wrong and that R50’s also have a dual mass?

 

[Dynam0humm]

Aren't dual mass only really required for low cylinder diesel engines to smooth out the high torque pulses at low rpm's?

I can't see why a na 1.6 petrol engine, or any petrol 4cyl and over should need one. You might need to rev it a bit more from a standstill, but the improved throttle response and perkier acceleration should make up for it.

 

[DJMCA]

apparently fake clutches are a thing.

Im slowly learning that fake everything ....is a thing now. Have bought a few things on line recently and found they're pure *****! Edit: Granted they havent been expensive items

Approved sellers or motor factors only for things like this @Blackie

 

[Bryan]

@tiw30 & @Bryan

As far as I’ve discovered the R50 has a solid flywheel as standard, whereas the R53 has the dual mass.

Based on that I’ve read that the heavier dual mass negatively affects the drive ability of the R50’s, makes them sluggish to accelerate apparently due to the fact the R50’s lack the supercharger lol

Unless I’m wrong and that R50’s also have a dual mass?

I forgot your car isn't a Cooper S.

Yes, the standard R50 has a solid flywheel so I understand your logic.

 

[eamon343]

If its a solid flywheel as standard why are you replacing it?

 

[Bryan]

If its a solid flywheel as standard why are you replacing it?

Because he's using the 6 speed gearbox from a Cooper S which did have a dual mass flywheel.

 

[Blackie]

Because he's using the 6 speed gearbox from a Cooper S which did have a dual mass flywheel.

this^

The 6sp box uses a larger flywheel than the 5sp as well as being the dual mass

 

[Coog]

So do you use a solid R53 flywheel?

 

[svensktoppen]

A lighter flywheel is not a bad thing, it's just horses for courses.

A dual mass wheel will be a little easier to drive, and may have less vibration.

A lighter wheel will reduce throttle lag and make the engine more responsive. It won't increase power, but the engine feels a little livelier.

In practice, for me personally, I've never found it an issue to adapt to a lighter flywheel. And it does improve engagement and throttle response if that is what you are after.

For an easy "lazy" drive just floating in traffic a dual mass is absolutely fine too.

Just depends what you want out of it.

 

[thefool1983]

The 350z has a lightened flywheel and it's great. So much more responsive and free revving. And doesn't seem to affect idle etc.
I think all of the above is true, last time I drove it was may!

Point being-can you get a lightened solid flywheel? Would make driving the mini even more of a hoot!