Does this flywheel need to be replaced? I'm thinking it does, which is going to be quite expensive I'm sure. I just don't have any experience in determining if it's badly damaged but it does have many hairline cracks around the outside of the contact surface. Any thoughts on the cheapest place to get one?
My experience is replace it. You have her opened already and if you dont replace it, it will eat at you until it is replaced. Yeah, it may not be fun to fork over the money now, but I think the piece of mind is worth it imho. Esspecially, if it avoids a costly repair down the road.
As far as I know, the only non-OEM available is the OS Giken unit that only comes with a complete clutch kit.
Bummer, I didn't see the cracks in the smaller pic. If it's got cracks I'd replace it, but they aren't cheap.
That flywheel is now scrap, that said, you should always replace the DMF every time you replace your clutch, they are a non serviceable item, and a one time use only with every clutch pack. That flywheel is produced by GAT, and they were bought out by ZF Sachs, and ZF Sachs do a performance clutch for the BMW MINI R55/56 and R57 fitted with the N14 Gasoline engine and the W16 Diesel. Click the link below. http://www.sachsperformance.com/Sachs-Performance-Clutch-Powerclutch/Mini/Mini-R56-09-06-/Cooper-S-128-kW-;-10/2006:::2_925_2632_2675.html
I thought the OE flywheel manufacturer was Valeo. I just saw on Fidanza's website they are working on an R56 lightwieght SMF. Looking like the $400-500 range in price given what I've seen on thier page.
That's good to see, although at current exchange rates the cost combined with a domestically sourced OEM dual mass flywheel replacement negates some of the economical advantages over aftermarket kits. I'm sure an organic disc will be easier to modulate from a stop, and when hot; those are user friendly characteristics currently not provided by an aftermarket product. With the claim of 30% higher transmittable torque, and higher clamp load of the clutch cover, I'm sure that will equate to greater pedal effort. No doubt greater clamping force will prolong friction surface life as well. If using an off the shelf GAT flywheel, I think it's a roll of the dice if the primary mass internal mechanisms and tolerances of the DMF will have comparable service life. I recently replaced an OEM clutch kit where the flywheel had no damping remaining other than weakened springs. The secondary mass was free to rattle & clunk in all directions, this at only 30,000 miles of use. I would like to see a flywheel alternative/upgrade as well. Looking at the photo or artist rendition, the release bearing appears unchanged. Of course the clutch disk wouldn't be sprung as in the photo either.
Valeo produce and supply the 3 piece clutch kit, GAT (ZF Sachs) produce and supply the DMF (dual mass flywheel) That said Valeo do produce a solid (single mass) conversion 4 piece complete clutch/flywheel assembly for the N14 turbo and W11 supercharged engines.