DMF life expectancy.

[E-bmw]

I am shortly to need a new clutch for my 1.6d2 V40 and am wondering about the chance of it needing replacement.

Also it seems that there are plenty of SMF kits for these from such manufacturers as Sachs/Valeo/Borg & Beck, so I also have a second question.

If there are so many kits from manufacturers as these then, am I as well to go to the "old-school" sprung friction plate that worked on all cars for so many decades before the invention of the DMF?

[Chris32345]

The way I see it it a smf is good enough for the engine why would manufacturers spend so much money developing and fitting dmfs with all the extras warrety costs that come with them?

Normally fitting a smf can lead to more vibration and reduced gearboxes life due to the torque surges the dmf is designed to reduce

[Peanut Gallery]

I have heard a few who tried to swop to single, and regretted it to the extent of replacing it with a dual mass a week later.

This was in the Ford circles, not BMW, so YMMV.

And from the sound of it the original DMF lasts between 90 to 120k miles, thats for mondeo taxis.

[Demelitia]

No mention of the mileage of the existing DMF.

You can test them for play once out of the car, but obviously you have the issue of waiting for parts with a car sat immobile over the Christmas period.
Combine that with supply chain issues and strikes and you could be in for a long wait.

I’ve not experienced one on that particular car, but the SMF’s I have seen in a modern diesel have not been a nice addition to the car.

Old diesels produce much lower amounts of torque from each cylinder so you feel each one much less with a heavy old SMF.

Modern diesels tend to feel and sound like you’ve got a washing machine on a spin cycle in the back seat without a DMF.

I’d recommend a DMF if it’s a daily you intend to keep for any length of time.
Don’t cheap out and go for the budget brands from euros; they don’t have a good reputation, and avoid a well known (for all the wrong reasons) outfit in Blackpool.

[DaveE87]

I've ran a Valeo SMF in my 130i for about 2.5 years and it suits the car well. However, I'd never consider it in a diesel.

I imagine the 1.6 PSA engine you have wouldn't like it.

[E-bmw]

Thanks for the above, you are (kind of) all saying what I would expect & in particular the bit about modern diseasels having so much more torque.

I had never considered one before, just made me think when I see the likes of Sachs/Borg & Beck peddling the conversions so readily.

FWIW I am looking at least 3/6 months down the line anyway, just thinking out loud/mulling over options.

I would never go cheap on such a job as I would never want to do it twice, so it would always be makes like these 2 or LUK anyway & would get the full kit in & just do the lot including the main seal anyway.

[Belle427]

I’d only ever go like for like and use oem quality too.
No reason it won’t last 100k or more if driven properly, the dmf could be re used if it were within acceptable wear tolerances but it’s just not worth the hassle if your going in there so to speak.