Borg & Beck Clutch

[Brob]

Hey guys looking for a bit of advice.

My BRZ is due a new clutch, when I bought the car in December the seller included one with the purchase knowing the current one didn't have a lot of life left in it.

The issue is I've never heard of the brand (Borg and Beck) and the only real mention of it I can find online is on the RX8 owners group who didn't seem to rate it at all.

Just wondering if anyone has any knowledge, I'd honestly prefer to spend the extra money and get something decent but if there's no issue with the kit included then why not save the money.

This is the kit for anyone interested: Clutch Kit

Seem's far too cheap for my liking, after all, you get what you pay for.

Cheers,
Rob

[Lotobear]

B&B were THE manufacturers of clutches and related components back in the day and a very well respected brand. My 1968 Lotus Elan has a Borg and Beck clutch

Like a lot of brands these days however they are just that - a 'brand' and probably made in the far east now.

That being said I have used some of their modern stuff and it's been fine and seems to be supplied by many of the decent motor factors.

[Richard-390a0]

I've used their parts in the recent past & they're a much of a muchness with the similar stuff you would get from ECP or GSF etc.

[SAS Tom]

As far as I know they’re a good brand. I’d put one on a standard car but if you’re increasing power probably not.

[Faust66]

I've used a fair few B&B parts over the years: mainly ball-joints and suspension arms etc. Never had a problem with them and would use again.

Can't comment on their clutches, but if I was in the market for one I'd happily consider B&B.

[Brob]

Nice one guys appreciate this, seems like it'll be okay then but gonna have a chat with my mechanic and hear his thoughts.

[wpa1975]

Borg and Beck, are supplied as OE on a lot of cars no issues with them, Sachs or LUK are also ok.

[SiH]

Borg and Beck are based in Banbury and you can see their warehouse from the M40. I don't think they've been swallowed up into the usual situation of some VC firm selling Chinese st that has been badged with a brand that was bought out years ago (think Black & Decker, Blaupunkt).

[Decky_Q]

The garage I work in did work/time studies on clutches/tyres etc for the fleet we maintain and borg and beck got it for clutches.

Fag got bearings,
Febi got balljoints and bushes
Continental got tyres
Turkish for airbags etc..

[julianm]

From 63 years ago!

[TwinKam]

As above, 'Borg & Beck' used to be an excellent brand and had an excellent 'name', supplier of OE clutches on many cars and a worthy replacement for all others.
Now sadly it is just a name, in exactly the same as 'Lucas', with no connection to its origins, simply and cynically used to market a so-so product in an attempt to give it credibility from its past glory-days.... which makes the OP's comment that he'd never heard of them rather amusing, forgive me, no offence intended, but I've been 'in the trade' for 43 years and remember being proud to fit a Borg & Beck clutch back-in-the-day.
The name 'Borg &Beck' is now owned by 'First Line', purveyor of many things automotive, but none that I am happy to fit on any of my customers' cars.

[julianm]

First Line .... Oh No!

[Belle427]

My local factors stock their filters but I don't choose to use them anymore as I see them as cheap and cheerful these days.
The clutches were seen as the best available many years ago.
Probably ok for your average daily driver though in reality if the price is right.

[Sardonicus]

TwinKam said:

As above, 'Borg & Beck' used to be an excellent brand and had an excellent 'name', supplier of OE clutches on many cars and a worthy replacement for all others.
Now sadly it is just a name, in exactly the same as 'Lucas', with no connection to its origins, simply and cynically used to market a so-so product in an attempt to give it credibility from its past glory-days.... which makes the OP's comment that he'd never heard of them rather amusing, forgive me, no offence intended, but I've been 'in the trade' for 43 years and remember being proud to fit a Borg & Beck clutch back-in-the-day.
The name 'Borg &Beck' is now owned by 'First Line', purveyor of many things automotive, but none that I am happy to fit on any of my customers' cars.

This ^ Borg and Beck name only

[Megaflow]

Decky_Q said:

The garage I work in did work/time studies on clutches/tyres etc for the fleet we maintain and borg and beck got it for clutches.

Fag got bearings,
Febi got balljoints and bushes
Continental got tyres
Turkish for airbags etc..

Interesting. I thought Febi were frowned upon for sticking their name on whatever they can lay their hands on.

[stevemcs]

If its easy to fit if/when it fails then go ahead. For a clutch ... on this you would probably find Exedy or Blueprint a better product.

[tux850]

Decky_Q said:

The garage I work in did work/time studies on clutches/tyres etc for the fleet we maintain and borg and beck got it for clutches.

Which 'Borg & Beck' though? Pre or post 2006? As others have said they are two completely separate companies, and First Line walk a very fine line with their wording to disguise the significance of this in my view.

[tux850]

stevemcs said:

If its easy to fit if/when it fails then go ahead. For a clutch ... on this you would probably find Exedy or Blueprint a better product.

Yeah I'd agree with this (adding Valeo into the mix if they do one).

Having to redo, or even prematurely replace which is more likely, a clutch is not something you really want to be doing whether you are paying for it or doing it yourself.

[Old Merc]

Borg & Beck goes back to 1903 and is now owned by First Line Ltd.

https://www.borgandbeck.com/AboutUs

[untakenname]

Megaflow said:

Interesting. I thought Febi were frowned upon for sticking their name on whatever they can lay their hands on.

Both Febi and Blueprint belong to the same group, I've had mixed results with Blueprint getting a cheap wheel bearing off amazon which didn't last too long.

As echoed above as it's going to be a lot of labour charges if it does go wrong I'd fit a decent brand like Exedy as you know it's going to last.
Whilst the clutch it out it might be worth resurfacing the flywheel or even better replacing it with a lighter one as it will make a noticeable difference on a GT86/BRZ.