Afternoon folks,

To try and keep a long rant short, I've read the posts on here about dmf issues on various skoda models and have made up my mind that I want an solid mass flywheel conversion for my fabia vrs.

So, next logical step, called a couple of garages (both VAG specialists) to ask opinion and get quotes. Neither offered me the smf replacement, although both are familiar wtih the concept. One of them told me 'well the manufacturers wouldn't have spent millions developing the dmf if it wasn't the best option for the car'!

Quotes from both for a straight dmf and clutch replacement were £850 which sounds painful but seems to be standard. The one garage I did pin down to quote for the smf told me it would be £1200! I thought the smf was a cheaper and more reliable option.

So I guess I have two questions.

1. Am I being too pedantic, should I just go for another dmf and shut up?

2. Has anyone bought an smf conversion kit off the internet? As one garage has said if I buy the kit they will fit it.

Help!

How much power are you currently running, and how much are you planning on going to?

Not much point IMO in going to SMF if you're running standard power unless you're planning on going for big power in the future.

Also does yours actually need changing? Don't forget that forums like this will always distort figures and make cars seem much more unreliable than they actually are. Think about how many cars are out there with no problems etc. People will generally only come and post about their flywheel if they have a problem.

^^^ +1 also if you do need a new one phone up unit 18. Even if you a few hours drive you'll be saving heaps of money.

Be aware if you go the SMF route, the noise at idle can be horrendous. The DMF is there to dampen out torque spikes and protect the gearbox and diff, as well as preventing the car sounding like a tractor.

Is this an uprated smf flywheel Helix for example, Or a standard direct replacement 4 piece conversion kit valeo for example??

Thank you for the feedback. Starting at the top:

-Power, not sure, I've had a stage 1 remap but not planning on going any further. At the time they assured me that I didn't need to change anything as standard drive train etc would cope with it.

- Yes, it does need doing unfortunately, it was recommended at the last service but I've waited until the symptoms have really started to bother me. You're right about only hearing about the cars that have problems, probably worrying unnecessarily

-Unit 18, thank you, I'll google them and have a look

- Thank you for the heads up about the potential rattle with the smf option

- I was thinking in terms of the standard direct replacement kit, however have had advice that these kits aren't specificially designed to cope wtih the torque. The £1200 quote I got is for a purpose designed and built kit from Sachs, bit too much for my needs I think!

All in all, I reckon I'll go for another dmf and hope for the best. Something else I learned though is that because I've had a remap this invalidates the warrenty on the parts. Better hope this one lasts

Thanks again for your help chaps

Em

Sounds like a new DMF is the best option then.

A replacement Sachs DMF, clutch, pressure plate and release bearing is available for around £420

Might be cheaper too from your local GSF or TPS

Here's the noise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z8Vmo-s1TY

I have my old DMF you could buy?

I could not live with that noise Omg

The noise is only on tick over in neutral with foot off the clutch. Soon as it's pressed the noise stops.

But OT, I'd just get a standard clutch and dmf if your only running mapped power

Matt