Just had my knackered DMF replaced with a Southbend DXD stage 3 daily (470lbft) a 17lb solid flywheel, as well as having a full set of BSH engine mounts installed.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE.

I just wanted to post my findings about the SMF conversion.

Idle rattle is pretty bad now, but bear in mind that the engine mounts are now almost solid too, so it's going to be worse, anyway. Clutch engagement is spot on and the pedal feel is around 10% stiffer. I imagine it to get slightly stiffer to around 20% after a few miles.

Gear shifts are silky smooth and this clutch is a pleasure to use. The engine mounts transmit a lot of the engine noise through to the cabin, and as a consequence, it now sounds like a Porsche! Well worth doing just for that. I can't launch or drive the car hard until after 1000 miles of bedding the clutch in. I imagine that it will be a lot more tractable now but we'll find out over time as the miles pile on.

Anyway, just thought I'd post my opinions on the SMF debate in case some of you were on the fence about it.

Did you get all 3 mounts replaced? I have a low mileage used set to fit at some point, it'll be interesting to see how yours bed in.

Sorry, I wasn't thinking when I typed that. I had the upper two replaced with BSH mounts and the lower dog bone is a new OEM one as that had failed. So they're all new but only two are BSH. Unbelievable difference to the sound of the engine.

Glad to hear it, Harry! I will keep this in mind if/when I cark mine

I'm looking at a southbend stage2 silent daily for my petrol vrs. Am I right in thinking that the kit is the same for petrol and diesel ? The kit says on the box pd sbc fsi tdi ? Any info or help would be much appreciated !