HI all

 

My trusty Octavia Estate 1.9tdi 8 valve pd engine code BKC is still on its first clutch. The car has now covered 177,000 miles and so the clutch cannot be lasting too much longer. Although the clutch action is absolutely superb I can hear a slight rattly noise on tick over (which I think is the dmf) (As far as I am aware I have a dmf fitted to this vehicle).

 

I have tried to read the various sources of info re converting to an SMF and it seems that for my vehicle and my style of driving (my sports car days are definitely over!!....loool) it would not cause a problem if I did change over to an SMF as many owners have done this with no problems or even slight improvement in driving experience. In fact some people are saying that Skoda are now replacing dmfs with smfs as a general rule, especially on the PD engine that I have

 

Question

 

Is it the wisest thing to change over to an SMF (I think so)?

 

Recommendations as to what make to fit (prices on ebay seem to vary greatly from £165 to £300+ so the kit quality cannot all be the same....

 

Any recommendations for people in the Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire area as to where to get it done.

 

Furthermore, following the general rule of 'If it isn't broken don't fix it' should I keep running the car until the clutch actually wears out?

 

I know this question will have been asked many times before but I am just trying to get the latest advice

 

Thanks all

 

Tom

 

 

Mike

 

Fantastic reply. (As usual, on this forum). Thanks for the complement re the driving, also.

 

You have basically summed up all of my thoughts with your post. I don't disagree with any of it.

 

I still say that this car of mine is the best I have ever owned (although I have had a few repairs recently..wheel bearings drop links etc but it is all wear and tear stuff..........and of course the mileage is getting a bit high now).

 

I note you have mentioned the Valeo make and I have seen in other posts that they are good but it is difficult to decide as LUK and Sachs and Borg and Beck are all well established.

 

So, you have helped me to make up my mind - it is def an SMF for me. Thanks for the help. Oh...What do you think? Do it or wait until it wears out (it can't last that much longer, surely)?

 

I am toying with the idea of visiting Darkside developments for the day and getting them to do it (they were advertising to do the job for £150 plus parts plus vat) but they are a long way from me and if I can find a good, reasonably priced mechanic locally it would be good.........Any knowledge of one near me, anyone?

 

Thanks all who read and again especially Mike, your post was typical of this forum

 

Tom

Mine was converted by my dealer at 35K under warranty and a new clutch fitted too. The transformation is amazing and it was so smooth and quiet and a much better responding drive. Gearchanges were silky smooth.

When I changed the car at 70K it was still the perfect same [emoji4]

I would highly recommend this conversion as you won't regret it.

I changed dmf to valeo smf kit at 100k it lasted to 200k when I traded car in . this was good move car was more confident to drive , it did not ruin performance or mpg , on my BKE engine there was not a concentric slave cylinder , but remember to lubricate to replace the clutch pivot pin .   

Hi all

 

Further to my last post re this subject...............

 

My trusty Skoda has now completed 187,000 miles and is STILL on the first clutch set up but I must admit the flywheelit is now getting a bit more rattly, although the clutch action is still great.

 

The details have already been discussed on this thread (and many others)

 

I am going to plump for a single mass conversion kit either by Valeo or LUK

 

Today's question is, can anyone recommend a decent supplier at a decent price?

 

I know we get a discount code for Euro car parts but I have forgotten it so if someone could remind me it would help a lot, particularly with this high cost item

 

Many thanks

 

Tom

Edited 8 March, 201511 yr by ThomasP

Can no one help?..............

Hi Thomas. 

I cannot help you with a supplier because we are not located in the same country. I can give you only a tip. I am pretty sure that the only manufacturer that makes SMF conversion kit is VALEO. Next week I will change my entire  clutch kit, also the flywheel and I will go for a SMF. In my country the SMF from VALEO is around 233 pounds max price and a DMF kit from LUK or SACKS is 260 pounds.

 

Search a VALEO SMF kit.

 

Greetings. 

Glad I found this thread as I was wondering the exact same re smf. I am purchasing a smf with dual clutch plate conversion (race ready) kit for about £600 plus fitting from a company called cg motorsport and taking it to my local vag tuners dubforce, once done I will update on how it is to drive.

A small went into my cr 170.. It stayed in a week and I got it taken out it done my head in rattling when u let the revs go down. Or pulling in somewhere like a driveway at low rpm it sounded dreadful like there was something wrong..