I need a new clutch and flywheel (kit with everything) for my 2005 r53 I need hearing a lot of good and bad things about the valeo kit. Any honest opinions for a hard driver who came from diesel trucks to mini coopers? These cars are a lot harder to drive then big trucks where you can dump the clutch in 2nd and be fine. I know about ACT but not sure for mini coopers and I can't afford OS Giken or the OEM which I didn't really like anyways. I do drive hard and also still start a little hard so what is good. This is my daily and I don't care about chatter it doesn't bother me I have solid mounted diesel engine trucks. A little clutch chatter doesn't faze me. I just need a good clutch that can handle a good amount of power and be reliable and not a fortune. Thank you!

 

Coming from a 1 ton Cummins as a daily to a Mini Cooper, I know the feeling of "where did all the torque go?" I had the OEM clutch in my car and honestly I felt it was heavier than the truck. I switched to the Valeo a month ago and have no regrets. This car goes to the track and it held up just fine. It's going back again this weekend. The clutch in my opinion has a better engagement and pedal feel than OEM. Can't beat it for the price and I think it's perfect for a car that is stock or slightly modified.

This car definitely is not a drop the clutch in second and you will be fine kind of car. It does not have the 850 ft-lbs of torque at 1600 rpm that I'm used to so first gear and RPM's it is.

 

Thank you so much. I'm glad someone can relate to me here. These clutches feel like your pushing an elephant with one leg. I don't plan to really go above the 200hp mark yet because honestly I don't need it but I do have some limerock passes so I wanna track my car a little this summer if I have time. I guess I will just go with the valeo because it seems to be pretty saught after. That or the auto zone dura(crap) clutch kit. Same price but I wouldn't trust it.

 

Go Valeo, not autozone. Plenty of first hand experience with it. Rock auto has the best price on the whole kit. Unfortunately, none of the vendors here can come close to their price on it.

 

Valeo conversion is a great kit, and holds the power just fine. ACT, Spec, and Clutchmasters have left a bad taste in our mouth so we don't sell or recommend them.

I have a Southbend Stage 3 Daily in my car and am unimpressed with it, the engagement point feels wonky, it still uses Valeo friction material, the only improvement they made on a stock Valeo unit is heavier pressure plate engagement. Oh yeah,.. And lets not forget the price....

If you want a fantastic clutch for a great price look into the Exedy Hyper Single, they feel great, are an amazing clutch for daily driving, and has a purple pressure plate!