New Clutch Required, looking for advice.

[Penthousepete]

Hi All

Sadly the clutch on my 110 HDi went pop the other day and I'm in that situation where the repair will probably equal or exceed the value of the car, but it's worth more to me than an alternative. After 11 years cheap and reliable graft it's going to take some beating.

I have had a few quotes for clutch kit, dual mass flywheel and labour, all including the dreaded VAT:
£890
£980
£1080 (garage I've used before)
£1700(!)

My question is this, is there a particular brand of replacement clutch I should go for or any I should avoid?

Thanks for any advice.

[Doggy]

Oddly enough I can still lay my hands on the receipts for the last 406 clutch I had fitted way back in July 2013! (Mine was a 2.2 not a 2.0 HDi).
LUK clutch kit 6243020000 £101.36 inc VAT
LUK dmf 415014010 £281.70 inc VAT
I know those prices are ancient, but a quick Google shows the same clutch kit today for £111 and the dmf for £284

Someone who knows their way round these cars can avoid the recommended procedure of dropping the front subframe, (13 hours) and just loosen the engine side, fully undo the gearbox side of the subframe giving enough room to squeeze the 'box out. Mine took just over 5 hours, including a gearbox swap c/w driveshaft seals, changing a droplink and one engine mounting.

In other words it should be possible for about £400 parts and 5 hours labour, maybe £650/700 total at a decent independent using OE quality kit.

[Penthousepete]

Thanks Doggy.

Two of the garages have quoted 8hrs and one 10.5hrs labour so you must be pretty slick to do it in 5! Probably they're being cautious and dropping the subframe as you said. Will do a bit more digging around and make sure the quotes are using oem kit.

Will let you know how I get on, cheers...!

[GingerMagic]

When my clutch was slipping on my older 406, I ummed and ahhed about fixing it, but I really liked the car so I got the work done.

I found a new 'old stock' clutch on eBay for about £60
The flywheel was around the £230 mark.
My local independent Peugeot specialist did the work for me ( such a decent and honest chap ) and the total was £700 or so

Normally I would've spend this amount on a car, I would just replace the car, but I was fond of the 406 - and where else could I have got a great car with a new clutch/flywheel for £700..??!!

[PeterN]

The price of clutches and DMFs seems to have fallen substantially recently, check on Ebay. LUK are good provided its genuine.

Peter

[D9406]

I had my clutch replaced at a cost of @£900 a few years back, worth it as rest of car is good and reliable.
A clutch clinic in Gloucester did it in around 6-7 hours, they said that they'd done quite a few and had the experience to get it done without dropping subframe.
Andy

[Penthousepete]

The cars never wanted for anything in the time I've had it other than a good clean, always been bang on with maintenance and doubt 1k will get me anything that can compete so I'm going take the plunge and get it done.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

[Penthousepete]

When my clutch was slipping on my older 406, I ummed and ahhed about fixing it, but I really liked the car so I got the work done.

I found a new 'old stock' clutch on eBay for about £60
The flywheel was around the £230 mark.
My local independent Peugeot specialist did the work for me ( such a decent and honest chap ) and the total was £700 or so

Normally I would've spend this amount on a car, I would just replace the car, but I was fond of the 406 - and where else could I have got a great car with a new clutch/flywheel for £700..??!!

I see you're in Bournemouth, which garage did you use?

[GingerMagic]

A guy called Graham at Scotter Autos - he was based in St Christopher's Garage but moved to Wilverly Rd in Christchurch a few years back. He has since teamed up with a younger mechanic so between the two of them they can pretty much cover all bases.

He has been looking after my Peugeot's for over 20 years, from our first 306, the Picasso and my 406s.
Some jobs I can tackle myself but the bigger jobs I leave to the experts

[Penthousepete]

A guy called Graham at Scotter Autos - he was based in St Christopher's Garage but moved to Wilverly Rd in Christchurch a few years back. He has since teamed up with a younger mechanic so between the two of them they can pretty much cover all bases.

He has been looking after my Peugeot's for over 20 years, from our first 306, the Picasso and my 406s.
Some jobs I can tackle myself but the bigger jobs I leave to the experts

Thanks, Scotter certainly get loads of good reviews! I'll call them first thing tomorrow.

[GingerMagic]

Cool - tell Graham that Kelv sent you .

[Penthousepete]

Cool - tell Graham that Kelv sent you .

Hi Kelv, just got car back and had clutch, DMF, bearing, slave cylinder, gearbox oil, engine oil/filter, tyres pumped up and service light reset. The old girl is good for another 200k miles and back to being used as a daily commuter and business drive..
..and all in it cost me £669! Thanks for the recommendation from one very happy bloke!