Mechanics... cheap clutch vs OEM

littlened · 21st May 2012, 11:12 AM

As the title says really.

Need to buy a clutch for the ZS, there's a few on ebay, some are OEM and start at about £175, while there's a cheaper one by 'Panther' which is only £75.

On another message board people are saying they wouldn't touch the cheap clutch, but no-one is telling me why. They say stick with Valeo or AP clutch.

The panther clutch comes with a 12 month/20,000 mile warranty. Surely even a cheap clutch should be good for 50,000 mile?

Any suggestions?

Obviously I want to get the car back on the road for as little as possible, but I don't want to have to be replacing the clutch in 13 months time. If it's going to make a huge difference I'll get a Valeo clutch.

Flavonoids · 21st May 2012, 11:15 AM

Get the cheap one - the engine will drop out long before the clutch wears out.

ravydavygravy · 21st May 2012, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavonoids

Get the cheap one - the engine will drop out long before the clutch wears out.

Does their warranty cover the labour of getting the thing out if it goes tits?

littlened · 21st May 2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ravydavygravy

Does their warranty cover the labour of getting the thing out if it goes tits?

Not sure, but I'd be doing it myself anyway so it's just time.

Joe Fabulous · 21st May 2012, 11:47 AM

Only scratters use clutches!

JAZZMANB · 21st May 2012, 11:47 AM

i supply clutches and i,ve never heard of panther...as said its the labour thats the biggy...panther will give you £75 back no prob but its another £££ to do it twice.....oe makes like valeo,luk,sachs... are the job reputable 2nd lines would be qh,ac delco,national,borg and beck(not the same company as the glory days)...pm your reg i.ll get you a price

littlened · 24th May 2012, 10:57 AM

I went ahead and bought a cheap clutch for £85, my local motor factors wanted £250!!

It's arrived this morning and it's stamped with 'AP'. Now I know AP are a decent brand.

So does anyone know the crack here? I paid £85 for a panther clutch kit, yet parts are labelled AP.

Who does this work then?

ravydavygravy · 24th May 2012, 11:08 AM

Surely a different AP from AP Racing?

Otherwise you've got a bargain.

JAZZMANB · 24th May 2012, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlened

I went ahead and bought a cheap clutch for £85, my local motor factors wanted £250!!

It's arrived this morning and it's stamped with 'AP'. Now I know AP are a decent brand.

So does anyone know the crack here? I paid £85 for a panther clutch kit, yet parts are labelled AP.

Who does this work then?

AP was automotive products who owned borg and beck and lockheed brakes back in the day....the last little bit of oe business they had was landrover/mg/ldv....so your clutch is probably a recon of an original ap part or if its new its old stock reboxed...also borg and beck have resurfaced but i dont know if it using the ap logo...another great uk company lost to the world markets

Teed · 24th May 2012, 11:10 AM

[QUOTE=littlened;12649040]I went ahead and bought a cheap clutch for £85, my local motor factors wanted £250!!

It's arrived this morning and it's stamped with 'AP'. Now I know AP are a decent brand.

So does anyone know the crack here? I paid £85 for a panther clutch kit, yet parts are labelled AP.

Who does this work then?[/QUOTE]

Usually a mechanic like.