BobTheZealot

So, here's an interesting one.

My clutch was creaking on the way up and shifting was generally notchy. Took it to a reputable local shop and it was diagnosed as broken pressure plate.

We agreed the shop would replace the clutch along with the pressure plate. (This should have been done during the top end rebuild 5 months ago. I've now put in > $12k into a car I've had for 6 months -- whole other story.)

I'd mentioned to the owner over the phone but not in writing (e-mail) that the car had a LWF. Somehow, he ordered a regular clutch and DMF and his mechanic put it in, taking out my LWF.

I wasn't billed for the DMF, just for the clutch kit. I seemed to have one of three 95s on the planet with a LWF and no stalling whatsoever, so I'm pretty miffed it's been removed. I really liked the throttle response.

The shop owner has offered to redo the clutch install and put the LWF back in with a GT3 clutch at no expense. He's also offered to do other work instead (probably of value comparable to labor cost, which saves him the cost of another clutch kit, although it hasn't been agreed).

What would you do? I know part of this just depends on how much I want the LWF back in, but are there other useful upgrades that can be done? I have M030s with Bilstein HDs, HIDs, a working LSD. A short shift kit? Just take the credit for future jobs that will inevitably arise? Spare set of wheels for winter tires, if he has some lying around?

(I haven't mentioned the shop name, but just to make clear, I have no gripes with the shop whatsoever. It seems like an honest mistake and the owner's response has been about as good as I could have hoped for. The diagnosis of a broken pressure plate was spot on and shifting is now buttery smooth, if not as zippy as with the LWF.)

Curious to hear thoughts .

Rick Lee

Why is this even a question? How can you live with a DMF after having had a LWF?

Mark in Baltimore

+1. Make the shop fix what they screwed up.

csertich

Well, you liked what you had before better than what you have now. The shop owner seems like he's being straight up and you can return your car to the condition you prefer. You gotta go for it.

chuck

CalvinC4S

Plain and simple, make them do it over if you requested a LWF.

Just out of curiosity do you have an alternative air box or did you remove the clutch vacuum/vent a substantial amount of miles prior to this failure?

inkatouring

+993

BobTheZealot

Thanks for the feedback, gents.

I guess if I'd phrased the question this way: You've just been given a voucher for several hours of labor and some parts; on what do you spend it first? I wonder what the answers would have been. Probably LWFs all around :P.

@Calvin4S: I don't have an alternate air box, and I haven't removed the clutch vacuum in my 6 months of ownership. Why? The prior owners might have - do you have a theory?

@inkatouring: I have an Aventurine Green with cashmere interior, and I love the color combo. If there's one interior color that I'd trade for though, it'd be chestnut . Stunning combination.

inkatouring

Yeah, I like the aventurine/cashmere combo, but love it with chestnut. If a AG/cashmere coupe came along with sport seats, I might, just might, have to jump on it.

nile13

I have a DMF car after having a LFW car. I'm just fine. It depends what you use the car for.

As to original question - hard to tell. Does the car need anything right now? What do you plan to use it for?

On related note, I think the shop is doing pretty good job rectifying their mistake. Very refreshing and nice to see that.

os993

Hmm, am I one of the 3 who has a '95 (early '95) with LWF and no stalling issues?? Granted, it did stall at first pass, but the good folks at TRG (Sonoma, CA) did some "tricks" to take care of this. almost 10yrs down the road with LWF and I will say with zero stalls (at least I can't remember any!)

Definitely get the LWF put back in. I like it and it's very drivable daily etc...

CalvinC4S

I was just curious as it seems with the 993 a pressure plate failure is uncommon, especially on the cars second clutch assuming the RS clutch was an upgrade to the original. $12,000 over 6 months of ownership seems harsh and I feel for you. That is not normal.

axl911

Yeah....nothing like the blipping the throttle on a heel-toe downshift with the LWF....watching the revs shoots up instantly then sliding the car into gear....back on the gas at the apex ..... and smile.

BobTheZealot

Mike, yes, the shop offered to fix it quickly, which was great. It'll cost him a bit, but honestly, that's probably won him a repeat customer in me (as opposed to having me rant about him on these boards).

Given the cost vs. benefit to offering to fix a mistake, I'm surprised that more shops don't act in this manner, especially in a more customer-centric culture like in the US (I just moved back from Asia -- forget about it over there).

Calvin, the car has 110k miles, so the second clutch could have been put in a while ago. But thank you - will investigate further. Yeah, $12k was certainly not a figure I was expecting to spend. About half of that was known going in (top end rebuild). I guess on the plus side, the car is great shape now - definitely see myself hanging on to it for a while.

Inkatouring, that'll be like a unicorn sighting . That combo is rare enough as it is, but in a coupe with sports seats? Have you come across any example even in forum archives?

Floodj

The other upgrades you mentioned are not as costly as the LWF. This seems like a no brianer to me.

friar93

why dont you drive with the DMF for a bit. if it bothers you now it will always bother you and so, get it done.

if it doesnt bother you and you barely notice then bank the credits and use them when you need them...knowing of course that theres always a risk the shop might not be able to honor your future requests(new owners, financial troubles, too much time passed, etc)