Ok, what next?

[Nos4r2]

The 'immortal' Surf is not immortal... It's thrown the DMF and the clutch.

So... What to replace it with, sub £4k? Need at least 3000kg towing weight. I can't find much round here, so am actually wondering if fixing the Surf (@750 quid-ish) might now be a better bet.

[Mollers]

Why so exoensive for DMF and clutch?

In replaced both on my lad's Slaab 93 TDI, £150 for a pattern DMF and same for clutch kit. A tw@t of a job mind you.

[Xk59D]

Have you looked into single mass flywheel conversations? Probably worth a look and keep what you have if that is all that is wrong.

Cheers

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Have you looked into single mass flywheel conversations?

Only worthwhile if you're planning on keeping it for another 70k miles. The SMF flywheel conversion for the Saab was twice the price of the DMF replacement.

[Xk59D]

btw, sorry for conversations....good old auto correct on the pad :-)

My own car is about 500 for SMF and about 900 for DMF just via a quick google (hope to never need one!)

one of my last cars needed a DMF done under warranty (insignia), it was £1100 for it to be done when i asked..OUCH, i traded the car in though but that was only at 30k miles.....madness.

£750 seems reasonable price to me based on a quick google on prices for surf parts.

cheers

[whisper]

Cut the footwell out, job done...

[paintman]

Other than the clutch issue is there anything wrong with the Surf? If it's in otherwise good order & you intend to keep it then replacing the clutch would be the better bet esp as you have no guarantee that whatever you buy won't develop problems!

[beamishken]

Have you tried milner off road for the parts may be a bit cheaper as they used to do a lot of import stuff when there was lots coming into the country
Worth a look anyway

[Ribtecer]

"Ok, what next?"

Landrover Defender obviously - Coil Sprung Dirt Tecknik!!!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Ribtecer

"Coil Sprung Dirt Tecknik!!!

Made I larf that did

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by paintman

Other than the clutch issue is there anything wrong with the Surf? If it's in otherwise good order & you intend to keep it then replacing the clutch would be the better bet esp as you have no guarantee that whatever you buy won't develop problems!

My thoughts too Better the devil you know, unless you're going to buy new or SH with a warranty.

[Nos4r2]

Dmf is one that will have to be imported so is prohibitively expensive it's about 440 for flywheel and clutch for a solid flywheel conversion.

The other issues with it as well it's been well abused for the last few years but realistically nothing that can't be fixed and it's not rotten.

Realistically I may keep it now as there doesn't seem to be anything that will even compare to it for towing capacity and reliability. This is the first major issue it's had in 5 years of ownership and it's still down under 125000 miles.

[Nos4r2]

Well, it's fixed... Only a £600 repair including labour too. Scarily, the clutch was still on but both parts of the DMF were rotating independently.

It feels like a new car. I think I need to treat it to a bit of a refurb now

[SPR]

just replaced my A3 Quattro DMF - £1100 eek - but it came as kit with new clutch too...15 years old so not bad...still cheap car for since I had it since new !


www.firstaidatsea.co.uk
www.SPRmarine.co.uk

[Nos4r2]

I think the genuine DMF would have been around the same for mine, but I replaced it with the Milner Offroad solid flywheel coversion. Just shy of £430 including delivery IIRC.

[Neil Harvey]

Nos
Do you have an official towing capacity number for the Surf?
I dont think it can be anywhere nesr 3000kg

[beamishken]

We imported lots of surfs pajeros big horns etc from Japan when the imports were popular into the 100's of cars over a few years.The towing question came up fairly regularly when selling the cars & none actually had a tow capacity marked on them so we used to quote the capacity of the equivalent uk car.
I did make fairly extensive enquiries with Vosa & other organisations & the answer I got was
"Technically as the vehicle has no manufacturer stated tow capacity then you are not legally allowed to to with them"
When I made the point there were 1000's of these imports towing on uk roads the reply I got was that untill there was a big accident (multiple fatalities) nothing would be clarified
At this point I stopped asking & carried on quoting the UK cars tow capacity
I don't know if the situation has changed in recent years but that was the situation 10 -12 years ago when most surfs & pajeros were arriving in the country

[neil.mccrirrick]

Last I heard if you want security with the law take whatever the vehicle to a weigh bridge get it weighed and certificated then get the same done for what you are towing. If you are within 85% you have the right paperwork 👍