DKM Stage 2 MB Clutch Kit Review MK7 GTI - This is my second one + iAbed RMS - This Clutch ROCKS!!!

Hey guys! I just installed my new DKM Stage 2 MB clutch kit on my MK7 GTI IS38 6spd Manual! This is my second DKM MB clutch. My first one lasted me ~50k miles, and I loved every part of it!
So I decided to get it again, and in this video I explain why I chose this clutch again, as well as my thoughts on this clutch while giving a comparison of this new DKM MB kit vs. my old DKM MB kit.
Once again thanks for watching. Go ahead and like this video, subscribe if you aren’t yet, and hit that notification bell! Thanks for tuning in!
Camera: Canon M50 w/52mm lens

[@cowboymcq6711]

I’m having to replace my stock clutch in my 2014 Audi a4 now with stage 2 IE tune this video was a big help thanks bro ✌🏼

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Bummer! But I’m glad my video helped you out a bit! What clutch are you going with? Im currently on a XClutch Stage 2 6-puck. Best clutch I’ve used on my MK7 GTI by far.

[@soonerox]

Just wanted to thank you buddy. This video was instrumental in me making my choice. I don't like to pay premiums on branding, and used your experience with this clutch to cut costs. I've had the clutch in the car for a couple weeks, and everything you said about it holds true for my experience so far. Fantastic clutch, and fantastic advice. The iABED RMS is pretty sweet too. Thanks again!

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Rad! I’m glad my video was able to help you out! I’m right there with you. SouthBend and other companies are great, but they are insanely priced. This is just a GTI. It’s not a Porsche. This clutch kit is perfect for daily driving, and doesn’t hurt the bank account very much. Thanks for watching and subbing! Did you end up doing the install yourself?

[@soonerox]

@@JacesOwnWorld, agreed on all points. My buddy and I did the install in a fully equipped garage with lift. Only thing he didn't have and I did were the triple squares. Typical right! We did the RMS, clutch and then aligned the shifter. Smooth install too!

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Sweet! I’m jealous of the lift! My brother in law had to sell his left because his Mom is selling the house, and he doesn’t have room in his garage for it 😢. Jack stands wasn’t bad, but it would be so much easier with a lift. Haha yeah dude. I can’t stand how Europeans use so many different types of bolts. Either use all standard/metric, or all triple square. Make up your mind! Ughhh. But at least now you have them and can basically do any job on the car now haha

[@soonerox]

@@JacesOwnWorld , burn about losing access to the lift. Real back saver! What got me about the fasteners were the 9mm. Like no one outside of German manufacturers uses those things either. Why not a 10mm? Haha!

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Haha seriously! So dumb

[@ryansnyder4120]

Currently been running this gen 2 MB clutch for over 10k on 17 GTI EQT stage 2 E30. Holds the near 400 wtq nicely. Glad to hear these can last up to 50k. Cheers!🍺

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Glad you’re liking your MB DKM clutch! It really is a nice clutch. I just installed the ECS Tuning billet bleeder block and clutch pedal stop, and if you haven’t done these mods yet, I highly recommend. Not because they are cool looking, but the performance out of them is really good. Modulation is much smoother, and 1st gear starts are much easier now. Also, with the clutch pedal not going down too far now with the pedal stop, it feels a lot better to control. All in all, a lot better clutch operation and these two mods will definitely prevent more unnecessary wear and tear on your clutch, and will most likely last longer. Thanks for watching!

[@ryansnyder4120]

@@JacesOwnWorld I did the braided lines and bleeder block when installing. Definitely worth it. 😎

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Nice!

[@BerryMK7]

I’m stuck on what to do because I want to do stage 2 eqt and I’m on stock clutch right now with 65k miles, I’m considering going Sachs performance without flywheel but I’m not sure if the flywheel would hold up good with my miles

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Tbh with you, if you plan on getting the Sachs performance kit, just buy a new dual mass flywheel. Trust me, it is not worth using your stock flywheel again, especially with it having 65k miles on it, because I guarantee you it will slip very soon. It’s best to save the $450 or so dollars to get a new flywheel than to risk the clutch slipping soon because you thought you could get away with it. Question: Why do you want to continue to utilize the DMF system? Is it for feel? Longevity? Quietness? If you don’t care about clutch chatter, I highly recommend the DKM Stage 2. It comes with everything, including a SMF, and it will hold EQT Stage 2 power just fine. The Sachs Performance kit only holds 400 lb-ft of torque, which is on the limit of holding capacity for EQT Stage 2, which means you will most likely start slipping sooner with this kit. If you want to utilize the DMF system, I recommend getting the Sachs Power Clutch kit, which hold up to 600 lb-ft of torque. Just make sure you don’t use your stock flywheel. Get a new one. It will save you more money in the long run of not having to do the clutch job twice.

[@ajc.9094]

What tuning setup did you pair with your DKM MA series clutch the first time that caused it slip?

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I was on Eurodyne Stage 2 91oct file when it slipped, but my car has been tuned from the very beginning of its life. I Stage 2 tuned my car at 5k miles on its odometer. I didn’t have to upgrade my clutch until I was at 30k miles. No matter what time you go with, your clutch will eventually slip of you tune it. The stock clutch can’t hold high torque very long

[@deandavidson2823]

hey man! Im thinking of doing the DKM stage 2 clutch as my stock clutch is slipping hard in 2nd and 3rd gear (im on stage 2 software right now). Really appreciate the review!

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Of course! I think you’ll really like it. Make sure the TOB is the all metal version, and that you pre-bleed it. Thanks for watching!

[@Island1999]

I just purchased this clutch for a 2017 mk7r going stage 2 unitronic, 375tq I believe should hold up haven't installed yet.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Yes, I should hold up just fine. Who did you purchase the kit from? Will you be installing it yourself? Hopefully the kit you got comes with the updated metal TOB and not the plastic cheap one.

[@Island1999]

@@JacesOwnWorld the kit says produced in 2020 so id assume its updated but ill double check to make sure thanks

[@JacesOwnWorld]

It should be solid then 🤙

[@moodondie]

How's the clutch holding up as of September 2022? Thinking of installing this clutch kit in my son's MK6 GTI. Please lmk, and great video!

[@JacesOwnWorld]

It failed on me. TOB started leaking. Don’t buy DKM. Get a Southbend

[@moodondie]

@@JacesOwnWorld I just canceled the order, thanks. So how long have you had the southbend in and did the iAbed RMS work out or did you have to replace that too? We're doing this job in my garage and I don't want to be doing it again any time soon. Thanks again.

[@moodondie]

Just noticed you did another vid on the failure, tnx.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I’ve had the Southbend for over a year. About 20k miles on it now and it’s been awesome. IAbed leaked. IMO, if your OEM RMS isn’t leaking, don’t replace it. I put my original OEM RMS back on (glad I kept it), and have had zero problems.

[@iam2598]

Would this clutch handle a stage 2 golf r

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Yes. I’m IS38 on a custom tune, which is the same level of power, or more, than what a Stage 2 Golf R puts down, and this clutch handled it just fine. If you do get it, I would highly recommend purchasing the TOB/slave that SouthBend uses, as well as the shim kit SouthBend uses. It will most likely help with the longevity of the DKM clutch.

[@TheRallyCoop]

Thanks for sharing. 50K is not a lot of miles for a clutch. I have 130K on my original mk7 dual mass clutch and no sign of slipping so far, my car is stock. All clutch pedals get stiffer as the clutch wears and you get used to it gradually, maybe that’s why the pedal felt light on the new clutch.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

That’s cool. Yeah, if you aren’t tuned, your stock clutch should last quite a while, but when tuned in this car, it’s a whole different ball game due to the high torque outputs. Instead of the 258lb-GT that it has stock, you’re looking at close to 400lb-ft when tuned, which is a huge difference for this kind of car, and why aftermarket clutches don’t last long no matter how much torque they can hold. Also, it’s quite different, as aftermarket clutches with single mass flywheels normally loosen up over time. That’s their nature. It’s completely different than how the DMF stick clutch operates.

[@ajc.9094]

Why add an aftermarket clutch to a stock car?

[@JacesOwnWorld]

@@ajc.9094 my car is not stock lol

[@Island1999]

@@ajc.9094 because hem clutch sucks lol.

[@pincheadam2361]

So dkm stage 2 hasn't caused any crankwalk issues?

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Nope

[@pincheadam2361]

@@JacesOwnWorld i thought the dkm stage 2 was the worst as far as crankwalk

[@JacesOwnWorld]

No. It’s the DKM Stage 3 that is. The twin disk setup

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Well everyone, my TOB/slave has failed. The car still is drive-able, but it sticks every so often at the top of the range when engaging. I have done all the necessary checks to see if it’s something else besides the TOB/slave, but everything else checked out fine. No leaks anywhere by the brake or clutch master cylinders, bleeder block, or clutch fluid line. So it’s basically a bad TOB/slave. So it’s now time to drop the transmission again to replace the clutch. I have decided not to go with DKM again. Not that it’s the clutches fault for this failure, because it isn’t. The TOB/slave on this car is known to fail, and I even have the upgraded metal one in it right now. When the clutch is engaged, it still hooks fine, but I’m afraid the clutch has been contaminated at some degree with the TOB/slave failing, because there is oil seepage underneath my car. I have contacted DKM and will be receiving a full replacement, which I will most likely end up selling. The new brand I have chosen to go with is Southbend. I got the Stage 3 Endurance kit, which holds 580ft/lbs of torque. It is definitely overkill for my GTI’s setup, but I am hoping that this clutch lasts a long time due to my torque levels on my IS38 setup not coming close to this clutch kits threshold. This clutch kit has really good reviews and I’m excited to be installing it. It’s very expensive, which is the biggest letdown of the SB brand (IMO this kit shouldn’t be worth any more than $1200), but I look forward to giving a review soon. I will be installing it tomorrow, Sunday, so keep an eye out for my review of it.

[@Kevin117]

Is the TOB in the dkm all metal?

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Yes it is

[@777kason]

That tickling sound in your car sounds like crack walk tbh

[@JacesOwnWorld]

It’s not. That’s called clutch chatter. Normal for lightweight SMF clutch kits.