Well, I got replacement parts prices from my local dealership and I think I'm still in shock!

The list prices (before tax) in Australian dollars ($1.00 AU is approx. $0.75 US) for the major parts are as follows:

Flywheel $2516.23
Clutch disc $445.30
Pressure plate $495.80
Release bearing $70.59

Are these parts machined from solid blocks of pure unobtainium?! How can they possibly justify such exorbitant prices for what should almost be considered routine service items. Even though the flywheel has suffered an abnormal failure, had it simply been scored due to a worn out clutch it would still have to be replaced since the dual mass flywheel cannot be repaired by machining the way a conventional flywheel can.

Based on these prices, the clutch job would run to around $4000 including tax but excluding labour! You can buy a complete cheaper 190E here for that sort of money. It's only that mine is a rare (in Oz) 2.3 Sportline 5-speed that puts its value somewhat higher. Too bad if it needed the gearbox rebuilt as well. Mind you, I still have not determined for sure what the mystery broken wire spring was from the gearbox, but while it is working OK I'm leaving it alone. I don't need the expense of a gearbox re-build now as well. All this makes re-building an auto transmission look cheap! I guess that's what I get for buying a rare manual version (although manuals are common in some other countries which makes it difficult to understand the high prices for the clutch parts).

I considered the possibility of reverting to the conventional flywheel and clutch assembly of the earlier W201 models. The prices for these parts would be substantially less. Unfortunately, the different thickness of the flywheels meant that the gearbox input shaft was a different length. Obviously it would get all too complicated to perform this modification. A pity as the car would probably be somewhat more sporty to drive with a flywheel of around half the weight, albeit with a little loss of low speed smoothness (the reason for the dual mass flywheel).

Fortunately, another supplier thinks he can get me a flywheel and all the clutch parts for probably less than half those prices. I will keep you informed of progress as it occurs.

Greg

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.