I have a 1990 190E 2.6 with a 5-speed manual transmission that will soon need a new clutch. I priced out a new: pressure plate, clutch disc, throw-out and pilot bearing on this site's AllPartsExpress website. There was a note that the parts only fit up to a certain VIN number, which unfortunately, doesn't include my car.

I emailed Phil and he confirmed that my VIN specifies different clutch parts which sadly cost 2.5 times more!

So, my question for any techs that may have done this job, "Is there really a difference? Or can I use the earlier parts?"

Another option that I am open to if it's doable is to swap in the earlier flywheel, if that's the only difference. Or even better, put in a single mass flywheel.

Any opinions/suggestions?

Thanks!

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!

The later units are dual mass flywheels, where the clutch damping is taken out of the clutch disk (partially) and the flywheel is made in two parts to pick up the slack (per se). This is done because it creates a smoother engagement at the expense of high RPM tolerance and gross strength. A stock dual mass flywheel will usually come apart aroundabouts 8k pending age and 500hp. Don't reach those levels? The dual mass will give you a smother engagement and better overal ride quality.

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1993 190E 2.6 Sportline

Thanks Bob. So, if I can find an older single-mass flywheel, would it be a simple swap out? And then I could use the less expensive clutch parts? Seems like I would also have better throttle response with the single-mass...

Or asked another way, does the transmission care which flywheel is used? Or would I just need to use the appropriate release (throw-out) bearing?

Glen you can't use a single mass flywheel with your transmission the shaft is shorter in a dual mass transmission. the trow out bearing is the same for both transmission the pilot bearing is different

Thanks, I'm now looking for an early 5-speed trans to swap into my car.

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Glen Tokuhara
Beauty & the Beast and the wagon that could!