Note: This page is a work in progress. My discussions with DKM have been ongoing for over a year and are still unresolved.
If you're a car enthusiast like me, you know what it feels like to save up for quality parts. You don’t just spend $1700 on a clutch kit without doing your research. You expect reliability. You expect support. And above all, you expect a brand to stand by its product if something goes wrong.
I didn’t get any of that from DKM.
In December 2023, I purchased a DKM Stage 4 twin disc clutch kit through W-Autosport (France). With shipping, currency conversion, and import duties to my country, Morocco, the cost was around $1700. It was supposed to be a one-time upgrade that would last, even if I eventually tuned my N54-powered BMW 135i. Instead, it failed in less than 1000 km — normal driving, on public roads, with zero track use.
Let me make something clear: I live in Morocco. There is one small racetrack located about 250 km (155 miles) from where I live. It’s designed for smaller cars — mostly 1.6L or 2.0L engines — and it only sees events once or twice a year. It’s not suitable for a car like mine, and I haven’t used it. So when we drive spiritedly here, it’s on mountain roads, not on racetracks with repeated laps and aggressive cornering.
And in the case of this car, the E82 135i doesn’t even have an LSD. It’s rear-wheel drive, but you can’t drift it or do burnouts. There’s no traction. So even if I wanted to abuse it, it wouldn’t be the car to choose.
I followed DKM’s instructions for break-in — 500–700 miles of city driving. I don’t abuse my cars during break-in. And yet, the clutch gave out. I contacted them, sent photos, explained everything. Their first response?
"This kit did not receive proper treatment. Either did not receive proper break-in or was overpowered by the car/driver."
No inspection. No questions. Just assumptions. They later asked for the part number — after already denying the warranty. Then came this:
"I did get them, but unfortunately for the claim, can confirm that we have not been able to identify any defects based on all of the information provided."
They also accused me of abusing the car based on my Instagram videos. Yes, videos from other cars, filmed after the failure, showing spirited driving — which is what they sell their kits for.
"A known spirited driving enthusiast..."
I sincerely apologize for the crime of enjoying cars as they’re meant to be enjoyed. I bought a Stage 4 clutch because I wanted reliability, not because I wanted to race on public roads. And to be clear again: those videos are not of the 135i. They were posted after the clutch already failed.
It’s absurd that instead of inspecting the part I paid for, they decided to scroll through my Instagram, looking for ‘evidence’ like I’m on trial for enjoying my hobby. Apparently, spirited driving — the kind their products are literally designed for — is now grounds for warranty denial.
Before DKM gave up, W-Autosport tried their best to build a narrative where the customer was clearly the problem. Here’s what they asked me:
All of these were framed as "routine checks" but were clearly designed to blame me or my mechanic in case something went wrong. I answered everything honestly. Still, it didn't matter.
Ironically, when I said I don’t track the car, I was told the kit might not be adapted to urban use. DKM meanwhile, asks for break-in to be done on the street. So which is it?
After refusing the warranty claim based on a few photos, they later decided maybe it was a better idea to actually inspect the clutch kit first — but only if I shipped it to the US at my own expense. I had offered multiple times to return the clutch to W-Autosport in France, the reseller I purchased it from, but was completely ignored.
Eventually, they offered a discounted rebuild and said they'd cover shipping to the US. But only if I shipped the failed kit to the US. I live in Agadir, Morocco. Shipping from here costs over $1000. I even sent them a DHL quote. They never followed through on their offer to cover the return shipping costs to inspect it.
After the DKM clutch gave out, I installed a temporary LUK clutch kit. It cost a fraction of the price. I reused my old flywheel — slightly out of spec — just to get the car running again. That was months ago. Since then, I’ve taken the car on multiple long trips and spirited drives. Guess what? It’s still holding up just fine.
So much for the “bad driver” and “bad install” excuse.
My name is Samy. I’ve had my license since 2010. That doesn’t automatically make me a good driver — but my track record with cars does. Here’s what I currently own and drive:, and I understand that a brand might not want to take a customer’s word for it — but at the end of the day, that’s all I have: my word against theirs
I don’t complain when I break cheap parts from hard use. That’s expected. But when a $1700 clutch fails in under 1000 km of daily driving, and I’m blamed for it? That’s not acceptable. That’s not what this community stands for.
You can find me on Instagram at @thegigarage. My profile is public. My builds are there. My driving is there. I’m not hiding anything — but neither should DKM.
This is not about revenge. It’s not about getting free parts. It’s about telling the truth.
I understand they might not want to believe a customer’s word without 'evidence.' But I’m not a supplier or a business — I’m just a guy with a failed clutch and my word against theirs.
Because if it happened to me, it can happen to anyone.DKM sold me a premium clutch. It failed. They blamed me. Then they never followed through on their offer to cover return shipping for inspection. That’s not how a professional brand handles problems.
This site is a warning to anyone spending their hard-earned money expecting support and quality. Be cautious. Do your research. And if you’ve had a similar experience, feel free to reach out.
– Samy / @thegigarage