[aigel]

Don't kid yourself - look at the parts origin in newer German cars. All over the world. Drive trains assembled in Bulgaria and then the car is made in Mexico. The usual German suppliers such as LUK have China plants too. Heck, even if you get a car assembled in Germany, say an MB in Stuttgart, you bet half the people on the line are immigrants from Turkey, Syria, former Yugoslavia etc. etc.

You saw the original clutch plate and how it failed? Not inspiring.

I did replace all the parts except for the shift fork which is just a stamped piece of metal. The angles and forces involved are well done in this setup, I have to say. And just like you described, this thing is a lot smoother / lighter than it was before. I got a big thumbs up from all the other drivers!

This is a daily driver that probably won't make it another 5 years in my possession. Have to balance effort, cost etc. Coming in under $600, I think.