| I have been through three standard clutches now on my 996S over 18k miles since new. In all cases, the clutch basket had to be replaced along with the plates because it was badly notched.
I have just had a clutch re-build under warranty and this time a standard basket was fitted (steel), but with the alloy plates from the ST range.
Early days yet (about 1000 miles), but clutch noise has reduced a lot, even with a vented clutch cover.
It remains to be seen how long the plates and basket last. I would hope that the life of the lugs on the plates, even though they do deform, would just about match the friction life of the plates and that notching of the steel basket would be greatly reduced and that the basket would be up to receiving another set of plates. Well, I hope so anyway, because the bike will be out of warranty then!
We shall see. :-) | 
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