Non-dealer MINI garages in the DC metro area?

[polepino]

Ok, well I posted a similar post in the regular forum but I thought I'd ask the 'modders' if they had any ideas. I've done a few DIY mods to my car (SRP's and CAI) but I'm thinking of doing a few more mods which I wouldn't feel comfortable doing myself (maybe lowering springs, or exhaust, or header, etc.).

Now personally, I have never bought a mod for my car and had anyone else install it for me(Well if you consider tint a mod, then yeah I did have Solar Solutions up in MD put that on for me). It's pretty much something I can do myself or I don't do it at all. I do have a friend who's a mech at Acura, but I don't know anyone who works on MINI's so I was wondering what do you guys do, if you do at all, if you want someone else to install a mod for you? Do you take it to MoS or other dealers? (I know MoS will def install Dinan parts but I think thats about it).

Are there any reputable garages in the area that will install aftermarket parts on your MINI that know what their doing with MINI's? Also, as far as tires go(I'm definitely thinking of going non-runflats) can I just take my car with a new set of tires anywhere(i.e. Merchants, Mr. Tire, etc.) and have them mount them? Will they have to have some knowledge about MINI's in order to get the alignment right? Hopefully I'll get some pointers!

[dingerman]

This is my first post in here, and I guess I'm not part of this club, but I thought I could offer a bit of advice.

I just had a pulley and exhaust installed by Funktion Auto out in Dulles. Everyone there was very professional and nice. There were 2 minis getting worked on besides mine, and all of the staff that I spoke with were knowledgeable about mini upgrades. I discussed what I wanted from my mods before hand with their staff and they offered good advice about brands to check out.

I ended up spending 1520 for everything: Alta stealth exhaust was 800, m7 pulley was 120, so thats 600 for labor. I think their rate was around 120 an hour, and it took 5 hours.

I dont know if I payed too much, but I am confident that I got quality work done on my car. Another added bonus was their waiting room; I spent the whole day there and really didnt mind (wireless internet, satellite TV). I enjoyed that I could watch them work on my car from overhead as well. Check out their website for pictures.

Oh, and they also give a discount (I think 5%) for first time customers.

If you have any other questions you can PM me.

And, btw, you wont regret getting the mods done; I was hesitant to take the $$ plunge, but it was absolutely worth it.

Tires: I had eagle f1s put on at the sears auto at montgomery mall. The guy hadnt done minis before, but he ordered them for me and installed them just fine. They did my alignment there as well. To be honest with you, driving my car home that night with new tires was more fun than after the exhaust and pulley. Go switch your tires now!

Originally Posted by polepino

Ok, well I posted a similar post in the regular forum but I thought I'd ask the 'modders' if they had any ideas. I've done a few DIY mods to my car (SRP's and CAI) but I'm thinking of doing a few more mods which I wouldn't feel comfortable doing myself (maybe lowering springs, or exhaust, or header, etc.).

Now personally, I have never bought a mod for my car and had anyone else install it for me(Well if you consider tint a mod, then yeah I did have Solar Solutions up in MD put that on for me). It's pretty much something I can do myself or I don't do it at all. I do have a friend who's a mech at Acura, but I don't know anyone who works on MINI's so I was wondering what do you guys do, if you do at all, if you want someone else to install a mod for you? Do you take it to MoS or other dealers? (I know MoS will def install Dinan parts but I think thats about it).

Are there any reputable garages in the area that will install aftermarket parts on your MINI that know what their doing with MINI's? Also, as far as tires go(I'm definitely thinking of going non-runflats) can I just take my car with a new set of tires anywhere(i.e. Merchants, Mr. Tire, etc.) and have them mount them? Will they have to have some knowledge about MINI's in order to get the alignment right? Hopefully I'll get some pointers!

[PGT]

$600 for a pulley and exhaust?? Funktion is nice but their labor rate is way out of line. Mach V Motorsports charges $85 or 90 an hour and can handle it for sure.

I got my 15% pulley for $285/installed and the original Alta catback I had took me about 45 minutes in my driveway.

[dingerman]

Wow I guess Funktion did overcharge. Oh well.

I'm not skilled enough under the hood for an exhaust install in the driveway, the CAI is about all I'm good for in that department. Plus, I dont have a driveway; go apartment dwellers!

Sounds like Mach V is the way to go.

Originally Posted by PGT

$600 for a pulley and exhaust?? Funktion is nice but their labor rate is way out of line. Mach V Motorsports charges $85 or 90 an hour and can handle it for sure.

I got my 15% pulley for $285/installed and the original Alta catback I had took me about 45 minutes in my driveway.

[PGT]

Originally Posted by dingerman

Wow I guess Funktion did overcharge. Oh well.

I called them for an alignment - $299 to start. I just needed a tweak...not starting over from scratch...they wouldn't budge. Mach V did it for $150.

[PlayPlay]

I highly recommend both Funktion Auto and Mach V. I've had work done at both. Unfortunately, the suspension specialist who I really liked at Funktion just left a couple weeks ago. But, supposedly his replacement is very good. Funktion has a really fancy interior and it makes one feel very special. They also allow folks to stick around on the shop floor and ask questions which is nice for people who'd like to learn more. From my experience, they are very careful with their work and care very much about their customers' cars.

Mach V definitely has the better rates. They did an rear sway install and alignment re-adjustment aftewards. I had to take my Mini back to the shop because of rattling after the install, but their top mechanic (Mike?), who is excellent, was able to figure out that one of his junior mechanics forgot to tighten down two bolts on the exhaust all the way. Not a big deal. He gave his junior mech a little scolding LOL.

Mike ended up solving a noise issue with one of my coilovers, fixed that and tightened up the rest of my suspension before track day free of charge because he felt badly about the exhaust rattle. I wouldn't let my little rattling episode deter anyone from going there. Dan, the owner, runs a good shop and the price is right.

BTW, Polepino, where in Alexandria are you? I currently live on the west side of Alexandria near the hospital.

[polepino]

Thanks for the answers so far guys! Mach V and Funktion Auto both sound good, will do my research.

Originally Posted by PlayPlay

I highly recommend both Funktion Auto and Mach V. I've had work done at both. Unfortunately, the suspension specialist who I really liked at Funktion just left a couple weeks ago. But, supposedly his replacement is very good. Funktion has a really fancy interior and it makes one feel very special. They also allow folks to stick around on the shop floor and ask questions which is nice for people who'd like to learn more. From my experience, they are very careful with their work and care very much about their customers' cars.

Mach V definitely has the better rates. They did an rear sway install and alignment re-adjustment aftewards. I had to take my Mini back to the shop because of rattling after the install, but their top mechanic (Mike?), who is excellent, was able to figure out that one of his junior mechanics forgot to tighten down two bolts on the exhaust all the way. Not a big deal. He gave his junior mech a little scolding LOL.

Mike ended up solving a noise issue with one of my coilovers, fixed that and tightened up the rest of my suspension before track day free of charge because he felt badly about the exhaust rattle. I wouldn't let my little rattling episode deter anyone from going there. Dan, the owner, runs a good shop and the price is right.

BTW, Polepino, where in Alexandria are you? I currently live on the west side of Alexandria near the hospital.

PlayPlay: You off seminary road? I live a little south of Old Town, down Rte. 1, near the Krispy Kreme factory if you know it.

[PlayPlay]

Hey, sorry I didn't see your response, Polepino. Yeah. I'm very close to Seminary Road. And, yes I know exactly where the Krispy Kreme is I used live in south Alexandria on the Fairfax county side as well.

[Krut]

Polepino - another alternative (although Mach V is good and I have experience with them) is Currys Automotive - they are a Tire Rack distributor and they do very good tire and wheel work as well as being a GIAC software reseller (the software that Helix helped developed with GIAC). If you're having things like a pulley, intake done go to Mach V.

[PGT]

meh to Currys. They ****ed me hard on my CRX brake job and Matt Curry, one of the owners, stood there and let it happen when I talked with him about it. Having dealt with them also on the business side of things at my last job, I'd avoid them like the plague...his sister Karen is a peach too (don't think I've run across a more craptastic attitude in business).

[Mach V Dan]

We also are a Tire Rack distributor, and mount and balance wheels and tires. We have a local tire warehouse so we can get many tires the same day. All my cars' wheels and tires are mounted, balanced, and installed in-house, and I am picky.

--Dan
Mach V

[polepino]

Originally Posted by PlayPlay

Hey, sorry I didn't see your response, Polepino. Yeah. I'm very close to Seminary Road. And, yes I know exactly where the Krispy Kreme is I used live in south Alexandria on the Fairfax county side as well.

Yep, I'm still over here on rte. 1.


As for the other new info, thanks again guys! This is great research news. Thanks for the quote too, Dan. Just have to work at budgeting so I can get parts and stuff, but more mods are due in the future!

[polepino]

*bump*

[Krut]

What about Curry's? I'd recommend going with Dan at Mach V.

[golden_child]

MachV

Great guys, Great service.

[gaydent]

Fairfax Service Center, right across the street from BMW of Fairfax, in Merrifield, Virginia (also not far from the Merrifield Metro Station---they also give fee rides to and pick-ups there) has expanded their service to include MINIs. They have long done work on BMWs and Mercedes and I have used them before to work on my BMWs, always with satisfaction. I just had my 08 MCS in to have an oil change done and it was just $86 (synthetic and filter). Wanted to pass this along as an alternative to having to go all the way out to MINI of Sterling.

[tnkgurl]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but it appears my Mini needs a new engine? Shop recommendations? MoS wants $10K.

[Mach V Dan]

Originally Posted by tnkgurl

Sorry to bump an old thread, but it appears my Mini needs a new engine? Shop recommendations? MoS wants $10K.

Whoa, new engine? What happened???

--Dan
Mach V

[tnkgurl]

Autocrossing and no oil.

[PGT]

you can get a fully built 2.0L conversion for that, if you were so inclined.

[tnkgurl]

Thanks, PGT, but I'm trying to stay as stock as possible for autocross purposes. I am going through Behe Performance to get the engine repaired. Going to get a new clutch while I'm at it for 2-3K less than Mini wanted, so I'm happy.

[PGT]

Originally Posted by tnkgurl

Thanks, PGT, but I'm trying to stay as stock as possible for autocross purposes. I am going through Behe Performance to get the engine repaired. Going to get a new clutch while I'm at it for 2-3K less than Mini wanted, so I'm happy.

hope you got that quote in writing. Behe ****ed me on some work.

[polepino]

Originally Posted by PGT

hope you got that quote in writing. Behe ****ed me on some work.

Wow PGT, both Behe and RMW?

[PGT]

Not in the same sense. Behe was a pure bait and switch. There are good local shops but theyre few and far between. Mach V, RRT, Funktion to name a few

[polepino]

Originally Posted by PGT

Not in the same sense. Behe was a pure bait and switch. There are good local shops but theyre few and far between. Mach V, RRT, Funktion to name a few

Who is RRT?