Best Maryland Dealer
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 150
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From: Baltimore, MD
Helix in Philly is about $380 and you can have a ton of other crap done at the same time. Their labor rate is only $75/hr compared to the dealer's rate of $95/hour. Plus, Eric is much cooler to talk to. The extra money you'd spend in gas is more than offset by the $20 delta in labor rates. 
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 494
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From: Maryland
I had a pulley installed by Towson March of this year. I supplied the pulley and belt (purchased from MINI Mania - the same supplier Towson uses if you get the part from them). The total labor charge for the install was $296.00. So, total cost was around $400.
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 772
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Originally Posted by L8RG8R
Just to second everyone's comments re: MINI of Towson. I've had all of my mods done there, including the Moss pulley, so I am not sure where the comment re: their aversion to pulleys came from. Chuck is the service manager and is always more than willing to discuss mods. Dewayne and Wayne are also very knowledgeable, but if you really want to know what's up talk with one of the techs. I was there yesterday getting my SES light reset and happended to mention I was considering a flywheel/clutch upgrade.
Next thing I know I am going for a test drive in a MCS with the flywheel/clutch mods I want. I could not believe the difference those two mods made to that car. My biggest concern was the "chatter" associated with lightweight flywheels, but in all seriousness it is hardly noticeable. Those will most defintely be my next mods.
On another note, my SES light was apparently caused by air seepage post-TB and they will be replacing the boot that connects the TB to the SC on Tuesday. Apparently this is a known problem on '05 MINIs so don't be surprised if your SES light comes on at some point in the future.
Don't waste your time going anywhere else...and go see Brad Bornman at the dealership. He was just promoted to sales manager.
Next thing I know I am going for a test drive in a MCS with the flywheel/clutch mods I want. I could not believe the difference those two mods made to that car. My biggest concern was the "chatter" associated with lightweight flywheels, but in all seriousness it is hardly noticeable. Those will most defintely be my next mods.
On another note, my SES light was apparently caused by air seepage post-TB and they will be replacing the boot that connects the TB to the SC on Tuesday. Apparently this is a known problem on '05 MINIs so don't be surprised if your SES light comes on at some point in the future.
Don't waste your time going anywhere else...and go see Brad Bornman at the dealership. He was just promoted to sales manager.
Where in Boh'timore are you? We are holding it down in Catonsville.
Marty
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 220
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I'm not going to badmouth any shops specifically, but I will say that some of the ones I've seen mentioned are awfully flaky with respect to communication. If I want to give you money, I shouldn't have to repeatedly call/email. I appreciate the work they do for my car of choice, and I'm glad business is good, but some of these folks need some contact management software or a PDA or something.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,348
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From: Everett, WA
Originally Posted by ignote
Yep. $600.
Glenelg Servicecenter charges $400. Including the MiniMania Pulley.
That's where I will go.
Glenelg Servicecenter charges $400. Including the MiniMania Pulley.
That's where I will go.
And whats a Glenelg? Certainly not a Mini dealer? The only reason I would pay extra through a dealer, is the opportunity to have the work waranteed.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 615
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by Wagnbat
$600, does that include the pulley itself, or is that labor alone?
And whats a Glenelg? Certainly not a Mini dealer? The only reason I would pay extra through a dealer, is the opportunity to have the work waranteed.
And whats a Glenelg? Certainly not a Mini dealer? The only reason I would pay extra through a dealer, is the opportunity to have the work waranteed.
Glenelg Service Center is in Glenelg MD. Down route 97 just south of I70.
Check this link out. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=Glenelg
They use the same parts as Towson does. For a $200 savings, I'll risk having to argue with Towson if there was a problem later requiring warranty work. But it's your money. :smile:
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by ignote
savings, I'll risk having to argue with Towson if there was a problem later requiring warranty work. But it's your money. :smile:
Towson will guarantee whatever they install. In fact, Towson pushes the stage 1, stage 2, etc, kits and WILL warrant them.
Don't know about you but wouldnt you rather be assured of MINI warranty AND have the exact same price?:smile:
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by L8RG8R
Helix in Philly is about $380 and you can have a ton of other crap done at the same time. Their labor rate is only $75/hr compared to the dealer's rate of $95/hour. Plus, Eric is much cooler to talk to. The extra money you'd spend in gas is more than offset by the $20 delta in labor rates.
Originally Posted by ignote
$600 includes the MiniMania pulley.
Glenelg Service Center is in Glenelg MD. Down route 97 just south of I70.
Check this link out. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=Glenelg
They use the same parts as Towson does. For a $200 savings, I'll risk having to argue with Towson if there was a problem later requiring warranty work. But it's your money. :smile:
Glenelg Service Center is in Glenelg MD. Down route 97 just south of I70.
Check this link out. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hlight=Glenelg
They use the same parts as Towson does. For a $200 savings, I'll risk having to argue with Towson if there was a problem later requiring warranty work. But it's your money. :smile:
FWIW, I have no connection with Glenelg other than being a friend and having John do all my work. -- Tom
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,160
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From: Northern Virginia
Originally Posted by W3IWI
I don't know where you got the $600 number for Glenelg, but it is wrong. I just verified that the standard price at Glenelg Servicenter is $400 for the pulley installed. That's pretty much the standard price. And remember that John is an active DCMM member, having hosted several events at his shop.
FWIW, I have no connection with Glenelg other than being a friend and having John do all my work. -- Tom
FWIW, I have no connection with Glenelg other than being a friend and having John do all my work. -- Tom
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,427
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From: Sword Mountain
Originally Posted by Wagnbat
And whats a Glenelg? Certainly not a Mini dealer? .
Many local people take their MINIs to him for modifications. He's done oil changes and changed my tires for me. Never been unhappy.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 150
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From: Baltimore, MD
Originally Posted by chows4us
And where do you take it back to be fixed? Just curious because I know I'm lazy!
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
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Originally Posted by L8RG8R
if you don't want to drive to Philly and your car is still under warranty, buy the pulley and belt yourself and take it to MINI of Towson. They are close, easy to work with, warranty their work. You will not be disappointed with the end result!
Thanks, you made my point
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 615
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by chows4us
That was my point. If you buy a "pulley" from Helix or say Randy who is going to CO to get it fixed under warrenty vice driving to a local MINI dealer??? .... why not just let the local MINI dealer install it? Or Gleneg, which being local, I'm sure warrants its own work ... but if you buy at say a "pulley party" then who do you turn to for help? Don't try Towson, I doubt they will help if they didn't install it.
Thanks, you made my point
Thanks, you made my point
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by protoculture
Has anyone actually had a problem with a pulley which resulted in the dealer forcing them to pony up some cash?
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 220
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I guess I was just wondering--if so few people have had problems with pulleys--what the issue is w/non-dealer installations. If I really wanted to be "safe," I'd just go whole-hog and plonk down $6500 on the JCW kit. But I'm not paying the dealer $200 because there "may" be a problem down the proverbial road. It's the same reason I don't get every "extended warranty" on my electronic gear. Just my two cents.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by protoculture
But I'm not paying the dealer $200 because there "may" be a problem down the proverbial road. .
So ... whats the point of going someplace out of state when you can get a dealer to warrant it?
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 494
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From: Maryland
I posted that I had my pulley done at Towson for $400. The reason I went there was precisely because I know that they would warrant the work and my MINI mfr warranty wouldn't be voided. I've been very happy with the work Towson's done. I was also pleasantly surprised that they didn't care if I brought parts in vs. buying from their parts dept
Also, don't forget that DCMM members get a 10% discount, so you'd be saving yourself another $40 if you went to Towson (and belonged to DCMM).
Also, don't forget that DCMM members get a 10% discount, so you'd be saving yourself another $40 if you went to Towson (and belonged to DCMM).
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by indimini
Also, don't forget that DCMM members get a 10% discount, so you'd be saving yourself another $40 if you went to Towson (and belonged to DCMM).
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 220
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Originally Posted by chows4us
See post #29 on this thread. Someone said they bought the part at minimania and had towson install it. Total price ... $400. You save nothing. On the other hand, Towson does warrant what it installs. Therefore, advantage to going to the dealer.
So ... whats the point of going someplace out of state when you can get a dealer to warrant it?
So ... whats the point of going someplace out of state when you can get a dealer to warrant it?
Also Glenelg (who gets rave reviews) is local (not "out of state"), and honestly, I'd feel a lot better having driving up and having Eric in Philly do the install than a dealer. So they warrant the work, but do they then blame the part in the unlikely event that something fails? How many pulleys has a given Towson tech done, do you think? I'd wager far, far fewer than Helix, Webb, Glenelg, et al.
And this is just pulleys we're talking. You start doing other mods, and you're welcome to pay the BMW labor rate, but I'm going to go to people whose primary experience is tuning cars and installing modifications, not repair/recall work. Whatever you're comfortable with though--I'm not saying I'm right or wrong, just my take. Do what you feel. My additional .02, I'm done.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 615
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by protoculture
Well, I'm not trying to argue, but (a) I don't see any pulleys besides the stock diameter at MiniMania, and (b) my pulley install cost $350 complete, and was done locally (by Steve from MetroMinis Atlanta). $120 Helix pulley, $230 labor. So $66. Meh... worth it for me not to drive to Towson and sit in the queue half a day. I was on the road in under an hour, and we talked the whole time...
Also Glenelg (who gets rave reviews) is local (not "out of state"), and honestly, I'd feel a lot better having driving up and having Eric in Philly do the install than a dealer. So they warrant the work, but do they then blame the part in the unlikely event that something fails? How many pulleys has a given Towson tech done, do you think? I'd wager far, far fewer than Helix, Webb, Glenelg, et al.
And this is just pulleys we're talking. You start doing other mods, and you're welcome to pay the BMW labor rate, but I'm going to go to people whose primary experience is tuning cars and installing modifications, not repair/recall work. Whatever you're comfortable with though--I'm not saying I'm right or wrong, just my take. Do what you feel. My additional .02, I'm done.
Also Glenelg (who gets rave reviews) is local (not "out of state"), and honestly, I'd feel a lot better having driving up and having Eric in Philly do the install than a dealer. So they warrant the work, but do they then blame the part in the unlikely event that something fails? How many pulleys has a given Towson tech done, do you think? I'd wager far, far fewer than Helix, Webb, Glenelg, et al.
And this is just pulleys we're talking. You start doing other mods, and you're welcome to pay the BMW labor rate, but I'm going to go to people whose primary experience is tuning cars and installing modifications, not repair/recall work. Whatever you're comfortable with though--I'm not saying I'm right or wrong, just my take. Do what you feel. My additional .02, I'm done.
Now. I asked Towson questions about pulleys and what they warrant. Whether I buy the parts there or bring my own.
They said. "WE ONLY WARRANTY WHAT WE SELL."
To me that sounds like if I bring my own parts, it's not covered.