I decided to lease my Mini, for a number of reasons. Being obsessed about having something quicker, I am seriously inclined to mod the car. Particularly, I wanted the Alta intake, which I just ordered, and the pulley (which is a serious debate for me). I figure, since I am leasing and will most likely upgrade (hopefully to the Peagot engine by then), I'll be removing the parts before handing it over. For about $400, I could have a significantly faster car, and I could turn over these parts a few years later for almost half of that. Thats a pretty good deal in my opinon. Also, I'm a rather skillful person, so are many of my friends in my hometown (2 hrs away). I could install the pulley myself, although I would need the puller. My friends have tackled turbo ugrades, engine pulls, etc. I'm sure a pulley would be no sweat.

Although on the hand is leasing the car and warrenty. What if the car breaks down? Are they going to notice the additional whine when they drive it and check the SC pulley and blame it on that? Are they going to break my lease and make me buy the car? Do you forsee any bad situations that I might encounter that I might have wished I wouldn't have done the pulley?

I really want the pulley. I suppose I could always have it towed back to my house to return it to stock if there were any major problems....but that is still a hassle, especially if they never check (or don;t care about the puiley).

Whats your opinion?
Erik

 

From what I understand about leasing ..you cannot modify the car in any permenant way and definatley not the drivetrain,which is why I made the decision to purchase my Mini.If you do try to modify you certainly wont get away with it and you'll pay huge fees to return the car to it's original specs...when you lease,it's not your car and is the same as when you rent a car,your just renting a much longer time.

 

I wouldn't do it. I originally leased my MINI also figuring a faster stock one would be available in 3 yrs. But then reading these boards made me obsessed to modify. So I switched to a buy. Luckily at the last second, I decided to do my lease with BMW. They were great - they let me out of the lease and applied all of my principle payments and down payment towards the purchase price AND gave me a new car interest rate even though MINI was now used. The only money I lost was the interest on the lease for the first couple of months payments. So I switched my 36 month lease to a 36 month buy.

You could add an intake but I'dd add the madness because it's easy to put back the old one. Same with the exhaust - just make sure you keep the stock one. But the pulley is a definite no-no. We're not just talking that it's not a good idea. Basically unlike just voiding a warranty, by heavily modifying a leased car you are essentially breaking the law. I wouldn't do it.

 

First off, review your lease agreement clause by clause. Most probably there is an express prohibition on any modification. Even if it is not expressly stated, it may go against the spirit of the lease and you could find yourself in breach of contract and liable for damages. Modifying a leased MCS could put you at risk of liability for much more than just your payments. Second, depending on the mod, the warranty may be voided. A pulley install will almost assuredly void the supercharger if not the whole engine warranty. If ya gotta mod it, best to buy it. you can always sell your MCS and get a future model with the Peugeot lump when and if it makes it here.

 

ball7068, -
Go for it. Mod, mod, MINI-mod away I say. I'm also leasing and I've also signed-onto pulley reworks and intakes, - looking into header & exhaust upgrades, etc.

The gift about leasing these MINI-monsters is that the resiuals are so strong. :smile:
Giddy-up!

-SugarBelly

 

On the other hand, -

If you're going to be nervous over this all, worried about the selling, trading, general dealings of it, as many people lease to take the worry out of car dealings, then you should perhaps consider buying it.

Also, if unsuredness creates a stifling effect, keeping you from enjoying mods & various MINI upgrades available, then again you may want to buy it & never think about all these bullocks again.

It all goes to a New MINI state-of-mind.

-SugarBelly

 

I leased also because of the unknown. Would I like the car or not for the long term. Well I love it and have been modding the car for months now. Pulley, Intake, Exhaust, Rims/Tires, Interior Mods, etc. Now my problem is do I just keep it or remove everything and get a newer one. Will the parts be ok for the new one or will I have to start over? My guess is I will just keep this one and get another and have two to play with. I could not get rid of my MINI, she's part of me now.

 

>> My guess is I will just keep this one and get another and have two to play with. I could not get rid of my MINI, she's part of me now. >>>>


I feel the same way Nobull! I don't see how I could sell him even though I'll hit 100,000 miles within 3 years and will need another one! I'll have to just keep adding MINIs not substitute them!

 

Well I must say that I am happy that I am not the ONLY one who is leasing and modding. For a few minutes there I felt like a dolt.

I have done a few mods and really don't have any intention of turning in my MINI at lease end. I will either keep it or sell it.

Due to warranty, however, I won't be doing the pulley....

happy modding!