Have a question for any of you that may have installed a MSD coil pack. About 3 weeks ago I installed a CAI which made a big difference, my mileage went from 28 mpg to 31 mpg according to the consumption computer on the mini. And that was in city driving. Got my coil pack and my magnacor plug wires the other day, and installed them before my trip to atlanta this weekend and to my surprise I never got any better that 31 mpg with the cruise at 70 mph. It seems like I had better mileage with the factory coil pack. I have to say I am a little disappointed in all descriptions that I see on the different web sites it states that it increases performance including mileage. I agree that it does seem to run a little better and idle smoother but the mileage part I am not pleased with at all. I ordered plugs at the same time but I only received 2 of them, the other 2 are on back order. Any thoughts from anyone?

 

Did you get the cooler spark plugs too? I just installed mine this morning I'll let you know what happens!

 

Coils and wires are regular mx items...
A tuner will tell you you do not gain any hp from a new oem to new aftermarket....
going from worn/defective....you might. Mini oem coil packs do suffer from corossion issues...the plus on a msd is a brass connection...
same for plugs...good new plugs from one brand to another is about the same hp...especially if they are new mult-electrode pronged ones (like oems)that do not need indexing (a hot rod trick) in which the electrode wire is set to a predetermined postion between the valves, rather than just where it stops based up tq.

 

MSD is known for their distributors, Ignition boxes, and wires, their coil packs however have gotten mixed reviews in the aftermarket world. Just because it's an aftermarket company dealing with high performance stuff doesn't always mean it will be better then stock.

For instance, my 1996 Camaro uses 3 coil packs. MSD does carry them, and cost a fortune. After problems with random, multiple missfire's we traced the problem back to the coil packs. We come to find out the stock GM ones produce more volts per discharge, AND is on par with everything else spec wise, so we just use the stock units for now on, up to 800HP has been produced using the stock units!!

Now I'm not saying the coil pack for the Mini is having the same problem, but I do believe they get a little more hype then necessary, although the brass ends are a big improvement.

 

I'm not really aware of any Mini that runs out of spark, or one that doesn't have hot enough of a spark. The MSD coil pack isn't really necessary.

The only plus it the brass connection but I don't see why making sure the original one is corrosion free, on the ends, with a little dielectric grease, is a bad way to go at all.

They're pricey, I just feel bad you dropped money on a part that isn't really necessary. :(

 

The msd coil is cheaper than the oem if you shop around....brass connections too boot...so call it oem pluss for less, just as i said before, no real gains.