Anybody out there with Minimania Stage III upgrade?

Please comment on daily driver-ability, noise, reliability, performance, service issues, costs, etc.

I'm ordering an '05 MCS convertible with LSD and I'm either going to get the WORKS (~210hp & warranty for ~$6k) or Minimania Stage III (~245hp & Minimania warranty for ~$6k). This car needs to be reliable and cannot sound like a motorcycle (although it's ok if it accelerates like one )

Thanks

David

 

There was a guy here who posted some feedback over the last few days on his experience with Mini Mania. You'll have to do a search and check the threads.

 

I was just catching-up with that hellish experience last night over on MINI2. You can check it out here:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...1&page=1&pp=15

If you do decide to go that route, you should express your concerns with them from the get-go so they can make certain that you'll be all squared-away...

Oh, and welcome to NAM!

 

Thanks for the info

Has anybody actually installed the Stage III package?

What is it like on a day to day basis as far as driveability, reliability, noise, etc?

 

Hello, I recently installed *SOME* of MiniMania's Stage 3 set up. I say some because they sent me two bad cylinder heads, the wrong fitment exhaust, a bad throttle body and the wrong shark software.

Well in the end I had the cylinder head done elsewhere (FAR better work than MM's anyway) and MM replaced all the other bad things.

I cant say exactly how thier Stage III runs due to the above explanation but I can tell you this car is very fast now. I dont know dyno numbers yet but I am thinking over 200 FWHP.

By the way I did not do the header. I would doubt thier claims of 245 crank HP anyway.

 

Hope this is not to far off topic:
I opted for the JCW package mainly because living in California the EPA laws are very strict on modifying. I think some of the eastern states are this way also, so it depends on where you live in that respect. I also like having the factory warranty.

As far as driveability is concerned, I rode in a tuner's car that had, his guess, 225 h.p. There was not enough places to hold on to! No J.C. bars! Unbelieveablely fast! Quite loud also. Not my idea of a daily driver, but it was still a work in progress.

You might check out Webb Motorsports also. http://www.webbmotorsports.com/

Hope this helps...

 

Zarlot, did you have your JCW installed in the BA?

 

Yes, at East Bay MINI.

 

I was quoted $6500.00 when I inquired about it. Is that in the ballpark price range or did that include the core?

 

When all said and done about $5750.00 with a NorCal MINIs club discount. Mine is an '03, that may make a small difference but I don't think it should be as much as your quote. Also bought the car from them in April 2003. No idea if that matters.

 

So they give the 10% discount on the JCW parts and install. Not bad.

 

Not wanting to drift OT too much, but the 10% discount saves one enough to pay for a good portion of the yearly memembership just by buying oil and filters alone. With a major puchase such as JCW, or in my case a new windhshield soon, that's where the 10% really kicks-in!

I know that Mania has that warranty, but after reading the details, the exclusions are fairly numerous though. There are options no doubt, and that is good for us all.

Someone referenced Randy earlier. He can hook you up for sure. Those that saw his car up against the competiton a few weeks back, including Mania, speak volumes for his tuning (his car was the fastest, even though others claim more hp). He can be hard to reach though, but I called him today for the first time in several months and got him directly after a couple rings. We had a wonderful conversation and I certainly see why he is so busy - the man is performing some serious R&D!

 

I was thinking of joining norcal mini. I might do it soon not only for the discount but just to meet other mini owners. A 10% discount in the world of bmw prices is very helpful.

Is Randy going to have a pulley party soon? I haven't kept up with his forum. I am pretty sure my wife will veto a JCW purchase but a pulley and ecu might be okay. I am just leery of lack of warranty once I do that.

Have you pulley and ecu'd your car?

 

If I am the "you" in your question - yes. I was the one who organized Randy's first Pulley Party in the Bay Area two years ago. We are looking at mid Sept for the 3rd party. Please chime-in here if interested:

http://www.webbmotorsports.com/forum...er=asc&start=0

Your hesitancy is understood. But, the pulley (at least the 15%), has proven itself as safe and very reliable. The peformance enchancement is a no-brainer. JCW, as well as others, have confirmed that with their pulley choice of the same or nearly identical size. And with many pullied cars well beyond the warranty coverage and still running without issue, I think to many that makes the warranty concerns a bit less than what they were a few years ago where we were venturing into the unknown.

Indeed, join NorCal MINIs for the fun! I must say that I've been too busy as of late, but I'll find some time when Randy comes to town.

 

Yes, you are the "you". That's a double positive!

I think I did chime in before but I had preferred early October but mid Sept should work as well.

I don't see very many posts about pulley causing failures but I wonder about the ecu. I would like to reflash my own so would something like the shark or the cartune ecu options work? And I am almost tempted to do the labor on my own pulley but nothing like having a pro finished it in half the time.

I will consider norcal minis. Thanks.

 

Thanks for the help. I'd be in a kettle with the wife if I brought home a buggered-up car!

I'm a lazy bastard and was hoping for a one-stop shop @ minimania to get a 245hp MINI with up-front installation by the dealer before I pick-up the car.

Now I reckon I'll get the WORKs, throw in Nology wires, Iridium plugs, & cold air intake for ~220 hp. My dealer says this setup won't effect my warranty at all and I'll still have a barn-burner.



David