Randy is coming to my town and I'm thinking about a 15% pulley install. I have heard a lot about how good Randy is so I know the install will be done perfectly. My concern is my car only has 1,400 miles on it and I don't know if that is to early to do a pulley. I am still concerned about warranty issues too. I would like to know what everyone thinks. Is it dumb to worry so much about the warranty and should I wait untill my car has more miles before a pulley? Thanks :smile:

 

Assuming that your MCS has done very well and has no known issues with the supercharger or engine then I'd say it would be fine to do the pulley install, especially a 15% pulley. No problem and Randy is very good and fast, you won't find a better person to do the install safely and correctly.

On the other hand if you have issues with the engine and numberous troubles with the dealership then it might be prudent to wait. You don't need the added upgrade to cloud the picture and allow blame to be put on the pulley upgrade.

 

Randy did my pulley and intake last weekend. He's great. Don't forget that he now offers a warranty. If the product he installs or anything related to it fails he covers it! He has done extensive testing on the 15% and hased deemed it safe. I say go for it. I did, and I love the added power and noise.

 

Randy did my pulley at 1450 miles. On his site, a customer has posted that he has passed the 110,000 mile mark with the 15% reduction pulley.

I actually spoke to the service manager at two local Mini Service Departments regarding the mod. They both stated the same thing: unless the modded pulley was the cause of the warranty issue - I was covered.

Unfortunately, not all dealers are as cooperative - check with yours if you are worried.

 

Thanks! I will call the local dealership and talk to the tech about it. I have had no problems with my MINI so far. :smile:

 

I called the dealership and the guy was harsh about mods. He said if they could possible blame a mod on a problem they would. He even went as far as to say they could blame an intake on any engine problem and deny a warranty claim. Talk about being unfriendly towards mods. I'll call the other dealership on Monday and maybe have better luck.

 

You should post the name of that unfriendly mod dealer so others know not to buy a Mini from them.

 

Randy installed my 15% pulley when I only had 4,000 miles on my MCS. Now some 23,000 (s)miles later, I have absolutely no regrets. I've attended three pulley parties and wholeheartedly recommend Randy Webb's modifying circus.

 

Is it just me, or does the install rate of around $300 (plus the cost of the pulley) seem a little much? He's so good that he has the install down to near 30 minutes! But is he so good that he's worth $600 an hour?! I mean that's worse than dealer install prices. If you can knock them out so quick, and you are guaranteed x number of installs, you'd think you could offer a substantial discount.
No?

 

try installing one yourself and you'll understand what Randy charges is worth the money. I went the DIY route and if I had to rethink the option again, I would have had Randy install it for me - my experience was 6 hours long with a friend that helped ALOT and alot of stress leading up to and during the install. For me it was something to prove to myself and not really an issue of money - though my pocket did save alot. if you watch him install - you'll feel very confortable with the whole process - you wouldn't even realize how tough it can be.

 

I would get his name and talk to the service manager at the dealership. There's a special place in Hell for idiots like this.

One of the first service advisors I talked to fed me the same sort of line. Luckily, the service manager overheard and corrected him on the spot - quoting the Magnussen-Moss Act and apologizing to me for his employees lack of knowledge.

If the service manager is also a complete tool, leave him a copy of the Magnussen-Moss Act, let him know you know that he's breaking the law and report him, in writing to BMW NA/MINI NA and the Better Business Bureau (send him a courtesy copy-better yet drop it off on his desk). Then check another dealership. A lot of these guys talk smack over the phone. They will also lay this kind of drivel on you if they think you don't know any better.

 

I will call the service manager on Monday. I had heard the dealership was good about mods, so I still have hope. I' m still torn about the pulley because I don't want a battle everytime I go to the dealership. But at the same time I bought this car to enjoy and doing performance installs is a big part of that enjoyment. I have heard so many great reveiws on the pulley that it seems to good to miss. Randy also gives a warranty but I sure how that works across the country. It's to bad he's not my neighbor. Wouldn't that be great!

 

In response to d2mini, this is just my opinion, and it's anyone's personal choice where to have their installs done, but I wouldn't criticize Randy so harshly. Don't have him do the work if you think the price is an issue. But for someone who has perfected his craft as well as his timing, and travels across the country, you just don't expect to pay less. You don't become the best at something only to offer a discount on your services. Plus you are getting the whole experience, the "pulley party," where you can observe the work, meet other mini enthusiasts and share info, advice, etc. The dealership certainly won't let you watch--they can't even let you in the service bay. This is truly a unique experience and you get what you pay for.

 

$300 is a bargain. I just finished up my install and it's quite a job. That's probably what I'd charge to install it to. He has it down to a science and he's efficient - that's why he charges what he does.
:smile:

 

Ya, I'm not harshly criticising, and i know it's the going rate.
Just would have thought that a pulley party would be like a group buy where you would get a better deal. What's the point when i can go to the local beamer tuner and have it installed for the same price... and have somewhere to go back to if anything did happen to go wrong down the road.
Plus, like i said... when it breaks down to roughly $600/hr... it does make you think.

I'm just thinking out loud here though. I'm sure Randy does a great job.

 

d2mini -

Randy is a straight up guy.
I met him in the Richmond Pulley party last March.
I was awaiting shipment of my ordered Mini, but attended to see and share with other Mini owners. The party opened my eyes to the possibilities.
It is an event in itself and well worth the price of admission.
I have since ordered all my parts thru Randy.
Sure, I can get it for less elsewhere, but you get what you pay for.
In my case, it was his instructions on installation with his very well detailed "how-tos". Sure you can download it for free, but the extra that I pay is worth the effort to keep Randy in business.
If cost is an issue, I understand.
But understand that Randy has to eat too, as this is his business.
(not to mention, pay for the expenses for getting to the pulley party).
He charges $400 for the pulley install (parts and labor), which is very reasonable, considering that my dealer (Mini of Sterling) charges $600 for the install. And they have nowhere near the experience of a Randy pulley party. Been there, so I can vouch for it.

Just my 2 cents.
spirit16

ps - I was in Denver this past week on business and called Randy to meet him at his shop. Randy took the time to show me his mule (test and race car) and gave me additional ideas and possibilities for the future. You cant get this at any mini dealer that I know of.......

 

Wow. I guess I underestimated the value of a party.
Ok then... Next month there is a MINI party at my house. Chips and dip. There is a pretty large Houston group of MINI owners, plus the rest of NAM is invited. And at only $200 cover at the door, it's a bargain!!!

 

The install is only 280.00 & he gives you 1 1/2 hour time slot at the party so that's more like $185.00 an hour. Not bad for the best in the business in my opinion. I also heard if you get an intake at the same time he installs in for free.

 

Given how far Randy travels to do some pulley parties, the expenses involved in gettting to the party site have to be considered. Airfare (with excess weight baggage surcharges, I'll bet!) and hotel stays cost $$$. Then, factor in the time Randy spends getting to and from the party. Once these things are considered, that "$600/hr" rate drops precipitously!

If I remember correctly, the price for an installed pulley is the same at a pulley party as it is at Webb Motorsports. I personally think that the fact that MINI owners half a continent away from Randy's shop are offered the same rate as ones driving to his doorstep is a heckuva deal.

 

Dude, I only had 88 miles on the ticker when I did my pulley. No worries.

 

Please feel free to drive to any of the great MINI tuners all over the country that do the pulley installs (there aren't that many!). It's your time, fuel, and wear on your MINI to get there and the price is as stated.

Or check for a pulley party in your area or close to it and get the same installation without as much hassle. These folks like Randy and Eric Savage (Helix13) really make it look simple (and it is-if you know what to do). But if you give it to your local dealership or garage and have them do it for the "First time" it's going to take alot longer and you'll pay alot more. Plus if you do it fast- correctly- the first try then you don't waste time.

I think the installation charges are quite fair considering the alternative. There is no break in time for the Pulley upgrade so any MCS new or old could benefit. If your MINI is new then you still have to obey the break in rules.

 

I did my own, no problem O
What ever happened to DIY---- consumers!