mini madness is going to have an ECU upgrade for the MINI S boosting the hp by 25. This coupled with a cold air intake for another 5-10 and we're looking at almost 200hp out of my lil girl. Anyone else thinking about these items?

 

I'm all over it.

However, I'm going to hold off until the dealer ECU upgrade is available. I want to compare that vs. true aftermarket options.

This is all funny since my Cooper S has only 300 kms (180 miles) on it and I have don't drive it over 4000 rpm yet.

Before that I drove a Cooper for four months and I can tell you that the S is amazing.

 

I have about 100 miles more than you. I haven't been over 4500rpm either but can't wait to do it. I didn't drive the test drive car that hard so don't really know what it will do but do know one thing, 30-35 more hp can't hurt. I haven't heard about a dealer ECU. Will that be covered under warranty?

 

Yes, all dealer mods will have full warrantee coverage.

As for true aftermarket mods, my understanding is that they usually don't void the warranty unless the dealer attributes cause of the problem back to the mod.

 

Definitely interested in giving my S a boost somewhere down the road, though I have to agree that an ECU from the dealer would probably be a better idea if they offer it, just to ward off any warrenty issues. I did have the chance to open the test drive car a little, and I must say, I was pretty impressed... LOVE 3rd. I can't imagine what another 25 ponies would do!

 

I drove the test car hard as well, very hard. I really tempted the mini to roll or spin out on a couple corners, and it held true. amazing. it's so wonderful to be cruising in 6th on the freeway, then drop it into 4th and take off. I LOVE IT!!! Anybody know how much this non-dealer mod would cost? I hear the dealer mod would be around $3G.

 

The 25hp ECU from MINI Madness is listed on their site at $750.

 

My friend is a sales manager for mini and I ran the ECU upgrade by him...he said no problem as long as nothing goes wrong with the engine or transmision..but if there is an engine problem or tranny problem after the ECU upgrade...you are screwed for any warranty claims....exhaust, air intakes upgrades are no big deal but messing with the ECU chip will get you in big trouble if you have an engine problem.....He said there are absolutely no plans for a dealer ECU change..he said BMW would be stupid to offer such an upgrade and risk goofs driving the hell out of minis requiring warranty work...he said there would be exhaust upgrades and styling upgrades...

I'd think twice before you do an ECU upgrade.....might never have a problem, but if you do, I for one wouldn't want to contest the Bimmer lawyers, laugh....funny all the upgrades are saying..go ahead and upgrade the ECU, it will be under warranty...ask them if they will honor the engine warranty if BMW won't...lol!

Just enjoy your S and trade it in in a few years when they have a new engine and 200hp + dealer mini...you will covered on warranty till you trade and will have warranty on the new mini...cheers!

 

The other thing to keep in mind...because I to am looking to add the new ECU, is that you have to yank out your existing ECU and send it off to them for the mod.

Now, a clever person with some money to burn might go to the dealer and buy an ECU and send it up to them to mod. Then, you can swap it in and out.

Say, for example.....you have the ECU in your car and you trash the engine. Hmmm...might be awfully tempting to pull that OTHER ECU out of the glove box, grab the wrench and swap them before it heads off to the dealer for warranty repair.

Now of course this would be compeletly wrong and unethical...but then a lot of us had to deal with unethical and completely wrong mark ups on our cars....6-10k here in So. Cal. So, the choice is yours.

Just a thought.

 

Patrick

That is pretty damn clever...I seem to never be amazed at the ingenuity of clever people....little sneaky & mischevious, but sounds like it would work to me....

Wonder if BMW parts people are curious why one is buying a new ECU and if you would have to give them your vin # to make this purchase?...they may have already considered such a sneaky move, laugh!

 

>>mini madness is going to have an ECU upgrade for the MINI S boosting the hp by 25. This coupled with a cold air intake for another 5-10 and we're looking at almost 200hp out of my lil girl. Anyone else thinking about these items?For mine MCS (delivery: week 48, stay calm Tony) i found 2 (German) Tuners for de MCS which i have approached.
a. Digitec : 210 hp !!!! Digitec
b. Hamann : 195 hpHamann
A little bit of German-knowledge will be handy.

Greetings from the Netherlands, Tony Donkers

 

>>mini madness is going to have an ECU upgrade for the MINI S boosting the hp by 25. This coupled with a cold air intake for another 5-10 and we're looking at almost 200hp out of my lil girl. Anyone else thinking about these items

yeah......better ask mini mania if they are going to cover warranty work if the engine goes bad after they have messed with the ECU because I guarantee you Bimmer won't cover it since they didn't do it or authorize it.....maybe it will never be a problem or you are just a gambler, laugh

 

>>Now, a clever person with some money to burn might go to the dealer and buy an ECU and send it up to them to mod. Then, you can swap it in and out.
>>
>>Say, for example.....you have the ECU in your car and you trash the engine. Hmmm...might be awfully tempting to pull that OTHER ECU out of the glove box, grab the wrench and swap them before it heads off to the dealer for warranty repair.
>>
>>Now of course this would be compeletly wrong and unethical...but then a lot of us had to deal with unethical and completely wrong mark ups on our cars....6-10k here in So. Cal. So, the choice is yours.
>>
>>Just a thought.

My only thought be as to whether or not the other engine monitoring systems would be able to detect what you'd done or will swapping out the ECU take the cars entire "brain" with it?

Also, I'd wait until after Jan. 2003 since John CooperWorks sent me a message stating that they will be marketing their conversions in North America. There might be a chance of getting some warranty coverage with JCW. Check their website in October
CooperWorks Link

 

>>>>mini madness is going to have an ECU upgrade for the MINI S boosting the hp by 25. This coupled with a cold air intake for another 5-10 and we're looking at almost 200hp out of my lil girl. Anyone else thinking about these items?For mine MCS (delivery: week 48, stay calm Tony) i found 2 (German) Tuners for de MCS which i have approached.
>>a. Digitec : 210 hp !!!! Digitec
>>b. Hamann : 195 hpHamann
>>A little bit of German-knowledge will be handy.
>>
>>Greetings from the Netherlands, Tony Donkers


I haven't boned up on my German in a while, so I'm not totally understanding that Hamann site. But I did find that Cooper'S' in the Supercars.net site. Came with a little write up on it and a few desktop pics that you can download. Damn I love those deep dish rims. Makes it look sooo much meaner. Here's the Supercars link:

 

OK, let's see if the link works this time:
Hamann Cooper'S'

 

>>OK, let's see if the link works this time:
>>Hamann Cooper'S'
>>
>>
Those Germans are really tuning up on the MCS.

See this link: SKN-tuning
from 163 to 212Bp; speed up to 144 mph; torque from 210 to 247 nm.(price: 1450 Euro = Dollar????)

and this link:Maxi-Tuner

Did send a email to CooperWorks, i'm currious what they have to offer.

Tony

 

Anyone know what wheels the Hamann MCS is running on? Or know of something very similar to them? They look so incredibly sweet on that MINI. I love the deep dish style. Wonder if they have adapters for them, being that the car's FWD. If anyone can direct to something close to that style without killing my wallet/account, I'd much appreciate it. Although, I don't want to go anything more than a 17". Preferably a 16" rim.

 

MINI-Madman,

The Hamann MCS is running on 18" specifically made for the MINI offest and bolt pattern. They are called the PG4 and are 8Jx18 with 225/35 rubber. I'm not sure what they are going to cost, but Hamann wheels will set you back a lot. I may be way off here (somebody help me out), but you're going to be up well over $500 ea. US. Wheels only.

But yes, they are awesome. If I can find some prices I'll post back.

Best regards,

Jason

PS- Here's the link to the Hamann site.
Page Title
PSS-Here's a link to one of the US importers.
Page Title

 

Thanx for the info Jason. Maybe I'll just search about for some replicas or a line that is similar to them.

 

I am looking at the Hamann PG4 as well. I saw that they are going for a little over $900 each (!!!) They do have the same looking wheel (HM4) but one piece that is much less $. Only comes in 17"

http://www.hamann-motorsport.de/homee.htm

 

Diamond racing have a ECU solution. As well as a variaty of bolt on performance parts that all add good HP gains. From intake to exhaust to unsprung weight at the wheels.

Diamond Racing

They will be at the Mini West Show.

 

Question, If I get my ECU tuned up, What happens when I bring my MINI in to the dealer this fall to upgrade the ECU. I hear there is a dealer upgrade due out soon to fix some problems with the Cooper S and Cooper not starting up right away (fuel pump) and stalling at idle when hot or with the A/C on. Will the Dealer replace or reprogram the chip and undo all the hi performance benefits of the ECU upgrade?




Scott
SRVrace

 

well not really true if they dug into it they could find out from one of other computers in the car that you changed the ecu it would be a risk but you never know what kinda technician you would tun into.

 

Everybody needs to know that a ECU upgrades do not need to be hardware upgrades. The software can be upgrades or reprogrammed to add fuel and timing. Equivalent to rotating the old distributors and adjusting the jets in carbs. Software upgrades can be taking out and put back in at any time.