one of the most helpful threads I've come across on NAM and other sites was 'mods you regret' or something to that effect. basically, the premise for the mad modders is....if you had to start over again from scratch with a new car, what items would you do again/not do again. I see this thread as an extension of that idea, but for M7 products.

As said, there are some M7 items that I personally think are good and also some I had issues with. We have a reviews section, but this thread has given us more feedback in a couple of pages than the reviews section in total.

 

Then maybe you should start one for each of the other big name MINI vendors, just to be fair.

 

to be honest, I started this one based on Mark's suggestion....but you make a good point - got a list?

 

What the heck, start with one of the big boy's, ALTA.

 

The only ones I can think of(besides M7) that make some or all of their parts is...
Alta
Craven
DDM
Helix
Madness
TSW

 

I have a M7 USS and was plauged with problems for 6 months. A inch of spacers to clear the exhaust and middle bar completely removed. After all that I never noticed a improvement. I can't get the mounts off becuase I stupidly locktited the bolts in the insert even though I knew better. The only reason I havne't paid someone to get those out is because it was a gift

I had some strut tower plates that didn't fit correctly and were poorly machined. When I tried to put them on I striped one of the bolts. Tried the girlfriends they still didn't fit. Sold them to a guy that assured me my towers were mushroomed, even though I told him I tried them on a '06 mini and they still didn't fit, and never saw him again. oh well.

 

Wow I think you are the only one, including the M7 nasayers, that has had anything bad to say about the strut plates or the entire STB, interesting. Did you call M7 and tell them about it?

 

See post 74.

 

Yea your right, but I don't think Dr. P had a "mechanical" problem with it, he just didn't like the design,.........I think .

 

I only have one m7 product installed, the Strut Tower Brace, which I like alot but can't really tell if it works or not. I do know I have no mushrooming after the install, which I had before, so I guess the plates are doing their job.

Now, I have plenty of other performance mods on my car and I've been on the market at several points during my ownership. I have considered m7 at several points for upgrades and have come close to doing purchases with them. However, something always turns me off, which I think is one of the bigger beefs every m7 "hater" seems to consistently bring to the table: testing and numbers backup for performance claims.

Everytime people start asking about numbers backing up their claims that something increases or enhances performance, m7 has more often than not evaded, delayed until forgotten, or ignored the requests.

To be clear, I'm not hating on m7 and I have not had a bad experience with them. I do think they have some good products. Now, to me it is very clear that their strategy towards the MINI performance modification community seems to be very high on advertizing (m7 tuning, for example, or "track proven performance") and their very creative ways of spinning new products, while very seldomly providing actual backup for their claims. I think they are successful in this strategy because most of the MINI community is not that "hard core" modding mentality that demands results and backup.

For me, I do like to have some backup and results before taking the plunge on a new mod. But that's just me and a very few others around here it seems. Hence the reason I don't have more of their products on my car.

An example: I don't own an R56, but was very interested at one point to look at all the new mods coming out for it. When m7 introduced their new air intake via a thread (too lazy to look for link right now) they did their usual coming out advertising hoopla with their new intake (AGS-R or something) which looks very nice indeed. I posted a couple of times very nicely for some numbers to back up their claims, which they said they would provide during their original post. I think Peter even responded that they were working on them and would post them shortly. Never happened. I think that was like six or so months ago.

Just one example of something that I believe seems to happen more often than not with their products. I do agree that they make some nice looking products, and even some of them look like they would work well. I just don't agree with their business strategy, it doesn't appeal to me. That's just my opinion I guess.

Sorry for the long post everyone.

 

After 4 years you guys finally find your way to willow springs and becuase I dont show up on that day I do not participate in track events ? This is a bit of proof that I could put my hands on quickly . Couldn't find the Buttonwillow shots but they are around here somewhere. Once again you and PGT need to check yourself before you wreck yourself

Randy
M7 Tuning


Willow springs big track 02









This was from the Eurotuner " My Car Challenge " at California Seedway back in 04.

Interesting video for you AGS fans
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...89/ppuser/1596



Will Turner , Turner Motorsports and myself at Cal Speedway. Damn he is tall







Willow Springs 2003



Streets course 05



Back at Big Willow using ALL of turn 9



L.a Shelby club 7/ 07

 

Yes, but the design flaw is pretty he points out is a pretty big issue.

 

Hey Maxmini. Those are very pretty. How old are they? The fact remains that you and your partner have been repeatedly called out and to this point have yet to show up. Got any catchy rimes for that? Sheesh...

P.S. I see the time stamps on some pics are from 2 year ago....

P.P.S. Seems like you ran SOW CW. Shouldn't be to hard to post the times.

 

The last ones are august 07 with the shelby club. I do find it curious that you have just recently found the race track but have had racing numbers on the side of your car for 3 or 4 years now . As for repeatedly called out , please find the posts you refer too . We will be waiting .

Randy
M7 tuning

 

I am sorry if I encroached on the bling territory. I know how protective you are of your domain. You can plead ignorance all you want. You damn well know you've been invited by RMW to run head to head. Here, on M|U and pretty much every where else. I find it amusing that you won't run against them, but will use the HP from their head work on your web site. Classy.

And just an FYI since as always you are distorting the truth. I might not have been on the track, but I have been running the AutoCross for the past two years. The car is an '05. This is 2007. Need any help with math?

P.S. Why is it that you are feeling the need to take personal shots?

 

Ok whatever, he still voicing his own opinion on that. Now, you can listen to 1 or 2 or 3 dissenting votes or you can listen to what 15-20 or more votes that it works, you decide.

 

No, I will make up my own mind.

 

I hate to quote myself, but didn't I say that?

 

I have M7 stuff on my car..... I like it...

 

As much fun as this has been I really think we should let the thread get back on track. It isn't fair to PGT to move this far off topic. To recap you said we never go to the track. I showed that you were wrong , end of story. Nothing to see here , please move along .

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

I loved the uss, great concept. No fitment issues or problemos with my aftermarket exhaust. on the downside I couldnt use it anymore when the area of the undercarriage got bent that holds it up :/. currently making my own tho

 

I read your "You decide" comment as "You decide who to listen to." My point is I can decide with out listening to your "voters." There is a big difference there.

 

If that makes you feel better. I am glad that you want to be fair to PGT. To recap your recap... you've been called out and didn't show. As a matter of fact RMW is at SOW today. I am sure they will be there again in February. How about you? Is that enough notice?

 

Great photos Randy! These are the best action photos I've seen on NAM and speaks loads more for your company than empty criticism from folks who have never manufactured custom MINI parts and who obviously have an agenda and get their back up when they face the same medicine (see, https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=122245) What goes around, comes around....

 

No, you see I took for granted that you where an adult and "you decide" means you make your own decision based on whatever means you have available to you. Now this being said, in lieu of buying every vendors strut brace and testing them all for yourself, which would be kinda expensive, you can use opinions from other people on which one might work for you, or not.