Having worked for a small online company for many years now, I have so much sympathy for Way. I could write a book about stuff like this but will leave it at that.

 

+1 - Just saw a $1,400.00 DME get fried from a new D1-Spec module which had been recently installed in an N18 engine.....the contacts at the pedal were also corroded. And while it may plug in ok because an R55 and a late model R60 share the same throttle pedal, it does not necessarily mean the pin/bushing connectors share same pin schematics....

FWIW I would never purchase a POS electronic part which originally came with no directions, showing bogus model year applications, soldered together by 9yr olds in China and then plug THAT into an OBDII port which goes right into the DME of a 40K dollar MINI........

The Sprint Booster has a proven track record, it's made in Japan under stringent manufacturing conditions....you get what you pay for. My 2 pence.

 

And many satisfied owners.

 

Not to be pedantic, but what proof did you have that it fried the DME? Just because it was installed, does not mean that it caused the problem, it could have been a crappy DME. I know a lot of people with the DS1 and have not had any problems. As for China, you will be hard pressed to find anything that didn't come from there. My guess is that some of the components in the SB are also made in China.

 

Indeed, correlation does not imply causation.
OTOH, if you can trace cause-and-effect relationship between changing inputs into the DME, and DME giving up the ghost, you may in fact be dealing with causation.
Now, if you add a time-lag to the events, the causation theory gets more tenuous.

How is that for pedantic^2 ?

a

P.S.: I don't have a DS1, nor an opinion on its merits

 

Where is my like button!

 

I have only ordered from way once but he earned my respect as a customer oriented business.

I know it's not huge but I had ordered the parts to add rear fogs and Way had agreed to instal and program at MOTD. After installing I was informed that they were getting error code on programming way offered to uninstall but suggested I check with Helix first. Imagine he actually sent me to competition.

Well hour later it was done. I appreciate an honest business man.

On a side note I also have taken note that other vendors at the event are not nearly as honest or knowledgeable. I was very interested in ordering a Schroth Rallye 4 Quick Fit Harness Belt as i am planning to attend a performance driving course with my MINI. Another vendors website has it listed as compatible w/2011 roadster (they only started in 2012). After reading up on the product couldn't figure out how it would work and posted in another thread my questions. Way replied back and saved me from a $244.95 mistake.

Thanks Way!
Much respect!

 

Way, Detroit Tuned, and Helix are the only ones I trust but doesn't mean I wouldn't buy from others such as Outmotoring and Motoring Werks. But I agree Way is one of those who I trust in the three I named.

 

 

Haven't had much luck with them.

http://www.outmotoring.com/mini-coop...llye-4-harness

 

I'm in on the Craven dipstick group buy that Way is hosting. I'm buying 3 of the pricey little suckers so beside the group buy discount, I was offered single price shipping instead of 3 separate shipping charges. I went to the site to make the transaction on Sunday evening (last night) but the shopping cart would not recognize the coupon code for more than 1 unit purchase, so I bailed. Through this site, I PM'd Way of the incident asking how he would like to proceed presuming that I would get a response this morning and consummate the proper charges via phone. It wasn't but a few minutes later Way responded telling me to just put the coupon code in the notes section when I checked out and he'd fix the charges up. Cool! I thought he'd most likely fix it up this morning (Monday) when the work day started, but low and behold, I got the finalized correct payment verification in my email box within 10 minutes! I couldn't believe it! Here we have a small, independent business owner minding his site on a Sunday evening, taking care of business and his customers. I thought that was worthy of note and one action that will cause me to do business with Way instead of other. Kudos.

 

It was working fine until the D1 install, and it was the only thing wired to a brand new vehicle's DME via the OBDII port...within days of install vehicle had throttle issues, not maintaining idle, high idle, erratic idle...

New throttle pedal was installed, connectors for the D1 Spec terminals were corroded...new pedal didn't fix it.

New DME installed and back running aok......

I HAVE NEVER seen a brand new MINI just few weeks old ever requiring a DME. Sorry but it was the D1. This ain't rocket science.

 

Exactly. There are many good vendors. It just depends on what I am buying IMO to determine who I buy from. I'm sorry to say the economy sucks and I am very penny conscious. I always buy from a reputable company that provides good customer service, and there are more then just a couple.

 

So because my boots say made in China it's ok to wire up some POS electronics to a $40K MINI's DME ?

And what's a lot of people who you know are using it 5-6 ? Maybe they all are driving 1st gen ? what model MINI's ? N18 JCW engines ?

Just because something plugs into a socket doesn't mean it belongs there. The throttle pedals on an 2009 R55 Clubman are the same as one in a brand new R60 ! Doesn't mean the pin locations are the same....That's generic crap application IMO and last I knew they are still only imported to Canada then brought over to USA through gray market sources...That also speaks volumes.

And I guess until you actually take apart a SB your theory of a Japanese product bearing Chinese parts is just that, a guess. But since the Sprint Booster is MADE/MANUFACTURED in JAPAN, that is the only unit I can recommend.

 

Awhile back I was needing somethings for my MINI.
Mishimoto Radiator
Forge over flow tank
Thermostat
Samco hoses
K&N typhoon CAI

I called a very reputable shop to purchase all these items at once. The person I spoke to was very short on the phone and barely offered an opinion or advise for that matter and zero conversation. Now spending about $1200.00 might not be a lot in this persons eyes or they were too busy to help me out. Either way I was thrown way back by this and ending up taking my money elsewhere. So it just goes to show IMO, that you need to take your money where you are comfortable and happy with the customer service provided. Its your hard earned money, spend it where you want.

 

Just ordered $800.00+ in parts from Way on Friday. Before hammering out the order we discussed the expectations of the MINI owner whom I was ordering the parts for. As always he had great input and was on target.

It's a huge bonus these days when a sales guy or gal on the other end of a phone knows what the hell their talking about, no matter what they are selling.

He's got my attention.......

 

But it is possible. My point is that you can't blame the DS1 directly as you are only guessing. Maybe this was the first bad DME, who knows, but you really don't have any proof on it. In this case it actually is rocket science as I don't see anyway that the DS1 could fry the DME. It simply advances the signal, nothing special. My bet... Bad DME

As for my other point Dave. You are banging the product when you have no proof that the one you are promoting doesn't have parts made in China. If you don't like it, fine, however, what you have posted is nothing more than opinion.

Got news for you... Most likely the parts that are in your SB are made in China. Maybe you shouldn't recommend it either?

 

When it snows and I see footprints to the mailbox, I don't need computer programmer to tell me the postman had been there.....give me a break.

I agree with Way. Dirty programming, shitty plating on their terminals = DME issues....

You can berate this someplace else, back on topic.

 

That wasn't a support gesture, that was a this thread is just a bunch of stroking off to someone who has mixed reviews at best.

 

Even better knowing that

 

LOL, you were the one that brought it up. Nice to see that you are doing your homework.... Sheesh, I thought a guy like you might dig a little deeper rather than play a guessing game, guess I was wrong.

News for you... Way is just trying to make a sale. Guess he did!

 

Gee Wil, like many of your posts taking the avenue of the devils advocate again.....ok.

Let's see here...An unlicensed nonpatented electronics part designed to alter a cars throttle signals made by God knows who, which has no directions and questionable specific model application wired directly into the cars electronic engine management system ( DME) of an N18 JCW engine.....Then ater the same vehicle develops throttle position codes and faults are evident........Ever hear the term Occams Razor ?

Here is some "home work" for you......

Patented licensed product ?
D1-Spec = No
Sprint Booster = Yes

Has Inernational Patent ?
D1-Spec = No
Sprint Booster = Yes

Wired to car's DME via USBII Port.
D1-Spec = Yes
Sprint Booster = No, it is not. It is in line from pedal to connector hence only re-working a pre-existing signal/code and not sending other signals to computer unrelated to task at hand.

Comes with directions written in ENGLISH.
D1-Spec = No
Sprint Booster = Yes

Conforms to US Import Laws and Regulations
D1-Spec = No - Only available from "Gray Market Sources" via Canada
Sprint Booster = Yes

The Sprint Booster was designed and founded by John Bouleko of Boulekos Dynamics who has been in the automotive industry since 1968.SIZE=3] By 1989, the company had mainly with engine mods, as well as the sale of spare parts & accessories. It is made in Greece.

The new generation of Sprint Booster debuted at SEMA SHOW 2009 winning one of the most important awards in aftermarket industry, the "SEMA BEST NEW PERFORMANCE-STREET PRODUCT 2010" award among 1400 new products that year. The new veΤο 1989 the company moved to modern facilities on Tatoiou covering 3,000 sq feet.

The newer verrsion was also honored with two 'SEMA GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS' as voted by a group of international Journalists from automotive media around the world (28 judges from 16 key automotive markets.


It is manufactured in Greece and it's been exported to more than 30 countries around the world for the last five years. It has an internaional patent by patent application in front of PCT - WO2007066155.

http://patentscope.wipo.int/search/e...PCTDescription
[SIZE=2]AND successfully passed the TUV tests and is certified with European Conformity type approval (EC type approval mark No e24031712)



Here is the schematic for this patented product.....



You get what you pay for.....especially when we are talking about a product wired into one's DME.

Therefore yes, I am siding with Way on these products and his recommendations. As always he has our best interest in mind.

 

Not to derail the DS-1 vs. SB thread but...

All the parts I have put on my car have come from WMW. I needed a strut tower solution and went to Atlanta to pick it up. I was treated professionally, courteously, fairly and quickly.

I ordered the rest of my stuff as a batch (RSB, Coil, Pulley Kit and Puller, Oil Change kit). I was intending to pick the stuff up again during a business trip but my plans changed and I needed the stuff shipped instead. I called them and had a discussion. I was given quality service and useful advice on which coil and which sway bar, which saved me about $40 bucks.

I've been a small business owner in the past. It's a tough gig and I have a great deal of respect for someone who can do it successfully. Way Motor Works has earned my trust and my business.

That's about all I have to say about that...

(By the way, Gray Raven, you have convinced me to wait to get the SB instead of going with the DS-1. I like the idea of being able to change the settings but not enough to risk my DME.)

And, yea, maybe Way is trying to make a sale. He's in business to do that. That doesn't mean he's a huckster trying to screw people.

 

 

Devil's advocate would mean that I am trying to argue for the sake of arguing. This actually is not the case, I am arguing because you are posting BS and trying to pass it for fact. You have no proof that the D1S has done anything to that vehicle.

Okay, I'll play your silly game this one time:

Patented licensed product ?
D1-Spec = No
Sprint Booster = Yes

So? What do you get with this, a certificate to hang on the wall?

Has Inernational Patent ?
D1-Spec = No
Sprint Booster = Yes

Once again, so? Anything gained? Two certificates?

Wired to car's DME via USBII Port.
D1-Spec = Yes
Sprint Booster = No, it is not. It is in line from pedal to connector hence only re-working a pre-existing signal/code and not sending other signals to computer unrelated to task at hand.

Not sure what you are talking about here, the DS1 does actually sit between the pedal and computer. The only other wiring is to power the unit, nothing more. They are not signal wires at all and if you disconnect it, the unit stops functioning and the car operates under normal conditions. ODBII is what I think you mean here anyway and you don't have to use it if you don't want too, it is simply a power source. This makes me wonder if you have never seen one.

Comes with directions written in ENGLISH.
D1-Spec = No
Sprint Booster = Yes

Mine were in English and easy to follow. (Screwy English, but it got the job done and that was all I needed) News flash, the USA is not the only country on this planet and English is not the only language!

Conforms to US Import Laws and Regulations
D1-Spec = No - Only available from "Gray Market Sources" via Canada
Sprint Booster = Yes

Once again, so?

The point, that you so seemingly want to try and get away from, is that you have no proof that the DME was damaged by this product. You are making a guess and bashing a product for no reason. It also isn't wired into the DME, it is wired into the bus and simply sends signals to the DME and to be honest, without testing, I'm not sure you can actually kill the DME that way. I would suspect that the engineers have setup the system to protect itself against rogue signals for safety reasons. Either way, I can't say one way or another much like you can't.

Like I said, you can hate it if you want, it is your opinion. However, please leave the BS at the door. I get it, you don't like it....

I am done arguing this as it is pointless. My only hope is that people will see that you have no proof of the unit doing any damage and when asked simply tossed up some fluff from a product that wasn't even being used. It is a decent product that does the job and for a lot less than a Sprint Booster.