Hey all, looking for a tuning shop in Southern New England, preferably in RI or southeastern MA. I've used Wicked Innovations in the past on my Subaru (sold) and they did a fantastic job (330 hp Forester XT, STI turbo, down pipe ). However I went there the other day and they aren't in their old location(?).

Thank you

 

Good luck finding a shop that can actually tune a MINI...

Your choices really are pretty limited. And you will never see that kind of power.

some of your choices are:

For N14 engines, Jan at Revolution Mini Works, a used Cobb Access port (no longer supported), and a couple others.

For a N18 engine, a juice box from Berger? Maybe NM engineering.
But I really doubt you are going to find a shop that car actually crack the ECU...

 

That's what I figured. Really just looking for a mild tune in the JCW territory, ~200-210 hp, nothing crazy. I'm not interested in "off the shelf" tunes, they seem risky at best. Would a catted DP require a tune or just a CEL reflash? Also +1 for the Rennline door pulls, ha ha. Those are sweet looking, a la Porsche RS.

 

Depends on the year, most 2010+ cars will get a CE light with anything other than the factory DP. Yes it can be turned off, but the code is still there, and it will fail plug in emissions tests because it will report NOT READY... SO if you go that route, you have to remove it and let the ECU readapt for drive cycles when you need to get it tested.

Besides, IMO, (in my opinion..) once you start pushing over 200ish whp, the car loses more than it's fair share of traction. Not to mention the wicked torque steer (yes even with a LSD, and much improved and suitable Koni shocks and springs.) The thing still sucks from a dead stop. I'm never really sure where it's headed when you romp on it from a start. When moving it's never been an issue, but from a start it may try to change lanes... (nature of the beast)

 

Hey iclancy...

Fellow Rhode Islander here...

I have been on these forums a few weeks now, reading, learning, ie, getting concerned about the repair records on some of these Mini's...

IF I get one, it would be a 'mid-life crisis' car purchase. I'm looking at new 2013/14, or used very low mileage, 'S' or 'JCW'.... These cars sound like a BLAST to drive. That's what I want.

The last time I had that feeling was my 1972 BMW model '2002-Tii'. http://www.hemmings.com/hsx/stories/...feature26.html

I have to carefully craft my sales-pitch to the Boss... I do believe she will kill me.

 

I'll give a shout out to Jan from RMW as well. I've been at 255whp with out a hitch. That's pretty close to those xt numbers you posted, the car is still drivable and i use it every day.

i think there are a few other tuners like jb+, mynes and some other randoms. It seems that our cars are hard to tune because of the ecu so do your research and pick who you think is best.

All I know is the RMW guys have a race team and for me, that was all I needed to know.

 

Do these performance tunes void the engine warranty?

 

If you need to ask....of course....generally the reason WHY buying a used mini is do dangerous IMO....
And it can blow the motor....melt a clutch....snap a CV joint....melt a tire....
Part of the $$$ in pay to play....