I really want to add a few things to my new Mini that Mini does not sell directly. Anyone know of a good garage that will install? I live in chicago, and prefer a Chicago garage. But all are welcome in the burbs as well.

 

I don't know of any places in Chicago, but I have seen this place talked about by other Illinois-based MINI owners. I have not done any work with them. I believe it was KenChan that knows of this place, www.euroquipe.com
Also, CMMC is having a BBQ in September (9/16) http://chicagominiclub.com/2007/08/07/bbq-drive-0916/. Waylan from www.waymotorworks.com may come to do a MOD Party, if there is enough interest. He is based in Indianapolis. He has done 2 Mods for me, 16% Pulley and DDM Cold Air Intake, both done at Minis on the Dragon (MOTD) this past May. I like him because he takes the time to analyze what Mods are best for you and your MINI depending on usage, region, etc. So in essence, he's not looking to sell/install stuff that does not benefit you or your MINI. Although, the risk is that if anything goes wrong, he's all the way in Indy. Personally, I have never heard any negatives on him and his work.
Hope this helps.
FT

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your best value would be the event on the 16th. Fun too.

 

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead, but I really need an answer to the same question. I've got an M7 DDM intake and a Webb pulley on order and need to have them installed in January.

The two shops I've heard discussed on NAM are Perfect Power and Euroquipe (which was mentioned earlier in the thread).

Contacted Perfect Power in November and got a prompt response from Sol, who seems like a very nice guy. However, the price quote for installation of pulley+CAI = $420. This seems higher than pretty much any place I've heard of on the forum, except for the guy who got quoted $800 from a NJ tire shop. The ones which I've heard charge over $300 include the pulley in the price. Correct me if I'm wrong, here... MINI savants like Randy and Way can probably do a pulley in an hour or less, but I'm guessing an experienced shop should be able to do it in 2.5 or less.

I emailed Euroquipe twice in November (once via web site, once a straight-up email) and heard nothing but crickets. I may call them, but someone who includes an email address on their site but doesn't respond to inquiries within 2 months doesn't inspire confidence to me. That's just one man's opinion.

So the question remains: are there any other independent shops in Chicagoland which have done multiple MINI R53 pulleys? I'd love some leads so I can get my extra 15-20 BHP next month. It seems as those most of the active MINI owners have done them via pulley parties, but I haven't heard of any of these on the way.

Thanks!

bonmot

 

I'd like to do a pulley as well for mine, but I was going to hold off a little while longer. Ultimately, I'd like to do it in my garage, but I'd prefer to have someone around who has first hand experience as a guide.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ghlight=pulley

We can borrow a pulley puller and tensioner locally...

 

Dan,

I think the thread mentioned was the one I used back in november to identify Euroquipe and Perfect Power. Thanks for your research...

I suspect that my skills/tools are on a much lower plane than yours, so I haven't ever considered the idea of doing it myself.

I'm also a little wary of garage night pulley installs (unless they are "pulley party" affairs with an uber tuner), but that's mostly my hangup. I've still got some time on my factory warranty (and the MCS is my only ride), so I tend to be overly cautious.

Aside from generating other local shop leads, I'd be interested to hear if anyone here has had a pulley done by the previously mentioned Euroquipe or Perfect Power. If so, what was your experience?

Have Patrick or Jacobs done pulleys?

 

I'm under a Mini Certified warranty until 100,000, so I'm hesitant as well... If the whole supercharger goes at 70,000 miles, I'd like to get a new blower under warranty instead of having the dealer point their finger at an aftermarket pulley and say "too bad, but no".

 

You might want to talk to Blake at Patrick MINI in Schaumburg. Their mechanic, Rich, has done a bunch of installs for our customers out that way. I don't know what it costs, but we've had no complaints.

Steve

 

ssshhhh!!!! we don't want that secret to get out


Dan & bonmot -

I drive the MC so a pulley won't work for me.. but I've seen them installed on a couple of occasions. The last pulley party I remember was at Gabe's last year when Randy Webb rolled into town. He installed a couple that I can remember and helped a club member with his own install. I don't remember if Waylen installed any when he was here last winter on a separate occasion. I know there were some initial discussions to invite Waylen again or to have Chad from Detroit Tuned come to town, but I don't know if there was enough interest for either to make the trip to CHI-town.

I can tell you that most of the guys who were at that last pulley party are not here on NAM but are part of CMMC... I can tell you that you'll need 2 floor jacks, a bunch of tools and some patience to get it done from what I remember...

 

Steve - thanks for the idea. I have an email on the way to Blake at Patrick.


MiniMac,
I remember listening to Gabe talk about it the pulley party on White Roof Radio - his enthusiasm about the results and other anecdotal reports are key reasons why I want to go for it myself. I'd love to have someone like Waylen or Chad come in. I'd sign up.

To be honest, I've even considered driving to Indy to have Waylen do it as a last resort. I know he'd do it right and wouldn't price gouge.

bonmot

 

Without looking back on my receipts, I seem to recall that my pulley was $230 and DDM air intake was $380 installed. Just to be clear, that is for parts and labor. I had Way do the install at the Dragon this year.

Hope that helps.

My recollection was close, but a bit off. The pulley installed is $385 (special price for MOTD, regularly $400) and the DDM CAI installed is $230. I contacted WayMotorWorks via e-mail to confirm these prices earlier, around 12:30am. Waylen responded personally within an hour. I was expecting a response later today. Must be a night owl like myself. How's that for turn around time, granted it is just e-mail, but still...impressive.

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Thanks for the price comparison data, French Toaster.

Wow. $230 is an amazing price for the pulley with installation. The price quote I got here would be approximately $540-$550 for the same thing. I would do cartwheels if I could get the labor done by an experienced mechanic for $200 or less locally. Even $250 for labor would be a pretty reasonable deal, I think.

bonmot

 

euroquipe is a very good shop. i have had a lot of work done there. everything has been done very cleanly and i would highly recommend this shop to anyone who needs very clean and neat work done to their mini.

 

That's good to know about Euroquipe. I've read some great reports of their work in the forum archives.

It's really too bad they didn't respond to either of my two emails in November (and I mean that in a sincere, not a snide way). I haven't completely written them off, but this is the Information age, and you have to be available to potential customers, particularly if you post an email address on your site for inquiries.

 

Steve,

Thanks for the info. As a follow up, Patrick MINI would be willing to do a pulley/intake for $350 (this was a couple of weeks ago when I checked). It's good to know that at least one of the dealers would do aftermarket installs (don't know about the other two).

bonmot

 

Knauz does them too, I've seen quite a few cars in getting upgrades when I was there for warranty work. But I also don't go to dealers anymore.

 

Thanks for the update. I assume that the fact that they will install the parts won't destroy your warranty since they must be fairly confident that the parts won't hurt the car.

Steve

 

Does anyone know a good place to get a Twincharge kit installed along with a better clutch?

 

rc46badmofo --

I'd be willing to bet that the tech's at Patrick would be willing to help you out with the twincharge kit, along with the installation of the upgraded clutch. Hopefully your already out of warrenty, as that Twincharge kit will surely take care of that!!!

 

I just wanted to give an update to my modification saga. I was calling around town looking for an Independent shop to install my Webb pulley and M7 DDM Intake on my 2006 R53. I had particularly bad experience with Euroquipe that left me searching for other options in the Chicago metro.

As it's gotten colder I started to have some problems with my alternator & battery, so I scheduled an appointment at Patrick to have the warranty work done. Because it was already in the shop, I decided to have them do my mods too. They were very professional, communicated with me promptly, got me in and out efficiently, provided a loaner, and let me bring my own parts for the install. I had a very good experience overall. Haven't had a chance to try out the mods much, and the snow on the way may keep me from exploring their limits in the near future.

On a related note, AutoXCooper has mentioned in this forum that a new mechanic is exploring the MINI tuning/repair market. AutoX gave me the name and number of the shop owner. I talked with him on the phone a few times, and he's really a stand-up guy. I'm convinced that he's got the knowledge and experience to do well for the local MINI community. If not for the fact that I had to do my warranty repairs now anyway, I would have had him do the modification work for me. I don't mean to be secretive by not providing contact information or a name, but I don't feel it is my place to give this info out. I'd ask AutoXCooper if I were curious about mods to be done locally.

bonmot

 

i've done a couple. not hard at all