I was quoted from the dealer (Assael MINI) $3500 for the JCW Aero Kit and $400 for the JCW Strut Tower Brace, I know they are ripping me a new one with these prices. I can get the parts themselves from Morristown MINI for $1600 shipped, so I can't justify $2000 for labor and paint. Does anyone know where I can get these installed for a reasonable price? I am in the L.A. area. I can't wait to take delivery, I have a lot of JCW parts I want to install...(4-Piston Brakes, Suspension Kit, Sports Seats, Door Sills, and Wheels), but the dealer is quoting me outrageous prices. PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE!!!

 

buy used stuff. thats what the classified section is for.

 

I am actually looking into installing the JCW Aero kit too. I am in L.A. area as well. Morristown gave me the $2k estimate for the kit including painting but not installed. It is a matter of finding the right body shop to do the job. I am guessing the installation will take another $500 or so. Let me know what you find.

 

Wheels: Wheel Enhancement in Culver City is one of the few places I trust to mount and balance wheels. They did my Audi and will be doing my wheels in a few weeks.

Suspension: I'm getting my coilovers installed at West End in Gardena. Talk to Darren. Johnson Alignment (Torrance, I believe) is also a very reputable suspension install shop.

 

The JCW Strut Tower Brace should be simple. You can do it your self. I have mine order as for the body kit, CA has very hight labor rates. I'm in the area my self.

 

Make sure you get the latest version of the JCW brace. It has two notches on each side for screw heads. I got one last year and had cut some aluminum away to make it fit around a screw head. Otherwise it is quite easy, and just takes a torque wrench -- which is handy for rotating your wheels, or just checking them after someone else has.

Matching colors can be tricky with some colors. The metalics are difficult, and problems have been reported with Mellow Yellow not matching. It takes a good body shop to get it right. I suspect that the dealer would be sending it out and then marking up the work from the other shop. Not a lot of dealers do their own painting.

 

Go see Danny at http://www.minicorsa.com
He knows his stuff and is very reasonably priced. I live a bit farther out than you do from him. I set an appointment with him to install my lowering springs, and was out within 90 minutes. Well worth the drive for his knowledge and service.

 

tell the dealer their being absurd. My dealer reduced the pricing on the JCW Aero kit when I showed them the competitions pricing. They didn't want to lose the business.

 

Thanks for the heads up I had actually all ready read about this here on NAM but its good for people to know. I have one on order, there is yet a even newer version of the JCW Strut Brace that curves to fit arround the JCW Air Box that comes with the JCW Engine Kit

 

I highly recommend taking your MINI to Danny. Nice guy and reasonable prices. He did my suspension setup a few weeks back.

 

Thanks for all the input guys...I have printed out all the prices from Morristown MINI and if they can't beat it than I guess Morristown is getting my business and Danny will be installing my parts.

 

Let me know how the JCW Body kit install goes/price with Danny. He does paint as well? I'm interested in getting it done but the dealer cost scared me away. If I can have Morristown ship it to him and he does the work, I might just pull the trigger

 

My MA called to tell me that I should be able to delivery of my 08 MCS this Saturday. I asked about getting the Aero Kit installed and, at first, she quoted me about $2800, but then emailed me that since they can get a pre-painted kit from Mini, they'd do it cheaper.

After a bit of negotiation, they're installing the kit on Friday - in time for my Saturday delivery and it's only costing me $2200!

 

WOW!...where was this...I'll order a pre-painted kit!

 

It was ordered thru my dealer in Cincinnati.

The ability to order the pre-painted kit seemed to be a surprise to my MA, so it may be a new option for the parts department to order.

 

Robin, what's the socket size for the bolts holding the strut brace? Also, what is the torque spec for these bolts? I am thinking about getting the JCW strut brace too.

 

I used a 13mm socket (I think). I installed mine a few days ago

 

What about the torque specs???

 

34 Nm according to this thread on MINI2:

http://www.mini2.com/forum/2nd-gen-s...e-fitting.html

 

wow, doesn't anyone install their own junk anymore?! 6-7-800 dollars for an install/paint?

You can buy color matched rattle cans for a fraction of that price and DIY. Or spend a few hundred and have the local shop spray it. Just take the pieces down there and pick them up when they're done. I've used Maaco to paint a Jeep bumper and it matched great. I've also used colorite.com to buy paint for my beloved Ducati Superbike and the paint matched perfectly.

I've just read over the instructions for installing the JCW body kit. 1.5 hours to install, no special tools. If you can do those large wooden children's puzzles :D can you most certainly tackle this yourself. It doesn't look hard at all.

As far as the other components to install, read up, and do the install yourself. Anyone with basic skills can do most things on a car.

You save money and learn so much by doing it yourself.

You guys must be rich.