I am a MINI freak. My first MINI was a 2006 R53 that was stolen in June ’09 but I’d done some minor mods to: Alta V2 15% pulley, 3rd Brake Light Pulsar, Mini-Fini Arm Rest, M7 OCC and M7 STB. Only the pulley required help installing, however, all of the others I did myself, along with three complete brake jobs. Suffice to say that I am quite comfortable with the amount and type of work and, to be honest, had no real problems along the way. Sure, there were some bumps and bruises discovering exactly how things were to be done, like the rear brake calipers, but that was only due to my own technical limitations.

Now I have a 2010 JCW and had ordered over $1200 in bits and bobs to put into this new beastie and was truly looking forward to doing the work. The very first weekend I had the car, I put in a couple new parts and, having done these installations before, I was shocked at the difference in the quality of the printed instructions provided. And, after a debacle installing another mod today, I cannot blame the fact that none of the instructions were written for the 2010 model. The instructions are just plain bad.

Some things, like a poor camera angle or image or the attempted description of the work to be done, are not the root problem. It is not beyond expectation for the printed instructions to provide enough information for a novice to properly remove vehicle components, install the new “bling” and then successfully reinstall the vehicle components. For example, the M7 Oil Catch Can instructions appeared to have been drawn using MS Paint. However, they were accurately convey the information, along with the printed instructions, to properly install the part. Thus, the perfect install. But these latest versions of instructions fail to properly describe how to properly remove body panels so that they could be properly reinstalled!!

So, what’s my point? I would ask that the vendors make some effort to validate their install instructions. That means have someone who’s not done this sort of install before actually try to complete the action using only the instructions. If/when any problems or questions arise, revise the instructions to cover them. Having said that, I would not expect a tome for instructions, just an accurate description of the process. Think M7 OCC install.

When I started this diatribe, I had listed the vendors I’d had problems with and decided that it would serve no purpose to do so. And I don’t mean to blast all vendors. I would only ask that vendors make the effort to support their products with detailed, accurate instructions that will, in turn, foster a loyal customer base. Take the time to ensure that potential model conflicts are identified, accurately describe how to remove body panels, and ensure that pictures focus on the relevant area. Remember, pictures are worth a thousand words!!

I do hope that the community takes this in the manner intended: as positive, constructive criticism for improvement.

Cheers!!

 

First I'd like to say I'm sorry for the difficulties you've had. And most of the install instructions are provided by the manufacture and I do understand that alot of times they aren't very good. That's why I always encourage people to buy parts from MINI Tuners such as myself, Detroit Tuned, or Helix. I can promise you that when you buy from any of us 3 and then call later needing help we'll be happy to walk you through it. Something you alot of times can't get from the manufacture or internet business. Idealy as a vendor writing instructions for everything we sell would be great, but it's time consuming and that cost us taking away from customer cars. If you have a manufacture you'd like me to see if I could help advise them, let me know. In the long run it could help so many more.

WAY

 

I recently purchased a bunch of parts from NM Engineering. All their products came with very good installation instructions with pictures. One product did not come with instructions as it was a new product that just started shipping. All of their parts have PDF based instructions easily available on their web site. M7 also has good instructions with PDF versions easily available on their web site.

And while I have your attention, if you have a problem with a product or a problem doing the install, why not call that vendor before posting here and or bashing that vendor here. This forum does not replace a phone call, email, PM or IM.

 

+1 I was having some problems installing a part a couple days ago because the instructions were too brief between the steps. I think vendors should also take a look at NM engineering instructions as they are always detailed and have colored pictures.

 

I think buying from the tuners are the best way to go. The people who create these parts are good at what they do and not always good at communicating.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Calling does always help, except when you're like me and start your modding at 3 in the morning and nobody's at ALTA to pick up the phone!

 

Poppa Bear, I had a boss a long time ago who use to tell us, "Put effort to emphasis." And it wasn't just words -- we saw it in all that he did. If selling a quality product is important to them, vendors will either make sure the instructions are as they shoul dbe, or like some have mentioned here, will be ready to help after the fact. Ditto for manufacturers.

I am with you, though, that it needs to be right the first time. I don't think you were with us the weekend Henry and I had my dash apart, installing some doodad box up above the fuse box. The instructions that came from the manufacturere were so bad, Henry had written new ones himself, complete with better diagrams. And you know me -- if I could follow them, you know they were idiot proof. The kicker that weekend was that for the two units I had on hand (mine, and one from daflake who had grown so frustrated trying to make it work, he quit and gave it to me as a spare) ultimately proved to be bad -- I had to send them both back for replacements. Bad parts are one thing, but when the instructions leave you doubting if you even have it installed correctly, well, that's just not right.

When is she broken in, BTW? I have not seen Nordschleife videos from her yet.

 

I'm not saying it's right. It just is.

 

Thanks for the reception of my rant, especially from the vendors!

I readily admit to a very healthy respect for electricity and electronics and I didn't wanna point out any vendors, however, I would ask that whenever some mod has the potential of frying some electronic jibbly bit, make the instructions very detailed. Or, when making a permanent change to the car, like drilling holes for example, precise instructions are paramount. The OCC and STB were quite easy mods because they have a very low chance of going horribly wrong. Hose length too short? Easily replaced. STB in backwards? Can't read the vendor's logo. Splice into the wrong wires next to the computer? Lots of bad smoke lets the genie get away!!!

I have called a tuner with questions and they were very, very helpful in sorting me out. And, to be fair, I would not have expected getting hold of anyone over the holidays whilst I was mangling this latest install!! Though I am >THAT< guy who buys the shop manual, scours the Intarwebz, prints everything off in poster sizes and studies everything for days before attempting to replace both front and rear brake pads at three times the amount of time typically required. Seriously. I am that guy. But this is working on my cool, little car that I cherish and I don't wanna have to take/drag it to the dealer, pay a bazillion Euros (1€ = USD$1.44) for them to unscrew my feeble attempts at a mod. So, vendors, please put the correct em-phasis on the instructions because those then become your "face" to the customer by which you are judged!

I'd be willing to volunteer my 2010 JCW as a mule to validate installs, however, I'm still stationed in The Netherlands for another 195 days.

And, Abu, the 'Ring has been closed for the holidays and the weather's been crud but I'm on track with my typical >2k miles per month booming around here. I'll be blarging about that shortly and will ABSOLUTELY hit the 'Ring next month.

Cheers!!

 

You had better. And mount that camera!

 

I want to revive this post to reinforce my point with a positive example. When I installed the AutoSport Module, it came with Posi-Tap connectors as part of the kit. I was well and truly impressed with this attention to detail as it "made" the installation. I simply don't have the confidence in my soldering abilities to make these connections. Practice does make perfect, however, errors cost lots and lots of Euros (1€ = USD$1.35) over here!!! Along with my HEALTHY respect for electronics, I was happy that this mod wouldn't cause any permanent damage to my car if I botched the install.

So, if vendors out there have any doubts as to how to present their "face" to their customers, take a look at Dr Obnxs with his AutoSport Module, M7 and Alta as they've definitely cracked the code, IMHO.

Being stationed in Europe puts me 6 hours ahead of East Coast and 9 hours ahead of Left Coast time, so phoning isn't impossible, just a bit ornery. And the purpose of the original post wasn't to poke anyone in the eye. On the contrary, I specifically commented on not pointing out specific vendors. The point of the post was to ask why vendors have dropped off in the quality of their instructions. More importantly, I wanted to point out to the vendors that the package, as delivered, >IS< the company to the customer. It is the store, it is the sales associate, it is the shopping experience all in that brown cardboard box. Therefore, if there are unmet customer expectations, the chances of developing customer loyalty diminishes. But I'm not an MBA nor did I sleep at a Holiday Inn Express! FWIW, I do post over on the vendor's forums when I have a question. Remember, I said I'll research to the nth degree because I'm That Guy! Kudos to Keith at KP Technologies for his assistance!!

Cheers!!

 

I think the problem lies with the Tech Writers. Tech Writing is a discipline with different rules. A Tech Writer should write each sentence of a paragraph as a stand alone sentence. A Tech Writer should avoid the use of pronouns at all cost. A Tech Writer should use the full name of each item, brevity saves nothing.

Example: Mini Widgets Seat Warmer Adjuster installation instructions.

1 Disconnect the connector located under the front seat. Clip the red wire. Connect your new widget blue wire to the red wire.

Wait! What?


2. Locate black 4 pin connector under driver's seat. Cut red wire 1 inch from male side of black 4 pin connector. Connect blue wire from new widget to the red wire of black connector. Trim and tape the remaining unattached red wire.

Adequate tech writing prevents the phone call to tech support at Mini Widgets trying to figure out why your seat doesn't get warm but the Mini Widget Seat Warmer Adjuster smokes.


* The above product is made up.

Apologies to seat warmers, widgets, and every engineer out there forced into writing instructions for their widgets.

Get help.

 

+1 to folks like M7 and the various tuners. I was having some problems on an install so I called M7 and next thing I knew, I had Peter on the phone giving me very detailed help that got it done. When I was installing the lowering springs and rear sway bar, I called Mach V and it took them about 5 minutes to resolve an issue that I'd been working on for the better part of an hour.

Poppa Bear, from a retiree (26 yr Navy MCPO), thanks for your service and come back safe!

Craig

 

I'd forgotten about the time I called M7 about the STB install and Peter answered the phone!! Excellent customer service getting me sorted out!!

BTW, is that CMC Veay or C. McVeay?

Cheers!!

 

Poppa Bear,
Good catch! It's C. McVeay. I retired after two tours as a CMC.

Craig