I have never owned a car where I wished the warranty period was over. I know your thinking what the @&@% are you talking about? There is something about the Mini that makes you want to make it even faster, or handle better, or make it a little lower or…..you get the picture. I have never had a car where I had a wrench on it within a week of driving it off the dealers lot. At least I didn’t have my JB+ installed and turned up to 100% before I got it home (like MarioCart). I actually don’t have a JB+ yet but my finger is on the Place Order Button on that one. I just finished all 60+ pages of the JB+ thread and enjoyed every minute of it. The practical side of me can’t/ won’t do anything to void the warranty at least on any major parts……but that hasn’t stopped me from making a list. The Alta Downpipe, Aquamist water meth and ECU tune will have to wait. I know there are lots of little things that can be done, and believe me I have been. My wife asked me when I bought the car what I was going to name it (her clubman is Abby) I said “your kidding right?” “guys don’t name there cars.” sooooooo four months later I find myself looking up british names. What’s happening to me? Anyone like Barney. The Mini can become a passion/ obsession if you let it, it certainly has for me. There was no hope for me I submitted willingly.

 

I modded from day 1 of MINI ownership. I've gone in with mods to the dealership for warranty work and I haven't gotten any grief from them. You should just enjoy it while you have it.

 

A dealer is required to specifically prove that a part caused a failure in order to refuse a warranty claim. So, just because you have a cat-back doesn't mean you're hosed for a wheel bearing failure.

That said, if you toss a giant turbo on the car and snap a rod, you're screwed.

 

I have an extended warranty and I've got the hot side pipe inlet pipe dp back and an intake. I've had a new turbo valve cover and maf, they've done everything under warranty

 

That's the spirit!

 

You don't have to wait for the warranty to be up. We sell the JB module and it's nice that you can remove it in 30sec before you go in for service so they don't see it installed. But the Torque arm bushing, Forge Intercooler, and NM Discharge pipes are other simple bolt on that don't void the warranty as they don't change the boost, or engine internally. They would have to fall apart and get sucked into the engine to be the cause of a failure.

 

I have been doing the same thing for years. The good delaerships will let you know if your mods caused the problem. Remove your mod and if the problem is still there they should fix it.

 

+1

 

Yes, I realize that there are a lot of mods that can be done before the warranty is up and I'm most definitely planning on it. I ordered the torque arm bushing and Alta blow of valve spring a couple of days ago and i'm ordering the JB+ tomorrow. There are a number of mods that i want to do that I won't risk under warranty though. Really my point was that the mini is a great and I can't remember ever having more fun with a car.
Thanks Way, I'll look into the intercooler and discharge pipe. I ordered the torque arm bushing from you. Thanks for getting it shipped out the next day

 

I would run the craziest mods while it has warranty, then you have a chance of it being covered...they can most likely fault the mod if you are say running 23lb of boost and cracks piston, but if you sunroof sticks in the summer, then it has nothing to do with it.

 

I have a 2008 MCS that I purchased under full warranty… I went ALTA stage 3 with all the mods you can do… I blew my motor up (the traditional r56 piston failure) after driving it too hard… I drove it on 3 cylinders back to my garage, took ALL my parts off… and called mini to pick it up. They put a new motor in it 100% covered under warranty... and now that motor is way more modded then the first (power is addictive, you will always want more)...

I see that you have a JCW… witch means you have stronger pistons then the standard "S" and don't have to worry about it blowing up… you also have a higher flowing head/exhaust manifold, and a Hybrid turbo… a small hybrid turbo… but a hybrid turbo None-the-less… what I'm saying by that is if you just do and intake, an intercooler, turbo back exhaust, and a tune… your car will be A LOT faster… not a little bit faster… A LOT faster... just make everything reversible… like I did… so should "the worst" happen… you can have the dealership fix it…

Is that morally right… no… but I don't care… Mini/BMW have a "no questions asked" warranty program… just don't let them find anything under the hood…

P.S. It has to be a girls name… ALL car names are girls name… want proof??? rewatch gone in 60 seconds… all 50 names on the whiteboard are girls names...