Nvadrs, be careful what you say. Dinan upgrades are NOT covered by the official, factory warranty. However, some dealerships may warranty them, particularly if they do the install.

 

I do not get this argument. DiD has already pointed out the fundamental flaw with this logic: if we want to reclaim the value, we'll return our cars to stock before we sell them.

Just cruise over to the "Marketplace" and see how people are doing this all the time. We don't get 100% back, and sometimes not even 50%, but by returning to stock, we're reclaiming 100% of what our after-market mods will have detracted from the car's value.

When I sell my car, I will be able to resell my H-Sport goodies (springs, sway bars, control arms) and essentially claim that my car has a brand new factory suspension with less than 10K miles.

And, I don't have to sell everything at once. If I need cash next week, I take off the Wilwood brakes and sell them. Or some suspension element.

I would venture to claim that I'll probably walk away from my car with more cash than someone reselling a JCW car. I've put in $3500, and I'll probably get $1500 out of my mods. If you come away with $1500 for your JCW, then I win by $2000.

 

The Dinan warranty, akin to the JCW warranty I believe, is backed by the manufacturer to match (or exceed depending on when it is installed) the factory warranty. This means that any dealer for the product will perform service and handle the warranty coverage whether or not they did the install - in Dinan's case this can be an authorized independant dealer or an authorized Mini/BMW Dinan dealer (I have personal experience with this on my BMW, took it to indi dealer that did the installs as well as a BMW/Dinan dealer for work on it).

The nice part about it is that not just the parts are covered, but the labor is as well, plus you have a network of dealers to go to. Also, if you do go to a dealer for work on anything and they are a Dinan shop you do not get a hard time for work done on one or the other (and yes I had plenty of trouble getting warranty work done on the bimmer when I had aftermarket parts that had to be touched to get to service issues).

Anyway, I know that I've posted about it before and don't mean to repeat myself, I just hate to see misinformation spread.

PS: Its worth checking with your local BMW/Mini Dinan shops to be sure they are covering the Mini; I found my local Mini service dept playing curiously ignorant about it even though they do a ton of BMW Dinan stuff. I think they are avoiding Dinan on Minis in order to push the JCW stuff, so I'd want to be sure they'd be prepared to work around and cover Dinan stuff in advance.

 

eVal,

I wasn't trying to spread misinformation, I was trying to correct it... as I read it (and I do realize now it could be interpreted in different ways), Nvadrs statement implied official factory warranty support for Dinan upgrades, which is not the case.

That of course doesn't mean that Dinan doesn't have its own warranty, and a very good warranty at that. I wasn't trying to trash Dinan in any way.

However, due to Dinan's close connection with some (very important word) BMW/MINI dealerships, many people may get the wrong impression that it is full MINIUSA warranty support, which it isn't. If you are on travel and you need help from the nearest dealership, and they aren't one with a Dinan connection, you might have a hassle getting help without paying for it.

Not saying this is all likely, but it is feasible and possible.

 

Sorry, I guess it sounded a bit different then I intended, I just meant that I've posted about it several times as I see misinfo on the topic all of the time.

Oh, and re: the main topic , it would seem that the big difference on the $$ outcome of modding the car is whether you have the ability and circumstance to install and un-install the stuff yourself. If you have to pay to have a ton of stuff removed like suspension, etc the cost to remove it would pretty much nullify any financial gains from selling used stuff. People who can do it themselves and have the tools and space to do it (and place to store all the OE stuff in the meantime) benefit most with the assorted aftermarket approach. Those that will resell the car modded will probably do better on the market selling the name brand with the service warranty approach I think.

 

Very true. I'm lucky to be in an area with folks who are crazy about wrenching. If I get into an install that I can't handle on my own, there are several people I can call. Generally, however, I like to tackle the work myself (with RedBaronF2001's help).

 

That gives me an idea for my next MINI. I plan to add plenty of things to it so it will be a little quicker. I'm too wainting for more info on the Dinan package. Being as some people, including myself, refers to it as a clown car. I may name it Pennywise.

Just found a good roof graphic as well.

 

I agree with eVal, If you do all your own wrenching that can make a big diffrence on the $$$ But the car has still been tinkered with, and to most buyers that is what is decreasing the value and reliability as much, if not more than the mods themselves.

Some people like to tinker and work on thier cars on a regular basis (10%), Most people do not want to do anything but put oil and gas in, and take the car to the dealer everytime it makes a sound(%90). A dealer/factory installed and warrantied item raises the value to the 90%. Any modifications removed or not (much lesser extent if removed) If the buyer knows that these things have been done it will make them less likely to buy your MINI at the same price as the other guys MINI. I mean why take a risk on the qualifications of the shade tree mechanic. qualified as you may be, the buyer is not intrested in assesing mechanical ability of owner in addition to making a decision to buy a car.

So.....Risk detracts value from the car, There really isn't any risk in the JCW and some measure of character and prestige. So, I still say on paper the JCW is the way to go financially. If performance is our only measure and you are not concerned about resale then go aftermarket

 

How often does the average used-car buyer ask: was there ever any after-market work done, and who performed that work? It doesn't show up on a title search; it doesn't show up on a Carfax report.

If the car looks stock, there usually is only one question: how well has it been maintained? Most of us who tinker tend to take better care of the cars than the dealership, replacing fluids and filters on a far more frequent basis. Of course, you have no receipts to show, but I found most dealerships don't give you enough proper documentation of their work to make a difference.

 

Returning a modified car back to stock is not always practical. One of the most popular mods for the MCS is the reduction pulley. A factory pulley is heated and press fitted to the supercharger shaft. I don’t think your average mechanic could do this work.

 

I guess its safe for me to post again.. Sorry for the warranty confusion w/Dinan. The original Mini mod info I got was from my dealership's service manager concerning the JCW and Dinan packages they supported.

Theoretically doing a JCW package would be similar to getting a Shelby version of the Mustang or the Schnizter (spelling?) version of a Beemer. These cars hold their value better than the original stock version. But they aren't put together in someone's garage.

I think if you put other aftermarket parts on its not the same as the getting the "factory" accepted package that's listed in the Mini brochure - Dinan excluded. I could be wrong but, in order to get the full JCW package, the dealership has to install it. The only performance parts I saw was the intake.

Sorry in advance for stirring it up

 

Its true that used car buyers wont know if things have been taken on/off the car, one of the risks of buying a used car I suppose (which is why I'd ask as well as have it checked out - who knows if the person did a everything right). If you take the VIN to a friendly dealer you can also get a printout of any dealer service work done on the car which indicates if it has had all the proper maintanence as well as other issues. (You should know that dealerships have been known to note any aftermarket stuff so that when the VIN is pulled up the remarks about those things comes up for their reference.)

 

I thought about purchasing the JCW package when I ordered my MCS.
I think the JCW package is well thought out and is of high quality. I also liked the warranty aspect.
What I could not accept was the fact I would have to take this new car and have some dealer tear apart the engine to install the package. Then pay for the install.

Had it been a factory option, I would have ordered it. So I will run it stock and see about other options down the road.

 

Come now, we know JCW doesnt need rationalization!! ... You either have "it" or you dont.

"it" = money and style.





.... No, I dont have it.

 

LOL....

Good one....proper maintenance from a dealership. I'd grow old counting the times anyone I know took their car to a dealership for "proper maintenance" only to have it come out with other problems.

 

I know what you mean, I am no fan of dealer service, however if known maint and recalls have not been done and on record it is not a good sign IMHO. If the owner keeps meticulous records of things he does great, but some things like recalls and warranty work should show (and any couple of year old BMW/Mini will have warranty work needed )

 

No arguments there.

I don't log my oil changes, but I do reset the service indicator. I do take the car in for recall work, and find myself partially situated in that 90% who take the car in for every new squeak. I mean, it is under warranty, right? Why not have the dealer worry about that annoying noise?

 

I've said before that was my issue with it as well. To get the JCW you essentially have to pay for TWO: superchargers, sets of plugs, heads, exhausts, programs, and then labor to redo them. Hey, I'm sure it's a great system. But the additional costs that would apply would be minimal if they just manufactured it that way. Most S's would be ordered that way, don't you think.

 

I'm just looking for the one rationalization that work on my wife!

 

Very well said fms. My stock MCSC has a very balanced feel. Yes I could use more, but I'd prefer to get faster and maintain that balance. I need to test drive a JCW to see how much more it adds off the line. My real world dilemna right now - JCW (or other mod routes) vs. 50" Pioneer Elite Plasma.

Eventually I hope to have both. Yes I can get by quite nicely without either, but livin' ain't just about gettin' by!

Mike

HP isn't necessarily the bottom line either. The new Hemi Dodge Charger has 340 and was 0-60 in 6.0. Isn't the 210 JCW around 5.9?

 

I would and would probably switch out my current car to do it - the big problem with the JCW kit is it is essentially overpriced. The other kits would be much more expensive, too however, if they were installed by the dealers.

Mike

 

what does JCW mean when they machined the cylinder head? does it mean its been ported and polished?

 

How about a compromise?

Here's what I did on my 2005 MCSC:

1) Unused JCW intake purchased 2nd hand - cost $225, plus $225 for dealer install (playing it safe with the warranty issue).

2) Lightly used (about 400 miles) JCW catback exhaust - cost $500 plus $180 to have my Audi/BMW mechanic install it. Has a great sound and those bling exhaust tips.

3) Alta 15% pulley, part w/installation by Randy Webb - $400 and includes his own 24,000 mile warranty.

4) Total HP is now about 195, about the same as a 2004 JCW car.

5) Almost totally (with exception of the pulley) still JCW/OEM. So resale value retained and very likely increased.

Total cost: $1530.00

Keeping in mind this:

1) The JCW supercharger is EXACTLY the same as the supercharger on the 2005 cars - nothing gained there.

2) The 15% Alta pulley is VERY close to the size of the JCW pulley, so much so that no ECU remapping is necessary.

3) The re-ported cylinder head offers no big HP gain and by some estimates, is not even as good as the stock one. Why have it? Well, it is the single most time-comsuming aspect of the JCW package, so the dealer can now charge an arm AND a leg for the total installation.

4) Colder plugs? OK, nice to have, but again - no big HP gain.

5) Increase of about 20 HP versus the scenario above.

6) JCW badges. Admittedly, these look very cool. I'd want them if I didn't have to buy the package to get them.

Total cost: $6000.00 and up

So what we have, essentially, is $1530 vs. $6000+ (for parts and installation). Are the JCW cylinder head, colder plugs and gain of 20 HP worth the extra $4500? I think not.

With the "extra" $4500, I bought a set of JCW 18 inch wheels (lightly used) for $1000 (which will go on when my RFs wear out), a JCW strut brace (from Canada) for $325 (I'll install it myself), a chromed intercooler cover with the red "S" for $100 (OK, no "Works" badge, I'll live without it... installed by myself), and may yet buy the JCW suspension and still have change!

 

MiniMeSF - isn't there JCW engine/performance software to take into account too?

 

Yes, but from what I understand, it mostly changes the curve a bit at the higher end. Questions is, is that, with the plugs and re-ported head, worth $4500? I suppose a new ECU chip could do pretty much the same thing for a whole lot less...