I like to do my own work. Last shop I went to in the are put the rubber brace backwards when installing my radiator and the hose was rubbing up against the engine. The shop before that put the wrong coolant in. Just safer to do it yourself.

Buuuutt.... unfortunately I live in a condo now and can't work on the car where I am. No DIY shops in the area. I bought the parts I wanted from ECS and WMW but now when I call recommended shops (like Scandinavian in Rockville) they wont install "customer parts." But after going on my third oem coolant tank, I'd prefer something other than what they are willing to install.

Is there a reputable shop or freelancer in the are that I can trust to work on the car that will? Any DIY garages I don't know about maybe?

 

In MD there should be a bunch of BMW shops, they should be able to do the MINI stuff also. Contact the local MINI club in DC. They should know, thats a huge club.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...is-archive-85/

 

We supply parts to Scandinavian so wonder why they wouldn't install it. I know they are leery of parts I don't recommend as they have been down that road before.

 

Going to follow up on the suggestion about reaching out to the local club. My wife has been wanting to get involved anyway.

I had actually called Scandinavian because of a recommendation you guys gave on here. Bonus was that they're only like 3 blocks from where I live. Got an immediate no though. Bummer. All the parts came from you guys and ECS (except 2 things that came from minimania and pelican)

Intercooler + kit- WMW
heater core - WMW
SC Pully reduc - WMW

Radiator/OF tank/coolant/cap - ECS
Ignition coil -ECS
tensioner stop/ realays/ jack pads - ECS
Oil pan gasket - ECS

Lots to do as you can see! Being in a place I can't do the work sucks

 

I would attempt anything that doesn't involve fluids, depends how much your neighbors suck I guess.

 

My guess is because of the stock parts like the heater core, and the ECS parts. They have installed our performance parts many times before, but since they sell stock parts like those they don't want to install them. Plus they can't warranty those parts. Performance parts they do get from us sometimes, but often want us to work with the customer so they know they are getting something we recommend that won't have issues for them to install or have to be concerned with failing later.