Hi All,

I always read the forums but finally thought it was time to join in NAM. Just got a new MCSA and really want to spice it up with something extra. At first I wanted to add a 15% pulley and some spots to start. But then after viewing some of the post, I've come to realize that the dealers don't seem to leave much room for modification in any way without trying to weasel out of a new warranty.

So what exactly can a person do to add some excitement and/or speed to a MCSA and still have a warranty. Since mini is so new I'm not really ready to throw warranty away. Any suggestions

MINI Stats:

MCSA
Blue w/white bonnet
17" alloy Wheels
Sports Package
Conv. Package
Harmon K.
Chrome Package
Chrono Kit

 

Not much you can do, if you do mod and something goes wrong its up to the dealer to show your mod caused the problem. The verdict can take time. Call your dealer and ask them what mods you can do. I have heard of dealers even installing them.

 

bluezone,
Aloha and welcome to NAM.

Added excitement or speed and maintain your warranty???
Hmmmmm.

OK. The very very very very BEST thing you can do is.............

Go to driving school and be a good student. That one "thing" can help you far more than any upgrade. A good instructor in your stock MCSa can run circles around a modded MCS anyday of the week in my area. By the way, this keep s your warranty intact completely.

But if you must mod then these are also pretty darn safe-
Cold air intake- something easy like the alta intake. Go for a test drive in an MCS with the alta.
Rear sway bar- adjustable 22mm, set it to soft or middle setting.
Cat-back exhaust- see if you can pick up a used JCW exhaust and cut off the resonator, or consider Milltek, or Borla Street/Race (louder).
Non run flat tires- 215/45-17 Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 if you want performance at a decent price. Talk to Alex@tirerack for your options.

 

some dealers install minimania pulley's etc - these parts when installed by the dealer do not void your warranty. I would check with Wayne at mini of towson, or Herb at mini of sterling. These dealers oftern have new cars on their lots with the upgrades already done to the car. I got mine done from towson along with other people i know who got their's done there as well.

That said, the MCSA will the 15% pulley is a total blast to drive. The intake didnt really add much power but it sounds good when you step on the gas a bit.. To me, the pulley upgrade was not to race other cars on the street, but just to gt the little extra power in each gear throughout the rev curve. The car pulls in 4th, 5th and even a bit in 6th which is a significant inmporvement over stock. An of corse, the extra pull in 2nd and 3rd is just amazing. the only part that is directly afftected by a reduction pulley is the supercharger. I went over this several times with the dealer and they assured me and i have in writing that the factory warranty is not voided. i also bought the parts from the dealer which really suggests the same.

see post -
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=mcsa+pulley

 

I'm having a similar dilemma--especially after having seen (and heard) one of the NAM cars with M7 mods. This will probably cost a bunch, but MINI is supposed to introduce a JCW engine mod for the MCSa soon. You might want to do a cost benefit analysis and comparison with other aftermarket offerings at that time. Meanwhile you should peruse the long running thread "Show me your wheels" for something that ought not to violate the factory warranty.

 

'hune makes a good suggestion improving the suspension, changing the cat-back exhaust, or fitting real performance tires.

Some more devious ideas are:
*ported/polished cylinder head with camshaft - totally invisible!
*UNIchip ECU upgrade: fully removable for when you visit the $tealer

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Not all dealers will install aftermarket parts and allow a warranty for it.
You have to ask if that can be done and realize that whatever warranty you DO get is with that dealership only and not with MINIUSA or with any other MINI dealership.

Let's say you add a reduction pulley to the supercharger and the dealership installs it. Then something happens to the SC. Well it is no longer stock so the dealer can't replace it with MINIUSA. So now what? Any warranty you get is under the dealership's rules on what is covered or not. Just get things in writing.

If you are not going to stay with a particular dealership then don't expect that aftermarket upgrades will be covered under warranty even if installed by a MINI dealership. Many of us do move around or have a choice to go to different dealerships.

 

I think most dealers will allow you to add a North American Motoring Window Decal without violating your warranty :smile:

 

These are some great suggestions guys.... Thanks :smile:

 

interesting topic.....don't mean to hijack, but along the same lines.

how safe do you all think spring upgrades are? granted it's an MC getting MCS springs.

 

An MC getting MCS rated springs is like ordering an MC with Sports suspension plus. Granted there are various MCS springs depending on options ordered- firmer rated springs for those MCS with heavier options.

This makes for a stiffer suspension for the MC, not sure if there is much difference in ride height- probably minimal if any. Add the runflats to the MC and you get a significantly firmer ride and better performance in cornering at speed. Is it safe? Sure.

 

This is absolutely the best advice that you could get. Dollar spent for preformance gained this is absolutely the best deal going. It will also make you a much better and safer street driver.

There is nothing funnier and more exasperating than some holigan in a hopped-up, heavily modded, car that can't drive.

 

Simple non-invasive improvements in performance can be had by lightening the car - replacing the stock wheels with lightweight ones (you can lose 10lbs per cormer pretty easily and you really can feel that) clad them in grippier performance/non-runflat tires, and replacing the heavy stock exhaust (not much warranty related stuff to worry about with that; and if that is a concern you can go JCW which should be 'safe' and okay with the dealers).

Hope that helps, enjoy! :smile:

 

Is 10 lbs at the corners really that big of an improvement? Anyone know of any 0-60 or 1/4 times showing this?

 

The weight difference in the wheels doesn't provide advantage when you are traveling at constant speed- so cruising at 55 mph isn't the right test but as you mention a 1/4 mile time will be lowered by reducing wheel weight provided the tires used are up to the task.

The lower weight does make a difference in accleration and in braking since the energy needed to move less rotating mass will be less.

This applies to any MINI and for the MC it can make a big difference to keep wheel weight to a minimum since there is less HP to work with.

 

As Minihune states it does make a difference as the weight applies to the wheels and related physics (vs just losing 40lbs elsewhere). I am not qualified to explain it technically but I can tell you that you do feel the difference in this car

 

not sure where you live bluezone, but MINI of Towson (Maryland) has a number of performance packages they will install (mostly all Mini Mania components) that will not void your factory warranty. Since you stated you were looking for a little extra spunk and not a complete overhaul most of the packages they offer would fit nicely with what you seem to be looking for. granted you do have to pay the high installation rates (~$95/hour)...but retaining factory warranty comes with a price.

have fun

 

The MINI factory warranty-like Mini Mania warranty (see Mini Mania FactoryWarranty) should be honored by any dealership authorized by Mini Mania. Mini Mania can tell you who they are. Mini of Towson is an experienced authorized dealership that has been praised by many MINI owners in the DC metro area.

My advice is do the warranty research yourself, and then carefully evaluate any warranty claim that a dealer makes. Some dealers misrepresent the warranties that they give.

 

If your dealer carries DINAN, that's a good way to go. I pieced it together a little at a time. Now I'm at 200 ponies.

 

DINAN upgrades are available for the MINI at dealerships that are authorized by DINAN and therefore DINAN warranty is available only through those dealerships.

Many MINI dealerships are not authorized by DINAN so always check around which are or not in your case.

When doing upgrades using DINAN, the upgrades are covered under DINAN warranty and the original MINI warranty for that part replaced is no longer in effect. The exception are for parts that can easily be replaced like an intake or tower strut bar.

You're paying more for DINAN upgrades for the product, R&D, and the warranty.

 

Here's a link to the DINAN warranty (DINAN Performance Products Limited Warranty). It's similar to the Mini Mania warranty.

 

Some good choices here. I'm gonna check again with my dealer next week and see if they will authorize MiniMania or Dinan for starters. I checked them out. Even though I'm in Calif didn't see my dealers on the list, so it doesn't look too good for warranty . I had already spoken with the dealers regarding some spice on the mini. Funny thing is it almost seemed like no one really had any answers. Almost as if that wasn't quite anyone's area to be exact. MA wasn't quite sure on all the mods. SA recommended I talk to warranty dept. Well that was finance, who of course who was looking like maybe you need to talk with parts. But then parts suggested I discuss it with warranty underwriting.....What back to finance So ultimately, even though I did try to ask the dealers no one really seemed to have any straight-cut bottom line answers except it has to be done at the dealers.

I just want a little extra something special that makes Mini stand out in a croud. I know...I know.... Minis already stand out. Well, stand out in a croud of Minis. Of course, it goes without saying a little extra speed is always welcome

 

Probably it goes without saying...but, I'll say it anyway just in case. It's important to get a written warranty for your mods so you will know exactly what your rights are. Mini Mania and DINAN warranties are on the Web, so they are in writing already. With those warranties, it becomes a matter of getting assurance in writing that they will apply to the parts and the installer that you finally choose (e-mail assurance from the vendor and the installer may be enough [I'm not a lawyer] - at least that will a big help to justify your claim if a question should come up later).

It's tempting to simply trust the word of a seemingly professional, prosperous, caring dealer. That saves a lot of time, you don't have to document a warranty. But, speaking from personal experience, you shouldn't be so trusting when it comes to performance mods. Because if you rely on fraudulent, or even erroneous, verbal warranty promises by the dealer you can find yourself involved in a nightmare dispute, overnight.