Couldn't find it through searching so I'll just ask.
I was wondering if there are any dealers who will still be ok with me modding my MINI (specifically the pulley (down to 15%), and a CAI). I bought my MCSa from Lauderdale MINI and they were cool with me modding my car as long as it was done by Pete at MyMini in Pompano. But now I've moved to the Los Angeles area and am really desiring to mod away. However, I spoke with Nick Alexander MINI (which is closest) and they told me anything aftermarket will void the warranty. I don't want that since my car is still new.

I've heard Universal MINI will still honor the warranty. I'd like to know if anyone here has experience. Thanks.

 

Hi Lauren. Welcome to CA.

It's a crapshoot...roll of the dice with dealerships and them turning a blind eye to mods. The turnover at MINI dealerships is pretty high, so when you think you have it in with a SA or Techie..they leave and you're back to square one with a new person who goes by the book.

I was shot down by two dealerships with my moderate mods (pulley and CAI): Crevier and Irvine MINI. The only thing I can recommend is to know more than the SA or techies know...sometimes a dealership will be quick to nix any work because they can use the excuse that you have after market parts. That said, having a pulley and CAI does not mean you can't get your regular oil change from them. They can't void your entire warranty..just the items that are affected by your mods. So if you have an electrical problem in your headunit, they can't blame your pulley for causing it and force you to pay out of pocket.

modding is a slippery slope...if you really want to continue modding, just remember to go with a mechanic that will replace the factory warranty with their own.

You might want to investigate going the Dinan way (they offer their own warranty and some MINI dealerships are also Dinan installers)....or splurge and get the JCW kit which will keep your warranty intact.

Suggested dealership to go to....
South Bay MINI (YMMV)

All the best,
Lex

 

Try Long Beach Mini. The last time I was there, I asked them and they indicated that they would be OK with the mod as long at is was reasonable... but they did not define reasonable.

 

Universal and long beach, avoid South Bay.

 

There's a SCMM member who just joined South Bay as a mechanic, he's ok with mods since he has put them on his MINI...but again, it's a roll of the dice ~ sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.

Plus, if you go to South Bay..you can go around the corner and hangout at Fireball Racing.

 

Nick Alexander MINI in Los Angeles seems pretty cool about mods. I have a K&N CAI and a Borla race exhaust installed and they never made any mention about them each time I took my car in for any service.

 

Why do you say that? Particular service instances?

 

from the replies i'm willing to take my chances and go with the mods. so far I've talked to steve at steve's auto clinic and I feel confident in his work. Where did all of you get your mods installed by and who?

 

i've done all the mods myself.

 

My pulley and CAI were done by Randy Webb at one of his pulley parties in LA. Unfortunately, he no longer tours around the country doing pulley parties. BUT...he's going to be at AMVIV and will be doing a pulley party there. Check out WebbMotorSports.

There will be other vendors at AMVIV as well, you should check out the AMVIV forum on NAM.

Recently, I have been to Central Coast Coopers to get my camber plates installed. Call Scott, he'll answer all your questions and even let you test drive his MINI before you put anything on. http://www.centralcoastcoopers.com/

Other mods like glove box organizer, euro parcel shelf...I did myself.

 

I am trying to postpone mods till the warranty runs out. This thread is not helping.

I have about 1k left before my first service, I'll try and get some info from the guys at Long Beach.

 

No problem at South Bay. They sell FT cars which have aftermarket mods.

 

Yet again I am getting my MCS work on at SouthBay Mini and Jay Moore said no problem with my mods, inspection 1 is what they are doing, also provided me a Loaner car cool. He said no problem we will see.

 

Personally, I don't think it means much that a dealer did a normally scheduled service on a car and didn't give you any grief about your mods.

Where the rubber meets the road is when the dealership is trying to resolve a problem with a modified car and then can elect to give you grief then about your mods OR ignore them and proceed with the warranty work.

If someone with a modified car (say aftermarket wheels, lowering springs, aftermarket struts, etc) then got a cracked upper strut mount fixed under warranty, then I would be impressed and mark that dealer as "mod friendly."

 

Dave, I would have to agree that we are not talking about dealers fixing problems that could have been caused by aftermarket mods. I would however love to hear if anyone has had previous instances where they were able to find a dealer that covered the repair under warranty

 

I was just in for service #1 at Long Beach, completely forgot to ask about other aftermarket mods, but found out they are an authorized Dinan dealer so they will install & service those parts. And that news makes me very happy.

 

+1 on mod friendly alexander mini
(but their overall service is not that great, id have to admit)