Are there any performance oriented shops in the area? Id like to have a pulley and cold air kit installed on the mini S, but cant seem to find any local places that have done it before.

 

Not a lot of local places will do that. The intake is easy and can be done with simple hand tools. The pulley on the other hand is another thing. Not sure who would have a puller.

Sounds like a good time for a mod day....

 

I'm out of Cape Girardeau and was wondering the same thing! Autoxcooper, Dustin, does this outside of Chicago and Way down in Atlanta. That seems way too far to go for a pulley!

 

yeah thats the issue not really looking to drive 8-10 hours to have it done as it would take up too much time. and free time is worth money. I was trying to avoid buying the tools as Id likely only use them once.

 

Bimmers R Us (Kingshighway, StL) has done virtually all of my mod work (and corrected several problems installed by others). Greg, the service manager, is very responsive and ultra-professional. And he enjoys talking cars.

Mod work Bimmers has done for me so far:
15% (non-Dinan) pulley, Miltek Header, Stratmosphere Cat Back Exhaust, 380cc Injectors, Dinan CAI, Dinan Stage 3 software, Conty performance tires mounted on Team Dynamics ProRace wheels, stainless brake lines, M7 strut tower brace, Helix H-Sport (19mm) RSB, aluminum crankshaft pulley, Nology hotwires, Brisk plugs.

Work that Bimmers is all set to do next week (yes, I am excited):
RMW "Jesus" head and RMW street cam; 450cc Injectors; and coordinate RMW remote tune.


I very much appreciate that Bimmers has no problems with me drop shipping parts to them for install. I never felt like I had to go with Dinan stuff for good service (I did go with the Dinan CAI for obvious reasons). And the Dinan Stage 3 worked very well on my 2004 R53.

When I switched my stock rims to Team Dynamics, my stock rims came back to me scrubbed clean. Every time Bimmers does work under the hood, the engine compartment gets cleaned and de-greased. I like that kind of service .

 

Ill try and get a quote from them. Thanks

 

Called Bimmers R US and seems like a nice place. very knowledgeable place.got a quote. still gonna check other options.

 

DuncanShea,
About how much did it cost you to get the pulley installed? Has it been reliable? Have you had the powerflex bushings put on?

 

I have had no issues with the pulley after install.

I do not recall how much it was (it was awhile ago). But Bimmers R Us have always seeemd to be competitively priced. My MINI is there now getting an RMW head/cam installed.

I do not have powerflex bushings. You? If so, how do you like them?

 

I do not have the powerflex bushings installed yet, however, I purchased them about a month ago. I am saving for some Koni FSD's. I will have it all done at once in early spring. I am still debating on the FSD's or getting the Sachs replacements.

 

Duncanshea,
How many horspower are you pulling now? What are your favorite 3 mods?

 

Bad fuel pump nixed last week's dyno tune session. Should have the car back this weekend. Prior to the head/cam/rmw tune, I was running Dinan Stage 3, pulley, CAI, header and cat back indicated below in sig. With that setup, "William" pulled max 173.3HP at 6669rpm at the wheels with a really nice curve (outpulled several JCWs). Figuring a 15-20% drop from crank to wheels, Will probably put out between 200-208HP at the crank (versus about 169HP (??) stock 2004 S). I hope the new mods give it 30+ more HP.

Fav mod was 15% pulley (plus tune) because that was first big noticeable increase. Bang for buck mods would be in this order: CAI, pulley, tune, performance tires on light wheels, cat back exhaust, header, head/cam.

Mods like the strut tower brace should be kinda mandatory to protect against mushrooming.

Might have gone for coilovers already if I did not have to navigate in and our of a steep garage ramp daily.