I've got a standard MCS (54 plate) in EB/W and I'm after some advice on how best to spend some cash on it. I like the look as it is so would prefer performance/sound mods and ideally need to get them fitted (the missus aint too keen on me tinkering with a car she has to be a passenger in).

Any suggestions? Budget-wise I can spend a fair amount within reason but if there would be some good starting points I'd appreciate any advice. If anyone has tips on how this will affect my insurance (I'm with admiral) that'd also be fantastic! :)

What you ought to go for depends on how much you have to spend.

What to you want to do - increase power - if so - GTT,BBR,Lohen, West Tuning & JCW + others all have kits and options.

For sound - there are a few induction kit options - ALTA & M7 AGS being the most flambouyant in terms of sound. Exhausts - again there are loads.

So as said - really depend on how deep your pockets are - then we can help.

T-bone S

If money isn't the key and you want more power with piece of mind go with the JCW package from your dealer. It really does make a difference to the standard S with BMW's blessing. ;)

Hi Ricky & welcome,

Might be best to get some ideas on mods first, then get a quote from Admiral, I think most mods would add to your premium & maybe affect your budget. I've seen a thread somewhere where someone was going to be charged an extra £300 for a Milltek cat back exhaust !!

another option besides the JCW is the Dinan mods which the dealers will do (if also Dinan distributors). will not void any warrentee. and you can do the mods you like or can afford or do it all at once. will really change the performance of the car.

intake, was my first mod, then an audio system upgrade with subwoofers etc.. then exhaust, then the cosmetics came in last. didnt go far with engine mods, didnt plan to keep the car long.

loved the whinge noise of the supercharger though... it was the best thing about my car that i remember.

Not gonna find any dealers fitting Dinan In this country. As R1 says if peace of mind is what ur looking for then JCW is the way forward. However, i have a MCS works and i have added a few mods from MiniMania to enhance it again.
Im going to contradict myself here so here goes:-
If i were to buy a new mini i wouldnt actually go for a JCW KIT, i would go for a nice S and take it to one of many Tuners out there and get the same output for a fraction of the cost.And if warranty is on your mind then some if not most will cover their products,and if their products didnt cause the problem then it must be covered by BMW as it DIDNT cause the problem.
I have a brand new Works GP on order as i truly believe it to be a good buy,and good value for money with all the options added on, if i were however;to spec up a brand new S with most of the options of the GP the £22000 price tag would be considerably higher.But the Jcw kit @ £3500 is not value for money as it stands.

I liked the look of the JCW (and lack of warranty invalidation) but whilst £3.5k isnt out of my budget per se, it does seem a hell of a lot for not that much! Will by TLC still be valid if I have any non-official mods done btw?

I have a mate who (thinks he) knows about these things and he suggested Lohen as a cheaper alternative, any thoughts?

Also (sorry for so many questions!), anyone know how much the JCW is likely to add to my insurance (I'm 25 with 2yrs NCB).

One thing to consider with insurance is the provider, many insurance companies use a risk-profiling system i.e. they're cheap because your car is/was standard and once that changes the additional premium ends up being very high - as per the £300 charge for a Milltek exhaust.

Why not call your insurance company and ask them how much certain types of mods would add to your premium. Once you know that decide who is going to provide them.

Not sure of the £££ comparison but GT Tuning has a great rep on this forum and there are many satisfied reviews about their products.

I too am about to go down the modding road Ricky. I will most likely go down the Lohen path as you can get a 210bhp mod for about £700 fitted.

I just can't get my head around the JCW kit. Their kit achieves the same bhp but the price is over £3000 with new head being mounted. The Lohen changes a few minor parts and remaps. Why go for JCW?

The JCW S is a group 19 so it will go up considerably. And you can still use the TLC package as this is just servicing!
Think your right not to go for the JCW kit as it is a lot for what you get,the head is the only major part to the kit and it's ***** anyway.
As for which company to go for it really depends on where you live,me personally would only trust my car with:-

MiniMania
AmD Technik
BBR-but dont think they are still going-maybe chinese whispers tho!

Check this thread out last page may help you both in the long run
http://www.mini2.com/forum/faults-fixes/118279-blown-engine-200-miles-after-being-tuned.html

didn't realise AMD were still really doing MINI's


When I first wanted MINI in 2002 - AMD was the tuner I had decided would do work on my car - but then heard all different kinds of things and thought they had left the game

I've got a standard MCS (54 plate) in EB/W and I'm after some advice on how best to spend some cash on it. I like the look as it is so would prefer performance/sound mods and ideally need to get them fitted (the missus aint too keen on me tinkering with a car she has to be a passenger in).

Any suggestions? Budget-wise I can spend a fair amount within reason but if there would be some good starting points I'd appreciate any advice. If anyone has tips on how this will affect my insurance (I'm with admiral) that'd also be fantastic! :)if you've got a fair amount and don't want to do the work yourself then rather than pay over and over labor costs i'd say just get the jcw kit and enjoy your warranty.

I reckon AprilWhine, LMB and ScottyB are pretty good. But I'd be wary of the others. :D

:indi:

There's a really good FAQ section (http://store.webbmotorsports.com/index.php?main_page=page_3&zenid=82ff4bff1fff3d400f72a056675480a4) on the Webb Motorsports website. I don't think they are sponsors of the site, so this post will probably get pulled, but FWIW I reckon the text/theory is still good, but then you could probably ignore the brand names he mentions and just make sure you buy from your friendly MINI2 sponsor. :p

:indi:

The JCW S is a group 19 so it will go up considerably.


Churchill are great for the JCW kit, it was only an extra £75 on a quote I had from them. I think they treat the JCW as a type of S, much like a MCS Chilli, rather than a car in its own right so it doesn't fall into Group 19.

have a word with lohen and enquire about a LC S2 kit

Package includes:

- Superchips Bluefin with custom Lohen map
- Alta 15% Reduced supercharger pulley
- Reduced supercharger belt
- Denso Iridium spark plugs
- GRS Motorsport Intercooler
- Milltek Cat-back exhaust
- Alta air filter

225bhp

for £1715 fitted

found here click me (http://www.lohen.co.uk/shop/proddetail.asp?prod=LCS2)

far better and cheaper than the works kit but without the warrenty..

end of the day the viability of modding your car really depends on 1 factor. Ask your self how important is your warranty? if the answer is yes, then dont mod it.