[Bonnie Scotland]

Guys,
I went into great depth with my dealer regarding the warranty issue, he assured me that any upgrade on my car would not invalidate the warranty.
Main reason for this being that the car is designed to be enhanced, not "upgraded".
I didn't get it in writing but am convinced that my dealer will not pull any flankers. Now, he did say that if the parts that were replaced failed then that would have to be considered, that goes without question. It may have helped that i asked up front, who knows.

Here is a scenario, you are driving your car down the road having just picked up your car from getting an upgrade, the door handle falls off, do you honestly think that would not be covered??

The Hartge conversion is truly fantastic, an excellent throttle response and amazing pulling power easily into 7k revs.
Also, the conversion is not detectable by your dealer.
Birds, who did my conversion, are working on a warranty payment, contact them for details.

The service i received from them was brilliant, highly recommended.

alan fae bonnie scotland

[QQQ]

Hi Allen,

Can you give me some more info on the Hartge conversion as I'm considering to have one fitted in January. I'm especially interested in the improvement of torque in the low and middle rev range.

Cheers,
Erwin

[Bonnie Scotland]

QQQ,
It's brilliant see the charts attached:-

[Grinder]

Where could i find the full-sized version of that chart??

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote:

Grinder asked
Where could i find the full-sized version of that chart??

Just click on the attached:-
http://www.birds.uk.com/MINI/pdfs/R50%2010.pdf

alan fae bonnie scotland

[LMB]

I enquired about the Works conversion back when I had my Cooper. My dealer showed me the directive that each dealership had to follow. Even though it wasn’t meant to void the warranty, BMW stated that under no circumstances were they to repair a car that had the conversion without prior consultation. Needless to say this raised an eyebrow or two.

So what worries me is that even if Hartge do sort out some sort of warranty, I can't help but envisage a scenario where should something major go wrong with the engine, BMW wash their hands of you and Hartge say that the fault is nothing to do with their conversion and do the same.

[Bonnie Scotland]

To all doubters,
I had considered the pros and cons of the particular conversion i had done to my car.
For me i now have a very unique car in that i am the only one in scotland who has a 212 BHP cooper s.
To what cost, for me apart from the conversion itself, none.

This is a forum whereby people can express their opinions and tastes etc and i really enjoy posting and reading the many threads and i will continue to do so.

This will be my last public post on the topic of the Hartge conversion as it would appear that many are not convinced, for one reason or another, that it is safe to do so. At the end of the day it's your choice if you go for it or not. The figures speak for themselves.
This simple modification does not involve removing the cylinder head, adding exhausts or replacing the induction kit as would the JCW one. I will be very interested in the first warranty claim on one of their invisible conversions.

On the topic of any modification, simply fitting an aftermarket stereo will invalidate your warranty, why, cause it's not standard kit. Now don't go on and say that it's not a mod to the engine blah blah blah, just figure that by an ill fitting stereo your car catches fire, where is your warranty.

alan fae bonnie scotland
who has a huge grin on his face cause he has the one and only truly converted and warrantied 212 BHP cooper s

[rasp]

Well said BS, With you all the way with that one!

Rasp.

[LMB]

I didn't mean to knock you down Alan. As you've said your the only one in Scotland that have a 212bhp S. You must be on cloud nine.

And at £1,500 is looks very good value for money. But in order for me to even consider getting it done, I have to consider what it's effect would be on the warranty. All I was doing was expressing my concerns, that was all.

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote:

Lmb Wrote
didn't mean to knock you down Alan. As you've said your the only one in Scotland that have a 212bhp S. You must be on cloud nine

Didn't take any offence from anyone really, there are very good reasons why you shouldn't have this or any conversion done as detailed at great length through the thread.
I consulted my dealer and he was happy for me to get it done, a lot of people are questioning the legality of it and it's something i'm gonna have to live with, fingers crossed i won't have to try the claims dept!

it was my choice to get it done and i am on cloud nine and still rising, as is the temp on the golf gti (V6) who was left stunned when he realised he couldn't even compete! Not that i'm into this kind of boy racer stuff, it was funny though.

So, my final parting shot, the Hartge conversion is a truly fantastic upgrade for the serious enthusiast, your warranty may be voided (mine was not), ask your dealer before you decide.

alan fae bonnie scotland

[LMB]

Quote:

Originally posted by rasp
Well said BS, With you all the way with that one!

Rasp.

Quote:

Originally posted by rasp
You have also got to think about your warranty and TLC that also becomes void if they trace it.

Rasp.

[LMB]

Quote:

Originally posted by Bonnie Scotland
So, my final parting shot, the Hartge conversion is a truly fantastic upgrade for the serious enthusiast, your warranty may be voided (mine was not), ask your dealer before you decide.

alan fae bonnie scotland

I will do.

Have fun Alan.

[rasp]

LMB

There is in deed a handfull of MCS owners that I know of now that have had the Hartge conversion done now and it is a fact that it is quiet a unique car to have now, there are doubters of the upgrade on the site, Its my objective to try and put across as much imfo as I can, the question of waranty has arrose quiet a lot recently and I think that the point that BS made about the change of headunit could invalidate the waranty is another very true fact, some dealers as he noted are saying your covered some are not ( mine is not ) In the end it all comes down to, Do you want to take that chance or not if you do thats your choice if you dont then thats your choice to, I have taken that choice and I can honestly say that I for one am over the moon with the upgrade.
So I hope this might help some of the doubters on this site if not then thats a shame because there the ones that are missing out.

Rasp.

[LMB]

Quote:

Originally posted by rasp
I think that the point that BS made about the change of headunit could invalidate the waranty is another very true fact

I totally agree.

rasp the only reason I'm asking these question is because I'm considering getting the conversion done. I'm just trying to get as much info as possible. I rate Hartge very highly and £1,500 for a hike of 50bhp is very good value.

[rasp]

LMB.

The actual price of the Hartge upgrade at Birds is;
£ 1499.90 + vat.
£ 1762.38
This price was until the end of november but now it looks as though they might of extended it, however concerning your need for more in depth imformation you really should talk to Phil at Birds or even make a visit to there workshop, they really are a helpfull outfit.

Regards

Rasp.

[cordial]

Hello Rasp (and any other Hartgees),

I'm considering this kit and have a couple of questions:

- Is the conversion visible in any way (i.e. original airbox and ducting still in place)?
- How has your MPG been affected?
- Is there a big change at the bottom end (between 2'000 and 4'000 RPM)?

Thanks!

cordial

[V12]

Cordial

The kit is not visible

Fuel consumption is uusally just over
20 mpg and drops to that of a Range Rover in need of a service if your driving very hard.

Max Torque is greater and around 3500 so there is a noticeable difference. More noticeable in the higher gears where it continues to pull strongly.

As the second car converted I had no independant references to the possible outcome although I have great faith in Birds and Hartge.

I have no regrets about parting with the cash and couldn't give a toss about anyone elses opinions regarding warranty etc.(& now look forward to being shot down in flames for being outspoken)

It is good to see the likes of rasp and Alan also have the required decision making appendage.

Merry Christmas to you all.

[M3NTAL Kev]

I wonder who, if anyone, will be the Canadian distributor/tuner for this package. It's not feasable to ship the car overseas to have the work done.

Perhaps I should contact Hartge directly...

[Bonnie Scotland]

Quote:

V12 Wrote
I have no regrets about parting with the cash and couldn't give a toss about anyone elses opinions regarding warranty etc.(& now look forward to being shot down in flames for being outspoken)

It is good to see the likes of rasp and Alan also have the required decision making appendage.

I totally agree with what V12 said except one point which i will address at the end. I had made my mind up that i was not going to post again on this topic, unless a genuine enquiry asking relevant and real questions was posted. I feel that your (Cordial) query fills this criteria.

The point i would like to make covers the mileage, on my drive home to scotland from luton, i actually managed to improve the mpg slightly. Where i was getting approx 220 - 240 miles between refills before the conversion i actually got 225 - 245. Not a drastic improvement, but, some at least. Also for the urban short blasts i am down to approx 210 miles between refills. All cases approx 38 litres as i do not like to drain the tank too much.

There will no doubt be the usual snipers ranting about the warranty, please look back through my posts, my dealer and i say again, my dealer is extremely happy for me to carry out the conversion and have kept faith with me. So for the ranters, feel free to have your say, i won't be responding to the remarks.
Cordial, if you want to take this offline then please PM me, sadly the rest of the forum won't get to see the positives of this conversion through our discussion.

I am very happy with the conversion and would recommend it to anyone who seeks an extra 50 BHP and it is undetectable. I'll let you fight your own beliefs as to whether you advise your insurance, i would obviously advise you to do so as will Birds.

So, once again i praise the work and service of Birds who defo know their stuff and are very communicative and easy to work with.

alan fae bonnie scotland

[cordial]

Yes, do so M3NTAL Kev. They have agents in most countries:

verkauf@hartge.de