[Munnster]

got 214.6 BHP thats a 50bhp increasewell chuffed :P

[mikeythemini]

How much, what they do??

[Munnster]

smaller pulley and remap, cost just over 1200 quid

[pbonner]

How does the car drive now that you have gorn WEST!

At the moment my list is:

WEST
AMD
BBR

Save for a Long Time and WORKS it....

I was looking at the Hartge but have now gone off it after a few posts on here + a test drive.

WEST seem pretty good and know what they are doing - how long did it take?

Thanks

[Munnster]

west seem really good , it took 5 hrs to fit pulley and remap

[kenny78]

But hows it drive now ???

[Munnster]

the drive is fantasic, i loved driving it but even more now

[G&BCOOPERS]

Finally someone who has had it done! I visited West Tuning some time ago but have never heard of someone thats had the conversion done. I am trying to decide which company to go to to tune my Cooper S.

What's it like, is there a massive difference?
Do you have to rev the nuts of it to notice the extra power or is it noticable from low revs?
Whats the difference in the fuel consumption compared to the standard car?
Do the brakes and chassis etc deal with the extra power well or do they need upgrading?
Do you mind me asking what it cost and how badly it effects your insurance and warranty/TLC etc?

Hope you can help. Not sure which company to go for West Tuning or BBR.

[Munnster]

u can tell power is there mate at low revs but alot more at high revs, 2nd gear seems to go on forever, i think i got about 45mph in 1std 75mph in 2nd, west tuning lifted the rev countout to about 7200rpm

the brakes can handle it but Ray(who runs west) has 310mm brembo's on his, i want some.
It cost me 1000 pound but i all ready had the pulley and belt, ive only had it 2 days so havent noticed much of fuel ecom.

Ref insurance never went up much as im all ready with a high performance insurance compant :d, as for warranty i think i wont have that any more, unsure about TLC

but its worth it

I want to get the 245 bhp upgrade next :P for an extra 2 grand

[supercoopers]

Munnster,

I'd be interested to know what you think of the throttle response and how it compares to other conversions if you have tried any. Also, whereabouts in the country do you live because I would be love to be able to meet up and maybe experience a ride in your baby I live in Cheltenham BTW.

Cheers,

Henry

EDIT: Just saw that you live in Birmingham

[pbonner]

Munnster,

Are you going on the Ridgeway run on Sunday?

Would love to see the car.

Henry - could be a trip to West to test drive their demo car in a couple of weeks - interested?

[Munnster]

i havent tried any other conversions as ive only had my mini 2months

im hoping to go to santa pod soon to run some 1/4 mile times :P

I also should be going to the moddified nations this weekend,

[supercharged99]

welcome munnster.... i too had the same conversion done. what a differance.

i took my mini 4 its first sevice,and they did not mention the pully(as you can see it clearly).so no trouble with that.

let me know when you are off to santa pod.i too want to do some1/4 mile runs.maybe we can get a few other mini nutters ???

[supercoopers]

Paul,

As it happens I was down in Southampton on a business trip yesterday and took the opportunity to detour through Thruxton on my way home (got there about 3.30pm). Anyway, I have now experienced the 'force' of a 245bhp MINI
That car is AWESOME So much torque and it pulls like an express train in a linear, slightly frenzied fashion all the way to its 7200rpm redline. One can only take a passenger ride in the demo car since Ray West doesn't allow non-journos to drive the car at all. The result of this package is one mean MINI!!

I have therefore decided to go for the KONI coilover kit they offer and probably the 210bhp+ conversion for the meantime, I will have to see. The 245 conversion 'only' costs 3450 inc VAT and fitting but I can't stretch that far immediately, especially when that much power requires better stoppers and suspension.

Paul, get down there as soon as you can and you will not regret the experience Maybe we could combine a meet down there on the day I get the conversion done??

Thanks,

Henry

[pbonner]

Henry - will get down there soon, drop me a line when you are down there having yours done as it would be nice to do a standard and WEST comparison based on the 210+. The good thing is that you can go for the 210 and upgrade later to the 245+ - all for the price of a Works.....

I would also look at the KONI/Brakes if I go 245, how much for the lowering?

[supercoopers]

Quote: Originally Posted by pbonner

Henry - will get down there soon, drop me a line when you are down there having yours done as it would be nice to do a standard and WEST comparison based on the 210+. The good thing is that you can go for the 210 and upgrade later to the 245+ - all for the price of a Works.....

I would also look at the KONI/Brakes if I go 245, how much for the lowering?

Paul,

The coilover kit is about 850pounds fully fitted etc and they are made by KONI. The minimum drop in height is 30mm IIRC. As for the brakes, I am looking into buying DinkaDonka's Tar-Ox 10-pot brakes but if that doesn't go ahead, its the excellent Brembo kit that will go on. West do 2 brake kits from Brembo from 880pounds for the 310mm disk kit 1295pounds for the 330mm disk kit. The only reason I'm not going full hog to start with is due to financial constraints since, as you have already pointed up, having 245bhp also requires brake and suspension upgrades as well and it all gets rather pricey . I'll keep you informed

Thanks,

Henry

[Tonyt3]

Just had the 330mm brembo conversion on my Works today. Ray's demo car is asounding. He's doing a couple of Minis a week, I can't understand why the 245bhp models aren't showing up on here. Considering having my Works converted by Ray next (when I find the money). If I could do it all again, I wouldn't have the Works, I'd go straight for the Thruxton 245bhp. He has said that if I get my Works done, it will probably put out 250-255bhp.....


Will tell you what the brakes are like after they are bedded in...

[Darren S]

What does the 245 conversion consist of, Tony?

[Tonyt3]

Hi Darran,
The conversion consists of: (if my memory is reliable)

17% pulley reduction (Works is 15%)
'Fast road' Cam shaft
Bored out throttle body (allowing in more air?)
Millteck Header
Millteck Back Box
Custom remapped Ecu (each car is indevidually 'rolling road' tuned, not just reprogrammed)


there might be more, i can't remember. Like many tuners, he doesn't recommend a replacement air box/filter.
The cost is around £4000. It does not include: Brakes, suspension, wheels.

[URU]

Quote: Originally Posted by Munnster

as for warranty i think i wont have that any more, unsure about TLC

you have your warrenty on all parts except the newly fitted parts unless your dealership can prove any fault you get with your car accured directly as a result of your conversion. but u no longer have TLC.

i know this because of this.......

Quote: Originally Posted by - BMW email to me

Thank you for your enquiry.

The stance that MINI has taken is as follows:
The John Cooper Works conversions fitted by approved MINI dealers are fully approved, they have been rigorously tested. Other none approved conversions we do not recommend as we have not tested them and are therefore not aware of any affect that this may have on the vehicle.

If you were to opt for such a conversion the warranty would be voided on any parts replaced and the labour carried out by the converter. In an issue was to arise where a fault had been caused by any work carried out or part fitted by the converter this would also not be covered by warranty. But having it fitted would not void the entire warranty.

However TLC would be completely void. The TLC works on the servicing requirements for a standard MINI. If you convert any part of the vehicle you are changing the servicing requirements and this would fall outside of the TLC perimeters.

I hope that this has in some way gone towards helping you with your enquiry.

Kind regards
Jo Wickens
Customer Information

the only reason im holding back is TLC is a major factor in resale values for used MINI's (and a lot cheaper to run over a 3 year period due to the free servicing) and i dont want to lose to much money on my MINI and a dealership will not take an aftermarket modified MINI as a trade-in

hope this helps