[PmP]

As the title suggests, has anyone modified there mini in any way and later regretted it because your dealer wouldnt honour the warranty due to after market products?

Its just im thinking of lowering my mini cooper S and I asked the dealer about the warranty and what they or john cooper's could offer and it started looking seriously pricey, and they basically said if something was to happen they could probably link it to the lowered suspension.

I had a bad experience with my early model 01 cooper, giving alot of trouble and warranty proved invaluable, but touch wood theres been nothin so far with the S, and im just concerned and would like to hear from other peoples experience.

[paulworthing]

I'm in the same boat as you, albeit the problems before were with a new classic mini back in 1984.

I am awaiting the delivery of a MOC with full aerokit and would really love to get it chipped but am begining to accept that it is not going to happen until the warranty has run out (going to risk the last 2 years of the TLC package tho). Thats assuming that I do not have the problems that some of the early convertibles seem to be having - oh yeah and my gread at making a fast 'buck'!

[Meani]

I changed break pads, and came in once as my rotors had been eaten up at the track and they refused to do it under warranty...I wasn't dissapointed by that though...what I do regret is doing the lightweight flywheel...that I would recomend against, based on my experience.

L

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by petermarkphillips

...and they basically said if something was to happen they could probably link it to the lowered suspension.

Something was to happen to what? The suspension, sure, bottoming out, damage to the wheels/tyres/suspension... sure, but beyond that, they're having a laugh surely?!

See here: UK members - don't be afraid of your warranty and "aftermarket parts".

[dansmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

Something was to happen to what? The suspension, sure, bottoming out, damage to the wheels/tyres/suspension... sure, but beyond that, they're having a laugh surely?!

See here: UK members - don't be afraid of your warranty and "aftermarket parts".

Nope. Blown engine??? Why, it's certainly because you've lowered the suspension!!

[uae mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Meani

I changed break pads, and came in once as my rotors had been eaten up at the track and they refused to do it under warranty...I wasn't dissapointed by that though...what I do regret is doing the lightweight flywheel...that I would recomend against, based on my experience.

L

plz tell us more about the flywheel experience...

[enzothemaddog]

Quote: Originally Posted by Meani

I changed break pads, and came in once as my rotors had been eaten up at the track and they refused to do it under warranty...I wasn't dissapointed by that though...what I do regret is doing the lightweight flywheel...that I would recomend against, based on my experience.

L

Why??, which flywheel

[AvatarX]

I heard that the lightweight flywheel is great and gave amazing improvements to performance but the downside is that it comes with some rattling noise when the car is in idle or neutral. I decided against it as yanking out the engine to fit this in sounded scary, not to mention the labor and refill costs of the coolants, oil, etc involved.

[Meani]

Like the last post said, the flywheel makes you accelerate faster...ie you go through the gears faster and you can see the needle fly through the rpms faster, but it rattles...to the point where, if you are waiting for someone in the car, you either have to turn off the car or keep the clutch in...otherwise it drives you crazy.

Second, and I'm not sure what caused this but I think I know, is that I did the flywheel and the phantom grip lsd. I was supposed to get the Spec II clutch, but they sent the wrong one, so it didn't fit. Because I'm using the stock clutch (i think) I'm getting this really loud ringing in first gear if I give it too much gas when I launch. I've been told by people with the same flywheel that they don't have this problem, but they all have the clutch, so that's what I think it is.

If you can live with all these things, it's worth it, otherwise, forget about it...personally, if I get another mini, I won't touch that part of it. Maybe some suspention stuff, pulley, s/w. basta..ok no, maybe also brakes,,,and ...........

L

[uae mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by AvatarX

I heard that the lightweight flywheel is great and gave amazing improvements to performance but the downside is that it comes with some rattling noise when the car is in idle or neutral. I decided against it as yanking out the engine to fit this in sounded scary, not to mention the labor and refill costs of the coolants, oil, etc involved.

sound I can live with... but what costs are we talking about??
do you think any reputable garage can fit them?

[Meani]

They should be.
If you want, I'll ask my friend if he knows any garages in Abu Dhabi that can do it. I know he could probably do it himself, but he's in Cali

Louay

[Jones]

I sometimes have regrets against lowering my car. The combination of the lowered suspension and the run-flat tyres on my 18" wheels creates a heck of a bang every time you go over the smallest of bumps. Also, you do feel every little bump in the road.....

...the upside is that you can corner at 70mph and it sticks to the road like a sticky stick and also it looks fabulous!! You have to weigh up asthetics against practicality!!

I am also having some problems at the moment with an engine light on in the dash and the dealer says its cos the aftermarket Cat is faulty and the aftermarket company is saying its because the dealer doesnt wanna pay for work that they rightfully should do. It has left me with a bad taste in my mouth about my dealer, slightly out of pocket and also still have a light on in the dash. The car goes into the dealer next week again!!

Other mods such as CAI can be removed which is fine and also other bits and bobs are insignificant.

Hope this helps, if a little!!

Jones!

[AvatarX]

Anyone regret having installed a larger throttle body though? I'm just curious as to how noticeable it is in performance when installed. Some on the forum says you need an ECU upgrade before the car will notice that the larger throttle body even exists while others says that I can live without it with no problem. I don't know.

[uae mini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Meani

They should be.
If you want, I'll ask my friend if he knows any garages in Abu Dhabi that can do it. I know he could probably do it himself, but he's in Cali

Louay

its ok... I'll have to ask around.
I live in Sharjah btw.. got lots of garages in Sharjah and Dubai, so will find one if I ever get to fit a flywheel+clutch+p.plate+LSD combo

thx anyway

[CanberraCooperS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Meani

Like the last post said, the flywheel makes you accelerate faster...ie you go through the gears faster and you can see the needle fly through the rpms faster, but it rattles...to the point where, if you are waiting for someone in the car, you either have to turn off the car or keep the clutch in...otherwise it drives you crazy.

Second, and I'm not sure what caused this but I think I know, is that I did the flywheel and the phantom grip lsd. I was supposed to get the Spec II clutch, but they sent the wrong one, so it didn't fit. Because I'm using the stock clutch (i think) I'm getting this really loud ringing in first gear if I give it too much gas when I launch. I've been told by people with the same flywheel that they don't have this problem, but they all have the clutch, so that's what I think it is.

If you can live with all these things, it's worth it, otherwise, forget about it...personally, if I get another mini, I won't touch that part of it. Maybe some suspention stuff, pulley, s/w. basta..ok no, maybe also brakes,,,and ...........

L

Sounds like you have a minimania flywheel and clutch package with the phantom LSD???

I have seen a factory Flywheel machined down to about 1/2 its original weight and it was still perfectly ballanced and the standard clutch could be used. No additional noises... One thing this person did do as well was to replace the Massive crank pulley on the other end as well.. 9kw increase at the wheels with just the flywheel and front crank pulley.

Most people who do this say that the idle becomes very rough and the car hunts at idle a bit as there it no torque weights on the crank. From experience with other cars i know this is the case and its something that should only be done if you are really serious about racing... its not a good street mod... makes the car very flighty!!!

[Penguinracer]

I replaced the flywheel on my Hartge Cooper S when I had the Quaife installed. I bought the flywheel from Mini Speed who said that I'd have to buy a different clutch (which wasn't very expensive anyway - £70, I think) as the aftermarket flywheel squeaks and squeals with the standard clutch. I haven't had any problems. The pick-up is great and the car has lost it's dozy response.
It'a clutch face- flywheel compatiblilty issue.