How far can I go with my TLC?

[ChrisBuer]

Ok I've been speaking to Mini and JC garages and they have both said that I can change "diminishable" items on the car (this much is clear anyway).

Now, my question is, how much can I change on the car to increase performance without voiding my TLC? At the moment I'm thinking:

1. Brake pads - Upgrade to something with more bite.

2. Tyres - Something with a little more grip possibly.

3. Air filter - Not sure if this is "diminishable" but it would need to be replaced over time.


Now out of all of those the air filter would be my 1st choice of changing. IF i can change this without affecting my TLC, will it give much more BHP?

Also, what else could I change?

Cheers!

[wow]

Yes of course it will sound wonderfull and torque will increase. PHYSICS 101

[ChrisBuer]

So I can install an Air Intake and not void my TLC?

[Bonjour]

I was told an air intake would void my warranty and tlc. A replacement air filter should be ok, as it's a replaceable item. I put one in my car yesterday and believe there's a noticeable difference in sound and feel.

All the best.

[ChrisBuer]

Excellent! Which filter did you go for?

[Bonjour]

The K&N. Took about 15 mins to put in.

They have it over at www.newminispares.com

All the best

[Bonjour]

Max, as I am aware of it, the simple K&N replacement filter is ok whereas the full induction kit is not.

The K&N filter is simply a replacement for a degradeable component and hence should be ok.

I was told that a full induction kit would invalidate the warranty though.

This K&N filter should be fine with regard to warranty:

http://new.minispares.com/NewMiniSea...s&ShowIcons=No

[ChrisBuer]

Cheers for the links.

However the filter states:

"BMW MINI K&N REPLACEMENT ELEMENT FOR COOPER AND ONE"

I've got a MCS so I don't think I can fit that.

[Kennyhkw]

Well i've removed the top of my air-box and paper filter and bolted on a Pipercross cone filter onto the plastic piping. The Pipercross filter was off my Ford Ka and its neck diameter fitted onto the Mini's air intake pipe perfectly! So i got an induction kit for free!!! sounds wonderful!
And my Mini went in for its first oil change (10K miles) a few weeks ago and no-one asked any questions!

Hope this helps!

PS. The TLC package is good on paper but its a bit of a red herring! 1st service(10,000) - they do jack to your car except change the oil! 1st inspection(25,000) - change oil and do simple checks (not even a spark plug change!!!!!!!) 2nd inspection(40,000) - Change spark plugs!!! Yee-ha!!! About bloody time too! I don't think Spark plugs are supposed to last 40K miles!
All this info is in the service book.

My local Grease Monkey(AKA friendly mechanic) does eveything they do in their 2nd inspection as part of his routine service!!!

[ChrisBuer]

Right, it's about 3 weeks until I get my car, so in that time I'll be shopping around for a new filter. Three follow on questions then are:

1. Will a filter give much more bhp?
2. If so, roughly how much?
3. Which is the best filter to go for (K&N? Pipercross?)

Cheers!

Chris.

[wow]

Do not expect any turbo performance. There will be an increase in induction sound and a change in tone.(When pushed) Try out BMC air filters cheaper and better than Pipercross.

[richhamer]

Confused by this now.

In this months Evo they say they got their Hartge S serviced for free cos it has TLC. Surely it should have been voided if its a Hartge.

And anyway, why do you lose the TLC for doing anything? You buy it, its not free!! How does a car having a different induction system make it more expensive or time consuming to change the oil?? It doesn't does it?

Warranty I can partly understand but not the TLC.