BBR or West Tuning or GT Tuning?

[spillers]

I've made my mind up now and I'm going for the GT Tuning engine conversion!!

After having the dents taken out of my MCS, I'm now back in a position to go down the yellow brick tuning road!!

But I'm at a cross roads, do I head towards West Tuning or go for the BBR??

I've read the EVO article and watched the Top Gear Video and they both really rate the BBR. I know a few people have gone for the West (Leccy Blue and GRSMotorsport) and they rate it to! However as far as I'm aware there has never been a side by side comparison on these two, has there??

The other factor is cost, there is £500 difference between the West and BBR! I wonder if BBR would match the price?? seems a bit cheeky to ask!

Anyway if anyone reads this and has got an opinion then let me know

Cheese!!

[Paul]

See if you can try them both, I've yet to try the West Tuning car so I can't comment on that, but the BBR 220 (and the 240) are very good conversions. I've not heard a bad word about either company I can think of! (Not that that helps your decide!).

[Bonnie Scotland]

I've got the 240 BBR, can't fault it or the guys who work there, Mickey was especially helpful etc
No idea of the west tuning mod, but, you have to think that there won't be much in it

Defo ask about a price match, you never know

[spillers]

Henry does this mean you are selling your car then??? What other mods have you done apart from the BBR conversion?

Looks like I'm going to have to jump on my motorbike and go and test both these cars. Do either company provide test drives?? I seem to remember someone saying West dosn't?

[oleum]

Give the BBR guys a ring for a test drive. They said I could just turn up but give them a ring to make sure they have the car you want to test. I believe they have a 2005 220BHP and a pre 2005 240BHP car.
I still haven't got round to going (as its just round the corner for me) but I've heard so much good about BBR that I'm definitely getting the conversion done to my brand new MCS when it arrives in December.

[Leccy_Blue]

As you said in your previous post, I have had the 210/215bhp West Tuning conversion and am a very happy bunny, incase you haven't read my review, see here:http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...+tuning+review

I would recommend if you get the chance to go and test drive both conversions, I know that West Tuning have a 255bhp demo MCS and I'm sure BBR have a demo too. This should help to make your mind up. I didn't do this but don't regret the West conversion for a second.

I know we don't live too far away from each other, I would be happy to take you out in my car one weekend if you like so you can see the car in action.

As you said the West Conversion is cheaper, for an extra few hundred quid you could add a cam and see around 225bhp for around the same money as the BBR conversion. If you added a full exhaust system you would probably see around 235-240bhp

I have read very good things about the BBR conversion too and like with the West Tuning conversion haven't heard a bad word said about it.

Which ever one you choose, I'm sure you will love it. I reckon they would perform very similar too, they both have the same torque figures but the West Tuning conversion has 5bhp less (certainly not enough to notice a difference I would think).

Let me know about that test drive.

Cheers, LB.

[Perm]

Hi,

I have a BBR 220, fantastic conversion. I have done a review, do a search on BBR with Perm as the user id.

The other thing to check is what fuel the conversions require.

The BBR will work happily on normal 95 RON fuel. Not sure if the West Tuning conversion needs 97 RON ?

With fuel prices as high as they are this could make a big difference in overall cost
of ownership.

Cheers

Perm

[spillers]

Leccy Blue I'll send you a PM

Of the two my personal preference is the BBR, however it is £500 more than the West. As Leccy Blue has pointed out I could spend that money on having a new West camshaft put in??

[ABG]

Quote: Originally Posted by supercoopers

BBR all the way baby

As the final clincher, just ponder this fact. Some of the best and most respected MINI2'ers have the BBR conversion (Mr Mullet, Julz, Bonnie Scotland etc). Remember, these individuals like myself have been out and tested alot of conversion between us and we ended up with the same conclusion.

[Tonyt3]

Henry, I initially enjoyed your write up about the BBR, but in further reading I think your comparison has been unfair. You've obviously done a lot more work to your car than just the base 220bhp conversion, custom exhaust, larger intercooler etc etc. I bet your car is a real rocket, but I have to ask, if the BBR conversion was as good as you described in your first post, are you even driving the 'same' car anymore? I'm sure if you had a West conversion and then did these mods too you'd find just as much fun to be had there?

Your car sounds like a right scream - but it doesn't sound like the car the first poster would recieve - do you think they might be a little dissapointed if they have a BBR conversion and expect the same results as in your first thread posting? Just trying to ensure theres an even playing surface here between the two companies.

Spillers, you'll probably find many of these 210-220 bhp conversions extremly similar in performance and quaility - I would say, if your serious about it, take a test drive. However, Ray West only seems to have a 250bhp demonstrator (but check this with him first). It is a stonking drive.


One thjings for sure - if you want to make a difference on the road, you should aim for 210bhp. if however you want to compete on track, and be able seriously out haul the likes of Type Rs and clios on track, then you want 220bhp+ ... 250 would be better!!

[spillers]

Leccy Blue (being the top bloke that he is) is going to take me for a drive in his West. I'm off Monday and I'm going to BBR to have a look round. I can then make my mind up.

Henry, Thanks for the offer but you just a tad too far away from my Essex pad. I'd love to look at your car and have a chat though because it sounds awesome. With regard to Tony's question, you obviously know your stuff about cars and have done a fair bit to yours but how was the car when you first had it done? The further improvments you have made is that because you take it onto the track then??

[Tonyt3]

We should all have a 200+bhp meet and greet, take a look at the cars and do some 'private road' tests....

[GRSmotorsport]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tony*t3

We should all have a 200+bhp meet and greet, take a look at the cars and do some 'private road' tests....

I'd be up for this , I've seen Henry's cars in the flesh, lovely car it is too, plus he's done his home work regarding which conversion to have. However I'm really happy with my conversion, there were alot of issue that Ray West had to sort out. I've had my car just over a year now and can now say its a joy to drive

So Ray West gets my vote

[GRSmotorsport]

I reckon a get together would be great
Where would everybody like to meet up?, personally it would be better for me to meet some were south of London, but I'll be happy as long as it isn't too far away.

Over the Christmas period would be good.

So lets make a date and discuss venues

[DinkaDonka]

I would be up for that as have been away from mini2 for a long time now , only thing is , i live many light years away , im taking a look at Ray West stuff next week i will also be purchasing a larger radiator from GRS Motorsport as i am very pleased with my Larger intercooler , it really does make a HUGE diff with temps , so if you dont have one , i suggest you get one now , and no im not on commision

Paul