[aml]

hi there,

i'm 17 and have an 03 mini one, and am changing it slightly, i have a k&n panel filter fitted, clear side repeaters, splitfire spark plugs and colour coded boot lid handle on there way, getting the grille slats colour coded, looking for some r90 wheels, cooper exhaust and next will be some splitfire ignition leads, black roof vinyl and i may tint the windows slightly. i have also looked at brembo grooved brake discs but the brakes are pretty good anyway so may not be worth it.
basically, i am looking to do just about everything that i can, but don't have to tell the insurance company about lol, i want it to stand out a bit more, i'm not looking for bodykits, spoilers etc, as i want to keep the mini image.

any more suggestions on parts would be much appreciated! cheers

[Rakey]

First suggestion is to spend some of the cash burning a hole in your wallet with your insurance company as I am sure they will want a piece of it one you declare your mods to them, as I'd hate to be hit by someone that had no insurance due to not declaring things like filters etc. as these do invalidate your policy!!.

[Snowie]

Please, for your own sake and other road users, inform your insurance company.

You are taking a massive personal risk by not doing so

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Yep, you do have to be careful about what you do to your car and what you tell your insurance company.

Tell the truth and they will sting you for it, BUT, like Rakey and Snowie say, if anything were to happen......


...Other than that, hows about some stripes or what about some different mirror caps

[aml]

all of the things i have done to my car are classed as replacement parts, even the k&n panel filter and spark plugs etc, i know this as i am in the motor trade, even brembo brake discs are classed as replacement parts as they are produced within manufacturer's boundaries, but for example ebc greenstuff pads are classed as a performance part as are manufactured to a higher than manufacturer performance standard, thanks

[Rakey]

Sorry but you might think they are replacement parts but your insurance company won't, anything which is classed as a performance enhancing part or a visual improvement is something you need to declare as it either increases the car behaviour or its desirability to thieves.

If you really don't think it matters than give them a call and tell them about the mods instead of risking driving illegally

[Nebdingo]

If its not Manufacturer's OEM part, its a Modification that insurance company needs to know about.

even down to the gear nob!

[MINIkt]

Worth looking at replacement lights .. lots of MINI styling companies out there offering LED versions etc and they can make a MASSIVE difference to the look of the MINI rear.

[aml]

i have already spoke to my insurance company about this, they weren't interested in replacement items as i have said, i asked them about the air filter, spark plugs and brake discs and they don't matter, they said they are treated the same as changing the tyres, brake fluid, engine oil etc. what they need to know about is induction kits, engine remaps, non standard fit wheels, brake callipers and different sized rotors, exhaust bore, spoilers and body kits etc.
this post wasn't meant to be an insurance discussion, i wanted suggestions on how to make my car a bit more me!! lol, cheers

[Chilli21]

yea cmon guys lay of the insurance speach lol i think the things you have mention sound nice to me indi blue is it? nice colour MINI.

[aml]

yeh it is, thanks lol, looking at an audio upgrade aswell, as my standard speakers are deteriorating already, i have wanted an ipod interface also, so will do these at the same time, i am defineately keeping a mini head unit in it tho, i am not keen on aftermarket stereos fitted in minis... am hoping maybe to get this for xmas, if i am a lucky boy! lol
i have got some ngk laser platinum plugs fitted now, which are similar to the standard ngk's but they were in need of replacing anyway
i was bidding for a cooper jcw exhaust on ebay yesterday but it went for more than i was prepared to pay for it, i will keep an eye out, hopefully there will be another

[aml]

reply to MINIkt:
i have looked at maybe some angel eye front lights but haven't yet decided if they are worth the £150 everybody is asking for them... i believ there is space in them to have indicators wired in which would be cool, as for rear lights, i will keep an eye out on ebay... cheers

[MiniOneSam]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nebdingo (original)

If its not Manufacturer's OEM part, its a Modification that insurance company needs to know about.

Maybe so, but they wouldn't insure me when I wanted to add GENUINE S Spokes to my policy It was due to an error that I'd been given misleading information that they'd break the rules and insure me...for £297 (I paid £300 for the damn wheels).

[aml]

really?? alloys made no difference to my policy, that was upgraded oem or aftermarket, what company?

[supa-dupa-cooper]

Have a look here.... http://www.mini2.com/forum/finance-i...ules-long.html

[aml]

very annoying supa, i must say, i don't have problems like that, but this is because i am 17 and on my mums policy with a company that she has had a policy with for years, but i am not looking forward to the time when i will be going onto my own policy, as i may have a few small mods to declare

[oldnell]

So you think that because you're on someone else's policy that you don't need to declare any mods? I really hope you don't crash and that nobody crashes into you.

[dlpruk]

Quote: Originally Posted by aml (original)

very annoying supa, i must say, i don't have problems like that, but this is because i am 17 and on my mums policy with a company that she has had a policy with for years, but i am not looking forward to the time when i will be going onto my own policy, as i may have a few small mods to declare

Your mum may be happy to "front" for you but responsible parents don't do that as most think their kids should learn to stand on their own feet as part of the growing-up process.

You both might like to read this:

BBC NEWS | Programmes | Moneybox | Warning over insurance 'fronting'

[Roadrunner_1]

Give AML a break, none of us know which insurance company he is with, and even if he is fronting, it is up to him(I do not agree with fronting). Also he is not breaking the law until he is caught and prosecuted. If you would like a legal debate feel free on another thread, otherwise stick to AML's modding question please.

[dlpruk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Roadrunner_1 (original)

Stick to AML's modding question please.

Sorry; I didn't realise you were a moderator.

I just hope AML doesn't hit you and mum's insurance won't refuse to pay for the damage.