ELFMAN
10th December 2004, 06:19 AM
Did anyone see the recent "Evo" article on the new 210bhp "Works" 'S'?
I was intereseted in the "Works" Suspension Kit fitted to the test car, which Evo were very pleased with. They stated the price was £800 - £900 fitted depending on the MINI model, Wheel & Tyre combo etc. It's non-adjustable and lowers the car by 10mm. The price is pretty high to say the least, but as it's BMW fitted and fully warrantied, I enquired about it at my local dealer (Douglas Park MINI, Hamilton).
Turns out what you'd presume was a fitted KIT for your £800 is only for the DAMPERS. SPRINGS are EXTRA (!) at another £200+, bringing the total cost to £1060.00 for a non-adjustable set-up. So whereas £800 was right at the very edge of the 'silly money envelope', over a grand is just taking the p*$$.
I contacted John Cooper Garages, who told me it was definitely a kit with Springs and Dampers, and sure enough is advertised as such in the "Works" brochure (dealer supplied), so I don't think Cooper are "at it". They supply to BMW at a price, and BMW supply to us - at a higher price. That's business I suppose. A tuner I contacted reckoned the "Works" kit was possibly of Bilstein and Eibach origin. Work out the mark-up for yourselves. So whoever quoted the price to "Evo" was wrong. Don't believe everything you read, even in reputable magazines.
This is, in my opinion, another example what is basically a 'MINI Tuning Monopoly' which BMW exercise if you want to hang on to your TLC and Warranty. Peace of mind is one thing, but getting your wallet or purse kicked in for the priviledge is out of order :mad:.
There are plenty of excellent tuners out there, but the warranty issue must put lots of MINI owners off, and make them pay extra by going down the "Works" route. OK, doing something 'stupid' (V8 conversion, 4x4 chassis etc) to your car should invalidate the warranty, but sensible modifications using reputable tuners and parts should be met with a little more understanding. You also risk not being able to trade your MINI in to your BMW dealer as it's been "modified" and has to be returned to standard spec. Worth thinking about.
All the "Works" bits are rigorously tested, but so are the products of companies such as Bilstein or Koni etc. If you want to fit a Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs instead of "Works" suspension, should you have to choose to either lose the TLC/Warranty and jeopardise a trade-in or pay twice the money? I don't think you should. Rant over :D.
I was intereseted in the "Works" Suspension Kit fitted to the test car, which Evo were very pleased with. They stated the price was £800 - £900 fitted depending on the MINI model, Wheel & Tyre combo etc. It's non-adjustable and lowers the car by 10mm. The price is pretty high to say the least, but as it's BMW fitted and fully warrantied, I enquired about it at my local dealer (Douglas Park MINI, Hamilton).
Turns out what you'd presume was a fitted KIT for your £800 is only for the DAMPERS. SPRINGS are EXTRA (!) at another £200+, bringing the total cost to £1060.00 for a non-adjustable set-up. So whereas £800 was right at the very edge of the 'silly money envelope', over a grand is just taking the p*$$.
I contacted John Cooper Garages, who told me it was definitely a kit with Springs and Dampers, and sure enough is advertised as such in the "Works" brochure (dealer supplied), so I don't think Cooper are "at it". They supply to BMW at a price, and BMW supply to us - at a higher price. That's business I suppose. A tuner I contacted reckoned the "Works" kit was possibly of Bilstein and Eibach origin. Work out the mark-up for yourselves. So whoever quoted the price to "Evo" was wrong. Don't believe everything you read, even in reputable magazines.
This is, in my opinion, another example what is basically a 'MINI Tuning Monopoly' which BMW exercise if you want to hang on to your TLC and Warranty. Peace of mind is one thing, but getting your wallet or purse kicked in for the priviledge is out of order :mad:.
There are plenty of excellent tuners out there, but the warranty issue must put lots of MINI owners off, and make them pay extra by going down the "Works" route. OK, doing something 'stupid' (V8 conversion, 4x4 chassis etc) to your car should invalidate the warranty, but sensible modifications using reputable tuners and parts should be met with a little more understanding. You also risk not being able to trade your MINI in to your BMW dealer as it's been "modified" and has to be returned to standard spec. Worth thinking about.
All the "Works" bits are rigorously tested, but so are the products of companies such as Bilstein or Koni etc. If you want to fit a Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs instead of "Works" suspension, should you have to choose to either lose the TLC/Warranty and jeopardise a trade-in or pay twice the money? I don't think you should. Rant over :D.