ECS News

Owners of European automobiles often find that alongside the pleasures of driving a more refined, tasteful vehicle exists the very real challenge of finding the correct tool for these cars' unique fasteners. Featuring swivel-head triple-square bits, Torx screwdrivers, one hundred specialty fasteners, and the exceptionally sturdy go-through screwdriver set, the Schwaben European Essentials Tool Kit allows you to approach any project with confidence. Each tool is secured in a molded case, helping you keep track of your investment.

The Fumoto oil drain valve replaces your OE drain plug for fast, easy oil changes. Its spring-loaded valve has a quick release tab that makes changing oil a snap. Just push and turn to drain. All-metal construction assures years of trouble-free service. Includes a threaded brass extension for oil pans with recessed drain plugs. A good idea. Long overdue.

While changing your own oil gives you the confidence of knowing your vehicle and how to address its basic needs, using inappropriate parts and fluids will soon prove to be counterproductive and damaging. The wisest and most thorough approach is to invest in a complete Oil Service Kit. ECS-assembled and genuine MINI Oil Service Kits have been scrutinized by our in-house engineers so you can back up that confidence of having done the job on your own.

Everyone has been in that position where there is barely enough light to get the job done right, in many cases we continue to complete the job blindly. Schwaben Underhood shop light is perfect for giving your vehicle a brighter future with its powerful LED lighting and ability to grab the hood permitting direct light to the engine bay. However, don't let the name fool you, the lights specialty may be under the hood but its sleek design makes it perfect for working under or inside the car. Stop the low visibility frustrations and lighten up with Schwaben.

Everything you need to service your brakes in an afternoon in one simple kit from ECS Tuning. By providing it all for you in a single click, ECS makes it easier than ever to get the quality replacement matching components you need when beginning a brake service. Our brake service kit includes rotors, pads, sensors, and assembly grease to make your brake replacement easy. A complete matched kit assembled by our team of experts, will keep all of your brake components working in perfect harmony.

Everything you need to service your brakes in an afternoon in one simple kit from ECS Tuning. By providing it all for you in a single click, ECS makes it easier than ever to get the quality replacement matching components you need when beginning a brake service. Our brake service kit includes rotors, pads, sensors, and assembly grease to make your brake replacement easy. A complete matched kit assembled by our team of experts, will keep all of your brake components working in perfect harmony.

From Schwaben Specialty Tools comes a tool every home mechanic should have in his arsenal. The 61" long adjustable Engine Support Bar adapts to any vehicle width, and supports a full 1000 lb weight rating. The support bar includes four rubber padded feet to prevent slipping and damage to your car's finish, while powder coating guarantees durability. A deluxe version of the support bar includes two-direction stability for added support. The Schwaben Engine Support Bar is the perfect tool for projects like engine mount replacement, subframe work, FWD transmission repair & more.

Rack and roll. In sun or snow, RockyMounts has a roof mount solution for your active lifestyle. Add some customization to your roof rack base bars with a colored Euro pitchfork from RockyMounts. A great, high quality, all-aluminum bike rack that costs substantially less than an OE piece but functions at a higher level. The lowest profile upright bike mount on the market BrassKnuckles are easy to use and fold flat for a quiet, fuel efficient drive. Recieve 25% off your purchase until September 13th!

An area of the front of the R50/53 MINI that often receives road wear and damage is the fog lights. When the units become cracked, hazy, or excessively scuffed, the driver can lose visibility and the front of the car can look overly worn. Depo replacement Fog Lights mount on the lower front bumper, and are a direct replacement for your factory housings. Both left and right fog lights are included, and also come with a bulb and socket.

Why settle for stock? ECS Essentials are a special blend of drivetrain and braking upgrades designed to pick up where the factory left off. Each is designed to fine tune or enhance the performance and appearance of your MINI; most ship free for a limited time. Pick one as a weekend project. Call a pal and bolt one on.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all else, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when repairing or replacing wiring harness connectors. Schwaben's latest release, the European Car Electrical Terminal Tool Kit, gives enthusiasts the exact tools required for bullet connectors, common ABS sensor and power connectors, trailer light plugs, and more. Extend harness life, ensure proper diagnostic equipment connectivity, and preserve wiring harness life with this superb release.

Have you ever had that moment when your brake pedal all of the sudden gets very soft making it hard to brake properly? Then a blown out brake line may have been your problem. The remedy for this is replacing the line which many people will take to the shop and pay a lot of extra money for something that is much easier than you may think. Schwaben has the tools needed to do so, the cutting tool will make a clean rounded cut on the line, while the bubble flare tool helps create the perfect seal so you can be on your way.

Wanting to go for a ride but you don’t want to pack the bikes inside? Hitch em up! Perfect for the bike enthusiast or recreational rider, the 1.25" SplitRail can accommodate 2 bikes, while the 2" model can handle 2, 3, or 4 bikes. Each strut is engineered with 4" of side-to-side adjustment, which makes fitting anything from kids to adult bikes simple and easy, and no tools are required to install/remove the rack from vehicle. Easily accessible release handle allows the SplitRail to be positioned into stow, use, and tilt positions.

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented pro-sumer or repair professional, you need accurate vehicle data and specifications. That's why ECS is happy to announce our entire inventory of Bentley manuals, a reliable, respected source of repair data for your MINI. These quality books are carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.

ECS Tuning is now supplying the excellent ECS Tuning Mechanic's Gloves for our dedicated following of DIY enthusiasts. Featuring a tailored elastic cuff and textured latex palms and finger tips, these work gloves are also breathable and comfortable with their knit top. Choose from Medium, Large, and Extra Large sizes. The Schwaben Folding Ground Pad is made from comfortable high density foam that will keep you off the hard garage floor. The heavy-duty covering resists oils and other fluids keeping it usable for weekends to come. Say NO to laying on cardboard forever!

The Schwaben 6 & 6.5L Fluid Extractor/Filler Systems make changing oil, ATF, or any type of fluid easy and mess free. These easy to use tools are undoubtedly the best Extractor/Fillers available on the market today. Easily change to pump in or out with the flip of a lever, and use the extendable foot step for stability while pumping. All of the included adapters mount on the tank for convenient storage. Both pumps are manually operated, requiring zero electricity or air pressure to operate, and also feature a pressure/vacuum gauge for easy monitoring to prevent overpumping.

The specialty tool experts at Schwaben have released a series of superbly engineered, exceptionally reliable car ramps, ramp extensions, wheel stands, & wheel chocks - now available from ECS tuning. 30" to 67" Low Profile Car Ramps are specially made to accommodate vehicles with low bumper clearance, eliminating the risk of body damage & sliding ramps. Schwaben Wheel Stands feature a cradled wheel support for superior stability compared to jack stands, supporting up to 3000 lbs. And when lifting your vehicle or placing it on an incline, Wheel Chocks are a wise investment.

Milltek's MINI offerings exude the engineering rigor and attention to detail that come from experience developing prototype exhaust designs in highly demanding circumstances for race teams throughout the world. Every single Milltek product offering is designed and manufactured in-house in the UK. Milltek tests each system on their own dynometer through many miles of subjective analysis, fine tuning each component of each system for its specific application. Milltek's collaboration with ECS Tuning allows unprecedented access to these exceptional performance exhaust systems.

Check out some of our new releases from last month for MINI.

There are tools that any serious technician will regard as essential to their work - tools that make so many projects faster and simpler that access to a quality set is critical. Schwaben Specialty Tools recognized the need for better designed, more fully-featured puller tool kits; this variety of tool is so frequently used across such a wide variety of projects, mechanics deserve the best engineered product possible. Schwaben Pry Bar and Twin-Arm Puller Kits are highly adjustable, exceptionally durable sets of some of the most versatile tools in any home or professional garage.

Automotive electrical work demands patience, knowledge, & above all else, the correct tools. European car owners oftentimes find themselves using ineffective, dangerous, & cumbersome methods when attending to electrical issues - Schwaben Tools has developed all the right solutions for these common problems. Offering 2 or 4 amp charging, LED setting indicators, and a reverse polarity warning, the Automatic Battery Charger is a highlight of this Schwaben release. The 12 Ft 6-Gauge Booster Cables are also offered, while the Coiled Cord Circuit Tester is ideal 6 to 24 volt systems.

When doing a belt or roller service, the wisest choice is to replace the main drive belt, adjustment pulley, and belt tensioner w/pulley at the same time. The annoyance of squeaks will be instantly eliminated, while the beefier Gates Racing Performance multi-rib belt lasts and performs much better. ECS assembled Gates Racing Accessory Belt Kits for your R53 MINI include the Gates Racing Performance multi-rib belt, LUK Adjustment pulley, and LUK Hydraulic belt tensioner.

Produced and bottled exclusively in North Bay, California, Torque sells just one product: the best racing brake fluid on the market! Torque R700 Brake Fluid is the highest density brake fluid on the planet, protecting your braking system components from heat and corrosion with a boiling point of an incredible 683 degrees Fahrenheit! Also, take advantage of the best brake bleeding and filling system available! The Schwaben Level 3 Racing Brake Fluid Flush Kit includes the European Pressure Bleeder & Catch Bottles, a Schwaben Bleeder Wrench, and 1 liter of RT700 fluid.

No more pinched fingers or dropped tools - the one-hand operation Schwaben Euro Locking Pliers can be unlocked with your lower finger while maintaining grip. Included are 7" Straight Jaw Locking Pliers, 7" Curved Jaw Locking Pliers, and 6" Needle Nose Locking Pliers. Remove exhaust pipe hangers in seconds with the specially designed Schwaben Tool. Ear-Type Clamp Pliers are also available. Remove and install clamps found on CV joints, hoses, and some fuel filters. Use with a torque wrench for stainless steel clamps and extended functionality.

Now available through ECS Tuning, browse through the stunning catalog of 18" & 17" Genuine MINI and NM Wheels for your MINI R50/R52/R53. The Genuine MINI JCW Ronal wheels arrive complete with Pirelli P Zero RF Summer tires for unparalleled convenience. NM Engineering's primary goal is to improve the driver's motoring experience without changing the essence of what makes MINI a MINI. Achieve an aggressive race look with the 12-spoke classic mesh design of the RSe12, available in Gunmetal or Black. The RSe05 is a crisp, clean traditional 5-spoke that fits the more subdued MINIs.

This snap-in storage cubby tray is a fast and easy way to add extra storage for small items to your MINI R50 R52 R53. Straight from the Euro market, the unit comes in panther black to match the original dash panels. The grippy rubber tray liner helps keep small items from sliding around. A spare rectangular hole in the panel accepts a stock switch so you can control any accessory you choose. Or, cover the hole with the blind plate included in the kit for a smooth appearance.

Replacing cooling system components and performing a proper coolant flush will ensure a long life for your cooling system. Most of the cooling system components are exposed to very high temperatures and repeated thermal cycling. Heat-hardening causes warping and cracking that leads to coolant loss and possible engine damage from overheating. Avoid headaches altogether and replace all problematic items at once to keep your cooling system running efficiently.

Achieving that show-room shine for your paint and interior surfaces requires patience and care - thorough cleaning and detailing can elevate a car to the next level. Three innovative car protection solutions from ECS give you the peace of mind that your body and interior are safe from accidental scratching, scuffing, weathering, and debris. The ECS Mechanics Seat Protector Cover is made of full-bound, padded vinyl and resists most acids, grease, dirt and grime. Keep your fender cover in place and protect your finish with the convenient and stylish ECS Magnetic Fender Covers.

There are several critical automotive projects that require pulling fluid lines – these jobs oftentimes end in an unnecessary mess from using inadequate tools and procedures. The tool experts at Schwaben have developed the highly convenient Fluid Stopper Kit for this reason, allowing you to properly clamp any fluid hoses and avoid messes or fluid losses. Additionally, the clamps offer a temporary seal, meaning you will not compromise any lines for later use. Address all common hard lines, including fuel lines, brake lines, and banjo connections.

It is Important to maintain the proper engine operating temperature to avoid engine overheating and costly damage. Prevent cooling issues before they begin with a Hamburg-Technic Germany Cast Aluminum Thermostat Housing For Your R53. If your MINI has high miles or has an unreliable thermostat, replace all the critical components at the same time for added assurance. The OEM plastic thermostat is a common source of leaks for the supercharged MINI - A cast aluminum housing with an updated gasket design is the ultimate solution.