ECS News

The strut tower for the MINI Cooper was designed to adequately support the stresses and forces encountered during typical daily driving. Aging models or vehicles that are routinely pushed past the limitations of the chassis oftentimes experience strut tower deformation, compromising the crisp and responsive handling that defines every MINI. Machined from 15mm thick 6061-T6 aluminum, ECS Strut Tower Plate Kits eliminate the prospect of tower mushrooming while improving chassis rigidity for your MINI Cooper R50/R53.

If you need technical information about your MINI for repair or simply for personal satisfaction, a Bentley service manual is a must-have item. DIYers will appreciate the detailed repair procedures and reference data that have made Bentley a trusted source of information for decades and the industry benchmark for aftermarket technical books on European makes. Owners hungry for a better understanding of the technology and features that make MINI special will enjoy the richly illustrated, detailed explanations of vehicle components, assemblies, and operating strategies.

Schwaben Specialty Tools has been making at-home vehicle repair more simple and more professional with each successive release. Each member of their unparalleled catalog represents a significant achievement in tool design and engineering; their Drain and Fill Service Tools are excellent examples of Schwaben's success. The 5" Diameter Funnel features a 12"-24" flexible neck, making transmission and differential fluid change service procedures quicker and cleaner. Schwaben's 6-10 liter Oil Storage Cans allow for a mess-free oil change and easy transport of all drained oil.

Companies that dedicate themselves to a specific industry niche have a head start on large, excessively diverse manufacturers. A familiarity with the challenges of making superior products is gained through the sheer time spent within a more narrow market. Sonax produces car care products. Each release by the company is a leader in its category, & their catalog is growing every day. ECS offers a staggering array of Sonax products, from the highly effective acid-free Wheel Cleaner, to deep-cleaning & odor-eliminating Upholstery/Carpet Cleaner and Premium Class Carnauba.

Don't let conventional spacer options leave you feeling down and out. ECS bolt-on wheel spacers are the right way to push your wheels out to the fenders. These precision machined, 6061-T6 anodized black aluminum spacers have 4140 integral steel threads. Forget the perils of extra-long wheel bolts; these come complete with all the low profile bolts needed to properly torque the spacers to the hub in factory looking black and your wheels to the spacers. ECS bolt-on spacers will have your car sitting just wide.

ECS Exact-Fit stainless reinforced brake lines provide more confident and dependable stopping by maintaining consistent brake pressure, long lasting corrosion resistance, and increased protection from failure. Even when new, factory style fabric mesh lined rubber hoses are prone to expansion under the pressure of hard braking, whether it be highway panic stops or threshold braking at the track. Our lines are braided with stainless steel mesh, affording expansion resistance. This resistance to expansion creates a firmer pedal, and more direct pedal feel.

Many MINIs have logged significant miles to date, and most have road-weary suspension setups. KONI Struts and Shocks have been a favorite replacement choice for performance enthusiasts; they offer a perfect blend of even, more stable handling dynamics with ride compliance & comfort. KONI fine tunes their shocks & strut kits by application, refusing to take the 'one-size-fits-all' approach used by less thorough manufacturers. Available with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology, KONI shocks & struts are a wise performance upgrade for your R50, R52, R53 MINI Cooper/Base/S.

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.

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. The 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.

An area of the front of the R50/R53 MINI Cooper 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.

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.

An area of the front of the R50/R53 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.

Almost every truly distinguished European sports car utilizes a limited-slip style differential. While an open differential effectively accomplishes the task of allowing one wheel to spin faster than the other around corners, during power delivery, this behavior is not always desirable. The full measure of power is distributed to both wheels with a Helical LSD, for true performance-car acceleration and handling. Additionally, upgrading your differential is an excellent time to replace your differential bearings as well. ECS offers SKF Differential Bearings for your MINI R52/R53.

The average home mechanic might not even realize the benefit of having a sturdy, hand-height shelf to place tools on in the heat of a project. Instead of carelessly leaving tools on the ground or mixed up in a pile, Schwaben Service Carts bring the professionalism of a reliable mechanic's cart to your own garage. These carts are offered, featuring a stunning, durable high-gloss powder-coated finish, chrome plated steel handles, and large 4" casters. Heavy-duty Deluxe units are also available, with a third product adding a locking top lid and drawer.

During suspension work, there are a few critical tools that make installation and removal infinitely more simple. In order to remove the retaining nut at the top of struts on European cars, a dedicated tool that fits the unique shape of the strut mount is required. Many enthusiasts will damage the strut nut using a wrench or inappropriate socket to accomplish the task, bringing their project to a halt. For professional quality work, Schwaben Specialty Tools has assembled a collection of premium Strut Nut Sockets in all the most popular sizes for your European car.

Whenever raising your vehicle, safety is the primary concern. Reliability is a close second, and the genuine R50/R52/R53 MINI Cooper Jack Pad Replacements ensure both with their exact-fit design and rugged construction. The MINI Jack Pad Kit contains 4 pads that provide an excellent surface to place your jack on, making working under your vehicle safer and protecting fragile sheet metal from crushing or deforming. Another smart investment, take the danger and aggravation out of lifting your MINI with the anodized aluminum ECS Tuning Jack Pad Adapter.

The best oil for your MINI? Clean oil. Regular oil changes with a quality filter cartridge are cheap insurance against costly breakdowns, and the best way to keep your MINI healthy. Now you can perform this essential service yourself and save big with MINI Oil Service Kits that contain an OEM filter cartridge with drain plug, plus your choice of name brand engine oils that meet BMW LL-98 and BMW LL-01 standards. Spend a little up front and head off major repairs, down the road.

Sale is now over. With tax returns and the spring season right around the corner, we wanted to thank you for all of the hard work that you have put in. We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time sale. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends February 22, 2016

Want to do something bold? Bodacious, even? Check out this line of 3M Scotchprint films. Add texture and style to interior and exterior surfaces by applying these durable adhesive backed films to body panels or trim. Want variety? Channel Darth Vader with gloss black or carbon fiber, or go sci-fi-starship with brushed aluminum. Buy rolls five feet wide in lengths from one to 20 feet. Hi-tech look. Low tech installation. User friendly and easy to apply using simple tools, 3M 1080 film lets anyone get professional results on the first try.

Ever tried removing a radio trim bezel with a screwdriver or metal putty knife? Ugly. Ineffective. Metal prying tools gouge, scratch, and crack expensive interior parts adding needless cost and aggravation to any repair or accessory installation requiring trim panel removal. Stop the madness. Invest in one of our affordable trim removal kits. Large kit or small, our trim removal tools are made of tough, non-marring molded plastic, brightly colored so you won't leave them behind when the job is done. Do it right. Do it faster. Schwaben.

DIY with confidence. Don't pay shop labor rates for simple tasks like resetting your oil service & Inspection lights. PEAKE makes MINI scan tools perfect for vehicles with the OBD-2 port under the dash on the left hand side. Reset warning and reminder lights and retrieve onboard diagnostic data. Built with pride for over two decades, PEAKE scan tools have a well deserved reputation for quality and dependability - something unique in the industry.

The DICE MediaBridge takes the hassle and aggravation out of playing your favorite audio source through your MINI R50/R53 Cooper sound system. The advanced module turns your car stereo into a master control for USB storage drives, IPhone, iPod, or any audio device that can be plugged into the standard audio port. The Silverline Duo IPod Integration Kit is also available, connecting your iPod to your vehicle's factory radio system while retaining all factory stereo characteristics. Each unit supplies high-fidelity audio to meet the demands of even the most discerning audiophile.

Bentley Publishers has earned a reputation for providing extraordinarily reliable vehicle data by releasing the highest quality service manuals available. Their latest publication, Diagnosis Without Guesswork, gives MINI owners insight into a comprehensive list of topics relating to the OBD-II on-board diagnostic system. Fault codes indices, CANBUS schematics, and other computer/electrical diagrams and data are all available in the pages of this single, monumental offering.

Avoid finding yourself without a key trim fastener - stock up for good with the Vaico MINI Fastener Assortment Kit. Designed with the DIY enthusiast or body shop in mind, this assortment comes stocked with clips for fender liners, interior trim, and body mouldings, all in a convenient storage case. An extremely convenient kit for the discriminating MINI owner, you can now achieve a factory-perfect look instead of leaving crucial interior elements out of sorts.

We've all found ourselves using highly "creative" methods for separating old parts in the midst of an intense project. Some methods do work - usually at the expense of personal injury and a few broken or damaged parts. The new Remover Tools from Schwaben leave your knuckles and expensive parts intact. The new Exhaust Hanger Removal Tool has a slim profile for work in tight areas, easily pulling off hangers from behind. Steering and Suspension Ball Joint Separators offer a combined 12mm to 80mm jaw opening range. New rugged 3/8” drive Schwaben E-Socket Sets are also available.

Doing a cooling system refresh, or just replacing worn out and soft old hoses? Why settle for stock when you can get the added life and heat tolerance of silicone hoses? The ECS Silicone Radiator Hose Kit retains OEM fitment while resisting heat that softens the factory hoses. All hoses come in advanced 3-ply black silicone.

Avoid finding yourself without a key trim fastener - stock up for good with the Vaico MINI Fastener Assortment Kit. Designed with the DIY enthusiast or body shop in mind, this assortment comes stocked with clips for fender liners, interior trim, and body mouldings, all in a convenient storage case. An extremely convenient kit for the discriminating MINI owner, you can now achieve a factory-perfect look instead of leaving crucial interior elements out of sorts.

Browsing through our world-class parts catalog can be overwhelming - with such a deep well of heart-pounding performance additions, convenient tools and accessories, and limitless OEM replacement parts, you'll need a way to control your lustful thoughts this Valentine's Day. ECS helps you cool off with the Wish List tool - setup a vehicle make and model, and click on the "Heart" logo next to any product that catches your eye. And if you're looking to spice things up this holiday with a thoughtful gift, $10-$100 ECS gift cards will make your sweetheart's wishes come true.

Schwaben Specialty Tools has released three new products that eliminate the pains and inconveniences associated with automotive repairs and installations. Get off the ground and move around with the Six Wheel Creeper - ruggedly designed to reliably keep your body off the ground while working underneath your Euro. The Schwaben LED Under Hood Shop Light features 120 LEDs & a polycarbonate transparent lens that instantly illuminates every crevice of your engine bay. The Rolling Creeper Seat and Tray keeps your body at an ideal height while keeping your tools close at hand.

Prevent cooling issues before they begin with an ECS Tuning Thermostat Replacement Kit. The experts at ECS have identified all of the common parts that fail on a MINI and have included them all in one convenient kit. If your MINI has high miles or has an unreliable thermostat, replace all the critical components at the same time for added assurance.