ECS News

Worried about that really bad storm? The mother of all blizzards where your all seasons tires don't get it done, and there are more cars in the ditch than on the road? Rest easy. We have a solution: ISSE Textile Tire Chains. So light a child can lift them. Easy to install no matter where you are. Just slip them over your tires, and get instant traction. Available in different grades depending on frequency of use, in sizes for most vehicles. Keep a set in your trunk so you can stop worrying and get a grip when winter gets ugly.

When addressing a vehicle's braking system, it can be easy to overlook brake fluids. It's not always clear which parts are necessary to do the job correctly - usually resulting in unnecessary time and expense. ECS has assembled three Brake Fluid Flush Kits, each containing the convenient Motive Power Bleeder, Schwaben Bleeder Wrench, and one liter of brake fluid - everything needed for a basic servicing. The level 2 Kit includes a Motive Catch Bottle Set; the level 3 kit further improves the level 2 kit with high-performance TYP 200 brake fluid.

In most cases the best way to get the perfect gift in the holiday season is to go with a solid choice gift card. This makes shopping convenient and simple for both the person giving the gift and the person receiving. With an ECS Tuning gift card the family European enthusiast can choose from needed replacement parts, upgrades, or the next tool for the collection. ECS also offers a virtual gift card, perfect for last minute shopping or if your looking to set a custom amount, maybe enough to get the product you know they want but not quite sure on the fitment? 


Changing the suspension setup on a refined European car often times feels like meddling with perfection. With an advanced, highly wrought coilover system, you can be confident your addition is a reliable improvement. ST coilovers by KW are made of high grade, galvanized steel, and come with a 5 year limited warranty. With engineering tailored specifically to your MINI, preset damping and height adjustability provide the perfect balance between performance and ride comfort.

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.

Genuine MINI steel wheels are arguably the best solution for the enthusiast looking for a practical, affordable winter wheel setup. The strong metal construction and 5.5” width make for a rugged, highly serviceable arrangement capable of withstanding the rigors of winter weather. Genuine MINI Wheel Hub Caps are also available, completing the look and further protecting your wheels. MINI silver inner center caps with MINI logo are yet another option, giving your steelies a slick OEM appearance.

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.

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 offer an entire inventory of Bentley manuals, a reliable, respected source of repair data for many European vehicles. This comprehensive source of info on your MINI has been carefully edited and illustrated. A worthwhile investment.

A complete oil change kit with factory approved parts and lubricants is a wise investment for the discriminating MINI owner. Regular oil changes don't just flush away abrasives, acids, and moisture, they restore lubricity, and replenish the additive packages that protect close-tolerance engine parts from chemical attack and corrosion. Our original equipment kits also include a fresh drain plug with bonded seal for added peace of mind and a drip-free garage floor.

The MINI R52/R53 Cooper S / JCW engine intake was designed with practicality in mind, presenting an obstruction and misdirection of airflow creating turbulence that minimizes intake manifold volume. Forge Silicone Intake Hose Kits exhibit a less severe intake angle & direct air across a perfectly smooth surface. The thick silicone rubber inlet hose is reinforced with nylon cording to provide stability & durability, while an attractive gloss finish imprinted with the Forge brand name oozes performance. New hose clamps are included to complete the installation.

Schwaben's latest additions to their catalog of excellent specialty tools, the Automatic Battery Charger and Coiled Cord Circuit Tester are professional-quality, highly convenient tools that belong in every home mechanic's toolbox. Utilizing short circuit protection, 8 LED indicators, charging voltage auto-select, & selectable charging current, the Schwaben Automatic Battery Charger is designed to work on 6 or 12 volt Lead-acid batteries. Featuring an easily visible high-intensity LED bulb, the Schwaben Circuit Tester is a superb example of one of the most useful electrical tools.

The power steering lines fitted to the MINI R50/R52/R53 have been known to leak, potentially causing steering failure. Instead of replacing parts as they fail, the wiser, most economical approach is to change out each part in one servicing. The ECS assembled Power Steering Line kits include each part required for a complete refresh, including the power steering return and suction lines, all hose clamps, hollow bolt, and all sealing o-rings.

The MINI power steering line repair kit was made to repair both the return and suction line that are located between the power steering pump and reservoir. These lines are known to leak, requiring replacement. Genuine MINI parts guarantee fitment and longevity, so you take care of this job the right way the first time. The kit is complete - The power steering return line, suction line, suction line clamps (upper and lower), return line upper clamp, two return line washers, sealing ring, and hollow bolt are all included.

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.

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 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.

A frequent dilemma when fitting an upgraded seat belt to track-prepared street cars is how to balance the needs of daily driving with the demands of performance driving. A dedicated track-day setup is typically impractical, while running without a substantial harness forces the driver to use the steering wheel to hold themselves in place. Schroth Racing Quick Fit Harnesses are fully reversible and anchor to the factory seat belt pre-tensioner, allowing the airbags to deploy as the MINI engineers intended. Both left (driver) and right (passenger) harnesses are available.

Features of convenience and versatility define this latest group of industry-standard hand tools from Schwaben, the European specialty tool experts. The 24-inch long, flexible Locking Hose Clamp Pliers make removing metal or plastic self-tightening hose clamps an infinitely more simple and quick task. For oil & fuel filter removal, Schwaben's 4-position adjustable Swivel Jaw Filter Wrench Pliers feature Sure-Grip teeth to provide the right amount of clamping force for the job. The superb 12-piece Metric Socket Set completes this latest new and exciting Schwaben product release.

South Bend Clutch has been manufacturing performance and street clutches for 40+ years. This dedication to product specialization makes today's South Bend products incredibly refined. Three stages & three driving styles are accommodated for, allowing you to carefully choose the exact clutch for your needs. The torque requirements of daily drivers, track or drift cars, high-powered street cars, & dedicated race cars are covered by 195ft/lbs. through 320ft/lbs. clutch ratings.

Schwaben's reputation for producing highly reliable, finely crafted specialty tools is growing rapidly - consumers are beginning to see the extraordinary value behind the Schwaben name. Nowhere is the dependability and security associated with the Schwaben name more important than with their latest 3-Ton Aluminum Jack Stands. The all-aluminum stands feature heavy-duty flanged bases for exceptional stability, while the over-engineered .584" diameter load pin rigidly secures the post in six different positions for convenience and peace of mind.

ECS is proud to present the Powerflex brand of performance Lower Engine Mount Bushings for the MINI R50/52/53. The larger insert goes into the larger lower engine mount ES#41645 bushing and the smaller bushing goes in place of the small bushing on that same lower mount. So for a dynamic set one large bushing set and one smaller bushing is needed. Fits into the stock mount locations. A better secured engine means the engine can effectively transfer power through the drivetrain, and polyurethane mounts allow for minimal transference of vibration into the cabin.

Massive rotors, multiple-piston brakes, and advanced pads are glamorous, eye-catching upgrades to your vehicle. But experienced enthusiasts know that all that stopping power relies on adequately bled brake lines. Your brake fluid is incompressible, like a metal; but air is compressible, so ridding your lines of this gas is imperative for fully realized braking power and response. ECS has an array of solutions to tighten up your braking system, including a Power Brake Bleeder, multiple synthetic Brake Fluid options, and a premium Schwaben Brake Bleeder Wrench.

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.

Two new genuine MINI wheel offerings are now available from ECS. BBS 17-inch double spoke polished finish alloy and JCW 18-inch 5 star spoke silver paint finish alloy wheels look right at home on the R50/R52/R53 Cooper, adding a performance look that fits the MINI. Both styles are conveniently available in sets of four, and because these are original factory equipment, quality and fitment are guaranteed.

17x7" ET48 MINI R90 BBS Alloy Wheels Featured on the MC40 Edition, the Genuine MINI 17-inch multi-cross anthracite spoke alloy wheels are a stunning addition to any performance-oriented MINI. The BBS two-piece composite wheels are made in Germany and perfect for the street or the track. *JCW 4 Piston Brake kits will need 25mm spacer for wheel fitment.

For track-ready cars like the R50/R53 MINI, suspension adjustability yields huge gains in handling characteristics. SPC Performance Front Adjustable Camber Plates are an excellent investment for the MINI owner looking to dial in a more aggressive front camber and caster specification, keeping the tire contact patch more parallel with the road surface during hard cornering when traction is most needed. The aluminum plates are coupled with an OE-style bearing within a bonded urethane insulator, allowing for +/- 2 degrees of camber and +/- .75 degrees of caster adjustment.

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.

Hella Twin Supertone Horns are now available for your MINI. These horns are characterized by their strong penetrating and concentrated sound, making anyone within a sizable distance aware of your presence. All of Hella's horns are constructed with durability in mind from impact resistant plastic and feature a 400 Hz low tone and 500 Hz high tone horn. All kits include the horns, relay, and mounting brackets.

By now, sun and the elements have likely tarnished and damaged your MINI's cowl covers. Once a dark matte black finish, they have probably faded to gray, requiring constant attention to keep your vehicle's exterior looking clean. ECS now offers the URO Chrome Cowl Cover Grille Set for your R50/R53 Cooper/Cooper S/JCW, adding a tasteful chromed-out element to your exterior. The covers come already prepared with quality adhesive, easily securing to the factory units and instantly refreshing your MINI's cowl covers for a clean finish.

A sticking or broken hood cable is not only a pain when it comes time to service your engine; the issue also presents a significant risk to your driving safety. Over time, corrosion can cause the release to seize, potentially making it impossible to even open your hood. ECS now offers the genuine MINI Hood Release Kit, including each part required for the complete job; Bowden cables, left and right side locking latches, and a hood unlocking lever.