ECS News

The three most critical and widely cited dimensions of your vehicle's suspension geometry - camber, caster, & toe-in - are what triangulate your wheels and position them to perform in a specified way on the road. 
 Schwaben Specialty Tools has developed a superb method of measuring this critical dimension - The Magnetic Camber/Caster Gauge. Simply place the device on the wheel hub or brake disc & note a positive or negative reading.

NM Engineering's primary goal is to improve the driver's motoring experience without changing the essence of what makes MINI a MINI. Now available through ECS Tuning, browse through the stunning catalog of 18" and 17" NM Wheels for your MINI R50/R52/R53. 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 - Choose from Satin Black, Satin Gunmetal, Red, and Satin Bronze finishes.

Bald tires? Curbed wheels? Start the season right with some clean new wheels and fresh rubber. Everything you need to mount on the car and drive—while skipping the trip to the tire shop! Some of the most famous styles of MINI genuine wheels from individual 16" R90s to full set of 17" R90s that are ready to bolt on.

The three most critical and widely cited dimensions of your vehicle's suspension geometry - camber, caster, & toe-in - are what triangulate your wheels and position them to perform in a specified way on the road. Camber is of special concern to the enthusiast because of its susceptibility to change under the influence of different wheel arrangements and ride heights. Schwaben Specialty Tools has developed a superb method of measuring this critical dimension - The Magnetic Camber Gauge. Simply place the device on the wheel hub or brake disc & note a positive or negative reading.

ECS has assembled a timing chain kit with all the parts you need to do a complete timing chain replacement on your MINI. Chains, guides, pins, and tensioners. Don't wait until that loose, noisy chain jumps time, causing a catastrophic engine failure. If your timing chain is slapping the guides loud enough to make noise, don't just turn up the radio, save your engine. ECS Tuning. Great parts. Great timing!

Spring is here and so are some of our craziest deals EVER! We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time event. From wheel deals to popular upgrades, buy now and save huge. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends April 18, 2016

Spring is here and so are some of our craziest deals EVER! We have selected handfuls of products to feature and reduced their price for this one time event. From wheel deals to popular upgrades, buy now and save huge. Deals like this go quick, so act soon or risk missing out. Limited time, limited stock, huge savings. Sale Ends April 18, 2016

Another convenient tool from Schwaben, the 6-Liter Extractor/Filler System makes oil, ATF or any type of fluid change simpler, cleaner, and faster. The Extractor/Filler tank features an extendable foot step for stable use when pumping. Nine adapters are included, with storage for each on the tank for easy access and convenience. The 5-foot long main tube makes reaching transmission and oil filling/draining locations easier. The main tube also features a quick disconnect and shut off valve. Free yourself from finding a power source with the Schwaben 6 Liter Extractor/Filler.

The Schwaben 100-piece specialty bit set includes bits to fit a wide assortment of automotive fasteners, including triple square, tamper-proof Torx, tri-wing, and hex. Breeze through repairs knowing you can remove odd specialty fasteners with ease. The premium bits are made of hardened chrome vanadium steel - handsome and tough enough for daily use. Packaged in a handy blow molded case with silhouetted slots for easy organization and inventory. With the increased use of specialty fasteners, no tool box is complete without this versatile bit assortment.

Chemical Guys has consistently released outstanding exterior and interior detailing products - the name has come to represent the most innovative, exciting automotive cleaning and finishing products available. Their latest series of releases, Chemical Guys Interior Cleaning and Detailing Products offer a seriously wide range of solutions for whatever interior maladies your Euro may suffer. Leather conditioner, carpet cleaner, air vent tools, glass and interior trim cleaner - browse through their catalog and pick the kit or product you need to bring your interior back to factory.

ECS Tuning is now supplying the excellent Schwaben Work Gloves for our dedicated following of DIY enthusiasts. The black Schwaben gloves provide hand protection at locations especially prone to cuts and scrapes during automotive work. The best design for tight engine work or delicate electrical work, the close finger design offers exceptional dexterity. 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.

Is your MINI Valve Cover cracked and leaking? Are the bolts unsightly and corroded? If it's time to clean up your engine, you can put your troubles behind you. The Genuine MINI Valve Cover is now available! A quick and easy installation, this new valve cover comes complete with the MINI logo, a new oil cap, all new hardware, gasket, and spark plug tube seals. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, it comes completely assembled with the gaskets in place and the hardware installed. The perfect part, and all for a price that makes it difficult to resist!

When it comes to the essentials of wheel tools there are really only a few categories, Schwaben has an answer for each. When removing or installing wheels, using wheel hangers makes mounting an easy task and using the Protecta sockets prevent damage. When it comes to storage since many car owners today have more than one set of wheels, the wheel tree and wall rack are the perfect accessory to keeping your garage clean and organized. Keeping the tires off of the floor also extends the rubbers life.

Horn blasts and sideswipe near misses during lane changes are scary stuff. If you're lucky, all you get is a massive dose of horn before swerving back to your own lane. Where did HE come from? Genuine European MINI R50/R52/R53 Heated Blind Spot mirrors expand your rear vision area to include that guy shadowing your quarter panel. Easy to install, these mirrors look good, and make merging with traffic a non-contact sport.

The exterior of your vehicle can only be significantly improved in a few areas - one of those ares is the lighting. Tedious stock lighting does the job, but it certainly won’t stir up emotions. The LED tail lights from Spyder give off an unforgettable look while outputting a much more vibrant field of light, improving nighttime safety and visibility. These tail lights are plug-and-play with included harnesses. Additionally, a highly convenient installation tutorial has been included to ensure a professional-level project.

Add push button convenience; raise your VW MKV Rabbit rear hatch effortlessly. The ECS Tuning Hatch Pop Kit makes it easy to open your rear hatch, whether your arms are full of groceries or golf bags. Just push the hatch release button on your key fob, and stronger-than-stock lift struts raise the hatch for you, automatically. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to add this great convenience. Our online video shows you how to do it using standard hand tools. *Kit does require coding to operate properly*

Most truly performance-engineered European sports cars utilize 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. In order for the full measure of power to be distributed to both wheels of your R52/R53 MINI, the Wavetrac® Torque-Biasing Differential automatically improves grip in low traction conditions while putting all your power to the ground.

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.

A series of exceptionally convenient and useful specialty tools have recently been made available by Schwaben, the leader in European performance car tools and accessories. Wheel install and metrics tools are the subject of this release. Long Reach Protecta Sockets prevent damage during the installation or removal of wheels, while the strong and attractive Portable 4-Way Lug Wrench Kit is ideal for regular or emergency use. Reliable and accurate Schwaben Digital Tire Pressure Gauges and Wheel Bolt Pattern Gauges give you precise measurements for professional-level DIY work.

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.

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.

Many enthusiasts have had to do a tie rod service on their vehicle at one point or another, and many have had to deal with stubborn tie rods. The Schwaben Inner Tie Rod tool makes it as easy as it looks by automatically adjusting to the right size while in use, giving you the proper leverage required to break the tie rod free - A must have that can cut hours down on your job. The other difficult area of a tie rod replacement is getting the ball joint end at the knuckle to break loose. The Schwaben tie rod separator is perfect for wedging in between the knuckle and ball joint.

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 R52 Cooper.

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.

LED bulbs are a stunning revolution for the world of automotive lighting and it’s easy to see why. LED bulbs are vastly superior to stock bulbs, as they have a higher light output and are far more efficient. Installing these Ziza LED bulbs is a breeze, as you just pop out the old bulb and insert a new one, giving you incredible lighting in a matter of moments. This kit will transform your entire MINI R52 interior to bright white light that modernizes the look of your car unlike any other modification.

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.

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.

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.

Depo now offers Blackout Headlight Housings with Chrome rings for your MINI R50 R53. The DOT/SAE compliant housings are finished in classic black matte with sophisticated chrome ring surrounds. These direct-fit headlights are designed to easily replace your factory units in less than an hour. The headlight design mimics the early Gen 1 MINI Halogen headlights, ensuring that this styling upgrade looks consistent with the rest of the car. Two H7 Bulbs are required per light housing.