ECS News

Why a strut nut socket? To secure shocks and struts to their mounts, the retaining nut must be torqued to its proper specification with the use of a torque wrench. Strut nut sockets allow for the use of an Allen wrench to hold the damper shaft while utilizing a torque wrench on the socket to achieve proper torque. Schwaben, a company known for exceptionally crafted specialty tools, now offers 18mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm, and 24mm Strut Nut Sockets for your own suspension project. A superb addition to any home mechanic's tool arsenal, this latest Schwaben release is built to last.

For years, ECS Tuning has been your trusted source for original, aftermarket, and performance parts for your European car. Our team of enthusiasts have worked hard to build the best catalog in the industry, providing you with the knowledge and expertise to keep your car looking, sounding, and performing great year after year.

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.

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.

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 or titanium. 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.

ECS is happy to offer its largest assortment of Ziza LED lighting options for MINI R52. Now it's easy to add the clean white brilliance of LEDs to your favorite car. Light a little. Light a lot. Select individual bulbs for your lighting needs, or purchase a convenient package containing enough LEDs for all interior light locations. Then move outside your car where license plate LEDs give your car a crisp white glow after dark. Our detailed online tutorials show you how easy it is to brighten your car--and your driving experience, with Ziza LEDs.

A stripped thread can turn an enjoyable weekend project into an unbearably frustrating experience, occasionally bringing the entire job to a complete halt. The Schwaben Metric Thread Repair Kit was designed specifically for European cars with the most commonly used metric sized threads in mind, keeping your project in motion whenever metric threads are stripped or otherwise damaged. The kit contains everything to keep your project going - simply drill out the old thread, tap out the hole with the correct sized tap, and screw in a new insert with the installation tool.

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.

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.

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 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.

Enjoy the rare opportunity for significant savings with Schwaben Tool Kit Bundles from ECS. Any order over $200 will be shipped free of charge - the perfect way to invest in professional-quality tools for your European car. Complete 11 piece set of External Torx Sockets are available - these sockets have become popular at many locations, such as seat rails, chassis components, and suspension. Featuring a fine satin finish that's easy on the hands and easy to wipe clean the 12 Pc Metric Combination Wrench Set includes professional grade 8-19mm metric wrenches.

Having proper use of your emergency brake in your MINI is a must. Over time, brake cables can develop rust inside the plastic boot rubber, making the cable susceptible to corrosion and eventually seizure. If your emergency brake seems to stick and lock your rear brake, or if the parking brake has failed completely, a genuine OEM replacement for both sides is available from ECS tuning.

Schwaben products are characterized by simple, clever designs. Their wheel storage solutions may be the best examples of these qualities. The Schwaben Wheel Tree holds up to 275lbs and allows you to safely stack your wheels without the risk of scuffing and scratching. Convenient locking casters allow you to easily move the whole set anywhere in your garage or shop at one time. And when saving floor space is the highest priority, the Schwaben Wall-Mounted Wheel Rack allows you to securely store up to four 11½" wide wheels and tires against the wall, away from your work space.

Are you ready for a top of the line, race inspired coilover system? Have you worn out your first, entry-level coilovers, and want something better--a lot better? If any of this describes you, then you ought to seriously consider moving all the way to the top of the coilover food chain with a Bilstein PSS10 adjustable coilover system. Premium quality monotube design. Adjustable damping. Adjustable ride height. Corrosion resistant plated steel and aluminum components. The good stuff. If you plan to go low, you might as well do it in style.

This unit dampens when you open and close your door so it will swing open with control. These can sometimes makes noise, rust, and even break. Attaches to the the body side of the door jam and then mounts inside the front of the door. One per door. Used for left and right door.

South Bend Clutch has been manufacturing performance and street clutches for 40+ years. This dedication to product specialization allows for greater attention to detail and refinement, resulting in superior products. The torque requirements of daily drivers, track or drift cars, high-powered street cars, & dedicated race cars are covered by 255ft/lbs. through 425ft/lbs. clutch ratings.

Protect your valuable alloy wheels from damage; use Protecta lug bolt sockets from Schwaben. Each of the three common socket sizes comes wrapped in a protective plastic sleeve that shields the wheel bolt holes from damage caused when regular steel sockets are used to remove and install wheels. Available in regular and extended-reach sets, these burly 1/2-inch drive six-point sockets come in a handy carry case, and are color-coded by size. Don't risk an expensive wheel repair; keep a set of Protecta Sockets in your tool box.

Take the danger and aggravation out of lifting your MINI with the ECS Tuning Jack Pad Adapter. Designed to fit the head of a standard floor jack, the adapter has a rectangular head that firmly engages the chassis jack pads. Positive engagement at jack head and chassis resists jack slippage and shifting, while the raised adapter head prevents damage to rocker panel trim and underbody panels. Made of black anodized aluminum for added strength and corrosion resistance, the adapter fits the head of most hydraulic floor jacks, including the Schwaben Low Boy.

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The lowered ride height achieved by upgrading your factory suspension is a consequence of the modification, not its purpose. The ST-line Performance Coilovers utilize tempered high-strength springs, hardened chrome piston rods, and galvanized zinc-plated strut housings - a consequence of which is a powerful, aggressive stance. But the enduring value of this arrangement lay in its durability, reliability, and strict adherence to precise engineering. Featuring adjustable damping and aluminum adjustable front camber plates, average lowering is 0.8-2.0"F, 0.8-2.0"R.

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 R52 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.

South Bend Clutch has been manufacturing performance and street clutches for 40+ years. This dedication to product specialization makes today's South Bend products better refined compared to larger distributors. Two Stages & Two driving styles are accommodated for, allowing you to carefully choose the exact clutch for your needs. From daily driven to track cars they have you covered.

Sometimes a gift card feels like a cop-out, especially when it's for someone you love. Car enthusiasts, however, know that the only real barrier to the complete expression of their love for the automobile is cash to make it all happen. Sending some funds to devote to his prized machine is as heart-felt as it gets for a serious car guy. Physical cards are available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 denominations, while the convenient Virtual Cards range from $5-$1000.

Bring a tasteful European design element to the rear of your R52 Convertible with the Genuine MINI Clear LED Third Stop Light. The clear lens with red LEDs is a direct-fit, snap in place part, coupled with the ease of plug-and-play installation. The lens mounts below the rear glass on convertible models, and lights up red under braking.

Our aluminum wheel hanger makes it easy to remove and install wheels. Just thread the hanger stud into a wheel bolt hole and hang the wheel safely while you rotate tires or remove them for service or vehicle repair. It's also great for keeping wheel bolt holes aligned on cars with spacers. Our improved hanger is made of 6061 aluminum, anodized for hardness and good looks. The knurled, non-slip handle has a drilled hole so you can hang it on a pegboard hook in your garage. Better still, order two: one for your garage and another for the emergency tool kit in your trunk.

Fresh coolant is paramount to safe & reliable engine operation. The process of bleeding the air out of your cooling system during a coolant refresh is tedious & therefore often neglected. ECS offers a highly convenient solution to the tedium & frustration associated with coolant servicing – the Schwaben Coolant Evacuation Kit. Insert the tool into the radiator service neck, attach the included Venturi adapter & allow the system to reach 25 psi, drawing out the vacuum. Use the same tool to fill your radiator, allowing the pressure to resume to 0 psi, completing the procedure.

Featured on the Gen 1 MINI Challenge Series, the Genuine MINI 17-inch multi-cross silver spoke alloy wheels are a stunning addition to any performance-oriented MINI. The BBS two-piece composite wheels are mounted with Pirelli PZero asymmetrical Run Flat High performance tires, come with genuine OEM MINI center caps and valve stems, and are balanced with OEM MINI wheel weights. The wheel set comes ready to install - just fill them with air and you're off. *JCW 4 Piston Brake kits will need 25mm spacer for wheel fitment.

On the MINI, some people like the long stock antenna while others prefer the sporty look of a shorter antenna, but don't want to lose the ability to pick up radio stations. MINI has the solution with this official stubby antenna. Just unscrew the old one and screw this one in. Made of rubber and with a metal screw base and flex core.

A simple, inexpensive way to help restore the factory look of your MINI R52, the genuine MINI Windshield Cowl Grilles replace your faded or broken pieces. The OEM parts snap into place at the base of your windshield, instantly adding a brand-new shine to the face of your R52. Driver and passenger-side grilles come in the single kit.

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.