ECS News

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.

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*

Whenever raising your vehicle, safety is the primary concern. Reliability is a close second, and the genuine 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 MIIN Gen2 R55/R56/R57 with the anodized aluminum ECS Tuning Jack Pad Adapter.

Stock diverter valves just can't handle performance upgrades. Add a little boost and they get all weak in the knees and blow the diaphragm to pieces. . Forge knows this. That's why they've engineered boost-hardy diverter valves for your MINI Gen2 S/JCW N14 engine, tough enough to take the pressure without blowing their lids. These are completely serviceable valves with an aluminum piston and o-ring seal, compared to the easily tearing rubber diaphragm found in the OEM valve.

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.

Is your MINI Cooper making noises over bumps, or does your steering feel loose and less responsive than it once was? The control arm bushings are a big cause of front suspension problems, and the only remedy is to replace them. This kit was built by the experts at ECS Tuning, and it includes both lower control arm/wishbone bushings. Both bushings are already pressed into their brackets, so you won't have to worry about renting or buying the equipment needed to press the bushings in. Fix your front suspension issues today with this kit from ECS Tuning.

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 R55/R56/R57 Cooper.

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 & 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 sourcing the correct extra-long wheel bolts; each ECS Spacer Kit includes the required longer bolts in factory-look black for safe & precise fitment. Additionally, the hubcentric design centers the spacer perfectly on the wheel hub, eliminating the shaking & wobbling at speed characteristic of inferior spacers.

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 and struts are a wise performance upgrade for your R55-R59 MINI Cooper/S/JCW.

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.

Feeling a little sluggish? The performance of your MINI thrives on the ability of the turbocharger. Even the smallest of pressure leaks can slow you down and turn your check engine light on. Don't let any of that power get away with a worn pressure transducer. A common problem with turbo control systems, this Pressure Converter from Pierburg will bring your boost levels back to where they should be, and help get rid of that annoying check engine light! Now more affordable than ever from the OEM manufacturer, fix vacuum leaks and boost problems with one simple repair.

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 tend to wear significantly or fail and have assembled a comprehensive kit including all replacement parts for a thorough refresh. If your MINI has high miles or has an unreliable thermostat, replace all the critical components at the same time for added assurance.

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.

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.

More traffic means more traffic accidents. But because we know you aren't going to stay home to avoid the risk, we offer these mirrors to improve visibility and safety. The Genuine European MINI mirrors are a double threat - Aspherical for increased blind spot visibility, and heated to avoid icing or fogging. Because these mirrors are Genuine MINI parts, you are assured of quality and fitment. *Non electrochromatic version ( Non Auto dimming ) Plug-and-play for your MINI. Get them, and get safe!

Guesswork is expensive. It leads to costly repair errors that compromise vehicle safety. Talented DIY'er 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 your MINI.

The R57 MINI Cooper powerplant is an expertly engineered work of art - there is little room for significant, long-lasting improvement to this engine. However, replacing rubber and plastic hoses with silicone units has proven over time to result in a longer lasting, better performing engine. Forge has created a silicone intercooler outlet hose and throttle body inlet hose for your car. The construction of these hoses better resists thermal and chemical degradation, and with three colors to choose from, better match your engine bay and personal taste.

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.