The MINI Cooper has been a cult phenomenon since its introduction decades ago. When it was reborn in the new millennium, it was given a retro-styled look with modern performance capabilities. That is especially true in the Cooper S and JCW models, which offer more power from their forced induction engine options and better overall [...]
There are three (safe) ways to achieve a lowered ride height and handling improvements on your car. Depending on your budget and goals, one way may be better for you than the others. For the budget minded person or someone just looking for a slight change in appearance and handling, lowering springs are perfect. If [...]
We at ECS have been trying to do more with the community. While we may have had a different atmosphere in the past, we are currently more available to enthusiasts than ever before. Our presence at shows and web series like the Winter Beater Challenge and the Summer Drift Series have given us an opportunity [...]
I spend way too much time thinking about how I would build a car that I don’t own and most likely never will. Today isn’t much different. I parked next to a coworker’s car today that he barely drives and was reminded that the Volkswagen MK6 GTI exists. Really, it doesn’t just exist, it’s a [...]
Friday night at the end of a long week, the BFI team stood around their creation ready to turn the key for the first time on their B3 Passat G60 Syncro wagon. A group of ECS engineers, marketing staff, and some assorted associates stood holding their breath waiting to hear the sound of the twin-charged [...]
It was a dark time for the BFI team. Although the Passat had made it to ECS, Airline employees had driven the BFI forces to a panicked state and had lost the custom BBS wheels somewhere across the galaxy… After losing time and resources, Adam, Michael, and Noah were in no position to dawdle. Early [...]
It has been said that “no plan survives contact with the enemy.” This observation holds true with ambitious builds in the automotive community, especially when you’re fighting on someone else’s home turf. While it may seem like a bit of an obvious challenge from the outside, those who have actually survived the whirlwind of building [...]
One of the beautiful aspects of car enthusiasm is how many different ways there are to express your interest and passion. More specifically, how your interests are neither expected to change nor remain the same, but purely be your interest. That is, as long as you can justify it to some degree. With Keith, the [...]
When the GTI was first introduced in 1976 to European markets, it quickly defined a segment of its own creation as a hot hatchback. It was an immensely successful platform that was designed around an attempt to replace the already ancient VW Beetle. Eventually, it became the brand’s best-selling namesake to date. Currently, we are [...]
While we aren’t necessarily in the business of education, we are in a prime position to offer it on occasion. Whether it be DIY instructions like our E30 Convertible Top Replacement article or a car’s history like that of the Volkswagen Beetle, we enjoy providing a bit of useful knowledge to our dear readers. Recently, [...]