hello gang looking to buy a mini JCW or Cooper-S what is the real difference and how much will i have to pay for either car new???

 

As far as cost, you can go to http://miniusa.com and spec them both ways and see the difference.

Others know more details that I, but the factory JCW has a difference exhaust, head, intake, tuning, and more.

There is also a third option if cost is an option. You can get a Cooper S and have the JCW tuning kit installed for cheaper than a factory JCW, but you don't get as much horse power and it is a different exhaust and tune.

 

This has been discussed more times than you can imagine. Do a search. You will get many hours worth of reading enjoyment.

The following is a collection of information from various posts that I have from these forums.

The differences between a 09+ Factory JCW and a MINI Cooper S:

Engine

More aggressive ECU tuning

Turbo back exhaust system. The exhaust and catalytic converter have been reworked and enlarged to aid the unrestricted flow and reduction in back pressure. Also NO second cat.

Upgraded turbocharger - larger and strengthened twin-scroll turbocharger and exhaust manifold resulting in a pressure increase from 0.9 to 1.3 bar

Upgraded pistons

Upgraded Getrag transmission

Upgraded clutch and throwout bearing

6 speed manual only

208hp



Upgraded engine components: The engine is fitted with reinforced and specifically ground pistons as well as a cylinder head with optimized rigidity and modified gasket. The cylinder head wall thickness is increased to reduce potential stress during peak output. The intake valves and valve seat rings are also made of a specially resilient material, and compared to the engine of the MINI Cooper S there is a slight reduction in compression. The air filter, air mass sensor, exhaust system and catalytic converter have been modified so as to achieve a power-enhancing de-throttling on the induction and exhaust side. The through-flow capacity of the clean air duct to the turbocharger has also been increased.



BRAKES

4 piston red Brembo brakes with painted JCW logo and larger rotors, red rear calipers and larger rotors

12.4" rotors-front

11.0" rotors-rear



BADGING

JCW badge on drivers side front lower grill

JCW badge on the right side of boot replacing the Cooper S badge

JCW flag badge on the lower right side of the secret compartment

JCW logo on door sills



DTC (dynamic traction control)

EDLC (electronic differential lock control)

17" Challenge Alloy Wheels. JCW logo on each wheel's center cap

Gear shift **** with red shift pattern

Choice of piano black or fluid silver interior surfaces

Anthracite headliner

In the US a JCW does NOT come with the JCW aero kit or the JCW sport suspension. Those are dealer or port installed options. So are all of the JCW bits like the steering wheel and CF parts like the JCW CF hood.

And a bit more:

There are two different ways you can “JCW” your MCS. It's not that confusing if you read the site but I'll explain anyway. You can buy a MCS and then buy the JCW Tuning Kit also known as a Satge 1 kit. This kit consists of an ECU upgrade, slightly less restrictive exhaust and new airbox. This amounts to an official HP figure of 189. This is purchased and installed from the dealer

Then you have the JCW car. This is a different car, yes kind of like a 3 series and an M3 except the JCW car isn't quite as comprehensive a package as an M car. With the factory JCW car you get even more aggressive ECU tuning, a full turbo back exhaust system, upgraded pistons, upgraded transmission, upgraded clutch, anthracite headliner, JCW door sills, your choice of piano black or fluid silver interior surface, shift **** with red numbers, 17" JCW Challenge wheels with Bridgestone performance runflats and 4 piston Brembo brakes in red with JCW logo. All this adds up to an official figure of 210hp.

The engine in the JCW factory car is essentially the same engine as in the MINI Challenge race car. All the other accessories you see like the JCW aero kit and JCW suspension are extra and you'll need to pay extra if you want them. One way to tell the difference between a Cooper S with JCW tuning kit and a factory JCW car is if you stand behind the 'S' you'll see the Cooper S badge where it always is and the JCW badge on the opposite side of the boot, if you stand behind a factory JCW it will only have a JCW badge and that will be where the Cooper S is normally.

Hoped this helped again.

-Steve

 

One reason to go the MCS and then add on the Stage 1 kit, is that AFAIK you can not get an automatic transmission with the factory JCW. Most will prefer the manual, but for those who want an autobox, this is the only way to go. I must say that for me, the Stage 1 has more than adequate HP. I would prefer to improve the handling of the car some more than go for more HP at this point.