During break in ??



Thanks, SG... I can tell you are !

I had a good feel for the power of the JCW engine when I had it on the beltway today. Man... so smooth in the 3500-4500 RPM range as you row thru the gears. No time at all to get from about 30 mph up to 80.

The clutch took me by surprise a bit. The engagement point comes much earlier than it does on the R50 I have. But very smooth gearbox! Shifts as if it's a hot knife going thru butter.

 

The difference between my 2008 MCS and my 2013 JCW are night and day. Rev it up!! It will only help break in those pistons early. I swear, every time I drive this car it is intoxicating!

 

Still in Baltimore, will be heading back home tomorrow and have a pretty good road or two I can take on the way. One has more curves but the other has more uphills and downhills, both good roads to put it to the test a bit. Will give you a report tomorrow evening.

But I drove it enough today to know I made the right decision to splurge for the JCW. This car is A W E S O M E !!

 

Now that sounds like a plan - Road Trip!!

LSLMINI

 

Instant break in. Just cant tak the interstate because it's important to fluctuate the RPMs during break in. Might have to take a detour to the Tail of the Dragon.

 

CR... Gorgeous! I hope you are having TONS of fun. Hang in there... you'll have it broken in, in no time.

 

Thanks, WB ! I think you just like it because it has some of the best color in it... Chili Red.

Yep, already enjoying it. Took it to the tint place this afternoon and got some nice comments on it. Loving the power it has and it's one of those cars that just feels so right in your hands. L O V E it !!

And already installed three mods that are sure to increase the performance by leaps and bounds: Glove box organizer, Craven dipstick, and seatbelt pads.

 

Glad to hear that about the clear bra. The green sample I saw was about a half a shade off as well, just couldn't do it though (although that may change this week depending on what happens Monday).

 

After seeing Dave's work and finding out he took a four hour road trip to personally pick up my vinyl, I have all the confidence in the world he's going to do right by you, 01.

Looking very forward to seeing your finished MINI.. going to be quite the eye popper !

 

Wow! Very nice CR! Glad you finally have possession of it.

 

Thanks, E !

 

Gorgeous JCW! White Silver has to be one of the best colors MINI offers right now. I'm sure it's a great feeling to finally have the car you've been waiting for so patiently.

On that note, my Countryman JCW is on its way to the dealer now - I might be taking delivery as early as tomorrow!!

 

Congrats CR, looks like the wait was definitely worth it!

I think my S took 300 or 400 miles to finally get the pop.

I've also started to figure out the throttle by wire finally. I find I get better acceleration if I ease into the throttle instead of just mashing it. Looking forward to the Burger Motorsports JB+ becoming available to take care of that.

Sweet CR.

 

Cam... thanks very much, appreciate it !

PC... thank you ! And hey, a few hundred miles won't take long... already well over 100. Thanks for that info !

Just got back home from Baltimore. Wow, the JCW is pure pleasure to drive. I was pretty good, only broke the 4500 recommended RPMs three times. And then never broke 5500. If anyone has never driven one, go to your dealership and pretend you are shopping and take one out for a drive. Holy cow... SuuuuuuuuWEET !!

My son when absolutely bananas when he saw it. Poor lad, will not get the opportunity to experience the thrill of piloting it for at least a couple years. But he will feel the thrill as the co-pilot.

 

The Glove Box Organizer definitely improves performance.

 

I ordered the Cravenspeed Dipstick today. That stock thing is useless.

 

Really?!?! I've read the same elsewhere on here, but keep holding out hope that it's not that bad. That's a lot of money for a dipstick.

 

Torino is getting closer! Supposed to dock in Baltimore tomorrow!

 

YAY.... 01 !! Wow, exciting times !!

And yeah, the stock dipstick is THAT bad. Pulled it out and had no idea where the oil line was. Glad I spent that money.

Hey anyone who can answer: My bonnet does not have the insulation underneath. I though that was now stock on 2013s and even a couple of previous years. My bonnet was so hot after my trip home from Baltimore last night (about 75 miles), it took a good hour and a half too cool off enough to want to open it.

 

No insulation on mine either.

 

Dittos here - never have had it before so wasn't looking for it. Is it possible as an aftermarket item - or is there even room under there for it?

LSLMINI

 

Just found an interesting thread on Motoring Alliance that has some conflicting information and perhaps important info for those with stripes.

http://www.*********************/for...#axzz2aRHb92bW

LSLMINI

 

It is amazing how noninformative it is. I thought there was no way it was as bad as people made it out to be. Instead, it is way worse.

In one of the threads I read someone tracked down who did and didn't get the insulation and it was linked to whether or not you got factory bonnet stripes.

That said, my CMS has no stripes, but it has insulation. go figure.

 

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll see if I can get my MA to spring for it and if not, I'll just get it and install it on my own.

I can't believe how hot my bonnet was... could be bad for not only the stripes but the scoop too.

 

See, CR, I told you stripes are evil - look at the angst they're causing in your life!

I assume that MINI's engineers believe the normal airflow in the JCW Hardtop engine compartment is enough to dissipate the extreme heat, even when the car is standing still. Adding insulation may just make the problem worse, since one of the functions of insulation is preventing or slowing down heat flow. (A lot of the so-called underhood "insulation" kits in the aftermarket really are for sound deadening, not temperature control.)

A better solution may be to redirect the heat flow. M7 Tuning (http://www.m7tuning.com), for example, has a heat shield designed to do that. This is not a recommendation - just another source to check. YMMV.

I had the same concerns with my VW GTI and Subaru WRX, but never had a problem with the hoods or the clear bras on them.