Well, the day is finally here. I can't say it was a fun 2 months... I was ok with the "on order" period of 6 weeks before it was schedule... once it was scheduled, it was built within the week.

but then things got disconnected... the system showed it sat on the docks for weeks... but really, it jump onboard and sailed over. Next thing I knew it was scheduled to arrive at the dealer this week.

So I will finally see what the difference is between the cooper S I test drove and the JCW I ordered...

'06 JCW black over chili...

 

nice choice....congrats

 

Welcom to Team Craptastic

 

(WEEK 42) Cool congratulation And post pic when you get them.
Hope that you have a great time motoring around.

- KP

 

let me see if I can link the ones posted in week 42...

'06 MCS CR/B with JCW, Sport pkg, Cold weather pkg, Chrono Pak, Chrome line Int and Ext with body color Int, Leather, H/K and Cruise...

 

Pictures added...

 

JCW huh? Niiiiiice

 

Nice looking car. That red really pops!

 

Impeccable taste, my friend. I couldn't think of a better combo! Congrats!

 

I second that

 

Congrats.

Gotta love that new car smell!!!!

MiniBull

 

Congrats!

I switched from an '03 MCS to '06 JCW and absolutely love it. I KNOW THAT you will, too!

Let us know how you like it.

 

Thanks... I'm sure it will be a lot more fun when I get access to the higher range of the tach.


I got some better pics up in the member gallery... personally, I like the "larger than life" one.

 

ss...

You definitely got a JCW the "best" way...direct from the factory. It is a beautiful car! I've purchased a JCW kit which is sitting at my dealership. I'm going to have to save up the $1400 install fee (ugh!), which I hope to do close to the first of the year...but we'll see!

At any rate, CONGRATULATIONS!

Chuck

 

um, check his wheels, looks like 16s, which is cool, but means he got a dealer installed kit too.

 

Nope... sorry.

Factory installed JCW. The 16" are my winter wheels that went on when I picked up the car. I have the 17" s-lites up for sale with the run-flats. I will go with 17" non-runflats for my summer set... still trying to put that together, but I have time.

no dealer installs here.

 

Is there something bad about a dealer-installed JCW kit? I don't mean this to be a rhetorical question, not trying to be provocative, just asking. I know that the dealer install costs more (labor, no jcw brakes included, etc.), but is there something BAD about a dealer install?

Chuck

 

I didn't mean dealer installs were bad... just agreeing with you that it is nice to get it all from the factory and save some dough.

It was pricey enough as a factory option... but the other option was to get it dealer installed and pay for the install.

I'm also guessing by what you mentioned, that you do not get the same as the factory option? In other words, the factory option came with engine kit, exhaust, limited slip diff, and larger front brakes (new rear pads, but I think the rear discs/calipers are the same).

Hopefully you also get a lower price for the engine kit... if that is all the dealer will install.

 

Hey ss96dcm,

If you haven't yet purchased you summer wheels/tires, I'd recommend that you spend some time with the 16" winter combo. If this is your daily driver, like mine is, you might find the 16"s, with performance tires are the ticket. The 17's are fun on smooth corners, but jar the helk out of you the other 95% of the time. Plus, I'm sure you've seen the many threads about wheel vulnerability w/17" wheels. I'm very happy with 16" all-seasons for winter and 16" ultra performance for summers with my daily driver JCW.

 

Hey, quick question for ya... Assuming that you have the JCW brakes, did you have much trouble finding 16" wheels that would fit? My MA advised me that it's a bit of a challenge finding wheels that would work.


-Paul!

 

Ah! I understand. Yes, the install is going to be a nightmare, as far as the labor hours needed. I spoke with my service advisor yesterday and he told me that I'm looking at around $1200 and change to get the JCW kit install done. Another $500 or so to get the brakes installed. The only upside to this is the brake kit...I managed to pick it up on Ebay for $850.00.

I'm not sure if my cabrio has a limited slip differential. I purchased it off the lot and did not order it.

Do you know if the limited slip differential can be installed by a dealer, or is it something that you must order? I'd be interested in getting one if my car doesn't already have it.

Chuck

 

Paul,

I have JCW brakes and 16" wheels. When I purchased my extra set in May '06, TireRack listed 40 different models that would fit the MCS JCW and handle the larger JCW calipers.

BTW, I am using OEM 16" V spokes (R84) as my winter wheels. The clearance is pretty tight, though. OEM tireweights are too thick and make contact with the calipers. However, there are thinner stick-on lead weights available that do clear the calipers. The R84's are great wheels and pretty light. I think they're 17lbs each, compared to the 17" S-lites at about 21lbs each.

 

Paul,

Since I had not received my JCW when I was shopping for wheels, I looked around to see what JCW recommended... turns out there are 2 MINI wheels they recommend with JCW brakes... the R87s (Double Spokes) and the R94s (Bridge Spokes).
I chose the R87s because of the weight (16.5 lbs). The R94s are 20.9 lbs.

It turned out great. There is about 1/2 inch between the wheel weights and the calipers. Yes... I do have interior weights on all corners... don't like the rust and grime that builds around the outer weights.

That is another reason I am thinking about 17" summer wheels... I just don't want to end up with aftermarket wheels that are going to be too close to the calipers and make me go with outer weights.

I'll take dimini's advice and pay attention this winter with the 16"... I have time before summer arrives.


Chuck,
I am not sure if the dealer can install a limited slip diff... well, I'm sure they can, but at what cost? It was a standalone option when I ordered my MINI... but once I chose the JCW, it was pulled in.

On the brakes, you may be able to do it yourself... I understand you get rotors, calipers and pads for the front, but only pads for the rear. There may be an install guide in the Motoringfile site for JCW brakes.


let me know if there is anything I can help with.
-alfredo

 

didn't mean to imply anything bad about the dealer install at all. other than a different cost equation. i mentioned it because if it was dealer then the brakes are not necessarily included. but it is.

actually, dealer kit can be cool if you DON'T (didn't now...) want to order the mandatory sport package and 17s...

 

Alfredo...

Yes, AT WHAT COST does always seem to be the operative question when one visits the service department! I'm going to check into that and see how much such an operation would cost. I'll report my findings. And THANK YOU for for the offer of assistance...I will definitely let you know if I have some questions.

PrplPplEtr...

Hey, no problem! No offense taken...I thought that perhaps there were some things that maybe weren't available unless you ordered the JCW kit from the factory. It's good to know that cost is the only real difference.

Chuck