Does anyone know if this is going to be available as it is for pretty much every other S model?

 

We just got back from our dealer to pick up the wife's new Laguna green R57! While there I spoke with my MA and asked if there would be a JCW tuning kit. He said one is planned, but he didn't have detailed release dates. Maybe within a year or so was his speculation based on MINI's history. I've already got some pennies to start the piggy bank!

 

Thanks. I definitely want to get it if/when they do.

 

Awesome, I can' t wait !

 

I believe i read on Motoring File,the kit you are talking about,will increase the HP from 181 to 189.Q

 

That's rubbish. Unless the torque jumps up a significant amount (which the car needs more than HP actually)

 

JUST 8hp? That sure would suck since the jcw model has like 30 more hp!

 

The kit on the R56 is an airbox which does next to nothing, a slightly louder muffler, which does nothing, and a very mild tune. The actual JCW is a different engine, different turbo, 1 less catalytic converter, etc...
Mini's not going to give you 30hp with the JCW tuning kit because they wouldn't be able to sell the JCW model and they won't up the power on either kit or car because they don't want to pay for any repairs.

If there was some serious competition for the Mini, you can bet BMW would start upping the output. When I had Jan tune my R56 I asked him to be as conservative with the output as possible. The result was still far more than the tuning kit and well beyond the factory JCW.

The JCW kit if it's released for the Countryman is the only option left if you want to maintain your warranty (since Dinan dropped out).

 

That's good to know, thanks! Being new to MINI I had no idea what to expect from their kit. Sounds like we're better off waiting for the ECU to be cracked so we can get some aftermarket tunes.

Question: who's "Jan" ? Someone we're expected to know by first name ?

 

Don't worry, if you're looking to squeeze some power out of your Mini, you'll eventually get to know Jan on a first name basis. Jan Brueggman is the guy behind Revolution Mini Works. If you've seen a Mini competing at a race track in the US, he's probably worked on it and he's the only traveling, tuning, road show. With the Mini engine, all the bolt on parts in the world won't do much of anything without the ecu being tuned.

Note:
Jan can actually tune the Countryman already, but it requires physically opening up the ecu and it will most definitely void your warranty if it's discovered. Mini's tolerance for modding typically ends with the last page in their catalog.

 

Good to know! I'll certainly wait until the ECU is cracked so it doesn't have to be physically opened up as you said.

 

There are several service centers that will revise the ECU tuning, delivering significant performance improvement for the CM S engine. For one report see:
http://www.countrymanmotoring.com/20...trip-mods.html

For the west coast:
http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/m...u-upgrade.html

Also see MINI Countryman / Modifications

 

The JCW upgrades on the R53 used to be a bolt on upgrade; engine tuning, engine rebuild, supercharger pulley reduction. It cost $5000 for the kit plus labor. Is that not the case anymore? If you want the performance upgrade "Mini approve mod" of the JCW, is it really only installed from the factory?