New to the website, but not to the Countryman. But I do have a question or two for the experts.

I had a SALL4 2013 Countryman a few years back that I sold. Looking to get back into one now. I'm eyeballing a couple of different ones for sale in the 2014-2016 model year. Here's my big question: Does the John Cooper Works version always come with the higher horsepower motor, or do the sell just the body kit and stick that on the S models with the lower HP engine? I'm seeing a couple of JCW's out there I'm interested in, but am not 100% on the engine status. Kind of like BMW sells the aero kits for a lot of their cars to make them look like "M" versions, but they actually aren't.

Other than that....is the JCW worth any extra cost for the higher output motor? I was pretty happy with my SALL4, but will never turn down more HP. The one I'm looking at is FWD vs ALL4, but I don't live anywhere near snow now, so I'm not sure how much it would matter to me.

Thank you all in advance. Looking forward to getting another Countryman.

Danish 22

 

As far as I know, the factory JCW Countryman was only AWD, so that’s one tell. The aero kit was also a factory option that could be applied to the S model.

If it was me, and a factory JCW was in the budget, I would go for the JCW over the S. Make sure it has the N18 engine, and you’re getting a much better package. The engines are built better, and you get a bigger turbo.

 

Unless you can find a Pristine JCW, I would go S. Because these are all used, just like BMW an M car will have been driven harder. I think the same goes for the JCW.


With the S you can make up power with a few mods and a tune. More fun building something. And an S will be less to insure.

 

2014 was an internal engine parts change year for the N18. I could not figure out a way to determine production date for the changes. Primarily, the pistons with better oil return journals. I suggest 2015-2016 which is the LCI with updated internal parts.
I have a 2011 S and a 2016 JCW. Both MT. They drive quite differently.
I worked with MarioKart on mods, to get my JCW up to speed.
As stock, the 2011 FWD S is a lighter, quicker car. The 2016 JCW is more comfortable, quieter and has much better traction stock, but AWD eats up power on the low end.
I love both cars, but if I were to get one today, I'd go for a low mileage 2015-2016 CMS MT FWD and fit a Quaife LSD.

 

Our 2015 CM (original owner), 122,000KM on the clock, is a JCW All 4, with a N18 and auto trans, all stock. Also have the NAV, BI-Xenon headlights, LED fogs, headlight washers, and the 19" Cross Spoke Crusher wheels that I wasn't woopy at first, but have come to really like. Not one regret, never looked back 100% happy, fantastic car, great ownership experience. Would go JCW again for sure.

From the original sales brochure for the 2015 model year:

CM S
181 HP @ 5,500RPM
177 ft/lb torque @ 1,600 to 5,000RPM
Over boost 192 ft/Lb @ 1,700 RPM
0 to 100Km/r 7.8 seconds

CM JCW
208 HP @ 6,000RPM
192 ft/lb torque 1,900 to 5,000RPM
Over boost 207 ft/lb 2,000 to 4,500RPM

0 to 100Km/hr 6.9 seconds

OP happy shopping!

 

Does anyone know HOW the JCW is creating the 208 HP vs the All 4s 181 HP? I only ever see in describes as a "208 HP verion of the same engine".. is it a better turbo? My pont being, what did they alter on the JCW that i could in theory alter on my ALL 4 S to create the same engine?

 

The JCW uses a different turbo, lower compression, and different boost targets.

 

From what I remember when researching differences from my 2016 JCW versus my 2011 mcs R60

All heads are the same, but…
Different:
Pistons
Turbo
Fuel pump
ECU and supporting sensors
head gasket
Compression

and on my 2016 LCI version (not sure about earlier jcw)
Rod and cap studs not bolts
reinforced block webbing

A tune and kit from Mario really brought my JCW to life. It went from a good car to a fricking amazing car..

 

The Mario tune also brings a 2016 S All 4 to life as well. Its on Boost so fast its silly compared to the stock tune. I have Stage 1 with a Down Pipe but stock intercooler and its really nice now. Most of the N18's do need new timing chain in the 80-100k mile range so keep that in the budget!

 

Ok great! I am looking at downpipes, and there are way more R56 ones for sale, so it's good to know those will fit the r60.

I have a 2016 All 4 S, and someone is parting out a 2015 JCW Countryman in my area. The turbo is already sold, but theoretically, could I bolt the JCW turbo on my ALL 4 S?

What parts performance-wise would it be worth taking off the 2015 JCW for my 2016 ALL 4 S? The exhaust or maybe front brakes? I can't find a definitive list of the upgraded parts and what is interchangeable.

 

I'm 99% sure the Turbo bolts up as when I was looking at upgraded Turbo's they said you can put the JCW turbo on an S. I am not sure if the brakes are any different other than being painted red on the JCW. I don't think they are Brembo or anything like that. The JCW body kit front and rear bumpers are nice, the fronts have ducts going to the brakes. However the rear has a funky exhaust setup with the tips attached to the bumper. You would have to change out the whole thing.

 

So if I were to upgrade brakes, I would not go with a used JCW caliper kit. It would be a bit better, but honestly not worth the effort.
I'd look for the 4 piston "Brembo Big Brake Kit".

Front brake calipers may be the same unless they opted for the "Brembo Big Brake kit" which was an option. 1 piston per caliper versus 4 piston fronts.
Piston on fronts could be larger bore, but still single piston.
Rotors and pads are different on front (Larger), not sure why or how and JCW LCI needs 17"+ wheels.

The best upgrade ever is to change that brake fluid and I mean all that brake fluid. Manually flush that black stuff out, do it correctly and all brakes work better.
Get a fresh set of Brembo rotors and ceramic carbon pads.

BTW - turbo is different, but you probably need to flash ecu for full benefit.