This is info for all but mostly for Howard :smile: ......

!IMPORTANT! Kit is only for manual transmissions!

JCW High Performance Kit - $2,650

Suggested Install Time is 5.0 hours (call your local dealership to verify)

The kit includes
*Machined Cylinder Head
*"Cat-Back" Sport Exaust System
*Air Filter Element
*Updated ECU Programming
*Side & Rear JCW Emblems
*Cover for the Injection Tube
*Some Gaskets, Nuts and Bolts

These mods will bring your Cooper up to 126hp. You'll see a difference in your torque for it will go up to 114lbft. The kit is covered by a 2yr/unlimited mile warrenty. Or if installed by a MINI dealership it will be covered under the remainder of the MINI new passenger car limited warrenty, whichever is greater. I hope this info has been useful and inspired a few people Keep Motoring!

 

So, once again we are talking about $3000 for about 10 HP. Is it really worth it?

 

Nooooooooooooooo, Manual Tranmission! If I knew how to drive stick I woulda went with an S model. I need power for my CVT. Ever trying merging onto the highway with a CVT Convertible, can't see out the windows and can't speed up and hope ya pass any cars coming.

Howard

 

What is a "regular" MINI?

 

Honestly, what's the point? JCW is a cool brand, but really not worth the hassle, time, and price for a Cooper. So it comes w/ a 2-yr warranty. So what? Magnusson Moss (sp?) specifies that a manufacturer must prove your aftermarket parts caused damage before refusing warranty coverage on the rest of your car.

You can get the MiniMania intake ($199) and a Milltek or RSpeed exhaust (~$500) and accomplish the same HP gain. Add the MTH, and you're past JCW, all for less than $800.

The price of the JCW kit for the Cooper would bring the price up to a stock S, and still have nowhere near the power.

If you want an S, get an S.

Of course, that new head does sound nice...

 

The good thing about some of our area dealers - including Towson - is that they will do mods like this or install items you purchase. Towson and Sterling both have lists of the performance upgrades they can do.

 

I can see the point about $$$ per HP, etc., but I think the kit will appeal to a small number of people who strongly prefer the cooper for the appearance, fuel economy, etc., but just want "a little more." I might consider it because of those reasons, because the $$$ are really not an issue for me between the standard cooper & the S, and I dig the light weight, better ride, no supercharger whine, etc. I can afford the small difference in fuel expense, but my distaste for certain middle eastern oil producers is only rivaled by my dislike for big oil companies. That said, it does seem like the JCW kit shouldl take you up more than 11hp . . .

 

*thinks* *orders US military JATO take-off booster rockets for Howards Cooper* Sorry Howard... I hope they make something for the Auto Cooper soon. You prove there is a market for it

 

Shoulda just waited till Jan and ordered the MCSC Auto, it was to cold to enjoy my convertible when it arrived anyways.

Howard

 

I'm going to politely disagree with the target audience, principally because neither the JCW kit nor the aftermarket parts alter the appearance or the fuel economy. In fact, you'll likely increase your fuel economy by swapping out some factory parts. I think the target audience for JCW Cooper kits is the small demographic who either:

A: Don't know about aftermarket products
B: Are concerned aftermarket products will void the warranty
C: Want complete MINI branding

I was originally in Category A, then I moved to B. I then did some research into the laws surrounding aftermarket parts. At one point, I thought it would be cool to be in Category C, but then I started looking at the performance differences. 18BHP is not worth ~$3K to me.

Now that I've put the JCW price in aftermarket parts into the car, I still haven't hit the BHP claims of JCW, but I've spent my money in the areas important to me, like suspension and braking.

I guess what's disappointing is that you're not getting an all-around improvement -- it's just a little bump in HP (15%) and torque.

 

So the Cooper Works kit is finally available from your local dealer? Is the ECU simply an "update" or an "upgrade"?

Also, did the european cooper works kit make 135BHP?

 

This JCW isnt even for the brand name or history. The air filter they use is just a pipercross on the MC. I already have that filter as an aftermarket piece. And the exhaust has been sold as a MINI OEM piece for a while.

And to the person worried about their CVT. Why not mod it yourself? I am one of the few on here heavily modifying their CVT. But it is possible. I have the air intake and exhaust. I have had it custom chipped by MTH for more power and torque...AND most importantly of all, i had MTH reprogram the CVT program. That single mod right there makes the car rev MUCH faster into the appropriate range and then stays right in the power band....gotta love CVTs sometimes. I am now moving on to a TB and header, but they can wait because the change in acceleration has already made me plenty happy with my car. (also, to help acceleration i have lightweight 15 inch aftermarket rims, and have removed the rear seats for weight savings). There is plenty that can be done to the CVT, it just wont have the JCW name on it...and wont cost tons of money

And to anyone worried. The tranny is perfectly fine and still running with all these mods, and my car is a 2002. And i havent had a single problem with warranty being voided, and my car has been in countless times, and has more mods than just in the engine.

 

are there any of these old cooper kits available that make the large hp? I know the modern ones are the "sound kit".

 

A similar concept can be done on the CVT Cooper. A Racing Dynamics intake, exhaust, and then some performance software from MINI of Sterling. The end result won't cost more than $1200, (software is expensive!) will still get you around 10 hp and you can use your slushbox. I can get RD parts at a good discount for DCMetroMINI members and also a decent deal on installation. (Though you can install the intake yourself fairly easily)

My MINI Cooper has the intake and exhaust, looks, sounds and runs great. I need the software, just haven't wanted to pony up $400 or so.
Mike
ps. I love JCW stuff, and Mike Cooper rocks! (John's son, met him in the UK last fall) but everything they do is quite expensive. Once BMW buys them and has the kits factory installed, I think the JCW S will be one heck of a deal.