Interested in finally getting the JCW engine kit for my '05 S. Wondering who has the best price and what you guys paid for install? Search wasn't helpfull and, please, I don't need to hear the "Why go JCW when the aftermarket does it better, cheaper!" comments. Already reviewed those choices ad infinitum.

Thanks in advance.

 

Apparently there is a difference between factory JCW and JCW dealer installed kits. Suggest to research a bit.

Price and install - dealership prices should all be similar.

 

JCW Engine Tuning Kit (11-12-0-395-128) lists for $4,775 and requires around 10 hours labor to install.

Dealer rates vary depending on where you are ... $150+ per hour here in the SF Bay Area

I suggest calling dealers in your area for quotes.

 

hopefully you know what you could get for that 6k if you didn't go jcw... however... if you really want the jcw stuff... at least find some one other then the stealership to install it. like danny @ mini corsa.

 

No warranty unless it's dealer installed.

 

I've seen "left over" JCW kits selling for below $3000 - have a search around!

 

Do tell.

 

"stealership" -- I like that!

 

In January someone bought the 198 hp kit (no injectors or air box) Turner Motorsport was selling for under $3000 and tried to flip it for profit.

After the 207 hp kits came out Classic offered their last 198 hp kit for $3850 (about a 15% discount).

I don't think 207 hp kits are considered as "left overs" yet

 

Couple months ago I went to Morristown Mini, they had a special package for JCW kit plus installation. I recalled that the total price was at low $5k for parts and labor.

Any way, you can call and check them out if they still have any in stock. They are cool to talk to though. I'm very happy with they service.

 

haha... warrenty... that's funny.

 

The OP is in Pasadena CA

 

Oops.....
I'm sorry.

 

Thanks for the info. Anyone with firsthand experience having the the kit dealer installed? Classic quoted me $4300 plus shipping BTW.

 

Same price as MINI of Peabody - I guess that $2500 was a really special one-off price!

Note their small print though - check if the same applies at Morristown ...
This is a special internet price. A $1000.00 core charge will be added for the cylinder head and supercharger if not installed at MINI of Peabody.

 

Have you called dealers in your area for quotes on the kit and installation?

Have you asked dealers in your area whether they will install a kit purchased elsewhere ... and how much it would cost?

Would you be willing to have the kit installed by an independent mechanic, saving money on labor costs but foregoing the warranty on the kit?

 

Yes
No
and Yes.

I just wanted get a cross section of any discount prices and hear anyones experience in having this kit installed.

 

I had the 198 hp kit installed in July 2003. In appreciation for all the "sales work" I did for the dealership, the General Manager had the kit installed "at cost". I had the 207 hp upgrade done in November 2004 and got 10% off parts and labor. Total cost of orginal install and upgrade (parts, labor and taxes) ... $4612.

You can probably get the kit installed by a SoCal dealer for 10% off parts and labor.

Questions regarding buying the kit from Classic and having it installed by an independent mechanic ... Does the kit include the ECU remap or would you have to go to a dealer to have this done? Would the dealer do the flash for a kit bought / installed elsewhere?

 

Thank you for the excellent info.

Good to know about the ECU reflash. I will be talking to local independents about installation and will ask them about the ECU. The car is out of warranty so I'm not concerned about that aspect of having an outside installation done.

 

Must do ECU reflash to accommodate for the 380cc injectors

 

Not to get off topic, but how do you go about finding aftermarket belts for the JCW? And how can I find out what HP version my kit is?
I am having a little trouble finding a belt through the vendors, and would "rather" stay away from dealership.

 

I know, I hope he knows to. Kind of sad actually.... oh well.

 

I live in Pasadena... our closest dealer, Assael, won't install unless it was bought there. Avus, an independent shop in Glendale, will install, but not sure what that does to your warranty. Also recommend Bavarian Workshop in Canoga Park - they did my Dinan upgrades. South Bay, who is probably the most liberal dealership in SoCal aside from maybe Crevier, I believe won't install kit unless it was purchased there. Crevier, being a Dinan dealer, might be open to doing JCW install with parts purchased elsewhere. I keep on that because there are no dealers in SoCal that I'm aware of who sell the JCW kit for anything under MSRP, like Morristown and others do (though shipping costs largely eat up savings in that department).

I'm assuming you want to stick with JCW for warranty issues (that's the only reason I can think of). So if you can go to Bavarian, MiniCorsa (as previously mentioned) or Avus, and your warranty remains intact, by all means do it! You'll save a ton. Whatever you do, as I'm sure you've discovered, stay away from Assael! They are horrible.

 

There is absolutely no parts or ECU difference between the factory JCW and the 207 hp dealer-installed JCW kit, as far as the drivetrain is concerned. Now, obviously there is a difference between the original 198 hp JCW kit and the factory/dealer 207...

The only other differences to consider with the factory JCW is that it came standard with the JCW brakes and the LSD. If your MINI already has the JCW brakes and the LSD, then adding the JCW tuning kit, you will have the exact same setup. The brakes can be added at any time if you don't have them, but the LSD is a much more expensive proposition to add after the factory. It really was a great deal - $500 for factory LSD? Sign me up! Only catch... it didn't become available until January 2005 builds.

 

Actually shipping costs will be offset by not having to pay CA sales tax