My Mini is at New Country Motors this week getting the JCW upgrade.

I was wondering if anyone else that has had the upgrade could make any recommendations that I should ask the dealer to do. You know if you had to do it over again is there anything you would ask the dealer to do differently or extra?
Thanks

 

hey that's super!!

My JCW kit is at the dealership awaiting the arrive of my car., so I can only offer you congrates...I questioned my MA on if there had been any problems associated with the kits and was told nothing has been reported. I heard there is a page where the service bulletins can be downloaded (for a fee) from MINI. I wonder if any information on the JCW would be found there.

Will be very interested in hearing your observations on the car performance when the "operation" is completed!!

btw what is your production number???

 

In my area there have been three kits installed so far and one more getting it soon. Of those one got an extra header and one other got an K&N cold intake. All these were installed by the dealer at the time of JCW kit installation.
I have not heard anything bad or problems with these additions. Only that the kit install time is more than 12 hours.
The kit remains in short supply and high demand.

 

My dealer finished installing my JCW kit yesterday. The only problem I'm having is that I won't be able to make it to the dealer until Sat. to pick up my car.
On a related note, does anyone have input as to whether MCS's with JCW have any less problems with stumble? I was just curious.

 

Just had the JCW kit installed and picked up the MINI yesterday. I hadn't had any problems with the MINI before this, it ran great without starting or stumbling problems. The MINI runs the same as before, except it has ALOT MORE GET UP AND GO!!!!!

It was 95 degrees and humid yesterday, so alot was going against it, but it ran loke a champ. Pulls very aggressively from 3,500 RPM's up to the redline. Very happy to have done the kit.

I already have the Madness intake, and have the Milltek header. The dealership has a policy against installing aftermarket items. I'm going to install the header Staurday.

I honestly could leave it as is, it runs great, without installing the header. But more is better, right?. I kept the original exhaust, and will mount it in its garage with the original header on the wall for a conversation piece. The only special instructions I gave them was not to fix the one badge to the rear hatch. It just has the badge on the lower front grill.

Hope you guys like yours as well. Good Luck!!!

PS

The installation was nicely done. I was concerned that the engine bay would look like it was worked on. No grease marks or scratches. etc.

 

I just finished my JCW break-in period and it's only gotten better with age!!! I also haven't had a single problem since delivery and/or installation! And my install cost less that a grand!!! ( I got money back from core deposit.)

I also kept my SS Borla exhaust because the JCW is steel and on the small diameter side, I loved the tips, but they just pushed on. But instead of dragging it home, I just gave it to the mechanic, I guess his brother has a MCS or someone he knows. Whatever.

I also have a Alta Intake sitting here on the floor in my office, I'm just waiting for a few extra minutes to throw it on.

My new motto is "Seeeeeeeeeeee Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"

Enjoy.

 

bud_SD,

If you had your Borla before the JCW kit and after it was installed, did you notice any difference in the sound of the exhaust with the kit? Louder?
The Borla is known to be not as loud. Let us know if it did anything to keep the Borla with the kit. THanks

You gave the JCW exhaust to the mechanic? Yikes that is a good looking exhaust. Not stainless steel? It looks like SS. Too bad.

 

MGear:

I have approximately 1800 miles on the JCW upgrade. No more stumble, exhaust has a slightly different tembre, but no louder than stock, and the blower has a more audible whine. A most satisfactory, if expensive, upgrade. Acceleration is much increased over stock and is noticed throughout the rpm range. Low and mid range is especially noticeable, but then, that's where one spends most of their time.
Of course, this taste of power will not completely satisfy you and you (as I) will lust for more power.

Joe
JCW #0316

 

Thanks for all the feedback on everyone's JCW upgrades. I live in a small New England town and my Mini is very easily spotted. My driving style can be a bit aggressive so I need to be a bit mindful when driving through town. The JCW upgrade will be plenty for me, anything more and I will be in big trouble!

 

>>If you had your Borla before the JCW kit and after it was installed, did you notice any difference in the sound of the exhaust with the kit? Louder?
>>The Borla is known to be not as loud. Let us know if it did anything to keep the Borla with the kit. THanks
>>
>>You gave the JCW exhaust to the mechanic? Yikes that is a good looking exhaust. Not stainless steel? It looks like SS. Too bad.


The note is a bit lower but not really any louder. Still best sound vs. power for me.

As far as the exhaust, it doesn't have enough diameter to let the thing breath for me. Regarding giving it away - I own a race shop and already have too many souvenirs. Maybe someone else can put it to good use.

Enjoy the power!!!

 

Pulls very aggressively from 3,500 RPM's up to the redline.
___________________

After test driving the JCW at the dealership, would have to agree, didn't see any performance difference over my stock MCS under 4000 rpms, higher rpms up to redline, the JCW seemed to breath better and feel less stressed.

 

That's odd. I just have the madness intake and the Helix P&D pulley and there is a world of difference between my MINI and a stock S between 2000-3500 RPMs. A stock S doesn't pull until 3500 RPMs while mine starts going at 2000 and really starts flying at 3000 RPMs. The GIAC ECU will be next - I can't even imagine what that'll be like!

 

MGEAR
I have had the JCW kit now for almost three months. My only problem was the tone of the exhaust. Since then I have added a MILLTEK header from STRATMOSPHERE and all I can say is what a difference in exhaust tone and the performance of the car. In talks with people from Milltek they said the missing part of the JCW kit was a header and they were right on. Call Pete at STRATMOSPHERE for info.

 

I also just installed the Miltek header over the holiday, and can second what the others have said. It does take the JCW kit to the next level. The total package is now quite smooth in delivering power across the rev band. I did expect a more aggressive exhaust tone, but like it as it is now with the header. The MINI is much easier to launch now!

 

>>I already have the Madness intake, and have the Milltek header. The dealership has a policy against installing aftermarket items. I'm going to install the header Staurday.
WOW I'm planning to do the exact same. Please keep us posted - especially with regards the Header. I may drop the intake because I don't want to give them an excuse to invalidate my warranty. The header should be ok; also they're less likely to spot it.

Like you said - there’s no real need, I'm very very happy with my JCW's, having owned a standard Cooper S for a year prior I find it's transformed the car. I just think the header will finish it off - for me it's the one-week link in the conversion as there’s a lot to be gained from replacing the header.

I also was looking at the Milltec so I'll be very interested to know what you think of it.:smile:

 

My S with the jcw will be ready to be picked up wednesday. I can't believe they don't change the oil with the kit install, so added that on to the work order.

 

I was upset that they changed the oil without consulting me. I changed the oil myself before getting the JCW. Then they charged me dealership rates on a second oil change. Since they already did it, they would not reimburse me. They said "how were we supposed to know you already changed the oil?" I say "You never asked my authorization on that labor which you are required to by law!" Instead of arguing all afternoon, I just ended up paying them. I hope they enjoy their extra couple of dollars at the expense of really pissing off a customer who has no choice but to go to the only dealership for 100 miles.

 

Hmmmmmm, JCW upgrade includes a new head which I would think requires draining the oil first. Are you saying that this proceedure does not require draining the oil? Once the oil is drained I certainly wouldn't want them to put the same oil back in the car.

 

I just had the JCW kit installed on Friday and the service guys told me a full intake would be a good addition. A few months ago I purchased a K&N drop-in filter so for the time I have that but may add a full intake, new header, and bored throttle body later.

The dealer did a nice job installing the kit except for some oil and grease marks :smile:

 

minicoopermike? Is that the Mike Cooper???

 

My JCW kit (Sn. 1165) was installed last Wednesday on my '02 MCS by Long Beach Mini. I've got 6,400 miles on the car.

According to Mike Cooper, the break-in period only applies to cars that haven't already been broken in:

http://www.mini.com/livechat/

The bottom line:

" .... absolute power corrupts absolutely .... "

ftbt

'02 MCS/DS/W/Premium/Sport/JCW
'02 Cooper/CVT/Sport/Xenons

 

Thanks again everyone for the feedback!

 

hey guys...i plan to get the jcw kit + intake, header, and wires installed upon delivery. from what you guys have been stating, it sounds like a pretty good idea. mini of hawaii actually recommended the additions for a bit more, of course. but for the daily performance gains, looks, and peace of mind i'm not second-guessing my decision to go with the works+. cant' wait!

 

>>minicoopermike? I wish!

I know Mike Cooper said you did NOT have to break the car in again if you already had done so, but my dealer recommended it and I have to agree with the change in head I would think you would want to take it easy at least at first.