The cost to maintain a JCW Kit appears to be as expensive as buying it in the first place. The Kit comes with 4 NGK spark plugs, Part number BKR7EQUP; and MINI says that all subsequent replacements should be these. The 7's appear to be one heat range "colder" than the stock plug, which is a NGK BKR6EQUP, and which is readily available at parts stores for about $8.50 each. No so the JCW-required plug.

NGK does not import this plug into the US (according to NGK USA); and attempts to find it from UK suppliers proved fruitless.

According to Paul Cooper of John Cooper Works in an email just received by Scoutd :
"I'm afraid that NGK will only supply this plug to BMW and therefore the
only way you can obtain it is through a MINI dealership. We do not have any
control over the price they charge as BMW are buying the plug directly from
NGK. I can only imagine that the high price is due to the relatively small
quantity that BMW will order at any one time compared to the standard plug
which they obviously have a much higher demand for. We have extensively
tested this and several other plugs for use with the JCW tuning kit and
this is the only plug that we recommend for best performance."

BMW's part number for this plug is 12 12 0 031 708; and of course the price is "golden" Between $36. and $46. EACH, depending upon which dealer you ask.

Randy, can you make any recommendations on a substitute, such as the Denso Iridium IK22 or IK20? Does the choice of spark plug affect warranty coverage?

Anyone know of a source for the NGK plug outside of BMW?

Just how long should the spark plugs last between changes? Thanks

 

why am I not at all surpirsed at the price!!!!
typical BMW stuff ;(

Peace,
D

 

Yeah, it says the same thing on the certificate from Mike Cooper. These plugs better last a longgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg g time!

 

I heard that only JCW brand gasoline can be used in MINI's that have had the conversion.

 

I don't know how much sympathy you'll find regarding this. The general consensus has been pretty vocal regarding the MCS Works car being a 'rip off'.

Pardon me, but I have to ask: Why are you surprised?

Surely you must have known that:
- The Works edition was pricey for what it offered.
- There were numerous other tuning options available that offered better value

I see it this way:
You purchased the fancy JCW MCS - for whatever reason you wanted. ...Now in order to maintain your warranty the car requires equally fancy sparkplugs. Where's the surprise? (...wait, maybe the plugs are more fancy than the car?)

...At any rate...

From my spot here (in the cheaper seats) the big S in JCW's particular Mini Cooper S continues to stand for SUCKER (& $ soon to be parted)!

 

Sparkplugs.com cross-references the BKR6EQUP to Denso's IK20. I don't know how reliable their cross-reference is, or how you'd go about verifying similar heat ranges other than looking at the plugs.

I know what the consequences of running too-hot plugs--what about too-cool? Would it just foul them or would other Bad Things Happen? (And if our plugs look anything like the exhaust tips....)

Jeff

 

Paul (minimc)

I'm not looking for any sympathy (or value judgements, either) Just some information about alternatives to the NGK plugs. If there are none, then I'll bite the bullet and purchase a set of 4 from Classic MINI in Ohio.

Charlie

 

Charlie:
I have a JCW, and the plugs should not be a problem, as they are covered under warranty if you need a set. I have a 32K mile M5 with the same plug, 6 heat range, so a bit hotter, and they are fine, checked several times, but don't need replacing. That's why they are expensive, they don't sell many. I am so damn sick of JCW bashers piping in how smart they are not "wasting their money" I could puke. Answer the man's question, or go away. We can afford it, we wanted it, and point in fact, it's the slowest damn car I own. I built from the JCW as a base, and I haven't needed to replace plugs on a car in years. The runflats are on every MCS, and I don't hear you telling everyone they are stupid for that either. I'm not sensitive, just annoyed that many can't be helpful on a great board like this.

Lee

_________________
Diggy
JCW, M-cars, and eyetalian stuff

 

Hey Guys
Most plugs go 50,000 plus miles before needing replacement. What's the problem? Can't afford to keep your MINI in tune every 50,000 miles? Most likely you will not own the car anyway. If you can't afford the JCW kit then it doesn't matter anyway does it, if you can who cares.
Charles

 

Your comment is not too nice.....May be you're jealous,that you can't afford the KIT,and you need to vent your frustration at not having it.To each his own,may be the S stands for....." I wiSh I had a S with the workS in it"....stop being a hater!!!...And please don't turn this thread into a JCW KIT hater thread!...Motor on!

 

Well from what I've read BMW seem to be cracking down on Mods so I wouldn't be so smug if I was you. There’s a guy on Mini2 (Julz) who lost his warranty just because he had an aftermarket air-filter. Apparently his dealership received a letter from BMW telling them that any modification to the engine voids the warranty. Whether the same can happen in the States, I don't know but you never know.

I don't get why people slag the Works Kit off so much. I look on it that the Cooper S is an expensive car as it is; I may as well spend an extra grand to ensure I have worry free motoring for 3 years. Things do go wrong - Julz is living proof. His cooling fan stopped working which caused his engine to over heat, which resulted in a knackered Cylinder Head. A new Mini Cylinder Head alone costs $1,000 then you’ve got labour on top. Ouch.

 

I don't get it...I love my runflats!

 

>>Paul (minimc)
>>
>>I'm not looking for any sympathy (or value judgements, either) Just some information about alternatives to the NGK plugs. If there are none, then I'll bite the bullet and purchase a set of 4 from Classic MINI in Ohio.
>>
>>Charlie


Who's Paul?

If you didn't want sympathy or to commiserate then why lament the cost & all the details. If you'd merely wanted a cross-reference for plugs that's what you'd have received from me. When you include more information you shouldn't assume that everyone will share your opinion & same type of interest.

 

>>Your comment is not too nice.....May be you're jealous,that you can't afford the KIT,and you need to vent your frustration at not having it.To each his own,may be the S stands for....." I wiSh I had a S with the workS in it"....stop being a hater!!!...And please don't turn this thread into a JCW KIT hater thread!...Motor on!

MINISPIDER

WTF?! are you going off about hate for? I think you'd best educate yourself before you "Motor on!" because you appear to misunderstand hate's meaning - better get a dictionary and look it up. ...While you're at it, look up "contempt" and "sarcasm".

 

>>>>>>So... why do I want a JCW?

Because it's a beautifully balanced machine. :smile: Not one person who's driven my car hasn't been blown away by its performance. You can call it expensive, call it a rip off even, but you can't call it slow. :smile:

>>>>>>What is my life or driving experiencing missing?

To learn to be less sarcastic maybe? :smile:

Having owned and lived with a standard S for a year, I can really appreciate how much this kit has transformed the car. The only critisim I have is that it's turned me into a hooligan.

 

miniac,

If you have a cross-reference, I'd appreciate you providing it. Thanks

 

Geez...you people need to chill out!!!!!!!!!!!!! To jump right in and call someone a 'sucker' is ridiculous!!!! Go find somewhere else is spread the negativity!!

Chief-Charlie - Thanks for bringing up this topic, it's good information to know up front since I am planning on getting the JCW on my Oct. delivery CR/W/W. If anyone else has good info about properly maintaining my JCW MINI I'd appreciate the info.

Thanks!

 

Chief Charlie:
Since Minimc was so helpful, I thought I'd add a bit to fill in where he left off...

_________________
Diggy
JCW, M-cars, and eyetalian stuff

 

>>Sparkplugs.com cross-references the BKR6EQUP to Denso's IK20.
>>
I think some people with "pullied" and "chipped" MCS's are running Denso IK22 plugs, so perhaps these could be possible replacements for NGK BKR7EQUPs.

 

(minimc)
If you'd merely wanted a cross-reference for plugs that's what you'd have received from me. When you include more information you shouldn't assume that everyone will share your opinion & same type of interest.

Considering the amount of time that Chief_Charlie and I have spent trying to track down a cross reference number to the bmw part 12 12 0 031 708 or the NGK bkr7 Equp. Since this part is not available in retail anywhere in the WORLD outside of a MINI Parts dealership.
we would be most appreciative if you would share this information with all of MCO.

Personally, I think paying 45. each for spark plugs to be horrible. It doesn't matter if I can afford a JCW or not.
Chief_Charlie asked a legimate question of MCO community and I sincerely appreciate his help in understanding the great little car we call the MINI.

Chill out minimc and live and let live

 

Miniac:
Sounds right to me. I just found this chart on Mitsu Stealth site
NGK PFR6J-11
P Platinum tips
F 14-mm thread, 19-mm reach, 5/8" hex shell
R Resistor type
6 Heat range (6 is medium, 5 is hotter, 7 is colder)
J ISO projected insulator nose
-11 1.1-mm (0.043&quot spark gap (missing number means not pre-gapped)

NGK BCPR6ES-11
B 14-mm thread
C 5/8" hex shell
P JIS Projected insulator nose
R Resistor type
6 Heat range (6 is medium, 5 is hotter, 7 is colder)
E 19-mm reach
S Standard 2.5-mm diameter center electrode with copper core
-11 1.1-mm (0.043&quot spark gap (missing number means not pre-gapped)

Denso PK20PR-P11
PK 14-mm thread, 5/8" hex shell, 19-mm reach, platinum tips
20 Heat range (20 is medium, 16 is hotter, 22 is colder)
P ISO projected insulator nose
R Resistor type
-P Platinum tipped plug for DIS
11 1.1-mm (0.043&quot spark gap (missing number means not pre-gapped)

Bosch FR7DCX
F 14-mm thread, 5/8" hex shell
R Resistor type
7 Heat range (7 and 6 are medium, 8 is hotter, 5 is colder)
D 17.5-mm reach, 3-mm projected insulator nose
C copper-core (P is for platinum-core)
X 1.1-mm (0.043&quot spark gap (missing letter means not pre-gapped)


_________________
Diggy
JCW, M-cars, and eyetalian stuff

 

OK, just looked online @ Denso's site, IK22's are $12 each, IK20's are app for M5, so IK22 should be it. Beats me on gap, I still have all my tools tho...Ignitions ain't what they used to be, huh

 

Diggy and miniac@MINI2

Thanks for your help. :smile: :smile: :smile:

 

>>Charlie:
>>I have a JCW, and the plugs should not be a problem, as they are covered under warranty if you need a set. I have a 32K mile M5 with the same plug, 6 heat range, so a bit hotter, and they are fine, checked several times, but don't need replacing. That's why they are expensive, they don't sell many. I am so damn sick of JCW bashers piping in how smart they are not "wasting their money" I could puke. Answer the man's question, or go away. We can afford it, we wanted it, and point in fact, it's the slowest damn car I own. I built from the JCW as a base, and I haven't needed to replace plugs on a car in years. The runflats are on every MCS, and I don't hear you telling everyone they are stupid for that either. I'm not sensitive, just annoyed that many can't be helpful on a great board like this.
>>
>>Lee

I'm responding this thread one last time in attempt to clear the air

But please... Don't take everything so seriously & personally everyone! Geeze but a few of you are hair-trigger defensive of your Works.

For the record I do not dislike the JCW & I certainly never called it slow. In fact I have driven one and can appreciate why you folks want them. I simply don't like the way its marketed & refuse to buy one because of it - But that doesn't make me a Works hater!

AND

I certainly didn't call anyone who purchased a Works stupid! ...You got a complex or something Lee?

A little perspective:
You might think a person who'd spend more $ on a (audiophile quality) stereo system than on his car is a sucker. ...Well, that'd be me! Yup! ...A/C Power cables alone list for $2300 US ea. - I have 6 of em. ...Now, even I have to admit that this is sucker territory BUT I have been piecing together my stereo system (for improved sound quality) for YEARS. The $2300 power cords make a small but very audible improvement in sound quality. This small improvement in sound is significant enough that I am willing to pay gobs of $ to attain it. Furthermore I have not as of yet found other A/C power (filtering) cords (regardless of cost) that allow me to reach the sound quality I currently have. For me it's the experience that justifies the cost, because my system (in its current form) is the closest thing to live music that I'll probably ever own/be willing to pay for. There might be further improvement out there, but none that I've found worth the $. I think this is in contrast to the MINI. I say this because while the JCW Works car is a better experience than a stock MCS, I wouldn't say it's better than my tuned MCS experience.

I was able to reach JCW level performance and surpass it - the fact that I spent less than 1/2 of the $ doing it isn't lost on me either.

FWIW
The new MCS attracts buyers of dramatically differing means. Our own local club contains many MINI owners who also own BMWs and a few Ferrari owners. The Ferrari guys admit to having purchased MINI's because they wanted fun, sporty cars that could be driven daily & the price was right too. None of the 3 Ferrari guys have purchased Works cars (yet). And they certainly could afford to.

 

>>The cost to maintain a JCW Kit appears to be as expensive as buying it in the first place. The Kit comes with 4 NGK spark plugs, Part number BKR7EQUP; and MINI says that all subsequent replacements should be these. The 7's appear to be one heat range "colder" than the stock plug, which is a NGK BKR6EQUP, and which is readily available at parts stores for about $8.50 each. No so the JCW-required plug.
>>
>>NGK does not import this plug into the US (according to NGK USA); and attempts to find it from UK suppliers proved fruitless.
>>
>>According to Paul Cooper of John Cooper Works in an email just received by Scoutd :
>>"I'm afraid that NGK will only supply this plug to BMW and therefore the
>>only way you can obtain it is through a MINI dealership. We do not have any
>>control over the price they charge as BMW are buying the plug directly from
>>NGK. I can only imagine that the high price is due to the relatively small
>>quantity that BMW will order at any one time compared to the standard plug
>>which they obviously have a much higher demand for. We have extensively
>>tested this and several other plugs for use with the JCW tuning kit and
>>this is the only plug that we recommend for best performance."
>>
>>BMW's part number for this plug is 12 12 0 031 708; and of course the price is "golden" Between $36. and $46. EACH, depending upon which dealer you ask.
>>
>>Randy, can you make any recommendations on a substitute, such as the Denso Iridium IK22 or IK20? Does the choice of spark plug affect warranty coverage?
>>
>>Anyone know of a source for the NGK plug outside of BMW?
>>
>>Just how long should the spark plugs last between changes? Thanks
>>
I could not find the JCW plug anywhere, even at two local MINI dealers. I called NGK directly, asking for a compatible plug one range colder than stock, (as suggested by Randy). They said to use their BKR7EKU. It has two electrodes instead of four and only costs $7.63 each. I ordered through a local NGK dealer in the South San Francisco Bay Area, and they had them the next morning, with no charge for shipping. The only catch is that you have to order a whole box of 10. Not a problem since they are so cheap. (My MCS has the Alta pulley and EvoTech ECU).