I just picked my MCS up today after having the JCW kit installed. I had put 800 miles on the car before dropping it off for the kit.

On my drive home (50 miles) I noticed 2 things.

1. The engine operating temp is slightly higher on the guage now.

2. At idle I hear what sounds like a vacume noise from the engine. I have not had a chance to break out my stethascope trace down its origan.

Also - My driving impression while trying to control myself and break it in properly. It pulls real nice down low in 1st and 2nd gears. I also get a sturdy strong feel from the engine overall. Thats the best way I can descibe it. Its something I did not feel
originally.


The ultimate in self control - (I am so proud of myself :smile: ) I had a Honda accord with the standard fart pipe and wing race me from a red light. I was good 1/2 throttle no more than 4500 RPM. We were neck and neck although I admit I fought the urge to floor it and rev it up to redline I was suprised to see I was alongside him. He was slightly ahead and I am sure he is posting a kill on the Honduh forum tonight.

 

I have put 400 miles on my MCS sinece installing the JCW. I haven't noticed any change in the temperature gauge. However, the dealer told me they installed a thermostat along with a new resevoir bottle because the resevoir bottle was leaking again. The thermostat is something the car doesn't oiginally come with perhaps this helps keep the temp down. What do you think Randy?
My engine noise is different than before the JCW upgrade, not sure how to describe it though. I can say this, my gas mileage has increased from 27mpg to 28mpg! No complaints there and I use Sunoco 94 octane too!

 

After driving it all day today I fell like I was jsut paraniod over the temp thing.

As far as engine noise goes I hear the SC more now it wines real nice. I like that a lot. At idle there is a noise it sounds like it is coming from under or inside the intercooler. It sounds like a loud sucking noise like a vaccume leak. If I even touch the throttle it goes away instantly. I can even hear it from the drivers seat at a light with the windows down.

I might swing by the dealership tomarrow or next week. I think it is fine I just like to know what I am hearing.

Thanks for your input.

 

Mine makes a similar noise. However, I had the BMP oil and boost gauge installed for a month before the JCW upgrade and the boost was measuring 7 to 10. Now its measuring 12 to 14! Alomst doubled, that's pretty dramatic, so I don the thing noise is a negative, I kind of like it.

That said, I could not control myself last week, a 9/3 Turbo Saab called me out and I decided to see what my new JCW would do after it was installed just two days prior. After he was 30 to 50 yeards ahead of me I realized he wanted to run. We ran for about a half mile and beat'em! He was shocked to say the least. I did though find the limits of the standard brakes, and boy did they smell bad after reaching total fade. I have no idea how fast I was going except I was in 6th grear and pulling 5,200rpms! I won't do that again, until the the breakin period is over and I have upgraded the brakes big time!

 

i have a couple questions for you guys. What dealships did u get ur jcw kit installed? (from the same u bought the car from?) When did u order the jcw kit? When did they call you and tell the kit was ready and how long did it take to install?

 

It took me 8 weeks to get my car. 4 weeks into waiting for my car I decided to order the JCW kit. It took 6 weeks to arrive.

I drove my car for 2 weeks until the kit arrived then I went to the dealership on Tues. gave them my car (they gave me a loaner rent a car not a cooper like I hoped) and picked it up again on Friday.

Mgear - Dont you think the mechanic and serice manager beat on your car before you got it back. They put 14 miles on mine. I figured they probably took it out and beat on it.

I wouldn't sweat your little run it was probably nothing compared to what the dealership did. LOL.

Now I wish I had waxed that Honduh.

 

I did have my JCW installed by the same dealer I got my Mini from, New Country Motors in Hartford, CT. I purchased my 02 MCS in August 2002. I ordered the JCW upgrade in mid May 03. When I ordered my JCW the dealer told me I was number three on their install list. When I ordered it the dealer told me my upgrade should arrive before the end of June, it actually arrived the third week in August while I was traveling outside of the country. When I got home I dropped the car off on August 28, the dealer told me it wouldn't be ready till after Labor Day, that was fine with me. It wound up being at the dealer for almost two weeks. Once the install was completed, but before I picked it up the dealer called to tell me it needed a new ECU that delayed delivery by another four days. The install was good, I am very happy with the results and they gave me my old muffler back, it only had 6,500 miles it. Anything else you'd like to know, let me know

 

Jims5543, I didn't notice anything that lead me to believe the dealer drove it hard, so I am not sure if they did, although they probably did. When I dropped my car off I asked to meet the mechanic who was going to do the work. I thought getting to know him would be a good idea and I wanted him to know who I was and that I appreciated the work he had done on my car before and looked forward to having the JCW installed. When I came back to pick up the car I asked the technician what he thought would be the next thing to do to increase performance without violating the warranty and he said installing a cold ait intake would be something he would do next. So, Alta here I come!

 

Your lucky - It sounds like your dealership is more open minded than mine. I asked about an intake and they said no, it will void the warranty. I also asked about a header of course no. I asked if JCW planned on releasing these products and the service rep said he would e-mail someone and find out. He also said Dinan is working on some bold on upgrades hopefully and intake and header are part of that. Those are the ony other engine mods I would like to do. I am not out to get a 300HP FWD car. I think 200 at the wheels will be plenty fun. If I want to snap my neck I have my RX-7.


I bought mine from Braman in West Palm Beach - The sale of the car went great. The service was o.k. - I obviously own an RX-7. I have been to a premier tuner shop here in Florida. Pettit racing. When a client comes to their shop and plunks down over 5K for Mods. The owner of Pettit himself takes them for a ride after the car is done. Then talks to them about break in or whatever needs to be discussed. The client gets to feel his car for the first time and is able to ask any questions on the spot that come up.

I was handed my keys and a bill. The service rep stopped by to tell me the work was done and everything went great. He asked if I had any questions and at the moment I had none. But then again I had not even seen my car yet. I think the service rep should go for a ride with you and make sure your happy and that there are no last minute questions that pop up.

Another thing that upset me was the fact that when I dropped my car off it was spotless. When I picked it up it was covered with water stains. It needs to be detailed again. I am not sure if just a wash will work. I will wash it in the morning as it was raining this morning. But I suspect a coat of wax is needed to get rid of the water stains. I wonder if a black 7 series BMW would be given back in the same shape.

BTW - I have no reason to suspect my car was beat on I am just quessing based on human nature. My car was the 3rd to get the JCW kit at this dealership I would imagine a few spirited rides were given out.

 

I had mine done at the dealer where I bought, it took about 10 hours to complete, and yes they do test drive it after the upgrade. There is no break in for the JCW only for the engine, so if your mini was already broken in just drive it like you stole it. I drove my MCS hard from day one like I was going to drive it all the time none of the silly break in rules for , if its going to break I want it to break early.

_________________

IB/W 2003 MCS All installable Factory options, Aero kit, driving Lamps, Rear clear lamps, BMW alarm, R90 wheels, JCW upgrade, Brembo big brake kit

 

Hmm. My JCW certificate says 1200 miles break in. I wonder if that is for a brand spanking new MCS with the kit??

I now have close to 1000 miles on my car I plan on driving nice until 1200 then thats it. I stopped by the dealership and let a couple of salesmen there listen to it. They felt it was fine. The car feels strong so I cannot imagine it being a leak.

The more I drive it with the new kit the more I love it. It really did transform this car.

Looking foward to Autocrossing it now. It seems I am classed with Vipers and Z-06's woo woo!!!

 

It seems I am classed with Vipers and Z-06's woo woo!!!



Their engine is nearly the size of our whole car!

 

Jim:
I also purchased from Braman (5/30/03). MINI produced 03/03 EB/EB. JCW installed in July so I must be #2. My car was returned clean (as is usual for Braman) and although I didn't get a Cooper as a loaner I got a Z4. At any rate I am very pleased with the JCW.

Joe
JCW #316

 

Joe - I stopped by Bramen today and took my salesman for a ride in the car. He wanted to feel the difference of the JCW kit. He liked it a lot.

He apologized for the dirty car and told me to come back for a free detail. My car was pretty dirty.

I got a Nissan Xtera for a loaner. Actually it was an enteprise rental. The A/C did not work!! I was on I-95 when I discovered it was'nt working. I didn't feel like turning around I was already behind schedule for the day. I hope it gets better with them. I am not impressed so far.

Where are you located?

I am in Jensen Beach.

My JCW Kit # is 2148.

 

Break-in or no break-in, if you're challenged like that (especially by that kind of vehicle) it is your DUTY to smack them down, and hard! A half mile of near red-line isn't going make or break the system if you're good for the other 1199.5 miles.

 

>>Hmm. My JCW certificate says 1200 miles break in. I wonder if that is for a brand spanking new MCS with the kit??
>>
>>I now have close to 1000 miles on my car I plan on driving nice until 1200 then thats it. I stopped by the dealership and let a couple of salesmen there listen to it. They felt it was fine. The car feels strong so I cannot imagine it being a leak.
>>
>>The more I drive it with the new kit the more I love it. It really did transform this car.
>>
>>Looking foward to Autocrossing it now. It seems I am classed with Vipers and Z-06's woo woo!!!

1200 miles break in!? Why's that?

I would completely understand if they were installing a new cam, but (correct me if I'm wrong) we're talking a cat-back exhaust, flowed head, reduced pulley supercharger , ECU remap, and various plastic bits. ...I guess it could be the new S/C. Any other opinions, insights?

 

>>
>>My JCW Kit # is 2148.
>>
>>

hey jim i am a bit confused. isnt there like 1800 jcw kits coming...then hows ur 2148...

are they doing a diff number sequence..

just inquiring :smile:

thanks for ur help

 

I took that # off of the ID tag on my engine. Is it wrong? Where do I find out what kit # I have?


As far as break in I am basically done. I have 1000 miles on the car now. I will take it to 5K RPM with an occasional 5500 RPM spurt.

Dont worry fellas and ricers will be duly taken care of.

 

I must say that I am very pleased with my JCW.

But, I have a question for the rest of the JCW owners out there. I've heard it mentioned a few times that you receive a certificate of authenticity with your kit.
Is this correct? I never got one. What's going on?

 

the first 300 coopers ever from each dealership recieved a t-shirt with what number you were according to the buy date. It was done like the odomater (me? fancy #00009!).

I would imagine they would only do something like that for the first few.

Danny

 

>>I had mine done at the dealer where I bought, it took about 10 hours to complete, and yes they do test drive it after the upgrade. There is no break in for the JCW only for the engine, so if your mini was already broken in just drive it like you stole it. I drove my MCS hard from day one like I was going to drive it all the time none of the silly break in rules for , if its going to break I want it to break early.

The information I have regarding run-in from conversations with John Cooper garages chief and second engineer, the reccomended break-in for a MINI S that has been converted and was previously broken-in, you should not run it above 4500 RPM for the first 500 MILES. If the MINI S has not been broken in just follow regular break-in. The reason for break-in even if it was broken-in before conversion is the new parts have to be properly seated just like when the entire engine was new.

 

I received a certificate with my kit - S1638. My car had 7200 miles when it was installed and the dealer told me to do another 1250 mile break-in period and so that's what I have been doing. I now have 8700 miles and love the kit . It pulls a lot harder in the mid-range and upper rev band!

 

>>>>Hmm. My JCW certificate says 1200 miles break in. I wonder if that is for a brand spanking new MCS with the kit??
>>
>>1200 miles break in!? Why's that?
>>
>>I would completely understand if they were installing a new cam, but (correct me if I'm wrong) we're talking a cat-back exhaust, flowed head, reduced pulley supercharger , ECU remap, and various plastic bits. ...I guess it could be the new S/C. Any other opinions, insights?

there is a new cam inside that new head. according to my JCW brochure.

 

>> there is a new cam inside that new head. according to my JCW brochure.
>>

That'd be nice, but the last time I checked there was no cam. Are you certain you are not mistaken?

If you did get a new cam in your kit you're either lucky or pretty special. And there's a lot of other Works owners who are going to be jealous/pissed off.

Maybe JCW have new litterature which mentions other modifications one can get - such as a cam?

 

Old cams in new head. Need to be seated correctly. 1250 miles worth?? Thats a lot.

I have over 400 miles on my JCW kit and 1200 miles on the car. I am driving at will now and HOT DAMN!! its a quick little sucker!! I am loving it.

I plan on getting the oil changed very soon though. I have a hard time leaving that oil in the car for 10,000 miles especially in a brand new engine.

I let my little brother (who co-drives my RX-7 with me) take it for a spin. He was very very impressed. He was suprised how well behaved it is in hard cornering it rotates so nice and tucks the tail right in. Acceleration freaked him out too.