What would you guys/gals rather have? The Stage II kit is cheaper and give you more hp, but teh JCW comes with the warranty.

 

totally depends on how risk averse you are.

 

I've searched this site and my conclusion is that the JCW kit is not worth the money compared to modding through venders with kits such as the mini-mania stage II. I don't recall seeing any significant reports of warrenty problems because of aftermarket modifications. There have been a few "close calls" in regard to warrenty disputes, but in cases of engine failure and warrenty disputes it was usually traced to other problems with bad gas, etc. My MCS is due within weeks and I'm seriously leaning towards the mini-mania kit with the Borla exhaust but without the ECU hack. It's a bit cheaper than the full kit and is rated at about 10 hp less.

 

If you dont care about a warranty and resale then dont bother with JCW.

 

Personally, I'd check with Randy @ Webb Motorsports before purchasing anything like a kit, given the significant investment. Randy is pretty much the MINI authority when it comes to matching customers with aftermarket parts that suit their specific needs.

Dave

 

Ditto on Randy at Webb Motorsports being the Mini performance authority. I trust him, and my first performance mods will be his recommended Alta pulley and his ECU upgrade. Maybe his recommended sway bar after or maybe that cool new Milltek exhaust with all that wonderful torque. :smile:

Btw, I've decided to do all my mods one at a time, so I can fully enjoy the before-and-after effects, complete with dyno charts. :smile:

That probably means monthly trips down to Denver from up here in Montana, but that's ok, as my wife and I enjoy the big city visit from time to time.

Cheers,
Dan