The JCW kit is due to be released at the beginning of the year through the MINI dealerships in the U.S. Given exchange rates and announced British pricing, the price for the US market should be in the $5000-$6000 range.

Here is my request to MINIUSA: Please offer all the parts in the kit seperately.

Of most desire on my part is the ECU/DME reprogramming. I would love to have this upgrade with the preservation of the factory warrenty (just like the kit). If the pricing is competitive (I use that word loosely given the pricing for the entire kit) I'm sure there would be interest.

 

YEEEEHAAAAA -it's coming to the states. I'm not hot on the price, but maybe we can work around that somehow.

 

What does the kit consist of for the Cooper S?

 

Consists of more horsepower.

 

>>Consists of more horsepower.

Geee.......thanx.
Anyone know if that would include a Cooper'S' kit/application? And what would be involved in the kit itself? Typical Bimmer pricing though. Too rich for my blood just for an est. additional 40(+?)hp.
Any confirmed power gain numbers for the Cooper and possibly the Cooper'S'?
So then that would be around $9-10K for us North of the U.S. border? That's like 1/3rd of the price of the whole car just for 40hp more???? And would it be even available for us Canucks? Throw in those Hamann rims that I like so much, and maybe that would be a deal there. :evil: Pffffftt.

 

where did you read that the JCW package was coming to the USA?

 

I emailed JCW...anyone interested should check out their website http://www.johncooper.co.uk/.

They confirmed the kit will be available to order at US dealerships in Jan 03.

 

The pricing is steep but you do get alot of hardware for your money. Compleatly new ported and polished heads, cat back exhaust, and the software reprograming. I would have thought for that kind of money they would have offered something better than just a drop in air filter, but then again I was thinking of getting a Pipercross Viper anyways. My question is , what kind of computer knowlage is needed by the install shop to do the reprogram? I could get the kit myself, but I would like my shop to do the work rather than the Dealership. It's a classic case of more questions than answers.

 

Dave, does that $5000-$6000 range include labor, or is it only parts? That is a lot of money, but I would certainly be interested in a warrantied(sp?)200 hp MINI. Even at that price, the car would still be an incredible bargain. It would scare the $#%!
out of my friend with his Boxter *grin*.

 

My understanding is that is *just parts* So you would then be at the mercy of your service department for installation since it's only being sold though the MINI dealerships.

 

Installed by the dealer? Sounds like it could get expensive...Oh, but what a little rocket this car would be with 200hp. I think that I must have one It seems that BMW has engineered much more performance capability into this car than is apparent at first glance. Especially considering the price. This car is surely destined to be a landmark performance/economy car. It is very exciting to be part of it! Thanks Dave, for the info, and I'll see you on Sunday.
Cheers, David.
P.S. Will the Colorado MINI rally go on "rain or shine" on Sunday? A little (or a lot) of snow won't keep me from going...

 

Oh yea, to get back to your original comment: I don't really know a lot about the engine management computer, but the ECU/DME mod might not be effective without the JCW exhaust and head. I don't know for sure, but it might even run worse. Just thinking out loud I guess...

 

I honestly don't know enough about cars, or aftermarket mods to really understand what all of this stuff does besides make the car go faster (i.e. ECU/DME, i have no clue). But that said, it sounds like BMW is trying to make a M-series style cooper.

 

Cooper S kits are being distributed to some dealers as soon as Nov 02 (confirmed with Mini). Cooper kits fell WAY short of thier HP claims for the US market, so they were sent back from Mini to the UK to have them re-tweaked to get better performance out of them for $3K. I got all this information while at Euro-Fest while talking to a few Mini "higher-ups".

Your prices are a bit off - the S upgrade is to come in at around a $4k price point (head, intake, exhaust, etc) installed with warranty and the Cooper upgrade is scheduled to come in around a $3k price point - which makes sense.

-peter/rspeed
http://www.rspeed.net


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My dealer will be getting these kits in January and they are ready and willing to install these. The guys weren't sure about the warranty issues. They claimed that the kits would add 40 HP to the MC and 90 (!) to the MCS.

My dealer is cool in that they have lots of aftermarket stuff on display and they keep adding new stuff all the time. They even took the aero kit black front grill panels and got them chomed and have those for sale...stuff like that.

I'll definitely chat with them in a few months to see what the real deal is and how it's worked out on the cars they've tested it on.

I'd be happy to pay $5000 for even an extra 50 HP for my MCS especially if it where under warranty!!!

 

Peter - Did the folks at EuroFest confim what the actual HP should be from this package?

 

Yes, they said they confirmed 200HP with no mods to the Getrag tranny. The Cooper kit only yielded +/- 7HP which was a disappointment and is beig re-worked in UK - they eluded to the fact that BMW may be stepping in to assist with the Cooper kit - we'll see.

 

I'm confused. Where on the site did you see it saying the car would make 200 hp. I saw 132. Thanks.

 

>>I'm confused. Where on the site did you see it saying the car would make 200 hp. I saw 132. Thanks.
>>>>


132 is for the Cooper. 200 is for the 'S'.

 

I just recieved an email back from JCW stating that they're confirming that there's is a kit in the 'works' that'll deliver an overall rating of 200bhp for the Cooper'S'. Marketing for the kit will be coming up in early 2003 in the States. Asked me to keep an eye on their site for further details to come on that kit. As of right now they only have advertised a kit for the Cooper on their site.
Hope that means Canada as well. Didn't recieve comments or anything about the possible 250hp Cooper'S' kit that was stated on this site's forums though. Don't know if that's going to be happening or not. Guess we'll find out. But it looks like the 200hp version is a definite go. Yee haw.
Cheers,

 

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I need it! I just came back from going 90-110 mph uphill on a highway. Man, the MCS goes from 90-110 literally in the blink of an eye! I was cruising at 90 in 5th gear and just decided to push it for a sec - 102mph! Then I went back down to 90 and said what the heck and hit the gas again - 110mph in the blink of an eye all while in 5th gear - no downshifting - so it could have done it even faster!!! And at 110 it was SO SMOOTH! I don't think I could be happier with this car than I already am...

 

>>Maybe it's just me, but I don't think I need it! I just came back from going 90-110 mph uphill on a highway. Man, the MCS goes from 90-110 literally in the blink of an eye! I was cruising at 90 in 5th gear and just decided to push it for a sec - 102mph! Then I went back down to 90 and said what the heck and hit the gas again - 110mph in the blink of an eye all while in 5th gear - no downshifting - so it could have done it even faster!!! And at 110 it was SO SMOOTH! I don't think I could be happier with this car than I already am...

Awhhhh yes. Another satisfied customer. Think everyone here who has theirs feels the same about the feeling of the car.
But still. Kicking it up to 200hp would be sweet. And would be more comparitive with others on the street, eg. RSX Type'S', some of the ricers with their civics and other toys, etc. Would have to see what's involved with the conversion before judgement on the price of the kit though. But as of right now, seems a little pricey for an extra 37hp. I'll have to wait and see.
Cheers,

 

The RSX Type S guys now have the option of getting their ECU's reflashed with a new program by Hondata. The ECU program is increasing horsepower to roughly 180 hp at the wheels (roughly 220 bhp). With a Cold Air Intake and this ECU they're getting around 200 hp at the wheels. Also, their rev limiters are raised to 8600 rpm. The ECU is $630 with tax. THAT's bang for the buck.

 

>>
>>But still. Kicking it up to 200hp would be sweet. And would be more comparitive with others on the street, eg. RSX Type'S', some of the ricers with their civics and other toys, etc. Would have to see what's involved with the conversion before judgement on the price of the kit though. But as of right now, seems a little pricey for an extra 37hp. I'll have to wait and see.
>>Cheers,
>>


Yeah, you know, I totally agree with you here. I WOULD like it but I don't see spending that kind of money for power that I really don't NEED or will use THAT often.

 

Latest news form "a source that would like to remain anonymous" is that the JCW kit is having a tough time coming to grips with the power they wanted. The modifications are farther than they had originally thought needed, and may cause warranty issues here in the US. Sooooooo, they will be waiting even longer for the US intro due to the longer development time they are needing.

I think by the time JCW has their act together, we US tuners will probably already have met their original goal of 200hp. There are some pretty trick parts coming in January that may get us to the numbers (200hp). The only drawback is that to get there, the warranty would be voided because of modifications to the head.

185 hp is attainable without warranty issues, so if you'd like me to help you beat JCW to the punch, let me know.

Randy
randy@mini-motorsport.com
720-841-1002