Hey guys,

I have a 2005 R53 with JCW exhaust and a JCW CAI. I might be looking to get the upgraded JCW fuel injectors soon (and obviously lots more down the road). So, I figure I need to remap my ECU. I talked to the parts department at my dealership, and they said that the JCW ECU tune is tied to the VIN number and can only be purchased when the kit is purchased as a whole. Is this true?

I obviously don't want to drop $6000 on a kit (especially since I already have half of it). I have read a few forums where people say you can't get the ECU without the kit, and I have read a few where people said the dealership did it for them. So, my question is, is there any way that I can get the JCW ECU tune without buying the kit? Have any of you done it?

(Posted this to JCW garage as well. I'm new to posting here, is that against etiquette?)

Thanks!

 

Some dealers will offer the JCW tune to you...they have "cracked the code" in the BMW/mini computer, and will do it for a nominal fee to improve the drivability of a nodded car....
Some can't/won't. Ask.
Depends on the dealer it seems....

 

Ok, makes sense. And if I found one, this is definitely something I would have to bring my car for, right? Like, it's not like they could sell me the code and then I could install it at my local dealership? (I'm just not trying to drive all over the country)

 

They plug you car into a computer...
Charge is usually 30-60 minutes of shop time...
Some BMW/mini shops can now do it too....pretty rare cause the equipment is $$$, but depends on the area.
Other option is to remove the ecu, ship it to a place like way motor works in Atlanta.... They can install their own "canned tune" (no dyno needed) or , I'm pretty sure, the JCW tune.
Just takes money....

 

Where do you live?

 

Ok cool, thanks. I'm actually in Atlanta, so I'll definitely check out Way Motor Works!

 

You have one of the top mini shops in the country!!
I have actually dropped in to visit on a business trip...the shop is not too far from PDK airport. Not a fancy place like a dealership, but, IMO, they know how to mod mini's better!!

 

Talked to him and he still has the stock pulley on the car. So putting a larger set of injectors in would be a huge waste.
Hope he takes our advise and lets us put a pulley on his car for a first mod.

 

I had this done last month and was charged an hours labour from a nearby dealership. Of the 8 or 9 dealers within my area only one was willing to do it. The others either flat out said no or told me the tune was tied to the VIN. It might take a bit of searching or having to send out your ecu but for the price I paid I would recommend it. As others have said, get a pulley first otherwise the injectors will be pointless.

Good luck!

 

OP, trust Way in this, he is one of our top vendors & won't steer you wrong.

Do the Pulley first, then save up what's needed for the Injectors & a "custom" tune from him, all cars act different even with the same parts, a custom tune from him will provide you with more exact settings and you'll be sure of getting the most out of what you have. Do it right the first time and it will save you in the long run.

 

+1
Get a pulley...
Then since you are so close to wmw, IMO, get one of HIS tunes, canned if needed for $$savings....custom is better, but a canned tune optimized for you mods is usually cheaper, and the equivalent of ANY dealer supplied tune.
Going with a JCW tune is cheap for folks without other options, but you have BETTER options for the $$.

 

Good luck getting a dealer to do the JCW tune... I have yet to have a dealer let me do it. I called all the ones I am close to. Im just going to finish things up and get a custom tune and call it a day.