I just can't justify that price at all. $4000 including installation maybe, but no freakin way should we have to pay for installation unless it is a post build modification! I mean if you can get a mini almost any way you like, and get JCW from the factory, how would the installation cost more if AS they are building it they just use other parts? I mean we are given the freedom to customize enough that each car is taken on a per-build basis for the most part. It seems ridiculous. The JCW bumps a fairly well priced (somewhat inflated due to demand from small supply) Mini into a WHOLE different category of car.

For that price I would be looking at an R32 for 4k less and would never look back. Or maybe even save 2k more and get an STI.

R32 = AWD, 241 HP and with an exhaust and chip gets into the 270 range. (the guys in Europe are already doing it) Just imagine a few more bolt ons... Limited production = hold value very well. End of a production line = bugs have been worked out. Stock it is faster than a JCW and handles with the best of em thanks to it's tuned suspension and AWD to actually PUT all that power to the ground.

And to say it won't turn heads like a Mini...well, it will turn the right heads when they hear the engine. It will turn the heads of enthusiasts who can appreciate the damn thing. And I love boxy cars (EX: Mini) so the VW styling is right down my alley.

I can't imagine spending that much on a Mini when the kit only addresses the HP of the car. They don't even address the brakes or suspension. That is a bit irresponsible. They are probably using the JCW kit to recoup some of the loss BMW takes on every mini they sell for the next few years.

I think it is shameful the amount they are charging. Guess it keeps it exclusive, but that is just a function of marketing and snobbery if you ask me. 33k for a Mini, I don't think so. R32 = 29k at MSRP and STI w/dealer markup = 35k for 300hp/300 ft/lbs. and supercar performance stock.

Unfortunate Necessities:
MCS + JCW + Aero bodykit + Brake Upgrade = 33k after taxes = One extremely expensive FWD Econobox. Not quite the spirit of the old or new Mini is it.

Don't get me wrong, i love this car, but don't let the hype convert you to the dark side of irrational thought.

 

The R32 is a very cool car, but don't expect it to hold a candle to the MCS (Works or otherwise) in the twisties. There are some serious limitations to the A4/1J Golf platform.

 

Puffs. I dont think you know, from what I understand about your post and the JCW itself, that the JCW is a dealer installed option and not a factory installed one. Correct me if I am wrong. I do agree that prices are outrageous, but there are people willing to pay the exhorbitant amount of money, SCA for example. Then there's people who arent single with high paying jobs or no kids (not attacking anyone here) who wont be able to afford it. Oh well, we will just be stuck with the regular stock S, darn, what a shame. After I get my MCS that will just be something else to lust after, JCW.

I thought you were talking about a Nissan Skyline R32 at first, then you said VW. Any Skyline would turn some heads. I'd rather turn enthusiast heads and joe blow i dont know anything about car peoples heads. People look at the mini because it's cute or looks good. I would like some kid to run up on me in his civic si, he would definately think again. An S could probably take an RSX too. Ok. I'm done.

 

Thanks for clearing up the dealer installed option. Didn't realize. Still hurts my brain that they only addressed power.


>>The R32 is a very cool car, but don't expect it to hold a candle to the MCS (Works or otherwise) in the twisties. There are some serious limitations to the A4/1J Golf platform.

Andy,
Let's take those twisties in the rain or the snow. I'm from the NEast. :smile: And it is still 4k less, larger storage, nicer interior, better highway cruiser...etc.

And for 2k more the STI Scoobie. Well, let's not compare the performance, interior, or head turning because that is just silly unfavorable for the mini. :smile:


Mini will beat a lot in the twisties in dry pavement, and I will never argue that. I love the damn thing but my point was that you cannot justify the cost to performance of the JCW kit at all. $3000 for an extended warranty...

Again, i love this car, but i am realistic. Hey, it is your money, you could roll it up and smoke it for all I care. It is that I personally can't justify the costs and find it hard to believe that others will entertain BMW and buy the kit. If nobody bought it and made it clear it was too expensive, I am willing to bet they would lower the price or not offer it at all.

Then we could all take advantage of John Cooper's talents and energies in the aftermarket which would benefit owners more than this kit ever will. He sold out, which is good for him, but bad for us. I don't blame him, but I don't have to like it.

Yeah, it is all a function of supply and demand. They aimed too high and are taking advantage of people imho.

 

i just read the latest automobile issue and it said 2000-3000 dollars!! i dont know what this was about.... but it might be on new ordered cars w/ it

 

>>
>>I think it is shameful the amount they are charging. Guess it keeps it exclusive, but that is just a function of marketing and snobbery if you ask me. 33k for a Mini, I don't think so. R32 = 29k at MSRP and STI w/dealer markup = 35k for 300hp/300 ft/lbs. and supercar performance stock.
>>
>>Unfortunate Necessities:
>>MCS + JCW + Aero bodykit + Brake Upgrade = 33k after taxes = One extremely expensive FWD Econobox. Not quite the spirit of the old or new Mini is it.
>>
>>Don't get me wrong, i love this car, but don't let the hype convert you to the dark side of irrational thought.
>>

I've got it! We should organize a protest rally to demand our right to a fairly priced JCW tuning kit. It's clear the elitist capitalist establishment is out to take advantage of us once again. Sure, lure us in to wanting a MINI then springing this luscious JCW kit on us once we're addicted. They knew we'd HAVE to have it! I'm sure there are a number of anti-war protesters looking for something to do now that would join our cause. One possible rallying cry: "Hey He, Ho Ho, profiteering tuners got to go!" Or how about "Shame Shame Shame." Or maybe "No $ for HP." OK OK, these are just rough drafts, they'll get better I promise.

 

>>The R32 is a very cool car, but don't expect it to hold a candle to the MCS (Works or otherwise) in the twisties. There are some serious limitations to the A4/1J Golf platform.

Please share these "serious limitations"...

 

Someone here said that they were going to order a stock MCS (no option packages) and add the JCW at purchase time. US$25k out the door. Oh wait, I guess about $25.5k with the install labor.

When you put it that way the whole idea sounds reasonable! I agree, though, that once you get up north of $30k there are other cars I'd have to consider.

The part that blows my mind is the ten hours labor! They're granting themselves a lot of room for things to go wrong!

Jeff

 

It appears the BMW marketing staff may have ingested large quantitities of LSD immediately prior to pricing this kit. Speaking of which... shouldn't an LSD be a part of this package?!? Seems like required equipment in a 2400lb car with 180 ft/lbs of torque, but maybe I'm missing something.

 

Hah, i forgot LSD or Suspension components...

The price rises! 35k!

What a deal.


I have no problem with Aftermarket tuners making money. At least JCW could give you the courtesy of making a well rounded kit that completes the car rather than only address HP at that price.

Again this is just MY OPINION. If you want to get violated then that is your choice.

 

Sleepless wrote:

Take a look at the angle of front suspension lower control arms on a Golf. On my 2000 GTI, the arms were parallel to the ground, even in stock form. With a lowered suspension (which the R32 has), the arms are already sloping upwards away from the body. This means that as the car leans, instead of the bottom of the tire being forced outwards (negative camber), the bottom of the wheel actually comes inwards. This causes camber to become positive at exactly the wrong time.

In a real-world application, my good friend has a heavily modified '00 GTI 1.8T and is a very experienced driver. He routinely gets beaten in autocross events by bone-stock MCS.

 

>>I have no problem with Aftermarket tuners making money. At least JCW could give you the courtesy of making a well rounded kit that completes the car rather than only address HP at that price.>>>

This is tru...the STI runs about $7 more than the WRX but addresses HP (big time!), handling, stopping (brakes), AND looks (to a degree). And I thought the STI was overpriced compared to the WRX. But at least they made all around improvements and not just 37 horses!!!!

 

For that kind of money, I would have sooner got the 350z with the track pack.

 

To play Devil's Advocate for a moment, one plus for the JCW is the ability to finance the kit as part of the complete purchase of the car. I know my credit union does not have a "Car Modding Loan", but they would happily finance $30k for a loaded JCW MCS as long as I show them a pseudo-official MSRP from the dealer.

I wouldn't go that route myself, but there are certainly some people who would.

 

Another thing to consider is save a few thousand now, and risk having to pay out the nose for repairs, or spend the cash now, and get something that's fully backed... consider it a JCW Upgrade Insurance package...

Rocketboy_X

 

>>No, not an RS badge - it is a WORKS badge. It is an oval with a line through it. The badge is black and red, and it actually looks pretty nifty.

What kind of performance gains can you expect if you just go with the badge?

 

QUOTE]
What kind of performance gains can you expect if you just go with the badge? [/QUOTE]

You'll be up to 173hp. A 10hp gain, as compared to a 5hp gain with the MINI Type R sticker

 

>>Another thing to consider is save a few thousand now, and risk having to pay out the nose for repairs, or spend the cash now, and get something that's fully backed... consider it a JCW Upgrade Insurance package...
>>
>>Rocketboy_X

Not to mention that this is a package that BMW has done extensive testing on, so you know its not just a couple guys ina garage who are slapping together a new pulley and chip combo. This thing was put through rigorous testing and is backed by warranty. And they have addressed changes not only to the ECU and supercharger, but also the head and exhaust as well. Now, if another tuning kit comes along to the US that can claim all of these things and is half the cost, then it would make JCW look too pricey. Otherwise, its an apples/oranges comparison.

 

>>
>>Not to mention that this is a package that BMW has done extensive testing on, so you know its not just a couple guys ina garage who are slapping together a new pulley and chip combo. This thing was put through rigorous testing and is backed by warranty. And they have addressed changes not only to the ECU and supercharger, but also the head and exhaust as well. Now, if another tuning kit comes along to the US that can claim all of these things and is half the cost, then it would make JCW look too pricey. Otherwise, its an apples/oranges comparison.
>>

Need we address it again.

This is tru...the STI runs about $7 more than the WRX but addresses HP (big time!), handling, stopping (brakes), AND looks (to a degree). And I thought the STI was overpriced compared to the WRX. But at least they made all around improvements and not just 37 horses!!!!

more like 8k, but it is still in a whole new ballpark of performance for less than the cost of a Mini of equal balance.

 

Randy,
That much money and no brake upgrade???
What do you think of running 200hp with the
pads and rotors we haveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

 

>>
>>Need we address it again.
>>
>>This is tru...the STI runs about $7 more than the WRX but addresses HP (big time!), handling, stopping (brakes), AND looks (to a degree). And I thought the STI was overpriced compared to the WRX. But at least they made all around improvements and not just 37 horses!!!!
>>
>>more like 8k, but it is still in a whole new ballpark of performance for less than the cost of a Mini of equal balance.


Its true, the STi has great performance. No doubt about it. In fact, if they weren't so butt-ugly I'd get one myself. Just couldn't stand to see it sitting in my garage every day!

 

>>
>>Its true, the STi has great performance. No doubt about it. In fact, if they weren't so butt-ugly I'd get one myself. Just couldn't stand to see it sitting in my garage every day!


Looks are subjective.


We are talking about performance upgrades from a factory option that has a warranty. We are talking about justifying the costs of a JCW kit.

It's 37 HP and some torque for 5000+ dollars...

Just to give you an idea.





265 PS Performance Pack for New-Look Impreza Date: Feb 26, 2003.....


Subaru’s new-look Impreza WRX is now available with a 265 PS performance pack which not only matches the power of the standard STi but produces even more torque.

Maximum pulling power leaps to 257 lb.ft at 3,500 rpm compared to the STi’s 243 lb.ft at 4,000 rpm and the regular WRX’s figure of 221.3 lb.ft at 4,000 rpm.

The result is a 0-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds with the Prodrive-developed WRX performance pack and a 0-100 mph recording of 14.1 seconds. This compares to the standard WRX times of 5.6 and 15.9 seconds respectively.

More importantly, throttle response is significantly enhanced throughout the rev-range, both during take-off and at the top-end. For example, the 30-50 mph time in fourth gear comes down from 7.8 seconds to 6.3 seconds and the 50-70 mph time in fifth gear is slashed from 10 seconds to 7.4 seconds.

The £1,600 performance pack must be fitted after registration and comprises a reprogrammed Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and free-flow exhaust system with a large single tailpipe. This price includes VAT and fitting.


Hope that puts things into perspective.

 

>>

>>
>>
>>Hope that puts things into perspective.
>>


Yeah, it does. The 0-60 time is faster for the WRX, and the 50-70mph time is faster for the JCW S. So it's about a wash. And the S still looks alot better.

 

>>>>
>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Hope that puts things into perspective.
>>>>
>>
>>

Dude, go buy your subaru and be happy.

 

>>
>>Yeah, it does. The 0-60 time is faster for the WRX, and the 50-70mph time is faster for the JCW S. So it's about a wash. And the S still looks alot better.
>>


Actually, that 50-70mph is in 5th gear for the WRX! Very little turbo boost at the RPOM range! I bet in third it would be half that time!

But I'll stick with my modded S even if the WRX were 500 horses