To those who have made performance upgrades: which upgrades do you think have made the most difference, and which would you recommend as having the most value for the cost.

 

The NM Engineering rear sway bar makes the car much more toss able. Removes the understeer and allows rear end rotation.

 

Real tires not runflats, Jcw pro tuning Jcw coilovers and Jcw pro brake kit then a piggyback.

Jcw pro tuning,brake and suspension covered by mini warranty.

 

Without highjacking the thread, if people could say whether those performance upgrades void the warranty or not it would be grate. Obviously were not talking original jcw upgrades installed by the dealer and piggyback tuners that can be removed before going in for service. Intakes, exhaust systems, suspension, wheels etc. Thanks

 

Paraphrasing the Magnuson Moss Act, the aftermarket parts you've installed don't have any impact to your OEM new car warranty unless it can be proven those particular parts created the failure to associated OEM components. E.g. if you installed a cat-back exhaust and then your valvetronic serov goes bad, there's no functional correlation between the two so the servo is still valid to be replaced under warranty.

Obviously this topic has been covered in great depth on every enthusiast car forum for the past few decades [not being sarcastic here], so a very quick google search can give you the actual legislation and plenty of examples.

The TL;DR is: if you install aftermarket parts and they cause a failure, obviously your OEM warranty shouldn't cover it.

This is too vague a question. We don't even know which model car you're referring to. We need specifics regarding application, location, intended tires you'll be running. Inevitably most will say a rear sway bar, but that's assuming you think your car understeers to begin with. What are you trying to accomplish?

 

on what setting did you install it?

IMO the best performance upgrade is the BurgerTune Stage 1, if had it for a week and not only do i feel the car much more responsive and faster, 0-62 mhp /100km/h in 6.0-6.1 sec, also my fuel consumption actualy imporved

 

Unless otherwise specified one would assume when performance upgrades are inquired, those asking generally mean something that makes the car faster (0-60) (1/4 mile times) or have better acceleration response rather than handling or ride characteristics.

Certainly if one autocrosses or racks their cars the other upgrades come into play, but the majority of drivers don't and if looking for a performance upgrade, are more than likely looking for a bit more "grunt" and "zip".

Having a 2015 MCS (and wishing I would have gotten the JCW), the only no warranty issue option would be the JCW performance kit from MINI. Adds about 20 more HP to the car but pretty expensive as it comes out to over $100 per HP for the kit through MINI + labor. Exhaust and ECM flash takes about 8 hours at the dealership.

Not sure if those 20 extra ponies will provide enough of a difference to make it worth the expense. (if the HP bump was to 250 with comparable torque numbers, then I'd say "yea, ready to launch".

 

I think you will find the BM tune for the MCS is pretty good. The best part is the extra torque. When you take it off you really notice the difference.

 

NM engineering has allot of great stuff, other then that the JCW Tuning Kit seems to be a top item on the list.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2014-Cooper-F56-S-3_Door-B48A20A/Search/SiteSearch/Nm_Engineering/





And

JCW Tuning Kit w/ ( Exhaust " Valvetronic " )

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-prices-8.html





https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...th-prices.html

 

Sorry - I misread this post and saw SUSPENSION instead of SUGGESTIONS. lol

For sure - the JCW Tuning Kit has made the most difference on my Cooper S

 

Just for curiosity, would you be willing to share the total charges to you for the kit and installation?

Kit is just north of $2K and would assume a MINI install to be around $800-$1K or more (depending on shop $ per hour cost). Estimate around $3K or more just spit-balling labor and parts.

HP gain as stated in advertisement is about 20HP overall. That should be quite noticeable, but at a premium cost per HP gained (if my estimates are anywhere near accurate).

 

Cost for the kit installed is $2400. That price is pretty standard amongst most MINI dealers. If you go to http://www.shopminiusa.com/PRODUCT/1...RKS-TUNING-KIT and put in your dealer's zip code, it will tell you what your dealer charges for the kit installed.

The install is listed at about 3 hours, but it took 4 hours for mine to be installed.

As for power, here are my dyno results:

http://www.motoringfun.com/2015/08/2...-dyno-results/

http://www.motoringfun.com/2015/08/2...cw-tuning-kit/

 

Thanks for the info. When I added the kit to cart and picked my dealer, I have to call for a price.

I expect the installed price at my dealer to be higher than yours. I inquired about an install price on the MINI click and drive cell phone mount and was told it would be approx $200 to install that item which is pretty straight forward (for $199 item 2 screws and a wire to the fuse box)

I'm going for our second date next Tuesday and will ask for installed prcing. I'll post result here when get the info.

It would sure be interesting to get dyno figures on an unmodified 2015 MCS to see what the actual hp and torque numbers are (and also a stock 2015 JCW). Could be the base JCW may be close to 250HP w/similar torque numbers.

 

I know of one dealer that shall remain nameless that tried to charge for 8 hours install on the JCW kit. Once they were shown the installed pricing from other dealers online, they agreed to the $2400 price. Think you just need to put in different zip codes until you find a dealer with pricing quoted on the site and show them. They should charge the going rate. If not - find another dealer if possible, even if it means driving a bit further.

 

I'm actually considering trading my 2015 MCS for a 2016 JCW.

 

Do it.

 

I just got the NM Power Module and OMG !! All I can say is save yourself some money and just get a power module and you will blow away any stock JCW lol

 

Why did you choose NM over BT?

 

Liked the mounting option with the weather proof case and after speaking to Jerry and NM Engineering, really felt comfortable with the product. I am only running it on the low setting, but wow!!! does it make a big difference!

 

I also have a NM module. While I don't think it's as versatile as the BT, it is cleaner looking and a little more straightforward. I've been running mine on the HIGH setting with 92 octane fuel with no knocks or CEL lights. Man, it pulls much harder now. While I don't think it's quite the same experience as the fJCW, the torque is definitely close, if not better.

 

So, you're running the NM with the JCW Tuning Kit then?
I have the tuning kit on my MCS and wasn't sure how the NM would work
with it.

 

Yes - I have it on the low setting and it is making quite the difference! Amazing acceleration!!

 

Good to know! How long have you been running the NM? Thanks

 

Just got it installed this week. Took about 15 miles for me to notice a difference but the added torque is now unmistakable. Will be doing a Dyno run in October to compare against my baseline.

 

Very cool! Thanks for the info.
Can't wait to see the dyno results