I am about to take delivery of a 2018 Cooper S w/ Manual trans and have put in an order for the JCW Tuning Kit. However, this is my wife's vehicle, and she will NOT want it to be any louder inside. As I understand it from reading the forums, this kit will come with a remote and by default the exhaust valve is closed (quiet). In that mode is it basically "quiet as stock" inside? Also, if she switches Sport mode on the vehicle (not on the little exhaust remote), does that affect the exhaust sound any...or are those two things independent?

I'm pretty sure I'll be the only one ever selecting the "Open" (loud) position on the exhaust, but I just wanted to make sure that she could select the vehicle's Sport mode (like she does on her current 2009 Hardtop S) and not notice any difference.

Thanks in advance for any input. Wife Approval Factor is of ultimate importance on this one.

 

Oh...and another question...if you leave the exhaust valve in the closed position...do you not see the performance gains as compared with the open position? Or is that merely a sound difference?

 

Short answer - yes, it's quiet as stock when the exhaust value is closed and more gnarly with the exhaust open.

Operating in sport mode adds more exhaust pops in either mode. It's really the perfect solution for someone like you.

Regarding performance gains - my butt dyno measures a mild gain with the exhaust open, but I've never seen actual stats.

 

I bet the naughty girl comes out and she keeps it open most of the time

 

Correct, closed its pretty quiet. Actually, even open with teh stock setup its still quiet with the exception of a few pops and bangs.

To throw a wrench into it, you/she will probably like the way the car handles in sport mode though. Sport mode stiffens the steering and suspension making it a nicer ride and a heck of a lot more fun to drive in the corners

My wife is extremely picky about noisy cars and she doesn't complain when Im in sport mode and Im running a cat free, straight pipe setup. Stock in sport will be a heck of a lot quieter.

 

Yeah...we've actually been through that in a previous vehicle that I put a fairly-expensive Banks aftermarket exhaust in. The exhaust system was of high quality, but we both got tired of the constant speed drone that made conversations difficult. It's not sounding, though, that the JCW exhaust is anywhere near that.

 

The suspension change comes in only if you have the DDC and have it programmed to change with the sport setting. If they have a standard suspension it will only change steering, throttle response, and enhance the sound a little bit.

 

Oh...so when they setup the JCW Tuning kit, they link the Sport/Normal/Green modes of the vehicles with that of the exhaust? I was under the (possibly wrong) impression that the little "remote" I've seen (fits in a cupholder?) is what you used to change the exhaust settings.

 

The only control for the exhaust itself is the remote.

 

You change the car setting, sport, Normal and eco (never use eco!!) mode with a little dial around the shifter

 

Depends on the year. Remember, they made driving modes an option and moved the switch to a toggle on the center (vertical) console. Not sure when that took effect.

 

Keep the remote off and she will have a quiet car (as far as Mini's are quiet).

Switching to sport will produce more "pops and farts" especially when accelerating hard and then letting off the gas pedal. Again, if she runs w/ exhaust closed and "mid" mode, it will be quiet.

Full disclosure, I have not driven a 2009 S so cannot judge how it compares to a F model's exhaust note in the different modes.

W/ the exhaust open and in "sport", you may notice a slight increase. It could just be the extra noise that imparts that feeling though. It is minute and may only be measurable by a dyno,

I do, when traveling or interstates or 4 lane roads w/ 60+ MPH limits and few lights run my Mini in Eco w/ the exhaust open. If only to eke out a few more tenths of a MPG. Running in sport, makes no sense if you running in "cruise".

 

I have the JCW kit on my 2017 (from the factory). Overall, I can confirm that its not any louder in the standard or eco modes; all minis get a bit louder in sport mode.

I only use the exhaust open valve on the race track/autocross; and yes, it's loud. Farts more than a cowboy leaving a bean fest!

The performance in open is quite noticeable, and nice for track use. For street/highway, there's no need; The car is plenty fast to scare the average BMW/Porsche guy who tries to get in the way of an off/on ramp.

If you do get the JCW tuning package, DO NOT loose the bluetooth remote. I just saw it listed online for $247!!!!

 

Hello,

I'm sorry if this thread isn't relevant to this device but i'm hoping someone somewhere is able to help me out.

I trying to find the diameter and length of the JCW Pro Tuning Bluetooth Fob/Remote.

Is anyone here able to measure it up and let me know?

 

Length: 2.125"
Diameter: 1.25"

 

I forgot that the bottom is slightly smaller in diameter.

Top diameter: 34 mm (not including the strap loop)
Bottom diameter: 28 mm