(I tend to not fix up cars as extensively as others so pardon the amateurishness of this article)

I bought my MCSa because of the speed and fuel savings over my previous car. But, after a while I became annoyed with the "lurch", "Kitty Pounce", or "Stuttering Start" when driving off from a stand still. This is especially annoying in SoCal traffic getting stuck on the 10FWY/5FWY/605FWY/60FWY/etc. After reading a few reviews from others that made the JCW Tuning Kit plunge, I decided to be part of the club.

I first spammed 10 dealers with quote requests by email for the JCW Tuning Kit. I figure, one of these dealers has got to be hungry in this economy. One responded with the standard $2100 plus 3hrs of labor quote. Another gave me a quote for $2278.95 out the door. I jumped at that and had driving lights and JCW Strut included at a discounted cost.

Today I basically stayed at the dealer for 8hrs, while working remotely, so that they can install everything. Traffic in the OC SUCKS.

My initial impressions while driving in D.... "FAST... I LIKE (evil grin)". No more hesitant starts from a stop. The exhaust noise can be loud enough to break your concentration. At cruising though, it is as quiet as stock I would say. When accelerating, for the stock exhaust, it sounds like a cat purring in your ear. For the JCW Tuning Kit exhaust, it sounds like your a large carnivorous cat purring in your ear (just before he eats ya).

The power steering also seems like it has more resistance, like when you hit the SPORT button on a regular MCS.

For those contemplating a Factory JCW, a MCS with JCW Tuning Kit, and a stock MCS: Your 0-60 numbers are 6.2sec, 6.5sec, and 6.7sec respectively.

The chrome driving lights are a nice touch and makes a nice detail where the hood stripes start. To activate, you have to hit a switch, then flash your high beams. The switch and "housing" replaces some vinyl trim on the left of the steering wheel.

The strut, you do notice better handling in taking turns faster than you normally would in a MCS.

I am tempted to get 18" rims to replace my 16". But here in LA where the streets and freeways are not the best maintained, I'd have to wear a nightguard so that I don't chip a tooth or have premature enamel wear.

As far as driving in DS or the SPORT mode, I haven't been able to drive the same amount of time as I did with regular D. D is already pretty good. The couple times I had it in DS or SPORT I caught up to the car in front too fast to assemble a complete thought other than. "WOOOOO THAT'S FAST (hit the brakes)".

I too agree with others that the JCW Tuning Kit alone was a worthwhile purchase (at $2278.95 it was easier to swallow). To have everything (JCW Tuning Kit, Driving Lights, Strut) installed by the dealer makes it covered under the vehicle warranty. You probably could save a few bucks getting an after market strut and Driving Lights and doing all this by yourself. For me, I'd rather sit in their lounge for 8hrs doing work, than spend all day on a weekend doing it myself the amateur mechanic that I am.

 

Thanks for the post! What difference in highway cruising mileage have you noticed?

 

I would need a month to allow myself to calm down and drive normally to see what normal driving and mileage gives me. I used to get 28.8mpg before the upgrade. In the playful mode that I am in right now... 25.5mpg according to the onboard computer.

 

I had the JCW Engine Tunning Kit installed in my 09 Cabrio, and prior to the installation, I was achieveing around 26MPG (California formulated gas of course), and after the JCW Kit, I am averaging 25.7MPG, so not much difference there.

These numbers are from the NAVI that is. I never reset the MPG in the the tach, as I like to keep that for the life of the Mini.

 

Congrats on the kit. I did the exact same thing last year on my '08 MCSa. At that time, there were NO options other than the unicrap.

Though I'm sure you're happy with your result, next time contemplate just taking the car to RMW (who happens to be at your end of the country) and let them tune it.

For 1/4 of the cost, you would have had an add'l 20HP over what you got with the stage I kit.

You'll learn to automatically slide the shifter over in sport mode.

I loved my MCSa but after doing several track days, traded it in for an '09 JCW. (Mellow Yellow this time )

Mark

 

I have a 2009 MCS, manual transmission with JCW Tuning Kit installed. I just turned 10,000 miles today and I am currently averaging 34mpg!!! This is quite remarkable, as I have a heavy foot and drive this car hard. I'm quite pleased.

 

I wonder if they changed something in the '09s. When I bought my '08 MCSa, I would average 36-38 mpg (keeping it at 75mph with cruise)

When I installed a few minor mods and a JCW stage I kit, my mileage dropped to 32 on the hwy and 28 in the city.

My '09 JCW with RMW tune gets 32 on the hwy (at 85'ish) and 28 in the city. (btw, I've got a REAL heavy foot... I could easily average 31-32 in the city if I drove normal)

It doesn't really matter to me, my other daily driver is a supercharged H2 with liftkit and large tires, gas mileage isn't an option...


Mark

 

I live in San Diego an got a quote from the local dealer for $2900 out of the door JCW retrofit on my MCS 2009. Followed you strategy and RFQ'd 9 dealers in SoCal. So far only 4 have replied between $3095 and $2778.75. So you got a great deal. Would you mind sharing the name of the dealer you got yours retrofitted for $2278.95.

Thanks

 

You need to check around. I got my Stage I kit for 1335 (I got a great deal but you should be able to still one for 1700 bucks) Installation was 330 bucks.

So even if you paid the 1700 bucks and 330 for installation, you're still at the 2000 dollar range..... just a thought.

Having said that, I'd still go with an RMW tune. You'll get 20 EXTRA HP/TQ over the Stage I kit. You can buy a JCW exhaust if you insist (I've still got my full JCW Stage II (factory JCW) sitting in the garage, I'm sure there are others and you can buy a CAI.

All that for less money and more power.

Mark

 

I'm in the SF Bay, and I only had 4 dealer to choose from, so I thought I'd try the Morristown idea. I printed out their price for the JCW Kit from their web site, then I approached my dealers parts department and ask if they could match it. After a minute, they said sure thing, but I have to purchase it right now. I saw sure thing, and I picked it up for $1680 for the kit alone.

I waited until it arrive which was about 3 days later. Now as luck would have it, I received an email coupon from my dealership, stating that I could get 20% off anything that the service dept would install, so I immediately called them up, and ask them if they would honor the coupon for the JCW Engine Kit install, and they said sure thing. So I ended up paying 3 hours for the install, then subtracting 20% for the install. After it was all said and done, I think I got an awesome deal. 1680 + Tax + 3 Hrs Install - 20% the install.

I just did the same thing this morning with the JCW Brake Kit. They matched Morristown's $1600 price, plus 3.5 hours for the install. I them asked if I could use the same coupon since it had not expire, and there was no clause like "Single Use Only". They said no problem, so I also got 20% off that one. It's gettig installed next Friday.

 

wow....thats a very good deal. I've also just got JCW tuning kit install on my 2007 MCSa 2 days ago, and i'm loving it. I wish they have that coupon stuff here in Australia.

 

I have some mileage feedback for everyone. (per onboard computer)Before the JCW Tuning Kit I was getting 28.8mpg with average use of the lead foot. Which meant 16miles of 75MPH~85MPH on the freeways when I could and I drive against traffic; almost always in the lead, off the red light to the next light.

After the JCW Tuning Kit, with some conscientious babying of the gas pedal, I am able to eek out 28.8mpg. I could have done a little better (29.1 and change) if didn't have a couple "Fast & Furious" moments. I didn't lead off at the red light, and I didn't go out of my way to place first at the next light. Just a constant steady acceleration. I just didn't like that "lurch" & "bunny hop" from a standstill 'pre-JCWTK'. The smoothness of acceleration reminds me of my old 2002 325i, but faster. I also did cruise control @70~75MPH while commuting. I suppose going slower would have saved me a little more gas, but going that slow just isn't in my nature. (I would have to be on the last tank light watching my range fluctuate at 23miles to go that slow.) I definitely left the lead shoe at home and wore tin foil shoe if you know what I mean.

In the majority of my situations, driving F&F doesn't last more than 3 or 5 secs with the JCWTK.

Next week, gf gets to play with it for a few days. Lets see what kinda mileage her driving gets. She's gonna have a lecture if she hits 25mpg.

Lets all keep in mind this is SoCal where gasoline is reformulated just for us Californians . Prior test was with Shell 91. Just filled up with Chevron 91 and looking at 29+mpg.

 

Thanks for the advice Mark, 20 extra HP/TQ is certainly tempting, but at this time I would rather keep my 2.3 years of Warranty left free of BS from the dealer should anything comes up that may give them any reason to void it.

Sergio

 

Thanks so much for the tip. I just went to the dealer today with a copy of Morrisontown Mini's price, and although at first the parts advisor told me - "great deal, go for it. It will be expensive to ship it though...", I immediately persuaded him when I asked to talk to manager. So at the end the dealer matched the price, and is on order with a 10 days of ETA. So hopefully I end up as lucky as you getting a discount coupon before install to end up with great deal.

Thanks again for tip.

Sergio

 

Hey Sergio,

Congrads. You'll enjoy the JCW Engine Kit, and at $1680 it's an awesome deal in my opinion. I tried the same thing for the JCW CF Mirror Caps, and it also worked this morning. Luckly my dealer had it in stock, so I just finished install it. I say if you're looking for any parts, do the Morristown thing. It might just work.

 

If you want that great deal I got for the JCW Tuning Kit, contact Alex at Irvine Mini. AlexM@irvinebmw.net

 

I had the tune kit installed on my 09 automatic 6 weeks after I took delivery. A couple weeks ago I took my first long road trip from Denver to Vegas via SLC and back, about 2,000 miles. Despite some very spirited driving--95, 105 and 115 passing bursts and taking advantage of the 80 mph speed limits on I-15 between Provo and Cove Fort--I averaged just a tick over 30 mpg (my calc, car's computer said 32.1). This includes some city driving in SLC and Vegas, having the A/C on 90% of the time, and dealing with BIG hills, esp. on the way back.

I might add Sport button was off most of the time; dont need it on the interstates. Quite frankly, I think the car performs better overall, esp. shifting, with Sport button off. Go figure.

Needless to say, I am impressed. Performance and decent mileage to boot. Enjoy yr kit. You will notice the difference on the highway, especially when U need to pass say 16 slowpokes on a 2-lane like I did on US 6 south of Price Utah. The tune kit truly changes the car's overall personality!

 

+1 on that Sergio. JCW = no hassles. Other mods = potential warranty issues. dealers are getting increasingly picky about this.

Some goofball looky-loo at the dealer last week was goading me about how much more power I could eke out of my car by NOT going JCW; I told him to go f__k himself--it's not about how much HP or torque you have, it's how you use it. I am perfectly content with my setup as it is.

 

Goofball looky-loo. That's an interesting description.

I'm getting my JCW Tuning kit installed this Friday in my MCS. Can't wait!

 

well, there was really no better way to describe this guy w/o being censored.

 

what did they quote you for the brake kit installation? I was considering just doing it myself but if it's reasonable time then i'll just have them install it. I'm also in the eastbay area