Is there a list here somewhere that shows specifically what are the differences between a S model and a JCW? I can find bits and pieces here and there but nothing that spells it out.

 

Some one posted this on NAM a while ago. Just a "re-print." Do a search here on NAM for a lengthy post on this topic.

There are two different ways you can 'JCW' your MCS. It's not that confusing if you read the site but I'll explain anyway. You can buy a MCS and then buy the JCW Tuning Kit. This kit consists of an ECU upgrade, slightly less restrictive exhaust and new airbox this amounts to an official HP figure of 189. Then you have the JCW car. This is a different car, yes kind of like a 3 series and an M3 except the JCW car isn't quite as comprehensive a package as an M car.

With the factory JCW car you get even more aggressive ECU tuning, a full turbo back exhaust system, upgraded pistons, upgraded transmission, a modified turbo (bigger internally) than the standard MCS, upgraded clutch, anthracite headliner, JCW door sills, speedo that goes to 160 instead of 140, your choice of piano black or fluid silver interior surface, shift **** with red numbering, 17" JCW Challenge wheels with performance runflats and 4 piston Brembo brakes in red with JCW logo.

Oh sorry a couple more things, the JCW factory car also gets DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) and EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control). EDLC is an electronically controlled substitute for LSD which uses the new bigger brakes to apply force and help cornering under high speeds.

All this adds up to an official figure of 210hp. The engine in the JCW factory car is essentially the same engine as in the MINI Challenge race car. All the other accessories you see like the JCW aero kit and JCW suspension are extra and you'll need to pay extra if you want them. One way to tell the difference between a Cooper S with JCW tuning kit and a factory JCW car is if you stand behind the 'S' you'll see the Cooper S badge where it always is and the JCW badge on the opposite side of the boot, if you stand behind a factory JCW it will only have a JCW badge and that will be where the Cooper S is normally.

 

Good re-cap, one small note, I believe all Coopers now also have the 160 mph speedo.

 

Press Release from The Mothership...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post2888899

 

208 hp with 192 lb-ft...

Interesting thing: The Press Release says "155kW/211bhp, 207hp"

However,

155kW = 210.7 metric hp and

155kW = 207.9 hp

So, with rounding up, 211 metric hp and 208 hp...

 

I am also trying to decide between an S and a JCW....this will be my daily driver here in Atlanta....I currently drive a '98 BMW 323is with almost 300,000 miles on it. When I bought it new, I kind of wish I sprung for the exta $ and got a 328. So, I guess you know what I am thinking.

 

Do the JCW! It is my daily driver and each morning, it brings a smile to my lips. The sound, the acceleration and the handling all make for one great experience.

Send us photos of your new JCW!

 

Get the JCW!...I just picked mine up on halloween....I love it as a daily driver...and as my first carrr....show picss

 

With the JCW, it has a much better driving experience IMO with that extra jolt of trq at low revs that the S just doesn't have. (My g/f has an S I drive often, so I compare on many occasions.) I contribute great mileage (if I drive "normal") to that trq. Driving around on base (20-45mph speed limits) all week with SOME hwy driving, gives me just as good of mileage as doing a tank just on the hwy 75-80mph if I wanted it do.

Now if I could ever keep it down to 65-70mph, I'd bet I'd get better mileage yet. Note: this mileage I'm talking about is better than the factory rated hwy miles. Better than a 2.2L Cobalt coupe I used to drive as well with a lowsy 140hp.

 

JCW FTW

 

If you really want a smile on your face get the "S"

If you want a "HUGE" smile on your face get a Factory "JCW"

If you have to have the automatic transmission you are stuck with the "S"

But you can add the JCW dealer package to the Auto "S" later if you want it.
Ronnie948

 

I ended up ordering a JCW . Ordered it with the JCW aero, leather, HK sound, Xenon, rear fog and chrome line interior. I think I got a pretty good deal at 500 under msrp plus a couple hundred less to install the aero than the other dealer I went to first. Oh, plus floor mats. So pretty happy because I thought I was paying MSRP for sure.

 

+1 on the JCW. I drive mine 110 miles a day round trip to/from work. I previously had an '04 MCS that was modded to the max that I put 106K miles on and the JCW is much more fun to drive.

 

It helps when you have choices among dealers. Here, I'm at the epicenter of a bunch of dealers. Unfortunately the closest is 2 1/2 hours away!

You pays your money and you takes your choice...

 

Congrats Ohmen!

 

Well here is the consolidated list I put together. If anyone has any additional info about the transmission,clutch or exhaust differences I would like to have more detail.

Factory JCW vs. Cooper S (US spec)

• More aggressive ECU tuning
• Turbo back exhaust system,The exhaust and catalytic converter was reworked and enlarged to aid the unrestricted flow and reduction in back pressure, no second cat.
• Upgraded engine components:The engines are fitted with reinforced and specifically ground pistons as well as a cylinder head with optimized rigidity and modified gasketing. The cylinder head wall thickness has increased to reduce potential stress during peak output.The intake valves and valve seat rings are also made of especially resilient material, and as compared to the engine of the MINI Cooper S there is a slight reduction of the compression.The air filter, air mass sensor, exhaust system and catalytic converter have been modified so as to achieve a power-enhancing dethrottling on the induction and exhaust side. The through-flow capacity of the clean air duct to the turbocharger has also been increased.
• Bigger turbo: a strengthened and larger twin-scroll turbocharger and exhaust manifold are fitted resulting in a pressure increase from 0.9 to 1.3 bar
• Upgraded Getrag transmission
• Upgraded clutch and throwout bearing
• 17” JCW challenge wheels, JCW logo on each wheel's center cap.
• 4 piston brembo brakes w/JCW logo and larger rotors, red rear calipers and larger rotors
• Anthracite headliner
• JCW door sills,JCW badge appears on the right side of the boot and the left side of the lower grille.
• Piano black or fluid silver interior surface, JCW flag on the lower right of the secret compartment
• Shift **** with red shift pattern
• DTC
• EDLC

 

The mufflers or tips (don't know which or if both) are different on my JCW Clubbie than on a Clubbie S. I also heard the 2 cat exhaust is US-spec. The Euro-spec exhaust on the S has one cat like the JCW.

I've heard either the intake or the exhaust turbo housing, one or the other, is a bit bigger as well... not sure?

The tube from the filter box to the turbo is also different... rubber to the JCW's plastic. I've heard no gains were benefited from changing this from a JCW to aftermarket.

 

Don't forget the JCW flag on the lower right of the secret compartment. Also a JCW badge appears on the right side of the boot and the left side of the lower grille. Also there is a JCW logo on each wheel's center cap.

The factory JCW does not share the airbox with the JCW stage 1 kit. It uses one similar to the airbox found on the S.

The factory JCW exhaust tips do not have the JCW logo etched on like the stage 1 exhaust tips. They are plain.

And for those doing research on the JCW, one of the biggest disappointments is that the factory JCW does NOT come with the JCW suspension. That is a dealer or VDC add on.

 

Thanks, made some edits to the list

 

Not sure what the difference is b/w the air box. Buddy just took one off his S R55, and mine is off the JCW R55, I'll see if I can get them together to look.

Concur with exhaust on R55.

I heard the factory JCW suspension isn't even an option for the R55 JCW, least that's what the dealer told me.

 

You are able to add either sport suspension or JCW sport suspension on the configurator. That will be interesting to see if/what the airbox differences are.

 

On the R55? Hmm. Not like it matters to me, I'd spend the extra $$ and get coil overs anyway.

 

I think the motor on JCW cars should have red plug wires or a JCW logo on the cam cover or the air box. It looks the same under the hood as an S.
Ron

 

...until you start it up...

 

But seriously I do not know why the car does not come with special badges in the engine like they do for the stage 1. And why don't they have the nice etched logos on the exhaust tips.

I think MINI has a way to go with building the JCW brand.