I just picked up a 2009 Factory JCW (dark silver) for my girlfriend to drive, it beat out the Abarth Fiat500 in the end.

The car seems to have been kitted as a "Q" car as far as I can tell, red brembos and badges are about the only way to see this as a factory JCW. No stripes, colors, aero kits, etc. Will add some of that in the near future, but I'm also looking at some basic things to add for perf/suspension.

We also have a Subaru STI, so comfortable with most things, just trying to figure out the basic mods that get a good bang-for-buck. This is a spirited daily driver, not a track car.

From searching the basic sway-bars and strut braces seem common. Couple questions. Stock JCW strut brace vs NM Engineering one? $50 difference, any benefit? Not used to seeing "mushrooming" being a problem.

Rear sway bars, I assume people are adding these to create some oversteer. Any suggestions I've seen 19mm and 22mm suggested, pointing me to other threads is fine.

Wheels/Tires. I've see the runflat complaints, I was looking to put some stickier tires on it anyways I figured just swapping in a new set of rims w/ non run flats would get me going with the ability to swap back if I needed to for some reason. Skimming the tire/wheel threads was a bit overwhelming. I'm running Dunlop Star Specs on the Subaru now, and may just try for something like that again, but want to keep it grippy, do I need to go slightly wider? (Should I take this thread to the tire/wheel forum?)

I've been looking at the Access Port, common on the Subbies also, worth it for stage 1? Or am I just going to spin tires?

JCW Airbox. I'm actually not sure I have one, the intake in the engine bay doesn't have any stickers, or labels of JCW, and it doesn't appear to change sound at 4500rpm. Any easy way to tell if I have the upgrade?

"Sport Suspension". Any easy way to tell if the original owner purchased the stock suspension for the car versus the normal one. Telling me it's stiffer doesn't help without something to compare to.

Actually anyway to find out what packages were purchased with the car based on the VIN? I purchased from a 3rd party dealer, not mini, so haven't had a chance to see if this is something an actual mini dealer can look up for me.

Anyways, thanks for any help you can provide. Loving the car so far.

 

I'd bet you could take the VIN to a MINI dealer and they'd be able to tell you what was ordered on the car and should be installed when it was produced.

You'll probably be happier with the NM engineering brace. Much higher quality than the OEM unit and even looks better IMO.

For tires, I'm running Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 in 215. Lots of traction and only slightly taller than an OE tire but, the reduction in road noise alone almost makes it worth the switch.

The AP is a nice upgrade, IF you have the coin for it. It does make for a nice power increase if you upgrade the FMIC also. But, again, a pricey upgrade.

My JCW airbox didn't look any different than the standard airbox in 2009.

Best of luck with the mods.

 

You made a good decision getting the '09 JCW. In '09, there was only a few things that would distinguish a JCW from an S mode at first glancel. JCW badging as the first indicator, then brake rotors and calipers, exhaust, and wheels. The interior was more of a giveaway. The engine bay was usually adorned with the JCW strut brace. As far as the suspension issue, I would do what Angst said and have the dealership check the VIN to see how it was outfitted from the factory. The JCW came with Sport Suspension and should be fine as a daily driver. An upgraded suspension(stiffer) was available, but not really needed unless you planned on racing it. I have a 2009 MCS that came with the Sport Suspension package from the factory. It works fine. However, I changed a few things to make it a bit lower and stiffer to suit my style of driving.








I will be replacing the JCW strut bar as soon as NM Engineering can make me a carbon fiber version.

I wish you guys lots of luck and fun with the JCW. You are going to love that car.

James aka "Tackleberry"

 

Star Specs work really well on this car, especially in conjunction with a larger rear bar. I run a 22mm in the stiffest setting on my clubman, but only on the track (road course) on the street I set it all the way soft again.

Don't forget if you're autocrossing it or running on the road course you can shut off the DSC so that it doesn't kill the power coming out of a slow speed corner due to wheel spin.

Also, buy the correct tire pressure sensors or the light will be on on the dash all the time. You can drive it like that OK, it just may be annoying.

No mushrooming problems on 2nd gen cars, only 1st gen.

Tuning works best in conjunction with a larger front mounted intercooler (look for a Forge unit for example) and a more free flowing exhaust. There are no short cuts with this car.....it's only a 1.6L engine and it's putting out a pretty good amount of power for it's size.

 

Thanks for all the advice! Need to order the NM strut brace today. Wheels/Tires & and rear sway bar are next. Need to read up on the TPMS on these cars.

Unfortunately the discussion with the dealer will be coming soon because I just found out that the airbag light/passenger seat belt alarms just started going off on the morning commute. I've got another 40 days or so left on the warranty. I'll see if I can pull the original order when there.


(Edit, btw, already playing with DSC on/off/really off, interesting differences feeling the car keep a corner neutral, but slower, while I pound on the throttle)