I just wanted to gather feedback and or opinions regarding MINI's JCW Tuning Kit offered by MINI dealerships. I've seen conflicting information regarding the increased horsepower rating for this kit. If I select the correct model year, Cooper S and Roadster (in my case), it quoted a increase to 189hp. Seems a bit funny since the Cooper S already has 181hp. I've seen other information that suggests an increase to 197hp on a Cooper S with this kit.

Thoughts anyone?

 

N14 Cooper S, 189hp,
N18 Cooper S 197hp (2011+)

I think.........

 

Well, a2oc, my Roadster is definitely N18. I don't think that it's unusual that printed details for MINI are incorrect. The way in which it filters your result is after your select model, whether you own a Cooper or Cooper S, then the model year. Maybe the results are a little mixed up. No one in their right mind should even consider this upgrade with a gain of only 8hp.

 

The kit for the N18 motors has different specs than the one for the N14. Unfortunately, they aren't differentiated in the literature. Many dealers have never sold or installed one, and don't have any idea. When I had the JCW engine kit installed on my 2011 in late 2012, it was the first one my dealer had done on an N18. The big surprise for everyone was that on the N18s, the kit includes a new exhaust manifold. On the N14 engines, the exhaust manifold replacement wasn't necessary because US-market cars got that part at the factory. Not so on the N18s apparently. The labor to install that is what makes the install so expensive. Made a noticeable difference I thought, but honestly kinda spendy for what you get when you figure in the installation costs. I ended up trading that car for a factory JCW, and in some ways preferred the S with the kit. To me, the factory JCW exhaust noise is unpleasant at highway speeds because it drones right around 65-70 mph; the S with the engine kit didn't have that problem. However, both of mine were/are Clubmans, which use a different exhaust system than the R56/57/58/59 cars, so your results may be different. This old article at Motoringfile has specs for the 2011+ JCW engine kit:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2010/09/...cs/#more-13103

 

Thanks for the link and you own experience with the JCW Tuning Kit, Charlie Victor.

 

"The first JCW Tuning Kit to be made available for the Cooper S was an upgrade for the Cooper S, producing a total of 200 bhp..." Might have http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cooper_Works as well.

-Luccia

 

It's pretty pricy for what it is; I would only recommend it if you wanted to strap on some go-fast goodies, still had a factory warranty, and had a mod-hostile dealership.

You'll have more fun selecting various parts yourself and probably get a quicker, better-sorted car in the long-run. Plus, you can buy/install everything piecemeal and take your time.