...and my 2-cents:

Not bad... but not perfect, either.

To preface, the car with the kit was a low milage 6-speed S (<300 on the ODO). It had MINI's Sport Suspension but oddly, I'm pretty sure it had the Continental all-season runflats. To keep it in context I've got the Dunlop Sport '07s and Sport Suspension on H&R lower sport springs. So it felt different than what I'm used to right there.

First off, torque: So what I noticed was, well... not much difference. I think that was due to a couple things. First was traffic-related... due to the time of day, I had about three or four stop sign launches and less than 1/8th of a mile to play, so not much opportunity to perfect and appreciate the launch. Secondly, it doesn't seem like the runflats (sport OR all-seapson) have enough traction to utilize the torque from the stock S on takeoff. The JCW kit just made it more-so. Tire spin up fast and furiously. I won't say there wasn't more power... but if you can't put 190ft/lbs to the ground with runflats, neither can you utilize 200ft/lbs (quoting and rounding numbers from memory - but you get the point of what I'm trying to say). Maybe I'd notice the added torque once I move on to better tires. That said, I have few complaints about the torque of the staock car, sooooo. No real complaints here, either.

Power: Where my car has some great torque already IMO, the power past about 5000 RPM levels off, then drops slightly just before about 6000. The JCW seems to keep pulling hard right to redline. It definatly adds power up top. It might level at, or just beyond about 6000... but no where is there any hint of it LOOSING steam. Very nice.

Intake: Some more growl up front. A hint of more turbo whine. Some nice auditory addidtions to an engines that needs a dose of charcter. I think there are some more "open" systems out there that would add even more, but hey... not too shabby and I've got some plans in this area, so...

Exhaust: A hair lounder. A little more throaty. Not over-done and won't offend anyone. I personally prefer the Alta sound. It is true music. The JCW is better than stock, though. My only complaint: the tips. Not the diameter, but the leangth. Seems like they're sort of short IMO. Not that you can't tell they're slip-on ends... but they are so short that this is painfully obvious when looking at the profile of the car. What a difference 2-3 inches would make. Maybe I'm being pickey, but that's my opinion.

Overall, when factoring in the ECU flash and the fact that the kit is covered by the remander of the vehicles warranty... I think it's a good deal. I'm excited to get mine. I do however believe that more power and charcter can be found in the aftermarket, possibly without the flash, so... if you're not afraid of warranty issues look elsewhere. My plan: enjoy the JCW kit for now & dabble in the aftermarket in a few years when the warranty starts nearing it's end.

 

So much for engine break-in, huh?

Thanks for the detailed review!

 

Interesting review. (I am going to poke here so take no offense.) Why don't you buy this, then call me up to add to it when you need more power? Most all of our stuff will only compliment the JCW kit and should have little if any affect on the warranty. Keep us posted when you get the kit on and have the opportunity to drive it a lot more.

Thanks again for the nice review!

 

Take it to the track and write part II of the review.

Do you really need or use more power for urban street driving? Depending on the city it's gets tough. Traffic lights and police abound. Congestion everywhere.

 

Who with a cooper s asks what you need? you're already beyond what you need to get around the street. it's all about what you want.

So do you really want more power for urban street driving? Yes

 

Hey Msh, this is the old "RickyInVan" from VMCC.

So you're planning to go JCW then add to it at a later date? I'm trying to decide myself whether to go Alta turbo-back with their CAI or go JCW. One of the things I have to deal with is when the JCW Stage I will be available here in Vancouver. They can't even get me any info on the JCW suspension yet ?!

Sorry to get a little off topic there. So is it right to say you're 60-40 on the JCW kit. Not really overwhelmed but will go with it anyway?

 

You should drive one with Alta turbo back and make a comparison.

 

I kinda sorta agree with this. My MCS already has more power than I know what to do with!

I really am just wanting an intake and exhaust for the sound it will provide. I know I'll also get a little more power, and I guess I can live with that (), but I just want my MCS to sound a little sportier than it does now. Pretty sure no JCW for, I'm going with Alta!

 

That is exatly what I plan on doing: Stage 1 JCW, Alta Downpipe, Boost Tubes, Intercooler, and maybe the CAI (and sell off the JCW airbox)... break out the checkbook

 

Why would you waste money on the JCW stuff if you're gonna replace/add a bunch of Alta stuff later? Why not just save your money and get ALL Alta stuff?

Trust me, the JCW ECU tune is NOT worth $2100!!!

 

Kind of the plan for now. I'll see how this works out over the next couple years and add from there. Again, I was SUPER impressed with the Alta accessories on the car I saw this past week at the track. A+ products.

I plan to. This past weekend was my second track day in stock guise (engine, at least). I've been impressed with the stock car and I feel I have a good baseline from which to work. Where I live, stoplight-to-stoplight is not an issue. I've got some pretty killer backroads in my backyard.

More like 80/20. If I was much less convinced, I'm not sure I'd buy it. Again, the Alta stuff is top notch. The look and sound of the pipe is sure better IMO.

Ahhh... I have. This past week, in fact. My totally worthless butt-dyno suggestes that the Alta cat-back and intake equipped car without the ECU flash is pretty comparable to the feel of the JCW kit. Once they crack the ECU though, all bets are off.

Yeah... sounds like a familiar plan. Not the exact same order that I'd do... but the same stuff.

Because I'll get a good 3-4 years of motoring fun out of the JCW kit before I move on to somthing else. Again, I'm not 100% comfortable that my local dealer will cover me on the bigger engine mods. A few service people have made some interesting comments, allmost openly suggesting that they wouldn't cover several aspects of the warranty after such additions. It's a dealer-by-dealer and case-by-case basis. You take your chances.

After a few years of testing... and as my warranty comes to an end... I'll move in another direction. I don't mean manufacturer testing. I mean dealer testing. I want to see how NW MINI deals with other local modded R56's before I start swapping engine components. Once they set a few precidents in this area (supporting modded cars) I'll be more inclined to try somthing else. Until then, I'm just not comfortable going there.

 

Okay so Alta cat-back+intake is about same power as JCW kit......but you didn't drive one with full turbo back which adds like 10hp and more torque.....like you said, once the ecu is tuned look out

 

And seriously, this is the seat of my pant's talking. I'm sure one could have (no - probably DOES have), a small advantage over the other right now and I'm not sensitive enough to tell any difference.

I'm sure there will be some owner-posted dyno charts popping up soon enough.

 

I'd be interested in the JCW airbox... as I'm looking for a little sound to spruce it up but am sheepish towards the aftermarket stuff just yet, as my first car/mini was modded a ton and I learned my lesson..
Just want a little turbo and BOV sound, so if anyone wants to sell off their airbox I'll take it !

 

Did your insurance pay for the car that died at the track?

 

Got some seat time last week. Car had only 100 miles SO not a true indication of potential. I think my MCS needed about 2500 miles to really loosen up Sounds very close to stock under low throttle--a bit throatier. Sounds stronger under power. Slightly better induction noise.

Hard to tell for sure as my MCS is an auto and I did not have time to test drive a stick car back to back with JCW. Pulled very well in 4th gear at around 4000 revs. Later that day I attempted to re-produce the same circumstances with my car (4th gear, 3000 rpm pull aways) and the JCW did seem quicker.

However, engine feels "opened" up and more free breathing. Pulls strong at 3500 and up., Did not go over 4.5-5 in respect to new car that was NOT mine. Butt dyno say it will "feel" quicker especially at high revs.

Pipes look much better than pep boys looking OEM pipes. Wish it sounded even a bit better but you always run the risk of droning which I don't care for.

Worth $2500.--tough call. IMHO these JCW cars will not run away from
any stock MCSs but I find in stock form the engine feels likes its struggling to breathe a bit over 4500 rpm and if the JCW kit cures that, its worth it.

JCW vs aftemkt equiv--who knows. I am concerned with rattling exhaust systems, loose heat shields. etc. This is my daily driver. Its more than quick enough now in that kind os use but I would like it to feel less strained.

If anyone has more experience with the kit I would value your opinions..

 

Insurance gave us 18.5 and my dad and I ordered me a red S bout a month ago be here in 1.5 weeks.. Still though, I'm going to be a little bit more conservative with my 2nd MINI until I have better means to absorb the risks of these things...

 

I just got my MCS with Stage 1 on 9/26. I've got to reach break-in before a track day late October. I won't comment on it until I've had it at the track.

 

Thanks for the info. I'd like to see the difference from a stock R56 in the in-gear acceleration times, honestly i find it pretty pointless to judge a car in an urban context. Usually you can see the difference in power in 3rd or upper gear...