I recently bought a 2003 S with JCW tuning kit (just 9,400 miles on it). It's my first Mini and am just getting up to speed (so to speak) about the JCW kit. I'm wondering how I can tell if what I have is the very first version of the second one that bumps it up to 210 Hp.

Also: All the pictures I've seen of other JCW engines show a chrome accent piece around the intercooler. Mine has a plastic one that doesn't have the Works logo on it. It does have the Works logo on the valve cover, though.

Finally, I think I may need a new air filter. Any advice on whether to go with a standard issue or after-market upgrade?

Again: I'm new to all of this, so any advice at all would be much appreciated.

 

Up to 2005, the JCW kits were installed at the dealer, and sometimes were pieced together depending on what the customer wanted.

In 2006, it was a complete kit installed in the factory.

 

Does that mean the owner just opted not to get the chrome intercooler plate, or do you think he/she opted not to get certain pieces of equipment?

In other words, do you think my car has the right guts -- just not some of the fancy finish details?

thanks a lot

 

The early kits were dealer installed and what you should have is:

A Certification of Authenticity, includes an assigned Tuning Kit number (S*****), signed by Mike Cooper.

That number, S*****, is also on the engine ID plate.

The intercooler cover is silver, stock was black, with a JCW logo on the right side.

The supercharger and pulley are different than the stock ones but visually the same.

The ECU is reprogrammed and has a sticker with the date of installation signed by the installer.

The exhaust is different with logo's on the tips. The mufflers are visibly different, looks and material, than stock.

The air cleaner housing is stock, no difference in looks or function.

There are JCW badges on the boot and grille.

The 210 HP upgrade is larger fuel injectors, a reprogrammed ECU and an air cleaner housing and filter with a solenoid actuated flap, on the rear of the airbox, to allow more air at above 4500 rpms. There is also a logo on the outer housing.

This upgrade can be added to your car by the dealer. A little more pricey than just an aftermarket intake but that upgrade is in keeping with the new factory kit and has the factory warranty as well.

It's also 'smog' legal in all 50 states.

There was no picking and choosing of parts, if memory servers me correctly, in the early kits or the new factory kits for that matter. The kits came as a single item, multiple piece, install. Some dealers, at customer request, did not install the badges on the boot or grille. That no longer applies as the factory now does the install.

I think I got it all and if not someone will post what I forgot.

Hope this helps...

 

Hmmm ... I should probably take mine to a dealer to get it checked out.

It has all the visible indications that it has the works except that the intercooler cover is standard-issue black. That seem really odd to me.

It has the JCW tailpipes and a badge on the boot but not on the grille.

Has anyone seen anything like this?

 

As far as the lack of badges goes it's not uncommon at all.

The original owner may have replaced or removed the JCW intercooler cover but you should be able to replace it and the grille badge. I don't know the cost of the intercooler cover but I believe the grille badge is about, ouch, 100.00 dollars.

Hope this helps...

 

One possibility is that the previous owner had the intercooler replaced because of damage, and the JCW trim wasn't replaced.

The next question, would be if the car sustained any damage, like something smashing the hood, etc.

 

Wow what a beautiful JCW MINI



Looks a lot like mine!




Sorry I was in the middle of moving when I snapped this, should have moved my trailer, good thing I had the extra JCW powa!

BTW If you want to save a few $$$ on another JCW Factory badge................

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=138709



PS Are those R90's chromed?


...

 

I hadn't thought about the possibility of damage as the reason for the missing intercooler cover but coupled with the grille badge missing it sounds logical. I think, as a JCW owner I'm biased, that it should be replaced with the proper one and the grille badge added along with the 210 hp kit.

Besides that way you'll be up to date engine wise and then you can add the brakes and suspension and...

I'm good at spending money especially if it's not mine!

Hope this helps...

 

I too thought of Competition Edition #20 when I saw it with the painted fender trim!

Great looking car!

 

I am considering buying a JCW competition edition, what is a good price for a one that has the premium pack (sunroof,harmann kardon..) with 5000kms?

 

zigermanzz why thread jack. dont be like that.

 

yeah thread jack is rude

dcacc, just run a vin check. the jcw kit includes ecu flash so the dealer/miniusa would have a record in their system. also, why not just ask the previous owner?

 

i am a novice here, can you please explain "thread jack"?

 

look at the injectors' color. the uprated 210 is colored light blue while the 200 is beige and the air intake should have a flap.