Hi All,
Had my R56 since October, love it, after my previous '05 cooper was destroyed.. (R.I.P.) I modded the heck out of it, and learned a few lessons like, "I-might-get-vibrations-and-rattles" and "pick-the-wrong-exhaust-and-my-ears-will-bleed-on-the-highway" ... So I'm *trying* to be sparing towards modding this one.. Anyways, TO THE POINT!
After looking at the JCW Stage 1 kit, and, being a college student on a budget, 2200.00++ is way way too expensive for an intake... probably pretty excellent software (hell, the germans did it didn't they??) and a cool exhaust that's not loud enough for some people's tastes but gives me immunity if finger-pointing happens at the dealer...
Made some calls to my dealer,
and

I am having the JCW Exhaust, Tips, rear badging and front badging installed,
I'm EXCITED!


Hopefully the sound will be nice and sporty but far far from obnoxious, like my previous gen. Magnaflow...

You JCW guys have enjoyed your exhausts I hope ?? Not droning on the highway ??

p.s. anyone looking for a JCW exhaust ONLY you should be able to finagle your dealer for one... BUT, there are 2 dealerships near me (cincinatti and columbus) and Midwestern auto group would NOT, and said that it was IMPOSSIBLE... and Cincinatti said they COULD ,and the parts are on their way ...

* Also * is there anyone within my area (in OHIO) that has the R56 JCW exhaust I could hear and experience for myself ?? my zip is 45504
THanks

 

Are the tips a seperate item? I love the logo engraved in them and am a bit miffed the JCW factory car is not getting this. If it's possible to change out the tips then I'd definitely be interested in doing it.

 

How much was just the exhaust?

 

Yes it's possible to change out the tips. The only reason that "the tips are being ordered" is BECAUSE I'm getting the Exhaust only, so the parts guy has to order individual components, such as the tips, and brackets, and badging for me. The JCW Stage 1 kit comes with these JCW tips that have the "works" logo engraved on them.
I am getting these tips, but, just have to pay for them. He did say the jcw exhaust could be used with my stock tips... but.. that's silly.

The JCW exhaust also didn't come with badging, I guess since the stage 1 kit is more "all-inclusive", so I had the tech order me the adhesive rear logo and the screw-through-the-grill front logo ...

 

Originally I was told (approx. 2 months ago) The JCW exhaust was $723 and some odd cents.
BUT.. Slightly to my dismay it was more expensive when I ordered it yesterday, plus I'm totally willing to pay for BMW labor (and fault-immunity) so that adds more.
As of my order, yesterday, The setup that I got was:
JCW Exhaust
JCW Tips
JCW badges (2x)
1.5 hours labor
1200.00

A bit more than I was thinking for an exhaust, but, it's JCW, and SAFE ....
I have nightmares of my last cooper with all the mods (which were sweet though) and the problems they caused... harmonic vibrations and all that..
Looking forward to safe jcw parts... or at least, I hope so 0

 

I'm going to have to wait till i physically have my car to see;

1. Will the tips on the JCW factory car be removable
2. If so, are they the same size as the engraved JCW tips.

If the answers to those questions are positive then I'll switch them out. I have a feeling the piping going from the muffler into the tips on the JCW factory car might be bigger but like I said let's wait and see. Is there any chance you can post the part numbers for the tips?

 

Hmm. You might be right. Keep us posted! ( pun sort-of intended)

I will provide any and all part numbers when I am able. They might not give me part numbers for the badging as its' pretty proprietary, but I don't know yet. If I can get any of the numbers I'll certainly let you know.
Currently I am studying abroad in the UK at the moment, and will be back to Ohio in about 3 weeks- so until then, I won't have an exhaust anyway..

 

Nice! I just studied abroad there last semester...London. It was a blast. Make sure you get over to Oxford to the MINI factory if you haven't!!

 

All the relevant part numbers should be on your invoice when you get it. Good luck and safe flight home.

 

I put in some prices for you. It's pretty close to $1,200. Let us know how it looks when you're all done. Part numbers would be great

 

I'm actually at Oxford studying at NewCollege of U.of Ox.
IT"S AMAZING!!!! and I'm going to tour the MINI factory this weekend..
However, I have seen the original MORRIS garage.. for the history buffs
That was neat, to see where William Morris first started...

 

I will say I really enjoy the sound of the JCW Exhaust on my MCS.

Having said that, when you put the car up on a rack, the routing does seem to have more slight bends than necessary.

 

Thanks JP, looking forward to it.
I do go to BMW CCA track events but, I don't think in enough frequency to worry too much about the bends.. And, if the bends in part create back pressure, isn't some level of back pressure good ?

 

The JCW exhaust that you got is just a muffler, no? The piping should be exactly the same from the cat to the muffler.
This makes for a very expensive muffler and tips, though I do like the tips much better than the stock S tips.

Nice work on finding a dealer that didn't tell you no.

Why the JCW badges on a non-JCW kitted car? Isn't this like slapping an M badge on a 335?
Maybe you'll complete the Stage 1 kit when money allows.

 

Wolfgang does NOT represent most R56 S owners. Its too bad YOU did not ask Wolfman-Gang-WTFever what stickers too put on you car first, maybe he's just got a case of MINIenvy If you like your JCW muffler more power to you! Tuning cars is NOT about what everyone else thinks is cool or popular, its about what you like on your car. motor-on

 

I would love to do just the JCW exhaust as well for the same reasons. $2200 is a lot, but $1200 is workable, especially since I would skip the JCW badging, I'm hoping to build more of a sleeper. I went to MTTS in Boston on the 21st of June, which was a great way to look and hear different modes that people have done to their Minis. I have an 07 MCS, that I bought used. I thought the JCW sounded great, both up close and driving away. I also need to have whatever is done to the car covered under the warranty, because my car was a CPO it has an extended warranty to 6 years or 100,000 miles, so I don't want to have an issue with it. They had an 09 JCW hardtop and Clubman there as well but they weren't running those on the test track so I have no idea what they sounded like.

I would also like to know if the JCW exhaust is just a high flow muffler or a CAT back system like Borla or a whole replacement from the downpipe back like DDM Works.

It would be great to find out what you think or the exhaust from both a sound and performance perspective. Have a great trip back.

 

Thanks matt ! I'm looking forward to the works exhaust.
Since I see a fair amount of JCW stage 1 owners switching out their intake anyway, well, I have my intake (which the sound... I LOVE), I'll just leave out paying for the software at the moment.
If John Cooper is doing Work on my car, like for the exhaust, I think I'll certainly put some JCW Badging on it ! Deservedly !
What gives Stage 1 owners the priviledge of putting a logo on their car compared to Factory-JCW owners then ... Just a thought. (not a poke at stage one owners, by all means put them on you deserve it!)

P.S. It is the same JCW exhaust from the kit, so I'm assuming it's a freer flowing piping, but not cat-back, etc. But not for sure. So I will let you know when I find out !
Thanks for all the well wishes! I'll post pics, and get a good quality recording with my mic if anyone wants it. No offense youtubers

*So* - Any JCW Owners out there, feel free to leave comments and your personal experience, any droning ? From what I've been hearing its' pretty livable on the highway.. But I've still never heard one in person :(
* Can anyone post some up close or HD picks of their exhaust ??? it'd be much appreciated!

I think I would akin the JCW exhaust to the mini like the Porsche Sport exhaust on the 911... My dad has a 911 S cabrio with the exhaust (which makes the JCW price seem like BEANS! like 3 or 4k!) and it's NICE, but when you're not on the throttle, it's nearly INvisible (sound wise...) It's a price tag, but it's excellently built, sounds magnificent when you do hear it, and under warranty, and I'd pay for that.

 

Thanks, Matty, for clearing this up.
I do have MINI-envy. You nailed it.

 

Wolfgang I'd tend to agree with you, I invariably think 'tosser' when I walk past a 'normal' 3 series with an ///M badge slapped on the boot. However I think what samroberto is doing is slightly different. For starters there's no way for anybody to tell from the exterior of the car whether he really has the Stage 1 kit installed or not and to be fair he is getting the exhaust and tips. Personally I wouldn't feel comfortable putting a JCW badge on my car unless I had at least one of but preferrably a combination of the JCW Tuning Kit, Aero Kit or Suspension kit installed on my car. But that's just me.

 

Hmm. I see your angle Moz, and I've definitely walked passed a few 3 series with the //M logos, and I was like, "Hmm.. wait a sec. What?"
But then yeah, with the Cooper S, the difference between the with/without the Stage 1 kit is not quite like the difference between a 3 series, and //M3.. IMHO
And for all intents and purposes, I could be one of the Stage 1 owners that did away with their intake anyway... :-/ minus the software though.
I think it's fair But that's my side though. If it makes you feel any better, not that it matters much since it's my car , I am getting the side skirts which I LOVE, but not for a while yet.
There will be all sorts of JCW cars but some will be slightly more JCW than others

 

I'm excited to see some pics and vids!
wondering though..u can get an Alta Turbo-back for not much more..

 

when is there going to be an exhaust for the new clubman s

 

I really enjoy the sound of mine. I didn't want it to resonate in the cabin and make my daily driver into a racer. ... I didn't want attention form the cops ether. So thats why I went with the JCW kit

 

The JCW car for 09 has the burble returned. The MotoringFile dude said so in his first impressions of the car he drove at the Boston Mini show.

 

There's a sound clip of the burble on Motoringfile also.