I am new to mini cooper and i'm shopping for a Gen1.

I've seen a couple MCS that claims to be JCW. How do you spot it? what's the difference between a JCW MCS and a regular MCS? Thanks

 

Here it is:
http://www.fast-autos.net/vehicles/M.../Cooper_S_JCW/

Dude Google Images works good for pics

JCW badging
Silver IC Cover
JCW Engine Plate Badge (with kit number)
JCW Intake (if post 05)
JCW Etched on Exhaust tips

 

Generally speaking, installation of the JCW Tuning Kit is considered to be the dividing line between a "JCW MINI" versus "MINI with some JCW parts". No surprise either that it's also the most expensive of the JCW upgrades for 1st Gen MINIs.

Adding the other JCW stuff beyond the tuning kit does make the car "more JCW", for lack of a better phrase.

The 1st Gen Factory JCW (only available for the 2006 model year) included both the tuning kit and the brake kit, plus the Limited Slip Differential (although not a "JCW" part) was standard.

Those of us with 1st Gen MINIs from earlier years (2002-2005) did not have the option of the JCW parts from the factory, but we could pay to have them installed at the dealer (like I did).

Many people also only consider a MINI to be a "full JCW" package if it has all three of these:

• JCW Tuning Kit
• JCW Sports Brakes
• JCW Sport Suspension

Think about it: Go faster, stop faster, turn faster.

Note that even the 2006 factory-built JCW model still didn't include the JCW suspension (and neither does the new, 2nd Gen factory JCW, BTW)... so you have to get it from the dealer. Also, the JCW suspension was not officially available for the R52s (convertibles), although some people have managed to "make it fit"... outside of manufacturer specifications. It would matter for warranty, etc... because the JCW suspension comes in different rates, tailored to the options on your MINI - and they only did that for the hardtop models.

 

Thanks guys! now I'll focus on 2006 Minis only.

 

Hey Edge didn't they begin JCW "version 2" (LSD, CAI, 380 injectors) in like mid 2005??

 

Why would you do that? A pre-2006 JCW MINI with the JCW tuning kit, JCW brakes and factory LSD (like mine) has exactly the same parts as a 2006 factory JCW. As long as they were installed by a MINI dealership, the warranty coverage was also exactly the same.

Note though that the factory LSD (if that's important to you) only became available starting with January 2005 builds, onwards. That's what mine is, for example.

Anyway, if you don't care about the LSD (some people don't) or you would rather have an aftermarket one like a Quaife, you could find a 2002 MINI that has the tuning kit and the brake kit and you'd be on the same page, parts-wise.Yes, there were two versions of the JCW tuning kit for the 1st Gen Cooper Ses... they are sometimes called the JCW 200 and JCW 210. I believe the updated 210 version was first released (in the US market) in October 2004. However, they also made an "update kit" that existing JCW 200 owners could buy to add on the 210 upgrades. The 200 -> 210 upgrade included the new CAI, injectors and ECU update.

Note though that the LSD was never part of the JCW kit. The LSD has always been a "factory only" option that was simply a requirement when ordering a 2006 factory JCW, although you could also order the LSD on a non-JCW MINI, starting in January 2005. (which is how I have it on my 2005)

Here's a really good MotoringFile article on the history of the JCW tuning kits (including 2nd Gen, GP and Cooper stuff) - some additional info is in the comments after it:

MotoringFile » Archive » The History of the Modern JCW Tuning Kits

 

A few months ago I bought a 2006 Factory JCW MCS Cabrio with 2300 miles on it. It came with the letter of authenticity and has Premium Pkg, Sport Pkg, Convenience Pkg, Leather, HK, 18" black R105's, full Carbon Fiber exterior kit, JCW Brakes, Strut Bar, all JCW engine upgrades, etc etc.

What I'm trying to figure out is if it has the JCW suspension package. Can anyone tell me how I can tell at a glance if it does?

 

The easy way to tell:
The car's overall stance is slightly lower than stock, about 1/2 inch, and all the struts will have red springs.

The JCW Suspension was installed by factory people at the Port of Entry if it was spec'd by the customer at the time of build
or it was added by the Dealership to a customers car after delivery.

Hope this helps...

 

Thanks, that helps... while I have a full factory JCW car I do not have the JCW suspension apparently because my springs are black...

 

Mini USA is telling me that there is no JCW suspension kit for the cabrio.. can anybody out there confirm the accuracy of this?

I have a full-factory 2006 JCW MCS cabrio with everything on it except the suspension kit and I was curious as to why the first owner (I'm the second) spent allot of money to have this car built but left off the JCW suspension parts... If Mini's claim is correct then this would explain why the car doesn't have it.

If it really isn't available, I'd like recommendations on the aftermarket kits that are out there. Also, has anyone with an aftermarket suspension kit had any problems with Mini honoring the warranty on their cars?

 

Ahem... from my post (#3, above):When MINI designed the JCW suspension, they made a judgement call to only support hardtops, because it would have cost more money to develop... with 4 spring rates for the MCS and 4 more for the MC, they couldn't justify going from 8 variations to 16 - that's a lot of stock to manufacture, store and hope to sell. The market for the JCW suspension in the cabrio would be smaller than the hardtop, because just choosing a cabrio is a compromise on performance in the first place (due to reduced structural integrity, and increased weight from additional bracing). Please don't read that wrong - I'm not a "cabrio hater"!

 

To make it interesting, I wouldn't say the JCW suspension makes the car a JCW. Since it doesn't come from the factory as a part of the actual package. It is just a dealer installed option, and for 09 it still is.

 

Thanks for all the info.... I was always curious as to why my "factory" JCW Cabrio did not have the JCW suspension pkg and now I know. The next question to ask is what after-market spring/shock package would work the best on the car and whether or not a full coil-over kit would be a good choice.

Also, is replacing the front and rear sway-bars with larger diameter units and adding under-chassis bracing a good idea?

Any advice on the matter is appreciated.

 

Well, that's what I said at the start of post #3:However, the term "full JCW MINI" has also been tossed around... which tends to mean also the brakes and suspension upgrades. I think both terms can co-exist. However, since the JCW suspension is not (officially) available for the Cabrio, it's probably fair to say that a "full JCW Cabrio" only needs the JCW tuning kit & JCW brakes.I'm afraid this may not be the best place to ask... as most of the folks posting here (including me) are probably focused on the JCW stuff, not aftermarket.

Your best bet is probably to post in the 1st Gen Mods: Suspension forum.

 

thanks for the heads-up... the reason I asked for advice here is that I assumed that there may be other JCW owners, like myself, who may have experienced the unavailability of a factory JCW suspension package for their cabrios and turned to the after-market for parts.

 

The M7 Understrut System or the newer TSW X Brace is a requirement for a Cabrio. Eliminates body flex.

The next requirement would be fixed or adjustable camber plates. Eliminates mushrooming and enhances steering feel and tire wear.

Then to round out the package nicely an adjustable rear sway bar would be a good idea. Makes the car under steer less or be more neutral .

My '06 JCW has both the M7 Under Strut System and Ireland fixed camber plates. Without a doubt these two mods will enhance the stability
and go kart handling qualities of your car for the least amount of money and have nothing but positive affects on the car.

A stiffer rear bar is a personal decision, I'm planning on adding one soon, but should be the last added if used with the plates and brace.

Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions...

 

thanks very much for the advice... I appreciate it... I'm looking at a GP in a couple hours so I may put my Cabrio up for sale... if not, I'll seriously consider your recommendations...

 

I agree with Edge "full JCW" has been tossed around and where do you draw the line, so far I think the "Competition Editon" like mine 1 of only 64, 2006 models released in Canada, the Canadian version of the GP is as close to "full JCW" from the factory so far. Not only does it come with the:
JCW Tuning Kit
JCW Sports Brakes
JCW Sport Suspension

but also the JCW aero kit, the JCW steering wheel ( thicker) JCW CF shifter and ebrake. I've since added the JCW CF dash kit. It also came with factory LSD.

 

I agree with you that there's "full" and then there's "FULL" factory JCW cars. The Canadian Competition models and the international GP models are in a league of their own when it comes to rarity and equipment.

My 2006 JCW Cabrio is a full factory car in that it was built with everything on it that was available from JCW/factory for the Cabrio in 2006. That is: LSD, big brakes, engine kit, Carbon Fiber package, strut brace, R105 18"s, etc, but no suspension parts because they weren't offered for the convertibles in 2006.

Congrats on a very rare car....

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the understanding (other than on GP) that there was no such thing as a "JCW aero kit" for 1st Gen MINIs... that only one aero kit was ever offered from MINI - and it wasn't badged as JCW. It's noteworthy that all of the MINI images used on the JCW site were wearing the aero kit though.

Of course, in the 2nd Gen MINIs, there are multiple aero kits, one which is most definitely a JCW aero kit. Am I mistaken? Is the aero kit included with the Canadian Competition Edition MINIs somehow different than the regular, dealer-installed aero kit? Or perhaps it is the GP aero kit?...or any other Cabrio year. I just wanted to clarify that, since the same applies for 2005, 2007 & 2008 convertibles. I believe the only cabrio suspension options were the standard suspension or the sport suspension (originally labelled the "Sport Suspension" and "Sport Suspension Plus", but renamed in the 2007 model year).

 

Chiming in on nomenclature, Edge is correct and the R53 Aero Kit is not a JCW part. Mind you, it is perhaps most often seen on JCW cars (whether partial, full, or FULL!), which is why it is easy to fall into JCW shorthand for it. And more than a few journalists reviewing JCW cars over the years have referred to it as such, adding confusion.

Either way, let me also congratulate #20works on a fine "FULL" JCW. Takes one to know one eh?

 

Oops my mistake, Naaah you are correct the Competition Edition JCW kit is the same as the standard 1st Gen aero kit, for some reason I was led to believe it was called JCW but it was included with the Competition Edition

 

Interesting discussions....

I just looked at a GP near my office that I'm seriously considering buying but I'd have to give up my '06 JCW Cabrio to do it. Because my Cab only has 6200 miles on it and is in perfect condition it's a hard decision to make.

Any downside to a GP as a daily driver guys?

'06 JCW MCS Cab, Premium, Convenience, leather, LSD, PDS, HK, Aero, Xenon, JCW engine, exhaust, brakes, strut bar, shifter, Carbon Fiber exterior package, JCW R105 18's, H&R 15mm spacers, stubby.

 

GP downsides:

• No back seat
• No rear speakers (i.e. worse sound than a regular Boost stereo)
• Almost no "luxury" items at all (since they would just add weight), including having just regular halogen headlights.

That's it. Of course, the benefits are very impressive, most especially the exclusivity, but also having all of the performance goodies (including the only factory MINI to ever come with the JCW suspension) and a few extra, unique ones. Those are primarily a larger intercooler, lighter rear control arms and the lightest 18" OEM wheels they make, which are also lighter than every 17" OEM wheel!

 

Sounds good.... thanks for the information... I'm going to give some thought to replacing my Cabrio with this GP... hate to give it up but we just ordered a Clubman S for my wife so having three Minis is not going to work. Need to sell the Cabrio if I decide to buy the GP.

Thanks for all your help.