Hi! My first post! My wife has set her sights on a JCW Cooper S, but I wonder if the gains are worth the price. The other cars at the 200 hp mark I have seen are only about the same in "mod dollars." Is the JCW kit covered by warranty if installed by the dealer? I would doubt it, but had to ask. Also is the $4500 price tag the installed price?

Thanks,

Britt

03 Mazdaspeed Protege

 

Hiya and welcome!
This issue has been debated a LOT and belongs in the Performance thread.

I recently asked our resident experts what they would do with $5,500 dollars, search for that thread in the Performance folder probably on the first or second page and you'll see how much better value going aftermarket is, if you can stomach losing out on the warrantee.

Beneath the Bonnet is reserved more for regular maintenence issues.

 

Contact MCO sponsor Randy of Webb Motorsports (MCO name RandyBMC) and he can provide you with the lowdown on what your $4500 can get you in performance mods. Think about what you want, is it HP, handling, appearance, a combination of the three? Have your goals in mind and Randy will help.

BTW, the $4500 does not include installation.

Good luck.

 

Yes, the JCW kit is covered by a warranty if installed by an authorized MINI dealership. The warrany is 2 years/unlimited miles and/or the remainder of your new car warranty. Install costs usually run you to a grand total of $5,500-6,000, and as Cat implied, this is really the cost question you should be asking yourself.

To put strictly the horsepower in comparison from aftermarket to JCW; to get 200HP from a modded engine, you'd get a pulley, ECU, intake, and cat-back exhaust. This would run you (400+690+200+600, assuming the pulley was installed, Powerchips software, ALTA intake, and Magnaflow) $1,890, a HUGE savings over the JCW kit, but no warranty.

Take that saved cash and upgrade your suspension, buy another set of lightweight wheels/performance tires, and BAM, you suddenly have Super MCS for less than the cost of the JCW.

So the bottom line question is: Will having that warranty (or not, going aftermarket) allow you to sleep at night. Reliabilty? Hey, if the JCW is covered by a warranty, that means they have faith that it won't break at 200HP, so going aftermarket, you shouldn't have that worry either. Another aspect is, if something did happen that was related to your aftermarket engine mods (not likely) would you be understanding, willing, and able to dish out the cash for repair?

I hope this helps, but the decision is all up to you.
Cheers,
Ryan

 

Thanks for the replies, I read enough after searching to make my eyes sore! You guys sure love these cars. I wish the Mazdaspeed community (only @2000 members) had this much enthusiasm about motoring! I found a local site http://www.pdxmini.com and I will be seeing if we can join up with them for one of their events.

I think that I got what I wanted, I figured that for that price, we could do engine, suspension and some appearance mods. Now if I could just talk her out of painting it pink!

Britt and Nikki

 

Hey I also have a 76 Cosworth Vega in storage, and as a proud owner of IB/W JCW MCS I can tell you that its worth every penny.

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IB/W 2003 MCS All installable Factory options, Aero kit, driving Lamps, Rear clear lamps, BMW alarm, R90 wheels, JCW upgrade, Brembo big brake kit

 

The question should be JCW kit or 2500 in mods :smile: You can get the same perf increase both ways

 

I voted for MOD all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

>>So the bottom line question is: Will having that warranty (or not, going aftermarket) allow you to sleep at night. Reliabilty? Hey, if the JCW is covered by a warranty, that means they have faith that it won't break at 200HP, so going aftermarket, you shouldn't have that worry either. Another aspect is, if something did happen that was related to your aftermarket engine mods (not likely) would you be understanding, willing, and able to dish out the cash for repair?
>>
>>I hope this helps, but the decision is all up to you.
>>Cheers,
>>Ryan

Well stated Ryan...and I agree 100%.
It's an issue of economics...You and only you..... can make that personal decision.
To add.....I own a modded MCS similar to the one Ryan described in his post and I have also driven a Works car.
IMHO :smile:..... My MCS is a better all around performer and a smoother driving car.


Peace,
D

 

>>Hi! My first post! My wife has set her sights on a JCW Cooper S, but I wonder if the gains are worth the price. The other cars at the 200 hp mark I have seen are only about the same in "mod dollars." Is the JCW kit covered by warranty if installed by the dealer? I would doubt it, but had to ask. Also is the $4500 price tag the installed price?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Britt
>>
>>03 Mazdaspeed Protege

This month's issue of EVO (English car mag) tested 10 different levels of Mini and Mini S tuning kits and concluded that the best was the John Cooper Works upgrade. There were versions that had more HP but failed in other respects. Check out EVO and read the article - then get the JCW mod.

Speaking of Cosworth Vegas - mine was #1755 and died in a fireball when the fuel injection blew raw gas all over the engine while I was driving.

 

In March of 2004 DINAN will have two upgrades for the MCS similar to the JCW kit.
http://dinancars.com/newsletter/news...6-10-2003.html
Stage 1 kit (peak 178 HP) for under $2000 + $600 for installation
Stage 2 kit (similar to JCW kit at 198 HP) for under $3000 and up to 4 year warranty from DINAN for both. $1000 for installation.


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ALOHA