What base options do you need to be able to add JCW? Does the car need to have the sports package first? Any options that become unavailable with the install, i.e. cruise/mcs or similar?

I tried to find info on this, but failed dismally.

Thanks in advance,

Maddog

 

>>What base options do you need to be able to add JCW? Does the car need to have the sports package first? Any options that become unavailable with the install, i.e. cruise/mcs or similar?
>>
>>I tried to find info on this, but failed dismally.
>>
>>Thanks in advance,
>>
>>Maddog
Maddog2020-
Aloha and welcome to MCO,
First you need a Mini Cooper S. Then you add the JCW kit. Now you are done.
You don't NEED any base options. The only requirement is that it is a Cooper S. In europe you can add a different JCW kit to the Cooper. But in the US it is Cooper S only. Go figure.

The premium and sports package are independent of the JCW kit.
Nothing is unavailable due to the JCW kit being installed because nothing overlaps.

Now here is a totally different question-
Given an MCS with JCW kit- Now what other options would complement the JCW kit install?
From a performance standpoint consider:
The alta intake with hose- much better cold air intake
The london Stainless/Milltek Exhaust Header (better design and more free flowing exhaust leads to cat back system)
ECU upgrade (many to choose from-need to see head to head comparison before deciding- GIAC, Powerchip, Evotech or Shark injector)
Rebored throttlebody
Suspension upgrades
Brake upgrades
Lightweight Wheel/tire combo
Short shifter/****

 

If you do not intend to take your car to the track or do autoX with it the the JCW by it self would be just fine. What the JCW does for the MINI Cooper S is let it drive like it should have in the first place. This just my humble opinion, but I will also add that your MINI would benefit more from the JCW if you had the sport suspension to start with.

_________________

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

 

So I guess it makes sense to add the sports package before putting in the JCW?

 

Huh what? Are you saying the sport package changes the suspension? No, it does not. Just the fact that it is an S gives it a more sporty suspension. That's one of the reasons why an S is so much heavier than a base Cooper, and loses more HP at the wheels.

The Sport package just gives you DSC, which I think is a good thing as the car doesn't have LSD, so I'd be sure to get that.

It gives you alloy wheels with the 17" tires, which is a BAD thing if you want a nicer ride.

Xenon headlights and fog lights - a safety feature so I consider it a must.

Bonnet stripes - if you want them, 100 bucks otherwise, or do it yourself for cheap.

Most MINI people who are into performance advise not getting the entire sports package so you can get lighter wheels and smaller regular tires rather than the runflats. If you want to get the most out of your JCW the first thing I would do is switch out the wheels/tires for something lighter. 80% of a car's performance (stopping distance, overall grip, ride quality) depends on the tires, after all.

Hope that helps! :smile:

_________________


Almost due: '03 EB/W; 1,2,3, R/S, H/K

 

>>Huh what? Are you saying the sport package changes the suspension? No, it does not. Just the fact that it is an S gives it a more sporty suspension. That's one of the reasons why an S is so much heavier than a base Cooper, and loses more HP at the wheels.

Correct- the MCS has upgraded suspension parts (sports suspension plus) over the MC (shocks/springs/swaybars). Sports package doesn't touch suspension.
>>The Sport package just gives you DSC, which I think is a good thing as the car doesn't have LSD, so I'd be sure to get that.
The MCS already comes standard with Automatic Stability control and traction. Most people will turn off DSC when driving for performance- some turn it off all the time! Some people like having the DSC feature for safety.

>>It gives you alloy wheels with the 17" tires, which is a BAD thing if you want a nicer ride.
16" stock X-lite wheels are probably better but maybe don't look as nice to some.

>>Xenon headlights and fog lights - a safety feature so I consider it a must.
I like these but not everyone does. Kinda expensive option.

>>Bonnet stripes - if you want them, 100 bucks otherwise, or do it yourself for cheap.
>>
>>Most MINI people who are into performance advise not getting the entire sports package so you can get lighter wheels and smaller regular tires rather than the runflats. If you want to get the most out of your JCW the first thing I would do is switch out the wheels/tires for something lighter. 80% of a car's performance (stopping distance, overall grip, ride quality) depends on the tires, after all.

You'd do pretty well avoiding the sports package and putting the $1250 into lighter wheels with non runflat tires.
16" alloys with Yokohama AVS ES100 205/45-16 or 205/50-16. Talk to alex@tirerack.com for advice.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=AVS+ES100

 

Thanks Minihune! You'd get my vote for Moderator.
Aloha!