Hey guys,

I got a 07 MCSm
I am trying to decide if I should do the JCW stage 1 upgrade.

How noticeable is the difference in the way the car drives?
I don't care about the exhaust sound, (as great as it might be) I'm only interested in a little bit of "umph"

I'm not going to take the car on the track, I don't plan on road racing or anything along those lines. But some time I like to put that mustang or camaro to shame on a traffic light

I know it adds 19hp, and I saw the numbers on paper, but I really want to know about what people feel.
How about gas mileage?

Also, any thought on how adding a stage 1 will affect the resale value/ability later on when I decide to sell?

Thanks all

 

MPG depends on your right foot...about the same. I liked the diff. About a half second faster in the 1/4 mile. No regrets here.

 

As long as you do not mind the increase in sound, it is worth it.

 

I love these threads since I get to talk about my JCW kit again... Couple of thoughts:

1. Run down to a MINI dealer and test drive an MCS with JCW kit. It's the only way that you are going to have any certainty to the value of the kit. When I bought my kit, my main focus was getting a well-made, liveable exhaust upgrade. I have gone with aftermarket manufacturers before and just dont trust them. The power, for me, was nice but not the main goal.

2. As for that power, all I can say is that the difference is not earth-shattering. However, when I go out for a drive, I am not left disappointed my a lack of power. I will always dream of more, but the kit has enough power that it makes everything really shine.

3. Resale value was a huge consideration for me. Other times with aftermarket parts, I'd get zero resale value. But the kit's badges give validity and value to the kit. You wont get all the value back, but you will at least get some.

Good luck with the decision.

 

Good call, but even when I was buying my MCS I saw no JCW ones used, i just glanced at all the dealerships around me and none have a car with the stage 1 kit, some have the factory JCW one, but I know thats a whole other ball game

 

What all is included in the JCW kits

 

^^Intake, exhaust, and ECU tune.

Personally, I think the JCW stuff is overpriced. Unless you're worried about your warranty, I'd go with aftermarket upgrades.

 

i was also considering the jcw engine kit upgrade. don't know of any dealers with any on the lot to test drive either the price seems a bit high for just intake, exhaust, & tune, especially for just a slight bump in power. i was thinking it'd be possible to get the same power from just a turbo-back exhaust. then again, i do like the fact that it's JCW and the warranty coverage.

anyone know how much dealers charge for install?

 

A full turbo-back and CAI will get you about 5-10hp extra, and it'll still cost less. Those two mods aren't likely to affect your warranty.

 

Mine was 2100 OTD (1870 parts, 225 install, no tax). I've heard of less, I've heard of more, but I would think that in this economy, you should easily be able to get one for around that.

As for aftermarket products, you will definitely find some more peak power out there. Personally, I don't like the driveability of most of the aftermarket products compared to the JCW. But that's me...

 

Even with the upgrade you will be hardpressed to put a Mustang or a Camaro to shame on a traffic light. At least with the cars I run with. Nevertheless it would make the car more fun to drive that's for sure.

I now have about 520 miles on my car and have not really revved it up yet but I must say the car gets up and goes quite nicely. I am impressed with the amount of giddyup with such a small displacment engine. (Even with the turbo.) I'm glad I bought it. When I want redlight to redlight speed I drive my GTO.

Pat

 

Just got my first speeding ticket in many years,,,,,,enough said

 

lol

You have to admit though that its very very easy to get a speeding ticket even without the JCW kit.

As much as I respect the law enforcement community, speeding is a whole other issue. The speed limits are ways of generating revenues for municipalities, and should not be set by politicians, but by engineers.

For the amount of money I spent on speeding tickets, I could have bought not just the stage 1 kit, but a factory fully loaded car, or maybe even a 135i (I count all the $ fines attorneys and so on).

And the thing is I really do try to drive slow, but sometimes its ridiculous to drive 30.

So I did the next best thing. I went to law school . This is my first year. Hopefully when I graduate, in 2 and a half years, I will be speeding ticket proof.

 

I have upgraded the suspension,and stage one of course they are JCW and am happy with the results.Q

 

No regrets here.

 

I've personally owned as far as R56s go - a 07 MINI Cooper S (non JCW), a replacement MINI that was also an 07 MINI Cooper S JCW stage 1 and now currently an 09 MINI JCW. I personally love the integrity of the factory built 09 and love the four piston brembos and the truly burbly exhaust. The JCW exhaust and the rest of the Stage 1 kit were ok but never really did much to excite me. If you've got the extra money go with the 09 JCW.

That said, based on what we've got on our lot, a used 2008 Stage 1 MINI Cooper S JCW on our lot, 9400 miles and we're asking $24,500 for it - car is PW/PW with 17" Sidwalk wheels and anthracite headliner and a sunroof. So you're looking at roughly $5,000 to $6,000 difference between a JCW Stage 1 and a JCW stage 2.

 

ok, all this got me thinkign hard

Here is the deal, now I feel like not only will I need the stage 1 kit, but I'll also need the suspension.

And thats a whole other ball game, and apparently it does not come with springs, so I have to get those as well...

 

I added the JCW Stage One Tuning Kit in December. Look at my signature below and see the list of other modifications to my MINI. All of these work great together.

The ALTA improved inlet flow path and larger intercooler gives it another kick up in HP.

The 2009 JCW exhaust swap eliminated the second CAT for better flow; the longer resonator reduces exhaust drone.

Saturday is DYNO Day in Norwich, CT. I am interested to see what the numbers show.

Still no tickets and I really don't get that since I drive it like I stole it everyday.

 

The springs are included in the price, you just need to order them specifically for your car's setup/options.

 

Seriosly, no sniffling and click here:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=5277

 

I upgraded to the stage 1 package in Dec. It improves the power curve and eliminated the the drop-off near redline. I recommend it. All under warranty and integrated.

 

I don't think so, Tim. Not unless the dealer is having some special deal. The suspension package is it's own deal... also overpriced, IMO. Who pays $400+ for SPRINGS?