I like the exhaust sound. It has a very mild burble on start up but only from the outside. I had it installed at East Bay MINI and was quoted 3hrs of labor. It took them a little over 4 hrs from start to finish.

The SA asked if I wanted the recall for the tail pipe done. I ask them to do it on the stock exhaust only. I then watched the mechanic shorten the stock exhaust then cut it off when he was done . The JCW exhaust wasn't shorten at all and I love the way it extends past the bumper.

Now for my question for those that have the JCW Stage 1 kit. Does the car feel like it has a bit more lag after the kit compared to before?

 

I feel that the car is more responsive with JCW Stage 1. I do not feel more lag.

 

I did notice that the throttle response was better. I actually didn't notice that big of a difference in throttle response with the sport button on. Where as before JCW, I felt a bigger difference.

 

no lag, much better throttle response.

butt dyno =

 

Ok, good timing on this thread. I'm thinking about doing this right now.
Did you notice a BIG difference in highway passing acceleration? How about off the line? I'm looking for a more thorough review please

I just got a price of $2,150 + tax for the stage 1. Is this a good price?

Thanks in advance,

Greg

 

Does that price include installation or just the kit? If its only the kit, you can prob get it cheaper like at Morristown Mini at $1800 including shipping. YOu just gotta make sure your dealer isn't gonna give you a hard time about ordering from another dealer. Or you could try getting them to match prices with Morristown or the nearest other dealer that might be cheaper. That's what I did so it came to $1900 + tax. Install was additional $340, I believe.

 

Includes labor.

 

So darmog, is it worth it? I'm really looking for a great real world review please

 

Then that's a pretty good price then. Go for it.

 

So does it make a difference? Would you do it again? Does the new intake sound different?

 

okay here we go. I drove the car about 200miles yesterday.

2 passengers about 300lbs combined weight. highway passing in 6th even going up hill is very much improved. I don't really hear a different intake sound but I don't really hear the intake much at all. The exhaust is much louder than stock. The jcw muffler adds a lot of bass to the exhaust note.

off the line I can't tell too much difference but after 2500rpm there is good increase in power... at least my butt dyno tells me there is

I paid $2000 including tax for the part and $492 for labor so for ~$2100 I would say it's worth it. Go for it

 

It gets better the more you drive it. I have had the kit on now for about 8 months and would do it over again.

 

I echo MellowMCS's review on the kit as pretty much what I would say. You don't really hear any difference in the intake as much as the exhaust. Some people hear it as an annoying drone which I can prob see why but I actually like the deeper sound. My mileage before the kit on the OBC was always around 25.9 mpg. With the kit, its been around 25.4 or so. Not a bad tradeoff. On the highway, there's definite more pull past 5.5k rpms so it doesn't feel like the little turbo is doing nothing like it did before the kit. Maybe its just me, but first gear seems a bit better as I can stay in it longer to avoid braking too much in stop and go traffic. Keep in mind I have an auto and I only use it in manual/sport mode all the time. In stop and go traffic, 1st gear before seemed to scream at 3k rpms or so before I had to switch to 2nd and then unfortunately hit the brakes cause traffic stopped again. Staying in 2nd would move the car too fast so braking was always required more often. With the kit, I can stay in 1st longer and modulate my speed better by letting off the gas so I can creep a bit to the front car and not brake as often. That's just my driving style so maybe it won't mean anything to the way you drive.

Would I do it again? You betcha. If I was a gearhead or track addict who was always looking to go faster maybe I wouldn't consider this kit cause sooner or later, you'd probably get the itch to do something different. If you're like me and just want a bit better of a street car(cause let's face it, there's plety of power in the standard MCS to pass slow pokes. If you need more than that, then you're trying to pass cars already going way past the speed limit and they probably won't let you pass them anyways) then this kit is probably for you. It just makes the MCs just feel "better." It's not mindblowing, eyes in the back of your head fast, but its enough that everyday that you smiled when you step on the gas before the kit, you'll find yourself grinning a bit more now.

 

Morristown Mini has it for $1680 plus shipping. There should be 3 hours for install. Assuming $100 per hour, an extra $300 for install.

There is a difference in the higher rpm range which is useful for highway passing.

 

The problem for me in answering your question is that I haven't driven a standard MCS for 8 months and any direct comparisons are hard to make.

On the highway, in 6th gear, dipping into the throttle usually provides plenty of power to pass (assuming this isn't a tight situation). In 4th gear, you'll have all the power you will ever need. You might want more (I always will...), but the JCW kit provides enough power that you aren't frustrated or disappointed because of a lack of power. And with speed cameras littering the 60 and 202, there's more than enough power to get some tickets without thinking.

In 1st and 2nd gear, though, acceleration-wise, tires are probably going to be the limiting factor more than the power from the engine. When I first got my JCW kit, my Falkens were pretty fresh and with nearly limitless grip, the car could have used a little bit more power. But now, with the grip from the Falkens pretty much gone, I could add 100 more horsepower and go slower.

Ultimately, for me, I haven't found an aftermarket company that I trust and, though slightly more power could be found elsewhere, the quality of the parts sold me. A great sounding exhaust, smooth, torquey power... it was a great deal... for me.

 

The tune kit wasnt ready for 09 automatics when I took delivery of my car 11/5, and I did not get my kit until 12/15, and all I have to say is this: the difference is subtle, but there big-time. More high-end oomph above 5K, and at least with the autos the ECU flash remaps the shift points for a more "spirited" driving sensation in full D mode. This is how track freaks are pulling low-mid 14 sec standing 1/4s with the auto: left foot brake, in D, Sport on, DSC off, rev to 2K, and let 'er rip....

The car was fast BTK, but now its scary silly fast ATK. On the highway I really gotta watch it, or Im going 110 before I know it. Ive had 3 cops pull me over, no tickets, just out of curiosity.

Plus with the TK U get a COA hand-signed by Michael Cooper. With the factory car, all U get is a unique VIN.

Mine was $2,300 out the door. Worth every penny, esp. with no worries over warranty issues.

 

Sequence,
Can you tell me what you mean by "spirited" driving sensation? If you compare a stock MCSa in normal D to sport mode, which is closer to the new shift points and shift harshness. I'd get the kit in a second, but don't want to lose the smoothness you get in D mode. I can always reach down and hit the sport button and manual mode if I want to attack a given road.

Thanks,

sd

 

The VIN-unique CD one gets with the kit reprograms the tranny with significantly higher upshift points, compared to stock. I didnt write down data, mostly because my car hadnt reached break in by the time the kit was installed, but in the mode I described above the tranny now auto-upshifts well close to 5500-6K; I guesstimate it was a good 750-1k higher than pre-kit. This is why I usually never get outta 4th gear, for any higher and Im well on the way to breaking many local laws and being arrested. You really have to watch yrself.

Besides, my butt dyno never lies

 

Sport mode on is the closest, and it's not harsh, it's actually much smoother now.

 

Wow, thanks for all of the nice reviews, I'm really stoked now . I just got a price of $2,550 installed for the JCW stage 1 + the full ipod integration in the hidden compartment. Great price IMO. I think I'll do it!

I may get it done next Thursday, I'll let you know.

 

I have also had the Stage O ne upgrade,and am pleased with the results.Q

 

sequence,
It sounds like you are talking about max throttle upshift points. I'm interested in part throttle points. I've seen where the sport button seems to hang on until around 3K even with a light pedal pressure. It makes the sport button unuseable in all but manual mode.

Thanks,

sd

 

"part" throttle points?

love to help but Im not sure I understand what U mean...

 

Is this for fuel economy reasons?

 

My dealer matched the online price and charges a flat $200 for installation. I'm pleased with the kit. When I picked Lewis up from the dealership I pulled out left onto the street and did a burn out across two lanes. Oops! He definitely has more giddyup than he did! I'm used to it now and just use less pedal than I did before.
Gas mileage is about the same - I average 32mpg.
Intake and exhaust both get louder as you put miles on. At first I could only hear induction noise when I really stepped on it. Now I can hear a little more most of the time. Exhaust is a little boomy when you're into fuel shutoff (coasting) especially in the backseat or with the seats down and on the highway with low mass flow, but it's bearable. It's perfect for around the city with the windows down.