ouch, the whine says it's mechanical for sure. good luck!

 

Ok, should I continue to wait to do Stage 1 on my MCCSa? Sounds like there are still some issues.

 

slimjimtell, you are good to install. I'm the one who started the thread and went through hell over it but finally MINI realized what we all had come to figure out, an update in the JCW tunning kit played havoc on any auto MINI. They backed the update to the February release and all my problems went away as well as others that had the kit installed after me (I was one of the first after the updated software was released to get it.) All the problems you see were started last spring-summer and the posts went away after everyone got the updated (or backdated actually) software. MINI now knows what to do if one of these shows up and what version to put on. They spent way to much money in service calls to let this happen again.

BTW, the post a few up where after I had my downgrade and was fine but got a whine noise, ended up being a locked up turbo that caused a two hour flatbed truck ride back to MINI. It actually was because of this too, the last thing MINI did before backdating software was have the service department disassemble the turbo and replace seals, etc. Because the confused software was throwing a turbo failure code (but it was fine, just misreading sensors like all the other problems were). Dealership apparently didn't put it back together right and it locked up a few weeks later after whining for about a week.

After all is said and done, I am glad I got the JCW Stage I kit. It sounds amazing (after backing tail pipe extensions out a bit more), definitely added power, and the auto trans is awesome now and took away most of the slushiness it had before when not in Sport. I only wish I had gotten it a few months before or many months after!

Kevin
Florence, AL

 

ke4sfq -which mini dealership did you go to? Nashville or Birmingham. I was thinking of getting the JCW Stage 1. I bought my 08 Mini S used in Huntsville so I have no dealership ties. Any regrets going to that particular dealer? Service etc.. Thanks man

Jessie

 

Kevin,
Since you have an automatic trans, I have a question regarding how yours shifts.

The Cooper S in full auto with the sport button pushed shifts really harsh through the gears. I tend to pull the stick over and shift manually most of the time. But there are times I just want to let it do it's thing and shift automatically. It's ALOT smoother in non sport mode.

After the tune, how is the shifting in full auto with and without the sport button pushed.
Thanks

 

Hey Jessie, I bought mine used too. I have been to both and like Birmingham better. Its a pure MINI dealership and not shared with BMW like Nashville
(although they do work together). I like that is all MINI and they have great customer service there. Mike Allen the SA has been great to work with. They are a young dealership, just open over a year but I have no complaints about them. My JCW issues were a nation wide problem at the time and they just did what MINI corporate told them after the first trip.

You going to the Dragon Jessie? I went the first time last year and it was an amazing time any MINI owner should experience. I plan on going again this year and riding up with the Nashville MINI's group if you want to ride with us.

Kevin
Florence, AL

 

Great question slimjimtell and one of the reasons I got the kit. I saw it described as this on another post and its accurate, after the JCW kit, non-sport mode is about like having the sport button on about 75% the way yours is now. The Sport button on is about like it is now but a little better. It shifts SOOOO much better with the JCW software that I don't have the sport button on most of the time. If I need to shift harder/faster I usually just put it in manual mode.

Kevin

 

Kevin
Do you still get 6th gear in NON sport and 5th max in Sport?

 

Yep, the same. 5th gear is the max in Sport on its own, but you can bump shift in to 6th manually. It always keeps the rpm's high in sport mode so you are in a good power band if you hit the accelerator. At least that is my assumption of why it does that.

 

Got a quote today...1700 + 420 install. Good price?

Clubman Kit

 

Try $1620 for the kit and $300 for the install.

 

Sorry, this was for a Clubman, in which I believe the kit is more money.

 

Does sound reasonable to me for a clubman.

 

I don't remember my price exactly but it does seem like it was around $2100 installed. I would call every dealership within 200 miles and get a price. If one is lower, call back your closest one and ask them to match it and they usually will.

 

So, I just got mine installed (details of s/w and kit # at https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...92-post54.html) -- and I will keep everyone posted IF I get any warm-start issues. I didn't get one after I picked it up from the dealer (and they had just test driven it a little while before).

 

I went JCW stage 1 on my clubman s auto about a month ago, NO starting issues at all.

LOVE the tune, really smoothed out the auto trans.

 

I doubt that will be showing up again. It was a software mistake that I bet they will not make again! Just wish it didn't take 4 months to find it!!

 

Unless it takes "time" to show, I'd agree that this any issues are a thing of the past.

Since I got it I've done a bunch of start, drive 1 mile, stop, come back out in 8 minutes, drive, 2 minutes, stop. Repeat in the afternoon... and nothing but smooth motoring.