I had a '08 JustaClubman with a CAI, and it was not enough power, traded up a year newer to the Clubman S (Both were/are AT)...still not enough power!!! I'll be tallking to my dealer about the JCW availability....the problem with the JCW Satge 1 Kit on the ATs sure makes a Jan tune look better by the moment...

 

For those that have the Stage I kit, there is no doubt they'll fix it. For those that don't have it and was considering it, though the Stage I kit is a good kit, there is no doubt I would go directly and get an RMW tune.

I did the Stage I on my '08 and the RMW on the '09. DEFINITE difference.


Hope ya'll get it fixed soon.

Mark

 

What kind of effect will the RMW tune have on your warranty?

 

Mark, does the RMW tune work with autos too or just manuals? I couldn't tell which you had. I really like the way the JCW tune adjusts the shift patters on the auto and makes it much, much better. I wasn't sure if RMW adjusted the transmission or not.

 

ABSOLUTELY!!! There's a couple of members on here that are pulling unreal numbers because the auto tranny increases the torque even more so than a stick.



I guess it depends on what's wrong.

I've had a tune on my car for the last year. I had some issues (self induced) and when I tried to get a melted valve cover covered under warranty, they not only said no to the claim, they voided my entire warranty for my drivetrain because they said my tune caused the problem.

Well, it turns out that the problem though self induced was because the downpipe came loose, not because I had a tune.

So not only did the dealership give me back 600 bucks they charged me, mini gave me back my full warranty.

Point learned here is simple, if the "tune" causes an issues AND they can prove that it is what caused the problem, then yes, they can deny the claim. (which seems completely fair to me)

The fact you have a tune on the car means nothing... it doesn't effect warranty or work done. (God knows, I'm on my 4th mini in 2 years and can tell you about tunes and warranties...lol)


Mark

 

Mark, that's great it works with autos!! I had no idea.

And that does seem fair to me too about the way the warranty works. They can't be responsible for someone else's tune. But they did just void that part of the warranty. I know a few car companies that would void the entire warranty on all parts.

I am sure it could be a pain with some dealers, but from my experience and what I have read, most Mini dealers seem to work with customers pretty well. Guess that is why they have been able to grow as much as they have.

 

I'm sorry, I should have clarified. They voided my complete valvetrain warranty only.

After some discussion, they reinstated it.

If I do something and it causes a problem, I don't expect Mini to pay for my mistakes, if you want to play, then expect to pay.

I do however expect them to do an intelligent diagnosis of what's wrong... not just blow me off because "I have a tune". (which is EXACTLY what happened to me)

Mark

 

Orange, would buying the hand held device from Jan allow us to "detune" the car when it needs to go to the dealer? I imagine this has been answered somewhere, but I can't find it. Thanks.

 

yes, absolutely, that's the whole premise behind the handheld. It takes less than 3 minutes to swap files.


Mark

 

Mark,

I hate they blew you off because of the tune. I didn't understand that.

Speaking of that, is there a history on the ECU of what has been done. In other words if you load the factory programing back in before going to the dealer and there is a problem, will it just show that it had some other tune for 9 months and changed back yesterday?

Of course even if it does, that might not be something they would normally look for so it would slip by unless you had a real thorough tech.

 

Tis okay, like I said, I got it ALL back. The guy that checked it out was a field engineer.

Normally, mini people are at least car people, this guy was just an idiot... he wasn't a car guy, let alone a mini guy.

But in the end, they did the right thing so everyone is happy. Like I said before, I want them to pay only for what they are responsible for.... if it's my fault, I'll gladly pay it.

And no, there is no way for a tech to know there was another tune previously installed.


Mark

 

Are you sure there's no way to know a previous tune as installed? As in all things software/computer related, everything you do leaves a trail.

I have an Audi allroad, and the forum guys all say that Audi will know if you've ever loaded up aftermarket software, even if you take it off. And they WILL void your warranty. Heck, car companies have even been known to void warranties just for taking your car to a track. The Nissan GT-R and Subaru WRX people talk about this all the time.

 

A number of dealers are mod friendly, they promote the MINI as an enthusiasts automobile.

I have the smart tool/flash tool. I have had a tune on the MINI for many months, no issues.

Also, I have an automatic. I had my three year checkup last week at my fav dealer, since they have known my MINI since new, they know is is tuned and modded.

They have a note in my service records, do not update my ECU, don't touch his ECU, he will get upset.

They know my car is not stock and it is on the track as often as I can get the time for a lapping day.

As well, they have never washed my MINI, I had them re-detail it at delivery with me watching using my micro-fibre.

You get the point!

Don

And yes, the auto will make huge TQ.

 

EXACTLY

 

Thanks Mark. This may be the way to go.

 

You are lucky to have a mod friendly dealer. Have you had any major warranty repairs? If not, then perhaps their "friendliness" has not been put to the test yet. My feeling, based upon my reading of other owners of modded cars in other forums, is that generally mod friendly dealers pay lip service to their "friendliness" but when push comes to shove, they will still deny a warranty claim. There are many stories of factory dealers who install GIAC and the such, deny a claim when the sh*t hit the fan. They will find a way to back out when the factory gives them a hassle knowing that you, the customer, has very little recourse.

In fact, there is an R53 owner here on NAM, who documented how he tried to fight the dealer/mfgr using the Magnussen Act, spending thousands of his own dollars, and ultimately gave up. The dealer/mfgr has deeper pockets than most customers and despite what Magnussen says, if you have a problem that renders your car out of commission, while the case is tied up in court, you have no car. And court cases are very timely and costsly. The dealer and mfgr know this very well.

I'm not trying to throw water on this parade. The reason I spend the $$ for the JCW kit (what this thread is about) is that the factory will stand behind this kit. And now that there is a known and documented problem with the hot restart stall, the factory will fix it and not give me a hassle about it. I know I could have gotten more HP with the RMW tune and other mods. However the dealer would have told me to take a hike if I had a problem. As it is, the dealer has been very accommodating, giving me a free loaner each time I have brought the car in and they've been very professional about the whole matter.

Just my two cents.

 

Yup.

That's why I'm going to wait until after my warranty's up before putting any aftermarket stuff on it. Well, assuming I have the car that long.

 

Modding cars is not for everyone. There are people that worry themselves to death about if they should mod and what happens to the warranty.

You will stories like the R53 case that would scare the average owner away from doing modifications and then you will hear stories like mine where I did have a confrontation with the dealership/manufacturer and they did the correct thing.

When I took my car in, the service advisor turned it over to the warranty rep because they have never seen anything like it. The warranty rep turned it over to a field engineer because they had never seen anything like it. Even he looked at the car and said..

"hmmmm, I see you have an intercooler...." uhhhh, okay...
"hmmmm, I see you have a larger exhaust...." uhhhh, okay...
"hmmmm, I see you have a different CAI...." uhhhh, okay...

At that point I wasn't in contact with anyone, it was later that he said I have a "tune" on the car. (still not sure to this day if they actually verified that or was guessing... to my knowledge, the ONLY way anyone can tell if there is a tune is to read the tables and see if the values are changed... highly unlikely)

Nonetheless, no one had a problem that the tune was on the car, the problem was that because no one had seen a melted valvecover before, it must have been the tune's fault. (should mention that one factor was they did read my ECM and found out I missed the shift point by 1200 rpms. (big deal... go check out any car that's been on a test drive...lol)

So they voided my powertrain warranty from that point.

A few months later, I melted ANOTHER valvecover. When I decided to check it out myself, I found out that it was because the downpipe came loose and the hot air pushed against the heatshield and melted the valvecover.

Point is, it had NOTHING to do with a tune and now that they saw that, they reinstated my warranty AND gave me back my 600 bucks it cost me for them to put a new valve cover on.

I still have a tune on the car with my other mods and my dealer (who is NOT mod friendly) still warranties my car and supplies me with loaners.

Point is, for every horror story you hear that warranty denied something, I'm sure you'll hear one for the good guy.

I've been in the bodyshop business for over 25 years. Almost half of that was working in dealerships and after being in the business that long, you know most of the rules you can or can't break. It's not that scary.

Anyway, bottom line is.... with the ability to load and unload tunes, the manufacturer's are definitely at a disadvantage.

When I had my '08 MCS, I did the Stage I kit because no one made a tune for an automatic at the time... Having had both tunes and know what I know now, there's no way I'd buy a Stage I kit when comparing #'s to price.

I've had my tune on this car for over 20K miles so far. I've had ONE CEL (and it was a glitch in timing values from injectors... NOTHING to do with a tune) It was cleared and NEVER came back.

The power that the RMW tune is ridiculous. I don't have new dyno numbers but I've been running a "special" tune that would embarass my signature numbers.

But like I said, modding isn't for everyone, if the people that have the Stage I kit are happy with it, I say GREAT, as long as everyone is happy.



Mark

 

I was in the same boat as orangecrush when I installed my JCW Stage 1 kit. There was nothing really available that I trusted. I do plan to do the RMW tune in the very near future. Either way they both work.....just depends on what you want. It is all good!

 

That's because we have an awesome dealer that doesnt pull BS games like "bad gas" and other atrocities...

 

That's because we have an awesome dealer that doesnt pull BS games like "bad gas" and other atrocities <---- said in my most facetious, imitating voice....


WTF EVER




Ahhhhh shaddup....


Mark

 

Just a quick update, apparently, BMW/Mini is testing some calibration changes to the JCW software, but still doesn't have a permanent fix.

They're offering to put the older JCW software on my car while we wait on the update. I think I'll take them up on it.

 

Might as well. I dont see what a huge difference it would make, and if and when they get a fix, U should be able to get it updated. good plan.

 

@Lex

No major warranty repairs, it has been a very good 07.

After my latest 3600 mile trip I had a 1 time issue with the auto tranny. They could not find any thing with a deep look at all the codes and tables.

At that time they did put on the latest tensioner fix, just as part of the year to year maint. on my MINI.

Btw, I am finished with the 3yr. freebees. I tried to wear out my front pads and rotors, just could not do it.

I switch front pads for serious lapping days and run my XP8s on the rear all the time.

My thought, mod if you want, pay the price if something blows up and the dealer does not want to play.

 

[quote=old81;3066866 At that time they did put on the latest tensioner fix, just as part of the year to year maint. on my MINI. [/quote]

That's what I love about RS-- they replaced my tensioner NQA, aamof, they offered to do it, no replication necc., no pushback.

Superior customer service!