Contemplating getting Stage 1 For my Clubman S Auto.

Want a little feedback from anyone who had stage 1 installed

First and foremost...Do NOT recommend any NON factory/Warranty ECU tunes!!! I want to stay somewhat factory and go JCW.

I am looking for Stage 1 feedback ONLY

• Intake Sound...is it loud inside the cabin?
• Exhaust Sound...is there any Drone?
• Exhaust...is it loud inside the cabin?
• Was it worth the $$$ ?
• Would you do it again??
• Did you see measurable performance gains?
• Was it worth the $$$ ??

Thanks in advance for your help

 

First of all, you should read the thread below documenting the current problem the MCSa has with the JCW Stage 1 kit. It's only the automatics that have this problem - the car will stall on a hot restart. It's not a terrible problem. It does not affect the driveability of the car at all. It's just annoying. It can be overcome by giving the car a bit of throttle when you start her up. And the factory knows about this problem and will be come out with a new software update.

As far as the kit goes, just do it. When my car was in for service, I had a non-JCW MCSa, and there is a BIG difference. The JCW car accelerates seemingly much harder. The sound of the exhaust is much louder if you like it (I love it). The car just feels much more powerful.

All in all the car feels like a different model car with the kit than without it.

 

I have mine more than 2 years and have done 25000 miles. I have not experienced this problem at no time. My MCS auto with the JCW kit is working perfect with no problem at all

You cannot hear the intake from the cabin
The exhaust sound is a bit louder inside, especially if you are cruising at 3500 revs
The exhaust sound from the outside is also louder but not too much
I would do it again ( for an auto car, if was going manual go factory JCW every time)
Easily measurable gain in torque mostly
It is a bit expensive but worth it ( warranty etc.. )

 

How about exhaust "drone" between gears. Do you get that LOW muddling sound of an aftermarket exhaust?

Are there any Clubman Owners that have done it??

 

It's a problem for the most recent of installations. There's a problem with the software downloaded to the cars.

It's our understanding that Mini/BMW is aware of the problem and is working on a fix.

 

I've got a Stage 1 on my auto Clubbie.

1) Just a heads up. You're not in the JCW club unless you have a "true" or "factory" JCW.

2) Intake Sound...is it loud inside the cabin? - No.

3) Exhaust Sound...is there any Drone? - I don't think so, but then again, I'm never behind my car when it's running.

4) Exhaust...is it loud inside the cabin? - No.

5)Was it worth the $$$ ? - Eeeehhh... It wasn't as dramatic of a difference as I thought it would be. However, if you do want a modest gain, but keep Mini/BMW on the hook for your warranty, you don't really have much choice.

6) Would you do it again?? - Eeeehhh... I don't know. Again, the only reason I went with the JCW stuff was because I don't want to give Mini/BMW any wiggle room when it comes to fixing stuff. If I still have the car after the warranty expires, I'm going aftermarket with some stuff.

7) Did you see measurable performance gains? - Eeeehhh... I haven't had it dyno'ed and don't plan to, but, as I said earlier, it wasn't as dramatic of a difference as I thought it would be. However, CheekyMini says she can really tell a difference. Of course, she races and is probably a little more "in tune" with a car than I am.

8) Was it worth the $$$ ?? - See above.

 

I like the Stage 1 kit on my auto clubby, the exhaust is not too loud at any speed and there is a nice bump in the performance. Think of the old 'S' button as being a light version of what you will get. Gas mileage has not dropped as much as I might have expected, your driving may vary.
One of the nice things that I never see mentioned here is that when you have the 'S' button on and you move the shifter to the shift position, the tranny becomes almost a true manual, it will stick in gear all the way up and down the tach. Needless to say this is much more fun. Remember, this only seems to work with both the 'S' button on and the shifter in the shift position (paddles can still be used) at the same time.
Is it worth it? You can likely spend less and get better results, but the warranty is gone. Then you have to look at resale, is it better to have a JCW kit or an good independent tune. Overall I think the JCW kit will do better, but will it make up for the increased cost? Hard to say here, too many variables and you have to figure in the cost/benefit of driving enjoyment with the different options

 

X dunno where you heard this but whoever claims this is spewing elitist BS out their bumhole. Just because there's no automatic factory JCW (yet) doesn't mean we are lesser because we choose to install tune kits on our cars. As long as I have my COA signed by Michael Cooper, well, I am JCW, and so are the rest of you. Stand up, be proud, and reject unfounded factory car elitism.

 

Where did I get that idea?

Right here.

 

Thanks Turbotraveller!

I appreciate the review of the Automatic.


Xeraux...Thank you as well. BTW, Drone is NOT outside the rear of the car. Drone is that LOW muddling hum that is inside the cabin. Example...driving 65-70 mph in 6th gear and the car starts to climb a slight grade and and doesn't shift to 5th and the engine boggs a little...the exhuast starts to "Drone" and gets an annoying low hum that produces a big fat headache!!

Factory or Tune kit...doesn't matter, we all drive MINI's and it's a "Unique" club in itself...we all stick together!! I hope a fellow Factory JCW Mini Owner will still wave to a JCW Tune Kit owner.

Thanks everyone for the great reviews.

 

Nah. I don't get a "drone" at all.

 

There definitely is a drone (on the MCS), uphills or pretty much any time you reach over 3000 rpm. One tip though, if you keep your rear seats up and the boot cover on (assuming there is one in a Clubby, sorry for my ignorance on the interior) you hardly notice the drone. From the outside it sounds very nice.

 

I concur with everything ckakats commented on,and most what xeraux had to say.I do not own a JCW because you cannot order one with an automatic,so the alternative was an S with Auto.I choose to upgrade to stage one for the extra boost,and have never looked back.I have never experienced any problem what so ever with this upgrade.Q

 

What is the "JCW club"?

People who purchased a factory JCW paid a lot for it, and a few of them are annoyed that a lower priced, lower performing kit is still called "JCW". Ultimately, it is MINI corporate that determines what is called JCW or not. Maybe they should campaign MINI to remove the JCW branding from the dealer kit.

 

Absolutely! Being "different" is what the MINI brand promotes, more than anything else. Apparently some of us care a great deal about being in an exclusive factory JCW club. Some of us don't.

I just went from a manual MC to an auto MC Clubman S. Bought the S only because I found one with all the right options for a great deal. Otherwise, I have zero sporting intentions right now.

I like the looks of the JCW aero kit but am only getting the front bumper, which to me provides 90% of the visual appeal at only 30% of the full JCW aero kit price. I wonder which JCW club that gets me in...

 

prob the "accessory club," those w/o fac cars or tune kits that add on non-d/t JCW bits and pieces and call them JCW cars. within that y'd be in the sub-group "half an aero kit" club.

 

To that... I raise my made-in-china authentic reproduction Bavarian beerstein, half-filled with watered-down brewsky.

 

Agreed. So for whatever it's worth coming from someone who owns a factory JCW: a MINI is a MINI is a MINI; you can't see what's under the hood (er, excuse me, bonnet) or the type of transmission when you pass each other, so wave to all of them!

 

 

What should one pay to get the Clubman S JCW auto upgrade?

 

I'd save the $2K+ Mini wants for extra 18 hp on paper and wait til your warranty expires and get a 3 times cheaper+more hp aftermarket tune, custom dynoed to your car .