Many of the JCW Stage 1 pieces can be found pretty cheap used like the filter, airbox, and exhaust. My question is, will the dealer do the ECU upgrade if you had the parts already? I thought I read somewhere that it's just a disk that the dealer has to install. Is there a part number for it?

 

The ECU upgrade is registered to your VIN (at least in Canada) so you can't use any disk to do it. I had the whole kit done and they told me that it's not just a MCS anymore, it will be listed as a JCW MCS (can't remember exactly how it was worded) according to the VIN. I'm not saying it's the same thing, or listed as the same as a factory JCW, just that it's no longer listed as just an MCS.

They will do it, but they might still charge a lot for it. Sorry I don't what it will cost.

 

I am pretty certain that the Dealer will NOT just install the ECU tune w/o the entire kit.

You can get the bits and pieces and then get a tune from RMW or WMW if you want "Stage 1" performance "on the cheap"

 

Thanks for the help, thats what I figured.

 

I want to re-ignite this thread... has anyone since tried this? Obviously it's pretty easy to come across the exhaust and intake from a JCW'er upgrading, so only upgrading the software is hopefully an option...

 

sorry you can't get just the software upgrade only, MINI will not offer it without buying the entire kit from them. We will be able to tune them in the future but the 2011 is not avail yet.