JCW JCW Tuning Kit vs BYO?
#1
09-10-2010, 05:07 AM
JCW Tuning Kit vs BYO?
I was toying with the idea of the JCW tuning kit, but wanted to know if there was a better value out there. It looks like the JCW tuning kit costs about $2k for exhaust, intake, and tune. Beside the benefits of warranty and keeping it in the family, are there any benefits to the Mini package vs 3rd party?
for the money the JCW kit is a joke other than the warranty bit but it can not be compared.
#3
09-10-2010, 08:24 AM
There is also reports of the "new" JCW tune giving the car warm start problems. IMO the RMW/Alta system is not only cheaper, but it allows you to trouble shoot without going back to the dealer. I was going to go JCW as well but so many members had issues it scared me off. I just don't have the time to sit at a dealer while they figure out problems that NAM members solved 5 weeks ago.
#6
09-10-2010, 08:47 AM
So would the Alta System look something like this?
Cold Air Intake System
AMP-INT-401 QQQ
$230
Turbo Back Exhaust $1600
or
CatBack for $700?
Which exhaust would be most similar to the JCW package? Also, the Turbo back says it may through a check engine light. Whats the deal w/ that?
AccessPort $895
Cold Air Intake System
AMP-INT-401 QQQ
$230
Turbo Back Exhaust $1600
or
CatBack for $700?
Which exhaust would be most similar to the JCW package? Also, the Turbo back says it may through a check engine light. Whats the deal w/ that?
AccessPort $895
#7
09-10-2010, 02:14 PM
6th Gear
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#8
09-10-2010, 02:59 PM
#9
09-10-2010, 03:28 PM
6th Gear
Boost causes heat. More boost causes more heat. The aftermarket intercooler is capable of taking care of more heat than the stock intercooler. Since it can handle more heat, you can crank the boost up higher.
#10
09-11-2010, 08:07 AM
4th Gear
I've had my JCW kit for about 6 months now and haven't had any problems. The kit does add a lot of power, but it is expensive (mine was $1680 installed). You do get peace of mind with the factory warranty and you do earn the right to have the badges on your car. I did see a drop in mileage of about 2mpg., but I can still average about 38mpg with gentle highway driving (60-65mph).
#11
09-11-2010, 12:47 PM
#13
09-11-2010, 01:41 PM
6th Gear
#16
09-11-2010, 05:22 PM
So i went to my dealer today to get a car wash and talk to them about the JCW Kit. The kit's MSRP was 2100 and installed would be 2500'ish. How are is a CAI and a cat back exhaust to install. I did take auto-shop in HS (granted 10 years ago) and we did a lot of work on my car (a needy 84 corvette). So do you think it would be something i could do in my neighbors driveway (since he has a TON of tools?). Also, how important is the tune? Would $800 be better spent on the Tune or the intercooler from Alta?
#17
09-11-2010, 06:15 PM
Those parts are rather easy to install but the tune must be done by the dealer. You should be able to get the kit installed for $2000 or better if you shop around. Most of the folks on this forum will say you can do better with aftermarket parts but the downside is that you don't get a factory warranty with aftermarket parts.
Personally, for about the same money as the JCW kit, (maybe a bit less) I would consider an intercooler and the Alta tune.... but no warranty is the downside.
Personally, for about the same money as the JCW kit, (maybe a bit less) I would consider an intercooler and the Alta tune.... but no warranty is the downside.
#20
09-15-2010, 04:53 AM
I have the JCW stage 1 kit from 2.5 years ago before there was a factory JCW and many of the aftermarket go faster parts available today. I would say it was expensive but I still enjoy it. I have had no problems with it.
I have a great dislike for CELs so if there was a sort of "guarantee" of no CELs, I would tend to go with the aftermarket parts. Also, I tend to wait a little before getting the next newest gadget.
I have a great dislike for CELs so if there was a sort of "guarantee" of no CELs, I would tend to go with the aftermarket parts. Also, I tend to wait a little before getting the next newest gadget.
#21
09-18-2010, 01:01 AM
The JCW stage 1 tune only changes the exhaust tips for north american cars. In the UK (and elsewhere?) they do the whole exhaust… but it upgrades the exhaust to what the north american models already have from the factory.
The JCW tuning kit is basically an air box, a tune, shiny metal bits on the end of your pipes, and JCW badges.
My suggestion: upgrade in stages. Start with the ALTA AccessPort ($900) and see how you like it (probably the most bang-for-your-buck item, and where you should start). Maybe add an intake (people seem to like the one from DoS… I think it's around $300 and looks pretty cool under the hood). Maybe you'll be happy and not feel the need to spend more $$$… or maybe not. But you don't have to throw it all in at once, ya know.
#22
09-18-2010, 03:01 AM
6th Gear
Tune. No question.
The JCW stage 1 tune only changes the exhaust tips for north american cars. In the UK (and elsewhere?) they do the whole exhaust… but it upgrades the exhaust to what the north american models already have from the factory.
The JCW tuning kit is basically an air box, a tune, shiny metal bits on the end of your pipes, and JCW badges.
My suggestion: upgrade in stages. Start with the ALTA AccessPort ($900) and see how you like it (probably the most bang-for-your-buck item, and where you should start). Maybe add an intake (people seem to like the one from DoS… I think it's around $300 and looks pretty cool under the hood). Maybe you'll be happy and not feel the need to spend more $$$… or maybe not. But you don't have to throw it all in at once, ya know.
The JCW stage 1 tune only changes the exhaust tips for north american cars. In the UK (and elsewhere?) they do the whole exhaust… but it upgrades the exhaust to what the north american models already have from the factory.
The JCW tuning kit is basically an air box, a tune, shiny metal bits on the end of your pipes, and JCW badges.
My suggestion: upgrade in stages. Start with the ALTA AccessPort ($900) and see how you like it (probably the most bang-for-your-buck item, and where you should start). Maybe add an intake (people seem to like the one from DoS… I think it's around $300 and looks pretty cool under the hood). Maybe you'll be happy and not feel the need to spend more $$$… or maybe not. But you don't have to throw it all in at once, ya know.
I don't know where you got your info but it's not right. The JCW kit in the US is a cat back system. you get new muffler.
#23
09-18-2010, 04:05 AM
"The primary difference between the Euro kit we've reported on before and the kit to be sold Stateside is the exhaust manifold. Apparently, U.S.-spec vehicles are already equipped with the new exhaust plumbing, making the addition to the kit irrelevant." -- Autoblog.com
"In Europe the JCW engine kit also includes an upgraded exhaust manifold. In a few markets (notably the US) the upgraded manifold is actually standard from the factory." -- Motoringfile.com
And I ran across a post from someone in here (sorry, lost the link) saying they were disappointed that the JCW Stage 1 exhaust consisted of basically "a muffler and about 2 feet of pipe" (paraphrasing).
Here's what the North American JCW Tuning Kit looks like: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...52&hg=11&fg=95
And here's what the UK JCW Tuning Kit looks like: http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...51&hg=11&fg=95
Last edited by fishbert; 09-18-2010 at 04:10 AM.
#24
09-18-2010, 04:17 AM
I had the kit. It was definitely a new muffler, and nice engraved tips. The more aggressive note was was via the muffler. I had it for a few months but grew tired of the interstate drone. I sold it on nam for a very respectable price and bought the full factory jcw exhaust which I really like.