After much confusion and conflicting information about the possibility of a successful install of the JCW stage 1 kit for my application (2011) I found a dealer that said it could be done.

So this morning I dropped off my car for the tuning kit install and so far I do not have good news to report. I just spoke with the SM who informed me that so far the reprogramming has failed twice with the following modules failing: CAS, FRM, Radio and GW. They are now trying a battery reset.

The SM is also telling me that if the reprogramming is not successful this time, then they will have to possibly replace the above listed modules and call NJ for assistance. Of course this is a holiday weekend so if things do in fact turn out that way then the earliest I'll have my car is Tuesday.

Geesh, this is not inspiring my confidence in BMW/MINI.

 

That's really odd. Hendricks here in Charlotte just installed the kit in my 2011 and said it was one of the easiest installs they'd ever done. I've had it back a week now with zero codes and car runs and sounds great. Is it just certain dealers that are having problems with the install ?

 

What month was you car built?

 

October, 2010

 

Mine too; built 10/10. If they can't figure it out I'm having them return everything back to stock.

 

By chance is yours a automatic????? Mines a Manual, wonder if that makes a difference.

 

One is for Manual and one is made for automatic transmissions. It was posted on this forum by Orange Crush about a year or so ago. (do a search to find his post.)

Before Mini came out with a kit for the automatic's you could only get it installed on a manual transmission car.

I would bet your dealer probably don't even know of the special kit for the automatic transmission cars.

They will sure find out after talking with the factory.

 

I have a manual.

Mine is a 2011 with manual transmission. Because there were different part numbers listed for the tuning kit, the dealership SM said they got the kit based on my VIN specifically for my car with the N18 engine.

The latest update from the dealer this morning is that after a complete battery reset and discharge overnight that the file upload and reprogramming is going well so far. I should have a definitive answer in two hours.

 

The ECU was successfully re-programmed. The SM road tested my car before sending someone out to pick me up. Also, he took the time to personally apologize for the confusion and delay. Then the SW returned to me all of my take-off parts and gave me a $75.00 cash card to spend in the MINI boutique.

So after picking up some neat things from the MINI boutique I took my car for a spirited drive back to my house.

Here are my initial observations:

1. The new badges on the car and the numbered plaque on engine cover are cool and the JCW exhaust tips are very nice - much nicer than the stock MCS tips which I really liked.

2. Everything works in the car just like it did before the tuning kit install; in fact even my radio pre-sets are all unchanged.

3. The exhaust note is deeper but not loud even under WOT acceleration. There is a noticeable drone but it's not overwhelming or annoying BUT it's there.

4. The car does have more pick-up especially above 3000 rpms. There is definitely more power on tap BUT the change is NOT drastic. Also, the sport mode exhaust pop and burble is gone or muted. Otherwise I don't notice any significant change in performance.

5. The car bogs a little when moving out from a dead stop - even in sport mode. I had this before but it eventually went away; I assume as a result of the ECU adapting to my driving style. I'm not sure if this is something that will change over time again or if there will be other increases in performance as the car adapts but I'll chime back in after 500 more miles.

Was it worth it? Given that the only other option for the 2011+ cars that I could find involved removing the ECU and sending it to Florida to have it tuned; for me, YES. Besides I wanted an increase in performance and having the peace of mind that my warranty would remain intact. Besides if I ever feel the need for more insane power, speed and performance I can jump into my Z06; it has 600hp.

-Arthur