Good afternoon all... First time Mini potential purchaser this weekend with a couple questions I have been unable to find answered as of yet.

Firstly.. Major car enthusiast - Coming from Lotus Exige, Z06, Audi S4 and Honda S2000 "project car" backgrounds. Have been loving the Cooper S from afar for quite some time now, and recently presented with the opportunity to own one.

Car in question is a 2 owner, 2002 MCS with JCW Tuning package. Under 100k miles, clean carfax.. (At the moment I have only seen pictures and general discussions with the owner, will be looking at it this weekend.) In my ignorance of only what I have read and by the limited pictures I currently have, I see the JCW plate on engine with number, the JCW badge on the lower right of front grill. Still no pictures yet of exhaust tips, rear hatch or other badges/items/etc.. This is my only confirmation so far that it is in fact equipped with JCW package.

My questions:

1. I have heard a lot of different words about what the JCW package includes; everything from the larger SC, exhaust, brake kit, suspension, etc. I know many of these options might only be included in later versions, but simply trying to confirm which items this one would include as an '02 JCW package?

1a. If suspension is in fact part of the JCW package at this year, is it recommended to continue to run Run-Flats?

2. Pulley size. Has it been altered through JCW tuning kit? 15% pulley still recommended with this package?

3. Limited slip available on this model, and if so how to tell upon inspection?

4. Confirmation on HP/Torque from the factory, post this JCW option? (I have heard a few different numbers.)


Enough for now to boost my confidence as to what I am looking at once we meet.

I thank you all in advance for the assist, and am excited to join the community!

 

The JCW came in separate levels of completion, in other words, different stages or phases for lack of a better explanation. The bump in hp results from a package which includes upgraded head/sc/exhaust, while big brakes are a separate package, as is the optional suspension upgrade. Pulley size is different on the JCW, most folks say it is around 12 or 13 percent reduction. Limited slip was available but I cant tell you how to differentiate visually other than if you have access to original window sticker, actually now that I think about it, you can probably go to a mini dealer and they can reference that info with the vin number. Finally, in regard to your request for a confirming hp/torque number will get varied answers... the only way to know for sure is to test your own car...then again if you test on another machine you will likely get a different number. Good luck!

 

1. Go here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-true-jcw.html
page 1, posts 6 thru 12 for details of the JCW tuning Kits, options and years of availability.
1a. Not part of the pkg. Runflats are owner decision.
2. Yes. 11.45% Some people say yes, some say not worth the effort.
3. Not available till 2005.
4. Stock MCS=168hp. JCW Stage 1=200hp. JCW Stage 2=210hp.

Hope this helps...

 

Thank you all so much.. Car now in hand and loving it. Recommendations on going with an open air box intake? Perhaps the Alta, etc.. Any gains over the JCW? Added note noticeable?

 

I don't know if there are any horse power gains over the JCW airbox with the Alta or any other that are available.
The big difference is the cost and if your in a state that is picky about mods, like California,
the JCW box is the answer. It works and conforms.

You can do the JCW 210 hp upgrade kit which consists of an airbox, 380 injectors and an ECU re-flash.
That's worth 10 hp and the sound of the supercharger, there's a cowl flap that opens at 4500 rpm,
is an intoxicating head turner.

Hope this helps...

 

definitely go with the 15% or 17% pulley. huge diffference in performance. Dont go 380 injectors unless you plan on retune. If not it wont do anything for you. Filter is good for freeing up some hp. but not much. In my opinion it is mainly for the sound effects.