I keep reading about the "pop and burble" that many of the JCW mini's have. I've got an 03' JCW MCS...with the stock 03' JCW tune. Expect for a rare pop every now and then, I don't really get any "pop and burble" at all when I'm driving the car on a daily basic. Sure, if I rev the crap out of it I can hear some popping when the motor rpms are coming back down, but other than that ...nothing.

Is this pretty normal for 1st gen mini's?

 

I believe MINI programmed in the "pop and burble" in 2005.
My 2003 did not have it but my 2006 does.

 

my 05 had the pop and burble with the tune and exhaust. But from inside the car you had to have the music off and be whispering to hear them. So I did a resonator delete and I think that makes it prefect for me. Not too much louder but tons more snap crackle and pop. Cost me 50 or 60 bucks I think at muffler shop.

 

Can someone give me some more info on what I need to tell the dealer in order to get my 03' JCW upgraded to the 05' JCW tune?

The closest MINI dealer to me is telling me at all JCW ECU tunes are the same, and that there is nothing different from an 03’ JCW compared to any of the others.


Can someone give me some more specifics on the 05’ Tune….is there any kind of MINI part#, tune #, or service # that talks about the 05’ JCW tune? I would like to have some specifics and more details when I try to call back and talk to the guy.

 

Anybody?

 

The computer was changed....was pretty minor change....a revised part...in 2005...one if the reasons the 2005 s got a couple extra HP...along with the coated sc.
The JCW tune in 2005 went to the jcw210 tune...an extra 10 HP there over older ones...thanks to the new 380 injectors and JCW CAI...
Net result for you...
A custom tuner can add burble..(like when a full dyno tune is done)....but dealer cannot...tunes ARE different.

 

OK, thanks for the info. At least I can tell them "jcw210 tune" is what I need.

Do you know what the "program number" is for the jcw210 tune is? For example, my ECU says " Program# 7528436" on the JCW sticker.

 

Not all is that simple...the computer changed did add some more paramaters ....so electronically the tunes ARE different...software is different...there is a jcw210 upgrade tune around...if you have the injectors AND an intake.....
Putting a jcw210 tune on a car without the injectors=boom!

 

The ECU wasn't the only change. You are also missing some sensors on the pre facelift models. I have looked at getting a GP computer in my 03 and with it missing parts the ECU looks for it just won't work.

 

What sensors?? More details please.

 

The updated computer/tune monitors more parameters....
So wiring harness is different....and the "tunes" aka software is different....
Earlier JCW cars that got the injectors could get the 210 upgrade....but it is NOT the same as later cars....
Technology changes....and the mini evolved in many ways over the years...some minor...some major.

 

I think there is a little confusion here…..I have a 2003’ JCW MCS, I want to upgrade the tune from the 2003 JCW tune to the 2005 JCW tune (that required the 380cc injectors and intake). And from what you are you saying, that is possible….I just need to explain that to the MINI service dealer somehow.

You also mention “later cars”…..who’s talking about later model cars? I’m talking about my 2003 with a 2005 JCW tune. Then you mention the different wiring harnesses and more sensors….are you saying that a 2005 mini has a different wiring harness that my 2003?? I’m talking about 1st generation cars…nothing else.

 

Yes....
2005 cars and 2003 cars are mostly the same...but the 2005 "refresh" did have some mechanical changes.....
Adding the jcw380 injectors to an older JCW package requires a reflash to the jcw210 kit...
Not sure if that will get you the pop/burble...but 10 extra HP...but the extra $$ for the injectors and flash....could get more HP for similar price with injectors and custom tune.

 

I've heard that MINI dealers only charge an hour for the reflash...so I'm assuming around $100. And teh 380cc injectors probably need to be done matter what, even if I went with a custom tune I would get the 380cc injectors.

Aren't custom tunes running around $900-$1000 after you add in dyno time and the flash tool needed??

 

R53 custom tunes run 300-350$ ....tool is needed if you do it remotely as opposed to a tune event...prices at nonevents or different tuners might vary...
Dyno time is about $100...injectors will run you about $400...but you can get different ones that give you more flexibility...but the OEM jcw 380 injectors do keep you stock...and let's you use a factory flash.....lots of options...
The actual software revision number YOUR car will get will vary depending on which revision computer you have in the car....etc...so they plug into the BMW/mini computer...and they will get the RIGHT one.....some dealers know r53 stuff...some don't....my suggestion...find a dealer....if you go that route....that knows their crap.

 

I agree 100%...that's what's so frustrating. The closest MINI dealer is three hours from me. When I talk to their MINI service guys, he acts like he knows nothing about R53 minis except how to do an oil change on them. I'm sure most of those guys are schooled on the new MINI's, but the older ones just blow their mind.

I'm still trying to find a MINI dealer that knows R53's......so for, I'm not coming up with anything. Very frustrating.

 

Most r53 were sold on the coasts....the middle USA mini dealers were added more recently....so your statement is 100% right IMO. Heck...gen1 cars from start to finish are similar...but there are changes... As you have found...some are very well known...some not so much.
Good luck!!

 

I realize this thread is kinda old but I have a 2004 MCS (which is identical to 2003) and I have the JCW exhaust (no silencer), jcw 380's and jcw tune and I have a decent about of burble. The JCW tune should add more and an exhaust should help as well.

Hope you've achieved the burble you've been looking for by now - It was a goal of my as well. I love the sound!

 

Gat A Boria!! Nice and loud, Pop and burble, All the time! I love It!

 

If I have the resonator delete, will it throw a check engine light or anything like that? Thanks

 

Catback mods shouldn't give you problems.

 

I did the resonator delete. No code issues. The resonator is after the O2 sensor so no code or smog check issues.