Hi
I've spent a lot of time reading/searching the forum, but wondering if you can summarize for me the following: (I'm a bit confused)

I'm considering a +/- 2010 R56 MCS JCW as a 3rd car. Want not Need (or maybe NEED not Want)

I see cars on Autotrader/eBay advertised as JCW models - but I understand you can buy the bits and pieces from the dealer and have them installed on a MCS - and then call it a JCW model. How do I know I'm getting the genuine factory JCW model with all the engine, suspension, driveline, interior options?

I've noticed references to N14 and N18 engines. I thought the JCW model came with a N18 - that's what made it a JCW? A local post had one of the 500 Anniversary models listed (at a premium) but when I checked the VIN, it appeared to be nothing more than a MCS (MF93)

Lastly, what are the potential problematic issues with the 2010 MCS-JCW? I saw someone posted they were looking at a used 2009 MCS and noted the follow was replaced and someone added the water pump and thermostat, as a potential issue - what else am I getting myself into on a used low mileage (<50K mile) vehicle? Don't need to add to my repair budget, I already have 2 BMW's in the driveway! (LOL)

Turbo heat shield replaced
High Pressure Fuel Pump replaced
Exhaust Turbo charger replaced
Timing chain replaced
Tensioner replaced
Aux water pump replaced
Water Pump and Thermostat (from another post)

Thanks for you patience and help in advance....

 

You can get the "Factory" JCW which is what we have (motor, brakes, body kit, clutch if you have manual, cylinders) or the JCW body kit (dealers can install those) or JCW suspension kit (dealers, does NOT come on the factory JCW). The factory JCW adds about $7k to the price of the R56 and also includes little options stuff like the JCW steering wheel, 17" wheels, headliner, etc. The big thing is the upgraded motor/turbocharger which CANNOT be added onto the regular R56 car, so if it has that it's got to be a factory JCW. If it has the other stuff it might just be a modded R56. Dealers can even add the Brembo brakes.

 

If I have my facts right VIN 'MF73' is a MCS and MF93 is a JCW

 

Thanks for your responses...I had two VIN numbers I found from MINI JCW I was looking at on AutoTrader, both were in the 2009/2010 model year.
Both came back as:
TYPE: MF93
Engine: N-14 155kw (I thought factory JCW had the N18)
Model: R56 (JCW)
ONE came back in the full option description as: World Championship 50 ( assume 50th anniversary)

It was my understanding that the Cooper S had the N14, but additional MODS to that engine was what you got on a JCW?

 

The N14 motor can be a factory JCW.

The VIN will declare it a JCW when you look it up on the Gen 2 cars. Otherwise it is a MCS. (Dealer installed kits won't show as JCWs on VIN searches.)

 

The 2009 and 2010 JCW cars had the N14 motor. I believe the JCW had the N14 all the way up to and including 2012 and they switched to the N18 in 2013.

 

This man speaks the truth, one advantage of getting an N14 JCW is if you get a hankering for more power its easier to flash a tune through the OBD port.

 

Agreed. I have a 2012 factory JCW with n14. I actually called a MINI dealer before I bought it and had them run the Vin to confirm a factory JCW. Mine actually has John Cooper Works printed on the production sticker on the door as well I believe

 

True that. The guys over at Revolution and other tuners have not "broken the code" yet on the N18, so they told me at MOTD recently...

 

Was actually thinking of selling my 2011 JCW Clubman, part of me is still finding it hard to actually list it as it's a sweet car

Yes, the N14 JCW is a nice engine that could be flashed if you wanted. Was looking at the country of origin on my sticker for the car and it states:
Country of Origin:
Engine: GERMANY
Transmission: GERMANY

Not sure if that's true for other non-JCW Minis and just the JCW's ones are made in Deutschland?

 

My 2014 N18 Roadster S says "Germany" for engine and transmission.

 

Tow Quick ways for any novice to tell if its a factory JCW or the add on kit. ( Pre N18)
#1) Exhaust - Factory JCW's have a completely welded exhaust system from stem to stern. Tips are not the ones with hex fasteners.
#2) Air Box - Factory JCW airbox uses the standard S model rectangular air filter. The add on JCW Air box uses a cone filter and is same cone filter used by the R53 JCW.

 

Filter boxes are not the same as an S on the fJCW.
If you compare the aesthetics of it alone, the S is considerably flat compare to fjcw

 

Even if you buy the bits and pieces it will not make it a factory JCW.

Easy to note items are the side gills, it doesnt have an S logo on it, its plain chrome. Exhaust tips doent have JCW stamp on and is tapered on the edges. Interior - red lettering on the gearshift, checkered block sticker on the passenger side dash.

What sets the fJCW apart from the "add on" jcw is the following:

- strengthened pistons and other engine internals
- full on JCW turbo
- Ugraded gearbox and clutch
- Brembo brakes
- A special traction control which serves as an LSD
- 155 kW vs 141 kW

the items above is what the "add on" jcw doesnt have, the items the "add on" jcw has the factory jcw has as well.

 

If it's a WC50, or World Championship 50, then it's a factory JCW that's also a special edition, so 1 of 500 made and 50 imported to the U.S. (likely fewer than 50 still here) to celebrate Cooper winning the F1 World Championship in 1959 and 1960. WC50s will go for more than even fJCW cars, so depends on if you want to pay a premium for a limited run car and special color.

WC50s came painted a hand-sprayed flat green over a production-line-painted black, with pepper white roof and pepper white bonnet stripes, special interior details, etc. etc. etc. My WC50 comes up as a JCW using the NAM VIN Decoder, and came up as black exterior when I did Carfax since it started life black before the "Connaught Green" old-school BRG color.

WC50s, like other fJCWs, didn't originally come with the JCW suspension from the factory, to keep the MSRP reasonable I guess, but the PO may have added it on the car you're looking at for sale.

Hope that helps

 

I think the second and third to last options listed there are available too. My MCS definitely has DTC with EDLC (which came with the sport package) as well as the JCW Brembo brakes (which were a dealer installed option). The upgrade comes with cheesy drilled rotors that the fJCW doesn't include, but I believe they're otherwise the same. N18-equipped models also get 147kW instead of the 141 the earlier years got and, I'm not sure about the earlier ones, but my JCW tuning kit definitely included JCW stamped non-tapered tips.

One nice piece of kit that isn't on that list is the wonderfully awesome JCW steering wheel, which has to be purchased and installed separately on an S (which I highly recommend).

--Matt

 

Get the VIN and visit a Mini dealer.
I think there is a model year split in 09
Don't forget about coking on the valves.
Motors run lean and hot.
Get a warranty for sure unless u work in the auto repair biz like me.
Try to get a LSD not the electronic version.
Parts tend to be overpriced but if you own Bmw's then u r seasoned.

 

http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

 

The JCW turbo is actually a larger unit with higher flow. The system also runs at 19psi boost (22psi at overboost) compared to the S at 13psi. 155kW = 207.85hp or the rounded figure of 208hp in the US. Sometimes you will see the metric equivalent listed at 211hp; same thing.

One of the forum members contacted a trade organization in the UK that tracked vehicle exports. In 2009, MINI imported 45,000+ cars to the US across the, then, 3 models. 498 fJCWs came to the US, 67 to Canada and 33 to Mexico. Unfortunately, we don't have the model split. But, when I factored how the models split in the general population to the fJCWs, I estimate that there were 110-120 fJCW Clubmans.

When I bought the car, I didn't know how really rare it was...