Hi guys.

We had a 2003 Cooper S but sold it about 6 years ago. Not long after we've been itching to get back into one.
We're going to look at what could possibly be a 2004 MC40 with no decals and they say it's a JCW. Obviously it's got the carbon dash, but it also has a bigger than regular cooper S sized exhaust.

I've searched buyers guides but after an hour I can't find what I need.

My question-

How do I tell if it has the proper JCW kit, is there a checklist I can run through as I'm going over the car?

I know parts like exhaust and intake can be bought seperately, but what's harder to change? Will I be able to tell by looking at the supercharger pulley?

Thanks for your help, we're really looking forward to getting back into a Mini, (hopefully JCW).

 

It should have a plate on the left rear (with you facing the engine) that says JCW with a kit number I believe. This car will have the kit if it is a JCW, it won't be the factory installed one.

Good luck hope it is the MINI for you. If it is not a JCW I wouldn't let that stop me if it is in good shape & a good price. The MC 40 is a great R53.

 

1st Gen MCS JCW Engine Tuning Kits - The MINI Wiki

 

There were different versions of JCW "kits" available and the combinations/permutations/kit changes and the ability to buy each piece separately makes it difficult to sort out a true first gen JCW.

The 200hp JCW kit included this:


The 210hp JCW kit (available in 2005) included this:


The JCW "sound" kit:


The engine bay would look like this:


The exhaust tips would look like this (but I think this image is of an R56)





So in addition to proofing if it's an MC40 to figure out if it's a JCW look for these items (all of which can be purchased from the dealer and put on any first gen*):

1. Valve Cover serial number plate (*not available to purchase through the dealer - usually this is the first thing to look for - but be aware that you can put someone else's JCW valve cover on)
2. Intercooler cover (may not be in place if an aftermarket cover is on)
3. Airbox
4. Exhaust (you'll have to get under to see the actual resonators - they're a different shape than the stock S)
5. Exhaust tips
6. Injectors (are blue)
7. JCW tags (placement of these tags can sometimes raise flags on legitimacy)

Things you can't see:

1. Supercharger vanes are black (teflon coated)
2. ECU will have the 200 or 210hp program

Be aware that there are numerous items like shifter ****, running boards, dash boards, aero kits that are all JCW branded.

 

Great list thanks.

So I did a bit of hunting around and called a dealer to see if there was anything on it.

It's not even an MC40, But looks just like one minus the decals, has everything else the same.

I'll probably still check it out, I can always walk away if I don't like it.

 

Probably the easiest way to tell an MC40 without any badging is by the unique red and black leather seats.

 

Yep, its got the seats, the guages, the chrome bits, the wheels. It's an MC40 without officially being an MC40.

 

Man, if someone went through all the trouble getting and installing the interior and gauges (fog lights and GB badge?) then how could one tell it's NOT an MC40? Just because it's missing it's plate - that's a LOT of work to make a fake one.

How did you rule it out being a real MC40?

 

Yea, if it has the five piece carbon fiber dash, red and black leather seats, aux gauges in the center console, aux lights (or at least the switch is still there), the GB on the rear hatch, and the R90 wheels... I would put money on it being a MC40, even if it is missing the Paddy Hopkirk badge.

Double check the documents folder, that's where the missing badge sometimes gets stashed and forgotten.

Best of luck...

Motor on!

 

Dealer looked up VIN for me. There was no code for MC40

 

I've decoded the VIN of several MC40s (TD88828, TD88953, TD88774, TD90235) and there's nothing in the information displayed which indicated they were a MC40. Interestingly, the upholstery shown for each was "Stoff Space/panther Schwarz (S4PN)" which are cloth seats.

I agree.

 

I'm sure it's a nice car but, IMHO, a 2005 or 2006 MCS would be my choice because of the better gear ratios, especially one with ltd. slip.

 

Well we didn't go and look at it. Friday night turned into a much bigger night that we'd planned.

Having thought it over while nursing a headache, we think we'd rather wait for a deal on an 05/06 with the 210 JCW package with better brakes and LSD. A better platform to start from.

So we'll be driving the good 850 turbo a while longer.