First time poster here!

I've been looking for '06 JCWs and recently an '05 popped up.

I know on '06 JCW, they're factory, have 10 more HP, and the bigger front brakes (red colored)

The '05 I saw looks like it was a dealer added JCW kit. But, it also has the front red brakes. Is that possible? (it also has no LSD, and when I pulled up the VIN, the build sheet did NOT indicate JCW, so it must be dealer added)

Can the '05 have the red brakes? (or did someone paint it afterwards, but how can I tell they're the bigger brakes?)

Also, the exhaust on the '06 sounded more aggressive then the '05 JCW exhaust. Is this expected?

I'm wondering if it makes more sense to buy a "regular S," and just mod it with a pulley, intake, and exhaust (and an ECM tune?) or if it makes more sense to find a JCW. Seems that lots of folks are asking crazy prices for JCWs here (R53s) in California.

Thanks!

 

The 2005 AND the 2006 BOTH have the jcw210 kit...so same HP...
Yup..the BBK could be added to the 2005 at anytime...main plus was it was tossed in if you got the same kit installed at the factory for almost nothing...
The kits, whether dealer or factory installed are the same...just in 2006 the BBK was tossed in, and many got the LSD. Exaust might have been modded...the cars are both 10 years old, so condition of the cars are important.

 

The factory JCW Package (210bhp Tuning Kit, Sport Brakes and LSD) wasn't available until November 2005 builds.

Factory "JCW" models only had 10 more horsepower than MSC models fitted with the early 200bhp JCW Tuning Kit. The dealer fit 210bhp JCW Tuning Kit (which included larger fuel injectors and the JCW airbox) was available from October 2004 onward.

JCW Sport Brakes were also available as a dealer fit accessory.

A JCW Tuning Kit probably adds about $2,000 in resale value to a 2005-2006 model.

 

Back in "the day" the JCW was sold at premium due the fact you would not void the WARRENTY...
No worries today...
My 2005 s had 200 WHP, so more than a JCW with 210 to the crank...
But on a 10 year old car, condition matters more than old factory specs.....
Frankly I found 200 up to be about perfect...more was just bragging rights...some folks did go to 250+, but on a fwd car, why bother?
You really need to choose what you want...and look at your plans...keep it stock or mod?
Some like modding...some don't.

 

Production date on the '05 is 07/05, so it's probably the dealer kit.

So both the Works and BBK could have been dealer options with no way to know since the VIN build sheet wouldn't show it. And the sticker is long gone. Ugh.

Ideally, I don't want to monkey with mod'ing the car (I'm past that age now!) so hence I was looking for a JCW car. Only mods would be a rear sway bar to dial out the understeer for occasional HPDEs.

Okay, I think I'll have a PPI done on the '05 and go from there.

Thanks!

 

SOLD!

Not to me though. =( Someone apparently bought it without a PPI.

Onward!

 

Just keep your eyes out! A JCW will be perfect for you since you aren't looking to add on too many modifications. The perfect one will come around, just have to be patient. Very nice that you run with NASA, I do as well. I'm sure once you pick up your new JCW, whenever you find the right one, you'll enjoy it a ton at the track. Be sure to keep us posted on what you find!

 

There will be others....
JCW cars are sold in some area at very high $$ due to the fact folks want to compete in auto events, but stay in the "stock" class....
A modified "S" ,while the equivent of the JCW (or better depending on the level of mods) will be in a higher class...meaning if one is racing/auto-xing for more than fun, placing higher is harder....
So there lies the risk....
Some cars pop up with very low miles, driven VERY HARD for all the miles....
Some pop up, similar miles, that have been weekend 3rd cars, that are barely broken in...
So a PPI IMO is a GREAT idea...very smart.
Let's face it...many folks don't get a different car till the fear they will have to spend big $$ to fix their ride, so they buy something different, and get rid of a car that needs Work...
For this reason cabrio's tend to be decent deals when bought in the right season, BUT in some climates might not be a great daily driver or may not be allowed in you track events....depends on the sanctioning body.

 

Just be aware if you do auto-x the only R53 JCW allowed in stock class is the 06 JCW because the kit was factory installed. That's why I got the 06 JCW I have, and I had to buy it in Texas and ship it to Alaska....