Hi everybody. I've been lurking for a couple of months, and now I'm about ready to place an order so I have a question or two. I'm planning to order an MCS with JCW. My closest dealer (St. Louis Mini) charges $6,000 installed for the JCW kit. I believe they're charging $500 over MSRP for an MCS, and I'm reluctantly willing to pay that much, but I was wondering if they are also gouging on the JCW installation. What's the typical installation charge on this? Does the charge vary depending on whether you order with the car or install it later? Do any of the other midwest dealers (Memphis, Nashville, Chicago) charge less for JCW installation? Thanks for any feedback you can provide. Joel

 

The Works Kit costs $4500 plus any sales tax and takes about 10 hours to install. The hourly labor rate dealers charge varies by location.

In the SF Bay Area where labor rates are $125 - $155 an hour and sales tax averages 8.25% you'll pay over $6100.

 

I believe Mini of Sterling lists the JCW install for $6,900.

 

I had mine installed last year at this time. It was the Indianapolis, IN MINI dealer. Cost was $6,000 installed.

 

Mini Center in SA, Texas quoted me $6200 installed

 

I've seen prices as low as $5500 installed. My local dealer in Chicago charges $104 an hour for labor btw.

 

6,900 is correct for Sterling, but Crown in Richmond Va. charges $6000. I am told that Townson in MD charges about 6000. All of them charge the 4500 kit price, all of them tak ten hours (book time) to install. So the major difference in price is the dealer labor cost. Some dealers are claiming it takes longer than 10 hours, but I double the actual time is more than that.

A lot of MINI shops depend on the attached BMW dealer to do the work and so the MINI dealer does not actually control the pricing. Sometimes you can cut a deal with the shop manager to do the work for less than the standard cost.

You might also try getting a quote (in writing) from any dealer that is close enough to compete with your closest dealer and show it to them to get the price lowered.

good luck

 

Niello MINI in Sacramento charges $100 per hr., and the tax rate is lower in Sacramento then it is in the Bay Area.

 

MINI of Charleston quoted me $4900, while I was visiting down there a month ago. Now I'm hearing that dealers are trying to sell out their JCW kits to make room for the 2005 kits. So, you may be able to get better prices now.