JCW Comparison - NM Eng Power Module vs RaceChip
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Comparison - NM Eng Power Module vs RaceChip
DISCLAIMER - The views expressed in this comparison are my own and are not backed by Dyno or other mechanical methods of verification.
PREAMBLE - When I decided to buy the JCW I did so without test driving the car. I took the reviews both in the press and via individuals as my measuring stick in the decision process. My girlfriend had purchased an F56 Cooper S (automatic) which I drove and find dynamically compatible with my MINI Cooper S Coupe, or Couper as I called it.
My first experience driving the vehicle was the day I picked it up from the dealer. Now, I had changes made to the vehicle before collection. Namely, JCW Pro parts (a list of which is in my signature). Driving home (the long way) I noticed more power, sharper handling and a smoother ride than compared to my Couper. After several days driving it, I did feel there was room for improvement in the power department. Like many of you, I felt that the JCW should have been harder edged and with closer to 250 HP. With that in mind, I purchased and installed the NM Engineering Power Module.
NM ENGINEERING POWER MODULE - Upon receiving the NM Engineering Power Module (hereinto referred as "Module") I set the power setting to high. I did this because I read that NM Eng. ran their test car on that setting, and although they didn't recommend it, they saw no issues.
Installing is a breeze. One cable to disconnect and pass-through and some velcro to adhere the unit to the the battery "box" and you're done. I took the car for a drive of approximately 30 minutes mixing street, freeway and some twisty roads and after approximately 20 of those 30 minutes I noticed a more urgent pick from the throttle and a much BIGGER push at between 2500 - 4500 RPM, but after about 4900/5000 the boost starts to tail off. The car was in effect, transformed. This is how it should have felt from MINI.
Over the course of 6 months I experienced ZERO issues with the device. I took my car to dealer for servicing and left the Module installed. I gave my sales associate a test drive and he immediately said he had a customer who would most likely buy a Module.
I felt happy with my purchase.
RACECHIP - Then someone posted on these forums about the RaceChip. The claimed 290 HP seemed far fetched, and as I commented at the time if I wanted that much power I would go Stage 2. I felt that I could live with that statement (still do) and was prepared to move on when I decided that you can only speak from a position of strength if you have all the facts. I debated with myself for several weeks and then decided to buy and test the RaceChip.
Installation is not as easy as the Module. There are three connectors to hook up. The instructions are not as straight forward as a result. I checked and double checked what connector went where before installing.And then checked again before I fired up the car. Satisfied everything was where it should be I turned the car over and went for a 30 minute drive. About 10 minutes into the drive a did a hard 3rd gear pull and noticed two things:
1. The boost was much stronger
2. It continued to pull all the way to redline
The RaceChip has stayed installed since that day.
CONCLUSION - Is the RaceChip better than the Module? That would be personal preference. I think for the money, the Module is the better buy. It is $200 cheaper than the RaceChip and is easier to uninstall in required. That is not to say I don't like the RaceChip. To the contrary I like it a lot (hence why it is still installed). At $598 (at time of writing) it is certainly cheaper than a Stage 2 tune (which will void your warranty), and provides boost to redline which the Module does not. But for daily driving I still think the Module is the better value, but if you intend to Autocross, or track your MINI and want not to void your warranty and make the car faster, then the RaceChip is for you.
Hopefully this has helped some of you. If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me.
FOOTNOTE - Before anyone asks, the Module is installed in my girlfriends MINI and is not for sale.
PREAMBLE - When I decided to buy the JCW I did so without test driving the car. I took the reviews both in the press and via individuals as my measuring stick in the decision process. My girlfriend had purchased an F56 Cooper S (automatic) which I drove and find dynamically compatible with my MINI Cooper S Coupe, or Couper as I called it.
My first experience driving the vehicle was the day I picked it up from the dealer. Now, I had changes made to the vehicle before collection. Namely, JCW Pro parts (a list of which is in my signature). Driving home (the long way) I noticed more power, sharper handling and a smoother ride than compared to my Couper. After several days driving it, I did feel there was room for improvement in the power department. Like many of you, I felt that the JCW should have been harder edged and with closer to 250 HP. With that in mind, I purchased and installed the NM Engineering Power Module.
NM ENGINEERING POWER MODULE - Upon receiving the NM Engineering Power Module (hereinto referred as "Module") I set the power setting to high. I did this because I read that NM Eng. ran their test car on that setting, and although they didn't recommend it, they saw no issues.
Installing is a breeze. One cable to disconnect and pass-through and some velcro to adhere the unit to the the battery "box" and you're done. I took the car for a drive of approximately 30 minutes mixing street, freeway and some twisty roads and after approximately 20 of those 30 minutes I noticed a more urgent pick from the throttle and a much BIGGER push at between 2500 - 4500 RPM, but after about 4900/5000 the boost starts to tail off. The car was in effect, transformed. This is how it should have felt from MINI.
Over the course of 6 months I experienced ZERO issues with the device. I took my car to dealer for servicing and left the Module installed. I gave my sales associate a test drive and he immediately said he had a customer who would most likely buy a Module.
I felt happy with my purchase.
RACECHIP - Then someone posted on these forums about the RaceChip. The claimed 290 HP seemed far fetched, and as I commented at the time if I wanted that much power I would go Stage 2. I felt that I could live with that statement (still do) and was prepared to move on when I decided that you can only speak from a position of strength if you have all the facts. I debated with myself for several weeks and then decided to buy and test the RaceChip.
Installation is not as easy as the Module. There are three connectors to hook up. The instructions are not as straight forward as a result. I checked and double checked what connector went where before installing.And then checked again before I fired up the car. Satisfied everything was where it should be I turned the car over and went for a 30 minute drive. About 10 minutes into the drive a did a hard 3rd gear pull and noticed two things:
1. The boost was much stronger
2. It continued to pull all the way to redline
The RaceChip has stayed installed since that day.
CONCLUSION - Is the RaceChip better than the Module? That would be personal preference. I think for the money, the Module is the better buy. It is $200 cheaper than the RaceChip and is easier to uninstall in required. That is not to say I don't like the RaceChip. To the contrary I like it a lot (hence why it is still installed). At $598 (at time of writing) it is certainly cheaper than a Stage 2 tune (which will void your warranty), and provides boost to redline which the Module does not. But for daily driving I still think the Module is the better value, but if you intend to Autocross, or track your MINI and want not to void your warranty and make the car faster, then the RaceChip is for you.
Hopefully this has helped some of you. If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me.
FOOTNOTE - Before anyone asks, the Module is installed in my girlfriends MINI and is not for sale.
