Wasn't sure if this should go into the F56 forum, the Modification forum, or here, so someone please let me know if this should go elsewhere.

I bought my 2019 International Orange JCW in February, and while it came with the valved JCW Pro exhaust, it didn't have the bluetooth remote. I couldn't get the control box in the trunk to get any power, so I figured it was dead.

I buy tons of parts from ECS Tuning, so I'll pick on their prices here.

The receiver unit is $535

The bluetooth remote is $270

So, total cost to get my exhaust flap operational with factory parts would have been $800, and I didn't really like the idea of using a bluetooth remote to operate the flap anyway.

I read this thread on this forum about hardwiring the exhaust flap and briefly considered to try it myself, but then I came across this thread on Reddit with a comment linking to MDM Montage, who is a vendor in The Netherlands that can build a hardwire kit for you. What I REALLY wanted was something that looked factory. A perfect solution for me would have been to add a switch into the center switch panel to operate the exhaust flap.

Guess what MDM Montage offers?

Exactly what I was looking for. Note the switch on the left. You can't really tell in the pic, but there's an exhaust icon just above it that looks like the JCW Pro exhaust tips.



Included in the kit is a new Mini switch panel with the new switch installed. I communicated with Bas, the owner, and shared some pictures of my switch panel so he'd know which one to procure from Mini. He also asked if I preferred the lighted switch or a non-lighted switch. I assume the two slots on the left of the switch panel are powered for light while the rest are not. Out of the back of the switch panel is a long, insulated wire bundle with a factory-looking connector on the end. This cord with connector runs to the back of the car where the original exhaust flap control module is.

Also included in the kit is a control box of Bas' own creation. Coming out of one end of the control box is a connector to connect to your long gray cord that you ran to the back of the car, and out of the other end of the box is a 3D-printed connector that connects to the OEM gray connector that originally plugged into the exhaust flap control box. Bas explained to me that he changed to 3D printed connectors a while back for longevity. Apparently the OEM connectors don't last forever.

Installation is pretty straightforward and took me about 60 - 90 minutes. The switch panel is installed, the cord is run to the back of the car, all of the connectors are connected, and you put everything back together. That's it.

Total cost was about 420 EUR, which converted to $454 US when I made the purchase. This included the modified switch panel, the custom-made control box with connectors, and shipping from The Netherlands to the US via DHL, which only took a few days.

Much less than the $800 it would've cost me to get the bluetooth solution up and running, and this was what I was looking for anyway.

If you don't want to build a hardwire box yourself and/or want something that looks like a factory solution, MDM Montage is 100% your solution. I HIGHLY recommend you shop with him! Bas is very much a professional that knows what he's doing and values good customer service.

Here's another link to the MDM Montage solution

I have no affiliation with MDM Montage. I'm just a happy customer that paid full price for their product and receive nothing in return, other than the satisfaction of knowing I may have helped them to acquire some more business.

 

That is a great post! Although I don't have the exhaust flap on my JCW, I have always wondered why someone didn't install a switch in that spot for it. Thanks for sharing the info.