Hey folks I am looking to order a mini but I don tknow if I should get the jcw+LSD+sport package or if I should just get LSD and sport package. I am a horse power junkie, but I don tknow if it would be worth to speed the extra 4500. What you people think?

 

Search on JCW and you'll find about a hundred threads on this subject.

Bottom line - if you want the warrantee and have the cash, JCW is great.
If you don't care about your warrantee and want 'almost as good' for about $3000 less, go aftermarket CAI, 15% pulley, exhaust and ECU.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

if you got the bucks (burning in your hands) or are warranty concerned - JCW.

But if its HP you seek - for 4,500 you can buy more hp by not going the JCW
route.

bahamabart

 

Extra $4500? You're forgetting at least another $1000 in installation.

If you want to know what I think, I think it's what you're comfortable doing. If you want warrantied high-performance parts, go JCW.

But remember, most dealers won't refuse warranty work on cars fitted with aftermarket performance parts. In fact, the burden of proof rests on the dealer if they tell you that something failed as a result of an aftermarket performance modification: they must show that the specific part/modification DIRECTLY RESULTED in the failure of whatever component fails.

If you're a horsepower junkie, then you'll be modifying on top of the JCW kit. So if that's your angle, and your primary concerns are not a warrantied kit and higher resale value (probable for JCW kit), then the $5500-$6500 that the JCW kit will cost (installed) will get you GOBS more streetable power than the JCW kit. That kind of money will get you more power, better handling, and better braking.

But that's just what *I* think. Get the LSD, and you might want to consider NOT getting the sport package - the wheels are heavier and the DSC, well, you can search for people's impressions of it. The Xenons might be worth it, but you can get those by themselves. Save some $$$ for lighter, more attractive wheels and performance tires.

Marty

 

Just my 2cents..
if you're a horsepower junkie, JCW would not do much to you.
go for aftermarket goodies(more like 17% or 19%) which will net you more horsepower.

 

I absolutely agree!! Depending on the dealer they may or may not give you grief about the mods. Mine does not care as long it is a bolt-on, nothing internal to the motor or drive train.

 

My 2005 JCW cost $4,500 installed - FYI.

The JCW kit comes with:
larger fuel injectors - 380
14.7% reduction pulley
colder range spark plugs
ECU re-flash
Dual stage air intake
Cleaned up head
Warranty
Great drivability - very smooth power delivery

Add up the cost for all the above after market components sans the head. If you purchase a 17% reduction pulley, an Alta or AGS, colder range plugs, MTH or GIAC, and larger injectors, I would bet you would come pretty close to the JCW output. The difference is the 17% vs 14.7% reduction pulley, which will help your stock head to compensate for the JCW cleaned-up head.

There is nothing wrong with the JCW package; I've got just over 25k miles on my 2005 JCW. I don't 0-60 my car from one red light to the next, but I do push it very hard on the highway. So far, not even a stumble.

If my car were not a company car, and I did not need to drive it every day, I would not have purchased the JCW kit. It is indeed expensive if you look at the hardware alone. The warranty...you place the value on that, not me.

My only disappointment is that the JCW head is mildly cleaned up. For that kind of cash, they should have offered something a little more spectacular, like bigger valves etc.

For a high mileage daily driver the JCW kit is hard to beat. For a low mileage or weekend car, the after market offers up better power for the same price...much better power in a few cases...some of this at the expense of driveability, however.

I will likely add a larger IC, ported and polished SC, 17% reduction pulley, 180 degree thermostat, and the full AGS...Pilo's new header. I am hopeful these will add another honest 15WHP. That's all I need to drive to work.