Anyone know what is different about the '06 model since the JCW engine pkg will now be available on the automatic? Can it be installed on an '05 now too? Thanks.

 

there will be no difference in the spec of the jcw kit - but it has not been officially announced for the mcsa as of yet... unless you know something we don't!

- drew

 

yeah, I'm curious as well. Although during my recent visit to the dealer, my SA was telling me that they've done a couple of installs already for MCSa with regular JCW kits, and no complaints.

 

Since there is no official annonced JCW for auto tranny.. I wonder any installation on MCSa will be backed with the manufacture warranty. They can installed all JCW parts for an MCSa, but the real deal for JCW is warranty.

 

Yeah that's my real concern for my wife's car is the warranty. I read about JCW developing the kit for the auto and that it was supposed to be available in '06. Here's a quote from the MotoringFile article and I underlined and bolded the comment on automatic: "
New JCW Options for 2006

Gabe / August 03, 2005



Like MINI, JCW will be releasing a few juicy new bits for the last model year of the current generation MINI. Here's a quick rundown of what to expect for 2006.

As we've reported way too many times over the past several months, MINI will be offering the full JCW Engine Kit as a factory option for the MCS. The kit will retail for $6300 (£3,600 in the UK) and will come standard with the JCW Sport Brake Kit and Limited Slip Differential. In the US it will require the addition of the Sport Package due to the larger brakes. For the UK it will simply require 17" wheels ordered with the car from the factory. The JCW Engine Kit will be available as a factory option from 10/05 on.

(Update: To clarify what we mentioned early - the 16" X-lite wheels will clear the JCW brakes but due to the tight fit there may be coolng issues with them. Therefore they are not recommended with the brake kit. The only 16" wheel designed to work with the JCW Brake kit are the new 16" Bridge Spokes.)

JCW will finally be offering the full JCW Engine Kit for the MINI Cooper S Automatic in 2006 as well. We should see this new kit offered as a dealer accessory sometime this fall. Apparently the kit was held up due to emission related testing (among other things) until just recently. It's unclear if this will be offered from the factory like the standard JCW Engine Kit or will only be offered as a dealer installed option.



Also new for 2006 will be two different sets of 18" wheels. The wheels are the same design but will come in either anthracite or with the exterior polished (both pictured above). We hope to have more photos and prices in the next few weeks. You can see a couple of larger shots here: Anthracite / Polished. (Thank you Mr. Anonymous for the wheel photo.)



Finally, the accessory that people either love to hate or love to love, the JCW Rear Wing, (full pic here) has finally be released. It will be available in four different colors: black, aspen white, dark silver and something called high gloss. It retails in the UK for £380.25. US availability has yet to be determined. Here's another shot (Via MINI2) of it being tested at the Nurburgring."

 

I didn't think this could be done due to the required ECU flash. Doesn't the MCSa's ECU control the transmission? If it does how can you flash it with software for a MT.

 

What Gabes article that you quoted says is that the JCW will become available for the MCSa in 2006 - not (only) that it will be available for 2006 models.

My parts guy at MINI Peabody is keeping a watch on this for me, and gave me an update today ... he received this message from "someone in the know":
[font=Arial]Up to now, I have not received a final approval. The current ETA for the JCW kit for MINI Cooper S automatic is end of September. Unfortunately we have to run after the modifications on the software a new emission test, which might, if the car does not pass, delay the launch even further. [/font]

So maybe sometime during the year 2006 is about right


Meantime, I think any dealer putting the JCW on an MCSa is cheating the customer - the upgrade is not approved so any warranty can be rejected by MINI USA; as mentioned above the car could fail emissions tests; and finally there may be software adjustments included with the JCW/MCSa package when it is eventually released - such adjustments will be missing from any currently upgraded car, which could mean long term damage is being done ...

Not really trying to scare-monger - fact is you pay well over the odds for the approved JCW upgrade; if you want to risk your warranty then save about half the cost and go aftermarket!

 

--You know the Mini web site has the JCW as a 5th option on the packages but once you add it, it automatically takes off the automatic transmission. Doesn't even ask you if you wanted that done.. But when you try and put back the auto tranny it balks and says you can't do that until you remove the JCW package.

I'm thinking it's probably approved for the automatics they just won't do it at the factory. Maybe to give the local dealership more money. (Like they Need it!!!) But yeah I've been hearing about dealerships installing it for their automatics and keeping the warranty "as is". Depends on your dealership. Ask them they might surprise you. Or they might be lame like mines and tell me installing the OEM alarm myself will void my warranty. I know every squirrel needs to get their nuts...but.....

--pyratio

 

All,
Thanks for the replies. My wife and I will keep our eyes and ears open at our local dealer for any news.