ok, I'm kinda leaning toward the JCW mainly because I do worry about putting all of that extra stress on the base MCS engine. At least it seems as though they fortified the JCW to handle the extra power. Since I do plan on keeping this car well over 100,000 miles, I'm not so worried about the resale value, but I would like to keep the machine going with minimal headache.

I have not been able to find a Mini dealer nearby (NC) that has a JCW to drive back to back with a MCS, so for those of you who have, what is the biggest diffenece I will notice? Are you happy with the JCW exhaust sound? Do the JCW brakes make that much difference? Nearly 40HP extra, where will I see that the most?

THX

 

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the JCW doesn't do anything to 'fortify' the engine. It's a smaller pulley, a new head, an exhaust system, and a ECU re-tune. The head is ported for better flow - I don't believe they have stiffer springs, or any other parts that are more stout than the stock MCS engine. It's designed to flow better for more, and smoother power. Earlier JCWs supposedly had teflon coated rotors, but as of 2005, they all do. The pulley is just a pulley and the exhaust is just an exhaust (albeit a quality piece.)

The value in the JCW (IMO) is the factory blessed and well integrated system, as well as a single point of contact - the MINI dealer - in case of any issues, and the associated warranty.
I just don't see where longevity would be a differentiator.

 

Thanks, that was a missunderstanding on my part!

Hmmm, so now i'm back to square one<img>

 

I didn't get the JWC, figured that I'd save the money now, and then still have the option to get it done later if I changed my mind.

I'm plenty happy with the stock MCS (w/lsd). I can spin/churp the tires up into third gear if I really want to, plenty of umph for now (oem 17 runflats). As I grow with the car I will likely want more and can pick and choose a few JWC parts later.

Brakes might be nice, but only if I start heading to the track.

 

Two more benefits - #1 - "smoothness"... while this is completely subjective, the JCW really does "feel" like it was a factory design, right from the start. Of course, now in the 2006s it IS a factory install, but even those of us with a dealer-installed JCW can attest to the butter-smooth feeling of driving the JCW. It isn't the fastest MINI out there, of course not... lots of aftermarket stuff goes much further in the power department, for less money.

#2 - FULL support from ANY MINI dealer in the country. They stock replacement parts, or can order them through the BMW/MINI part system. Even after the warranty is done, you have 80 dealerships across the country who can all service the JCW system right back to specifications.

So yes, JCW is expensive... but some of us like the peace of mind.

 

I have the JCW kit on my '03 and would suggest it to you. If you drive the cars back to back it might be deceptive, at least it was for me. I didn't notice the huge belt in the back I expected from the JCW kit, it's power seems very smooth and linear. What I did notice was how fast I was going in the same distance, noticeably quicker. And of course it's fully warranted and supported. Don't worry about stressing the engine it is quite strong.
Enjoy!

 

Edge has made a great point. Though it is one you'll have do decide for yourself. Are you one to work on your car? If so I wouldn't go for the JCW but if the dealer does all your work, I would get it. For me the JCW just isn't practical in any sense of the word. Like I stated in the other thread, I can get 260hp @ the crank for just a tadd more $. Plus the nearest future distributor of WMS parts will be in Detroit, just as far away from my house as the Dealer in Indy, so it really doesn't make a difference. What I would do would be to wait. Try a JCW from somewhere or someone. See if it's what you want. If you want more hp, it would be worthless to spend the money on the JCW TK and go out and totally invalidate the warranty you had originally planned to be intact. If you think it's fine, then go with it. But like I said it would be stupid to drop 6 grand on what's essentialy an airbox, exhaust, pulley and head, and not be happy with it and want more hp, when you can get a fully "fortified" ported head, full ignition system upgrade, new header, new exhaust, new CAI, new SC pulley, new Crank pulley, new chip (which by the way is alot smoother, esp since it doesn't have the notorious JCW flat spot.), throttle body, and intake manifold, all for the same price. My best advice would be to find a JCW somewhere and drive it a little, THEN decide what your going to do.

Good luck, and happy motoring!

Mike

 

Mike,

Not trying to start a flame war. Just making sure the facts are straight. The $6500 factory installed JCW TK does include the JCW ECU flash (for what that's worth) and now comes with the JCW Brake Kit, which is a $1000 (?) + install option if purchased separately. Making the kit just a little more atractive. Everything else you said is of course as valid as ever.

 

kinda makes me mad the people that don't have it bash it.

my car is jcw, i like it. Main plus to it is you still have warranty. Also, jcw is intake, exhaust, injectors, ecu, head, 14.7% pulley. I say go for it

"oh but you could take the money and buy a tc kit instead..."

umm
u see...most people that buy new cars FINANCE...pretty sure the companies that sell TC kits don't have a payment plan to it..

in the end davisflyer its up to you. JCW is a good investment, you get pretty much the basic mods that like most people here have, along with a full warranty. Good thing to go with if, like you said, you want it to last well over 100k.

 

I knew I was forgeting something.

I guess I also keep forgetting to mention that I have an '06 JCW on order.

 

I did not have an opportunity to test the JCW either but took the plunge and have not been disappointed for one moment. Now, I've never had the chance to drive an aftermarket PROPERLY tuned MINI either . The fact that the 06 was factory installed was the final selling point for me - it eliminated the fear that my local dealer - who has NEVER installed one before would not complete the task as it should be done.

What you can be sure of is that if BMW is offering a full warranty on the JCW tuning kit it has been tested EXTENSIVELY. When doing aftermarket mods to your car yourself like changing the pulley, exhaust, suspension etc. you void the factory warranty and the company that sold you the mods doesn't offer you any compensation if you screw it up by (for example) ramping up the BHP and then blowing your tranny beacuse it wasn't built to withstand that much power (exactly what happened to my fiancees Porsche). If you have the ENTIRE car tuned by a reputable company then that's great - but I suspect that even getting the "basics" like brakes, suspension, exhaust, heads...it will cost as much if not more then the JCW. To my knowledge there is STILL no warranty on your car if you go this route (even though if a company is confident in their product and service why not offer some warranty?!)

IMHO the bottom line is if you don't know what you are doing...and I mean really know what you are doing then leave the tuning to professionals. Be aware that modding ONE thing does effect the rest of the car's performance and may create stress on another system ...it's a chain reaction that goes like this $$$...$$$...$$$...$$$...$$$..

 

Unfortunately, that is not true.

First, there are MANY people on this board who have extensive aftermarket mods getting more WHP than JCW. JCW is conservative, not cutting edge.

Second, if you go with reputable vendors like Minimania, madness, webb, etc. they DO warrant their parts, even beyond the MINI warranty (I think maybe two years?).

Third, they are doing it cheaper than $6K for a TC.

 

Mike, where do you see this. See http://store.webbmotorsports.com/ind...roducts_id=131
at $5800 thats 235 and hes relating it to the 168 stock MCS so its BHP. Where you coming up with that extra 25HP. Then add labor, your looking at what ... $7K plus?

Of course, its far more than just a TC

 

To answer your specific questions.

First, go to the JCW website, download and listen to Mike Cooper talking about what he wants from his cars. If you want what he wants then it might be for you. If you want to go 100K without issues, well as some others have said, JCW has done the testing

Second, Listen to Edge ... with all the JCW components the car is engineered to work together in harmony ... brakes, suspension and engine.

Third, the JCW exhaust is a quality ($1300) unit but is very quiet. Quieter than stock. That is exactly what Mike Cooper wanted and if thats what you want, then its for you

Fourth, brakes ... get them. A car needs to be engineered to work in harmony with all parts together. They are not for the track but better than stock for around the infamous twisties

and Last ... where do you feel the power????

If your expecting to be pushed back into your seat like a 426 Hemi, then buy a Hemi. Power comes on above 4500. Your not going to feel like a rocket ship but its "refined" as has been written about many time

Final decision is yours. GOOD LUCK

 

I think she means they don't cover lets say your supercharger if u blow it with a 19% pulley. Yes companies warrant their parts, but the effect that can happen to your car from them they do not warrant.

I do agree with you on jcw is conservative and not cutting edge. I'm sure right now I could get overtaken by a MCS with a 17% s/c pulley and nothing else .

With all this said, I got some things planned for after xmas that def put my car out of warranty

 

mmkay. No believe me I have been the subject of much worse! Yea I guess I was thinking too much of myself. That is seriously a great deal from the factory. Considering I paid like $1200+ for my JCW BBK inc. install. My dealer qouted me $6500 inc. install for the JCW retrofit/non-factory installed version. That's why I am kinda, not necessarily bashing it like others have stated, I just think I can get alot more for the money, going aftermarket. NOW if I was going to get something from the factory right now I would without a doubt go with the factory installed JCW, b/c it includes two neat options that have an a la carte price by themselves. Those are the JCW BBK, and the LSD. I still recommend he go out and drive it just to see how he feels about it first, either way though, if HE makes the decision of what he wants to do, he will be happy.

I have a few questions though. If you have not noticed I have started a thread on performance jargon that I hope will be helpful to other NAMers. I am confused about one thing though... What is a TC? I would have normally taken this as twincharged or a turboed MCS, is this what your referring to?

 

Oh, yeah, I forgot the LSD is included.

 

Yea I did too until you reminded me of the factory thing!

 

I don't have lsd

 

MISFIT, kinda off topic but what kind of wheels do you have? Are they lightweight? I'm looking for some track wheels that still could be streeted, but those look sweet! I believe u have BFG KDW 2s on there right? Those are sweet tires too, good choice!

 

rims are Yokohama RG-II's 17x7.5 @ 16lbs a piece. Thing is! they don't fit w/o some work..the hole on the inside of the rim doesn't fit over the our stock ring thingy...u have to get it custom built and ya BFG KD-W 2. I have a set of Yoko A048's in my garage..i need to get a second set of rims...

 

Preface, I have a 2003 MCS and I love my little toy. Second, I am not knocking or flaming Chows4us' post.......

With all due respect, nothing about my experience with Mini/BMW leads me to believe the stock car can make it 100K miles without issues, let alone the JCW.

In all seriousness, can anybody really tell me what engineering went into the headwork? The suspension and brake upgrades are relatively minor - I suppose that when you throw in the "minor" amount of headwork and the "minor" DME tweak, etc. all these minor changes work in perfect harmony.

I would amend that to read "the JCW exhaust" is expensive ($1,300.00) and seems to offer no appreciable gains over stock.....

I track the car with stock brakes with upgraded pads/lines. Skip the JCW brakes - I've only had one issue with the stock brakes and that was after a severe flogging at the track.

Neither the popular aftermarket mods or the JCW route will give you neck-snapping acceleration. As for refinement, well, once you turn the stereo up to drown out the squeaks and rattles, I'm sure you will find the car plenty refined.

The one plus JCW does have is that BMW NA are complete jerks when it comes to performing warranty work on cars with the barest of mods. If you really want a modest performance increase and do not want to have to argue with a dealer dimwit everytime something goes wrong (whether it's mod related or not), spending the $6,500.00 on the JCW kit is the only way to go

 

Hell man I don't have a pair of these:



You don't see me crying.

 

spending $6500 extra on a 60mo car loan is like $12/mo

 

oh man...thats funny