So we all keep being teased with the upcoming stage 1 JCW kit for our beloved R56 (which I thought we'd be able to order by now), but here is the million dollar question: Who is lined up, ready to get one? Lets just review the facts (as found on MotoringFile.com):

"JCW air filter system
Stainless steel exhaust (with less restrictions as compared to the stock unit)
Exhaust manifold (for operation at higher temperatures)
Turbocharger air filter air guide (to allow better cooling)
Modified engine electronics system
Activation code for engine control unit (specific to VIN)
JCW emblems for front grille and tailgate
JCW engine badge with serial kit number
JCW certificate of authenticity"

All this yields "192bhp and 184lbf-ft/250nm (199lbf-ft/270nm with overboost)." But is it worth "$2,100 plus a suggested 2 hours of labor" I am definitly attracted to the idea of tuning while keeping the waranty. Plus, there isn't a whole lot out there for these cars as of yet. There's also a bit of prestige with owning a JCW which I admit I like. I just want to see what these new numbers mean for actual performance.

WHO IS GONNA GET IT

all information in quotes found at www.motoringfile.com

 

Not I...my Coopers got enough for me. But I do expect some folks will have a lot of fun w/ it!!!

 

With these relatively low numbers, I wonder if it will be available as an add-on to an MCS with an automatic transmission.

 

it'll probably get you to 60mph a tenth or two quicker, but honestly, it would be a better kit if they focused more on suspension/weight reduction. I would take a nice set of coilovers over any moderate power mods anyday.

 

There's a good chance when I get I trade in my '05 for (most likely) an '09 it'd be an option I'd get. Its much more attractive than the 6K the JCW kit cost in the previous model even if its not quite the same power boost.

 

I originally wanted to go this route but honestly $2100 + labor just seems too excessive. I went ahead and put on Alta's 3" Cat Back Exhaust last week and loving every minute with it!

 

I was interested until I looked at the dyno curves on the JCW web page. Most of the HP increase is at 5K revs and up. Below 4,500 HP is actually lower than stock.

IIRC, torque is less than 4% higher and has the same basic curve as stock.

It would probably have some benefit to racers, but I'm not sure I would get much benefit from it.

 

so end of round 1: nobody's impressed

hmmm...

Do all those aftermarket parts (Alta, etc.) void the factory waranty? I'd hate to be up $h*t creek without a paddle, and with a brand new car.

 

If I was going to place an order and the option was available now I'd consider it. Maybe I'd opt for it rather than the continence package, but unless they get the hp to 220+ I don't see a real need for getting it installed in my MCS now.

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/08/...56-engine-kit/

just found this... my apologies if you've already seen it

 

What The JCW badges and certificate alone have to be worth $2,100.00!

 

$100 per horse isn't outrageously expensive, but I haven't decided if I'm gonna go the JCW route or not. Like Robin mentioned, it makes most of it's power in the higher RPMs, unlike a lot of the aftermarket options who are making quite a bit of power at lower RPMs due to faster turbo spooling.

The badges are pretty sweet though. LOL!

 

You mean they have a Depends package? Is this for the older customers?

j/k......sorry I couldn't resist

 

I need alot more seat of the pants reviews and my own butt dyno test drive before I can do anything more than "anticipate". I am very interested BUT it had better be noticebaly stronger and sound better to justify the cost.

However, it does sounds like the guy on motoringfile who drove it thought it was worth it. He probably works for BMW...

 

I'd be more likely to consider the stage II JCW car with the body kit, suspension and engine kit that is rumored for next year. If the price is reasonable on that that's what I'd like to order. The stage 1 kit is nice for the warranty but its not for me.
Mike

 

the stage II kit sounds like a screamer BUT I doubt it will be reasonable in price. 5-6K would be my guess---

from mini2 forum for what its worth---

Not that my German is any good, but reading a post by macmini over on a german forum it seems like he mentions that this stage 2 kit will be a dealer fit option from sept 2009 @ 3500 euro's. This is the guy that has just posted the write up on Motoringfile, so seems to have insider knowledge to some degree at least.

 

I'm more interested in the stage 1 suspension kit than the engine kit. The S already has enough engine for me.

 

I dont know. The price really doesnt sound that bad considering the parts included, maintaining the warranty, & the peach of mind of it being installed via a dealer (depends on your dealer I guess! ).

I am a totally idiot when it comes to these sorts of mods, but it doesnt look like any pulley is included. What about paying this, getting the extra 20 horses, and then quietly adding a pulley for another $120 or so?

Any effects on the software tuning?

Now if that worked, then $2200 sounds like a deal.

PS - My SA said he wasnt really seeing any bad pulley effects on the cars he sees coming in. He chooses to look the other way, by the way.

 

Thats what I thought originally. I'm just gonna have to wait until they have JCWs on the lot for me to test-drive before I drop the money. I don't need a track car, but I wouldn't mind a little more kick, if its available

 

Just a bigger intercooler alone might be cheaper and give you more additional HP than all those combined including the badges.

 

A simple pully mod is not an option on the turbo. An easy way to get a great, cheap power boost on the supercharged cars was spinning the roots SC screw faster... making more boost, which means more power.

On a turbo, the boost pressure is controlled by the ECU. It decides how to build pressure from the exhaust gasses and when to vent excess pressure. The JCW ECU flash is true key, here.

You can go aftermarket and swap suspension, intake, exhaust and most dealers will look the other way when it comes to warranty stuff. You swap or flash an ECU and it could have some pretty major reprocussions as the ECU in this car controls EVERYTHING. I think the JCW kit is a nice value. The price is right and the warranty is kept in tact.

There are kits (exhausts, downpipes and intakes) that are touting bigger numbers, but not by much... and if it follows the MINI trend of late, the bhp numbers are understated, anyway.

I was a beta-tester with the R56 and I haven't been disappointed... I might as well give a shot at the JCW engine kit. So put me down for one (oh, wait... my name is already at the top of my dealer's list ).

 

Yup I think it'll be around 6-7k but when you think about it that will include more power then stage 1, the suspension which is around 1300-1550 installed, a body kit which one has to assume would normally be around 2k installed and painted so for what you are getting it's not that bad.

Plus I really only need Xenon's, LSD and an anthracite headliner and I'd have one hell of a quick car for under 30k
Mike

 

Just FYI, pulleys are not on option on a turbo-charged vehicle. All the talk you hear about pulleys are the guys with '06 or ealier MCS models that had a supercharger instead of a turbo.

 

My local dealer seems to think it will be. Any other insight on this?

Ideally, it should cost less than after-the-fact installation, because of the intake, exhaust parts that you are not buying in the first place.

wishful thinking?

 

my dealer says "not yet" and I didn't see it on the build section of the site as of last night. Gabe at Motoring file had the JCW aero kit installed at the VDC but my MA swears they only install Driving Lamps, Stripes, and JCW steering wheel at Port Hueneme here on the west coast. Everything is just speculation until they become available... supposedly some time in the next 30 days. Another thread yesterday had a digital photo of a completed installation certificate for one in Florida, leading me to believe the kits are starting to trickle in, although maybe only for press or special evaluation so far.

I'm hoping it is available in time for me to have it put on before I drive the car home. The dealership is far enough away that I'd rather not have to take it back for the day or two of installation. The german review posted on Motoringfile said it took far more than two hours for the dealer to install.

My arguments for getting it, even though you can in all probability get more performance for less money in the after-market world is this:

1. warranty on these parts and associated labor by MINI
2. This is the only ECU flash that won't demolish warranty (worthy of note since a dealer is unlikely to deny warranty coverage on most of the car just because you put a Cat-Back exhaust in, but will probably sing a different tune if they discover the ECU has been overwritten by a third party)
3. very stealthy visually and audibly. I'm not into show, just go.
4. I like how the performance curve is less flat and grows only at higher RPM. This gives all the go when I want it and preserves fuel economy when I am just cruising.