I took the MCS on my favorite stretch of road (Highway 9 out of Saratoga) and have some good 1st impressions. Car handles very well and brakes very well. It obviously doesn't have the gobs of power and torque that I am used to with the M5. But even though I was keeping it under break-in 4500 rpm and short shifting, it never ran out of momentum on its charge. I got to see where the DSC light flashes to indicate how hard it can be powered out of corners.

Remembering back from my test drive of a MCS (without the JCW) the "sport" button made a big difference. This difference is made a lot less pronounced with the JCW Engine Tuning Kit in place, however.

I love the hill holder feature--could come in very handy trying to drive in San Francisco (which I attempted in the M5 and didn't enjoy). And I love the iPod integration. I like the mood lighting at night. I like the sound of the JCW exhaust. I even tried putting 4 people in it to go to the movie theater.

I'll need to repeat this test over and over again, until it is properly broken in and then I can try it out at a track event. The car is definitely a driver's car, and not just transportation with a personality (which it also definitely is too)! -Bill

 

So you definitely recommend ordering the JCW Engine Tuning Kit with the MCS?

 

I'd recommend the JCW Engine Tuning Kit for those who:
1. Want to keep the factory warranty intact
2. Want some extra power for intended use (e.g. track events)
3. Have some extra cash to spend
4. Like to see JCW badges on various places (front, rear, engine compartment, and tailpipes)

Otherwise, if the above criteria doesn't apply then save your money. It is just a car, and for some cars are a hobby. This doesn't turn the MINI into a monster by any stretch, it is only 17 HP increase. Every little bit helps, but I would have liked a bit more of course.

 

It gets better over time, too.

There are some little things that become more apparent with quality one-on-one time. My favorite is ow much smooter the power delivery is. The car just pulls smooth from idel to redline. No hiccups. No dips in power. Just go. MMmmmmmmmm.....

 

I completely agree with your assessment of the JCW kit. Although I think you'll find that when you pass breakin, your opinion will improve somewhat in the upper reaches of the powerband.

 

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one going from an M car to a JCW MCS. My friends all think I'm nuts so its good to know that I'm not alone.

 

This is the Test Drive that I wanted to do with the dealer's demonstration car, but there was no way that was going to happen! I bought the car based on a lesser test drive, but I am glad that I got to do my version of it in my own car.

It did make a good 1st impression and I hope to have a lot of fun with it. The next comparison will be before/after the Ireland Engineering camber plates. I expect that to make a noticeable difference too. Anyone else here have these?

 

Hi, I'm another MINI and M driver! ('06 MZ4)

 

I have an 04 M3 SMG which I'll sell once the MCS gets here in a few weeks. I've driven M3s since 99 but I've been craving more of a kart-esque driving experience for a while. As soon as I drove one I was sold on it!

 

Thanks for the review!

 

From looking at the official dyno charts of the MCS vs JCW Stage 1 MCS, I get the impression that below 4500, the standard MCS will have more torque. It is above 5000 that the JCW shows its strength.

 

I can't remember the URL, but if you're referring to the chart that MINI published, unless they fixed it, it's completely wrong.

 

I cannot find overlayed charts of the two. I would like to see the dip on the graph vs the jcw

 

Just go on JCWs site...they have the graphs.....link: http://www.mini.com/com/en/john_cooper_works/

 

http://www.mini.com/com/en/john_cooper_works/

go to cooper works tuning on bottom...this is the chart that has been published here all along...if there is a correction, its not shown

 

That's the one. Click on 'Tuning kit' and 'MINI' and 'After 11/06' on the left, then 'performance curve' on the right and you'll see a chart that defies the laws of physics.

It is my understanding that is completely impossible to have higher torque and lower horsepower as they display at RPMs under 4000. Am I wrong? Not to mention that no torque curve could be that flat between 2000-5000. That's why they call it a 'curve'

 

Nice, should be fun when it is broken in.

 

To be clear, my first impression review of JCW Engine Tuning Kit was during the break-in period under 4500 rpm so I'll need to get back to this point after evaluating the upper reaches. After I use my 3rd tank of gas, it should be ready to open up.

To be honest, I didn't study the graphs until now. Looks like the differences are in the upper reaches. But to me there still is a difference that feels like the sport button doesn't make a big impact anymore in the rev band I am able to use now.

After jumping out of the MCS and into the M5, feels like I need to readjust driving style. The MCS has a very light clutch feel in comparison and is much more forgiving to drive in stop 'n go. No doubt I will learn a lot of how to drive the MCS with a 2-day track event under my belt.

The sport suspension itself is already quite firm. It is much more stiff than my M5 with the Dinan suspension. I expect that some negative camber will help it achieve a more stable feeling and look forward to testing this first hand. I don't think I'd go any more stiff than it is now as a daily driver.

 

This graph is only close to the same scale showing newton meters on the left and HP on the right. Or they mis-plotted things. Hard to know how they did it and may have just made things fit the same picture by a graphic artist.

If they graphed torque in ft/lbs. and HP on the same scale, HP will cross above torque at 5250 since HP is just (Torque x RPM) / 5250. A graph using a different scale for torque and HP can make either higher or lower at any RPM.

Also the torque can be flat due to computer control of boost and other parameters.

 

I am really hoping that JCW will come up with a R56 gauge pod as an offering to complete the package. I prefer to know a little bit more about how the car is doing in oil temp, coolant temp, and turbo boost. Especially if taking the car to the track. If anyone knows any insider details, please post. I think JCW has a market opportunity on this, as I know I would buy it.

This is the main thing that I miss right now. -Bill

 

How about aftermarket: http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=83

 

The Getrag 6-speed manual transmission on the MINI has impressed me with its smoothness and lack of notchiness, even when cold. On my M5, when starting out cold the Getrag 6-speed transmission is very stubborn and notchy--it takes patience to wait for the transmission fluids to warm up completely before 2nd gear is an option without banging it in.

The MINI seems to have a great feel in the gearbox. With the Getrag name I hope that means it will be trouble free!

Also, I have been driving around with the back seats folded down and there is some fairly good amount of exhaust note that can be heard from the JCW exhaust. It sound nice and deep and not raspy at all. The back seats serve as a good acoustic barrier when they are up and block some of the exhaust note. So you can have it either way you like it. When listening to music you'll want the back seats up so the stereo system doesn't have to try to compete.

I still haven't gotten around to the camber plates install yet. Too busy this time of year!

 

Also, I can report that after my first two tanks of gas I got around 25 MPG each. Since my driving has been mostly commuter with some mountain driving in there too, I'd say that will be "typical" for me. It's below what the city MPG rating is however on the sticker.

I'll be signing up for Laguna Seca track event with BMWCCA on Jan. 21, and have some fun tanking the gas mileage there! By then, I plan to have completed the break-in 1200 miles and have some fun with the upper RPM range of the JCW. And I should be able to report in on the camber plates too which should work quite well on the track. Should also be a good test of the JCW brakes and rotors.

 

bgregg,

Coming from a heavyweight RWD car to the MCS will be culture shock on the track! I did a similar switch from an Infiniti G35 coupe and didn't expect much from the Mini, what a pleasant surprise it turned out to be. The weight difference really brings up your turn-in and mid corner speed over the big heavy cars. Low speed turns will plow and make you wish for RWD, but you can rotate the Mini a bit off throttle when you get into 3rd gear. I found the Mini to be very predictable, easy to drive, and actually be a touch faster on my local track (tight & technical-NHIS) than the higher horsepower heavyweight. You may miss the HP on the long uphill and start straights at Laguna, but will be rewarded at the corkscrew for sure. I would hope you get a chance to throw some good track worthy tires on there when you do the camber plates too, the skinny RF stockers didn't inspire any confidence for me. Good Luck!

 

Here is a picture of the adjustable camber plates installed. I need to do a test drive after getting it all dialed in. Visiting the alignment shop next. Also picked up my 1st set of R-compound tires (Nitto NT-01) that were from a NAM member. Need to decide upon lightweight track wheels next (I am committed to 17" and probably forged rims).