I saw a JCW mini for sale, the price is just right, I have a 2002 mini with 40k miles, this is a 2002 mini with 45k miles, i was about to sell my car to lease a new one, decided against it, but had a buyer lined up, i caleld him, he's still interested an dwhen i did the math, for about 1k more i can have a JCW mini.

it's in the color i originally wanted also, which is a huge plus (i bought my mini used)

long story short

is the JCW that much better, I was looking at dropping 3-4k into my current mini to boost performance.

Can someone give me a breakdown of what i get with the JCW edition over a stock mini s, will it perform that much better, is it worth the trouble?

 

A bit more information is needed. Is this a 2006 factory JCW, or an earlier year when the JCW stuff was installed by the dealer? If it is the dealer installed stuff, is it the complete kit, or just selected JCW parts?

The factory kit included electronic upgrades, larger injectors, ported and polished head, upgraded supercharger, stainless steel sport exhaust, cold air box, and larger brakes.

 

Short story - for $1K and 5K miles, I'd take a JCW.
You get the pulley, head and exhaust. And if it's in your preferred color, that's an extra bonus. The early JCWs later offered a 'boost' kit, which includes injectors, airbox and an ECU flash.

Your earlier thread was about bang for the buck - JCW (from the dealer) definitely isn't that, but getting a bargain on it used, it could be.

 

If you are considering a 2002 MCS with JCW kit then it was dealer installed and you should check that all parts of the JCW kit are still present.

JCW Supercharger with reduction pulley, abrasive coated rotors
JCW "Flowed" cylinder head
JCW ECU tuning
JCW dual cat back exhaust system
JCW intercooler cover
JCW front bumper grill and rear hatch badges
JCW numbered Valve cover plaque
JCW warranty and certificate of authenticity
MSRP was $4500 plus a recommended 10 hour install ($1500 in labor)
JCW kit gives +37 HP and 22 ft-lbs of torque to MCS.

http://www.automedia.com/2003_MINI_C...ts20030901cw/1

Other optional JCW upgrades
18" JCW wheels and runflat tires
JCW leather front seats
JCW airbox and larger 380cc fuel injectors

If you pay full price for the JCW kit new then you paid for the upgrades plus warranty. $1000 more for a used MCS with JCW kit isn't bad at all.

 

My $.02 - the JCW delivers a much smoother drivability and uniformity of power than results from most modded MCS'. The package just works better across the entire power band.

For the $1k difference I think you'll enjoy 10's of thousands of enjoyable miles of higher performance in a really well put together engineering package.

Run, don't walk, and buy it.

 

$1,000 is a good deal. Unless you're spec'cing a new R56 and the JCW option (Stage 1) is $2,100 - less if ordered through Morristown MINI.

 

well i'm going to day to check it out and get this other guy to buy my mini! haha

I's a 2002 JCW mini, so it's the kit on the MCS. I have an MCS. it's from a private seller, which i'm not thrilled about.

how does this head compare to those at mini mania?

I was looking at buying a package from mini mania, which would have REALLY broken the bank for me, but i got the cash so i was considering it:

http://new.minimania.com/kitsearch.cfm

how does it compare to the stage 3?