I really want the kit but all I get from Mini corporate is an open ended delay

Does anyone know how to obtain accurate info on if or when the kit is coming out.

 

i don't but i'm in the same boat as you are. i ordered an 07 MCS Auto and had the JCW kit installed on it by Morristown MINI. Now i'm playing the waiting game for MINI USA to finish the ECU software. I have a bad feeling about this and will be super pissed (at both Morristown and MINI USA) if it never comes to frutition.

really considering getting it tuned and the software worked on at an independent shop. there just aren't any in the north nj area. would probably end up heading to helix or something.

 

I asked when I ordered my car on saturday... I wanted it installed at the "port" which is an official extension of the factory.

I was told don't hold my breath, JCW on auto is a small market and for a "factory" kit they would need to certify it with the gov't.

 

there was another post about this somewhere, it stated that it is cuurently being tested and had a june time frame (hopefully) the issue was something to do with environmental engineering and getting their sign off. Another issue was no full on factory work car with an auto transmission due to the stresses involved. It seemed that the auto was already at the upper limits of its design envelope.

 

That's good to hear (the timeframe). I hadn't inquired yet but I know they certainly haven't been forthcoming. I had to bark up several trees, constantly, to get anywhere with this when it was first posted about on MF.

The EPA restrictions are the line I got as well (not saying it's not valid) and that it'd most likely result in a downturn in HP, etc. Either way, what I'm concerned is that this JCW kit is sitting on my enging doing nothing, peformance-wise to begin with.

Regardless of the stresses involved w/ JCW & auto trans, it's something MINI USA should've done a better job at either prohibiting or figuring out before producing the actual cars and parts.

 

There are much higher hp cars out there with slushboxes; that sounds alot like rumor or conjecture (truthiness)...

 

If no full factory warranty, then why bother with the JCW. Since the 07+ is turbo, you can easily get more HP out of by custom programming the ECU.

 

Really? So according to you all automatic transmissions are the same? Absolutely identical. Wow never knew that. Actually this wasn't rumor or conjecture but was based on looking at the design spec's for the actual transmission. It is design to only handle so much force.

 

I'm slowly realizing that now. I had originally ordered a non-JCW MCS but never took delivery. after reading MF reviews, bit the bullet on as much OEM as I could get. at the time, had never even visited NAM...not a regret but am glad to have found out that there is much more potential down the road.

 

I HAVE A 2007 MCS AUTO JCW HAD STAGE 1 KIT INSTALLED AROUND LAST AUGUST NOTICE A BIG DIFFERENCE NOT ONLY MORE HP AND TORQUE BUT WORKS WITH STEERING IN SPORT MODE FOR BETTER CONTROL

 

And thanks to you ,MINI ME, I have the kit too. You are 100% correct. Its great on the auto trans MCS....changes the character of the car completely especially in non sport mode. Big difference in trans shifting pattern.

 

I thought they didn't have the ECU programming for the kit? Isn't that what this whole thread is about? Or did they put the manual ECU programming?

 

Apparently a few kits did sneak thru the cracks. According to the installing tech, it was a kit for auto R56 since it had a module addressing the auto trans progrmaming. It is clearly a different shift pattern with the JCW upgrade.

 

how many miles per gallon are u getting with the jcw kit? I want to get that on my pepper white 07 as well....

 

Aftermarket, there is still no R56 ECU custom programming even for a manual. For an automatic, it would be key to also hack the shift points, but nobody ever did that even for an R53 automatic.

 

Wouldn't it be the same as the Peugeot 207 turbo? Sorry new to mini, but turbo models aren't usually out long before someone raises the boost.

 

Have you never visited the engine mods forum? Alta has had a piggy back ECU retune out for quite awhile.

Hopefully a true re-program will become available but you CAN tune your MINI now.

 

I was referring specifically to "custom" tuning, as it was how the topic first came up. However my main point was that nobody seems to put much effort into cracking the code for auto transmission shifts (either R53 or R56), which is critical for getting the best performance.

 

They never released software specific to Auto Trans Cars, This has been explained by motoring file but a few people including some dealers put the Manual Trans Kit on their Auto Cars. After Mini Corporate caught on to this they cracked down on dealers so they would no longer order the Manual Kit for there auto. Some Auto owners swear the manual software helped the auto car and I don't see why not. Air fuel, Timing, Boost these adjustments would work with the manual or automatic.

I just talked to Meg Brown and Amber Wood at Mini Corporate on the phone and both said the kit is still in testing. I asked them if they no it is in testing then how is the testing going. I was angry because they told me it would be out very very soon 1.5 months ago. I asked them when they are testing the product what do they use to clean their hands when they are done. My point is why can I not talk to someone who is testing it and ask them what they think the chances are that it will pass testing and if so when will it be out. The sad thing is MINI CORPORATE HAD A PRESS RELEASE IN NOVEMBER THAT SAID IT WOULD BE OUT BY END OF 2007. If the kit is delayed this long don't you think mini would have a responsibility to provide their customers with a detailed idea of what they are doing to accomplish a finished product and give a new estimated time so customers could plan on waiting or going with an alternative.

BOTTOM LINE IS MINI CORPORATE FEELS NO RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKE OR INFORM THERE CUSTOMERS CORRECTLY AFTER THE TERRIBLE BLUNDER OF SETTING A RELEASE DATE AND NOT LIVING UP TO IT

I FEEL SORRY FOR ANYONE WHO WANTED THE KIT AND MAY HAVE BOUGHT A MANUAL IF THEY NEW THEY COULD NOT GET THE KIT IN AUTOMATIC

 

yup, i was a big part of that thread on MF. i had morristown take my car in and confirm that it didn't have the right software on it. to address the people above, to the best of my knowledge, using "sport" mode shouldn't have appreciable difference if you've got a JCW package on. the point of JCW is that your car drives like that 100% of the time. could be wrong though.

agreed on all counts that this is very disappointing MINI USA should've really closed the loop on this and PROPERLY informed all their dealers first. announcing stage 2 before fixing this problem? poor.

 

Has anyone receive any updates? Getting anxious....My Mini dealer doesn't have a clue.

 

Your wait is over....all it takes is a few weeks.

 

Yes the MINI dealership's parts departments are beginning to take the orders for the JCW tuning kit for the auto trans now.

Taken from a similar thread in the drivetrain section regarding the JCW Stage 1 kit.The kit power numbers are now 192 hp and 200 ft lbs. torque.

Bulletin # M 11 01 08
Part # 11 12 0 440 236
MSRP: $2100
Installation time: 2.0 hours

The kit part number is identical to the manual MCS but the ECU programming is different to work in conjunction with the automatic.

Here is also the article dated August 28th,2008 of the release from MotoringFile.com:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/08/...e-kit-for-r56/

 

the only error in the MF thread is the "builds prior to 7/08" statement, according to my service advisor. If this was true, it would exclude all July and early Aug build 2008s, which would not make sense.

Anyway he has been on top of this issue from the start, and it's available now for all 07 and 08 model MCSa's, and by the time the 09s arrive at dealers by the end of Sept, it will be available for them as well. $2,100 plus roughly 2 hours labor to install and tweak the ECU for increased airflow and adjusted shift points.

This has been a great week. Im glad MINI pulled thru on this one. I can hardly freaking wait

 

Had mine installed today. Get a JCW rear bar done at the same time. Well worth another $125 bucks plus install.