So I am saving for the full JCW Stage I kit as of right now. I see that 1fastmini now has just the intake for 275. I wouldn't mind getting the intake as of right now and then the exhaust and ecu in a few months when I have the dough but I have 2 questions.
1. Is it worth it? Will I notice any difference in power or sound?
2. Is it OK to get the intake without the ecu?

Thanks!

 

1. No. 1B.No.
2. Yes but totally pointless since the huge majority of the extra power output of the JCW Stage 1 comes from the ECU upgrade.

Buying the intake now followed by the exhaust and ECU in a few months will not only be very difficult to do but it will cost you a whole lot more to purchase the items individually rather than just buying the kit. Be patient, save your pennies and get the full kit when you can afford it.

 

The whole kit does not worth it imo, I would go with a custom/aftermarket job. That will add far more power.

 

Hi there, !
I have a bit of experience to add to this- like you, the whole JCW stage 1 kit was out of my budget (I'm a college student), but I was interested in adding parts of it as I was able.
Through some finagling at my dealer in Cinci, I was able to order, JUST the JCW exhaust, tips, and badging - because he found separate part numbers for them.
HOWEVER, when he looked at the other parts of the stage 1, (because I was wondering about adding the ecu software and skipping the intake) the ECU programming and the JCW intake, come as ONE unit.
If you get the intake NOW
you will HAVE to get another, later, if you want the jcw software.
Of course, you can add the jcw exhaust separately, as I have

I have done a DDM intake to my car, which wonderfully opens up the turbo, you can hear it spooling, it's amazing I'd forget the jcw intake,
If you're not into that sort of thing though, the intake may be for you. You are extremely unlikely to have any warranty issues with just an intake, by the way.

So, just wanted you to know, since I've been thinking along the very same lines as you, | | | , it is possible to get the JCW exhaust, but if you want the ecu software, you'll HAVE to get another one :- /

And by itself, since it's still enclosed box, you won't get any sound, which is the seems to be the more averaged reason for getting an intake. Power, from just the jcw intake, mmm... not likely, or at least, not likely noticeable.

Best of luck!

 

So you are badging your car as a JCW since you put the exhaust on?

How ricey of you. Maybe put a type-R or Vtec one under it for good measure.

 

Thats a little harsh

 

IMO what is harsh is a guy badging his car in such a fashion that people have spent up to $2500 to get. BMW should not be selling these parts.

 

everyone can do whatever they wan with their cars.... and so is everyone entitle to their own opinion..

 

I got the same heat from one other person, and then encouragement from fifty others, in a separate thread.
*If John Cooper is going to be doing Work on my car, I will wear some badging with pride and not think twice
*The difference between the "S" and the "S-with-stage-1-kit" is hardly the difference between say, a 3-series with "M" badging, or some civic, with "type-R" badging... IMHO. though they can do whatever they want with their cars anyway, props for them and their fun!

*The same negative response always seems to come up, and in reference to MONEY.$$$$. Big deal. Because I'm paying 1200.00 for sweet JCW part and not whatever you got sunk for, I shouldn't get to put an authentic badge on my car ? The badge doesn't say "JCW Stage 1" does it?

*so with that idea in mind, being still only a single opinion here, What gives someone the right to "JCW" badge their car with Stage one, compared to the FULL JCW S model from the factory ??

Just my .02

I am very much anticipating my JCW exhaust, my JCW tips, and my JCW badging to compliment that jcw exhaust..
Thanks to all the fellow mini-ers here, *including anyone who disagrees, who are understanding and, sensibly kind, no matter what angle one has.

 

BMW does not sell jcw badging to anyone who wants it. The technician in the parts department offered to order me one rear badge to go with the jcw exhaust, as it is MINI policy not to sell JCW badging without jcw parts, or badge a car with ZERO jcw work on it. As such, since he offered, and since the tech explained that the part #'s for the JCW badging could then be ordered in the conjunction with JCW parts, I asked for a front one too, because I like it

 

Not that it matters but having thought about it you won't get any complaints from this factory JCW owner.

 

You can do what ever you want but that doesn't mean that it is right. Money has nothing to do with it. This is just like a regular BMW being badged as a Dinan or a standard Merc as an AMG. My Parents sport package e-class has AMG wheels does that mean they should put an AMG badge on it? What about My Z3 with the M-Sport package? There is an M logo on the steering wheel does that warrant one on the back as well? I say NO.

 

Oh you are just so right. right right right.
I am wrong wrong wrong.


And quite particulary, happy.

 

whats different about that intake anyway? it looks exactly the same.

 

Supposedly ... it's got a slighter bigger inlet. I haven't had a chance to compare mine to a regular/stock instake though .. to tell you for sure. I think it's a larger filter too??? (Though I replaced mine with the mini-madness one.)

 

Higher flow, maybe the top box is bigger ??
If I had to guess, perhaps there's just enough increase in airflow to match with higher fuel sends from the ECU tuning, for the power difference in the stage one kit... but in looking at both side-to-side (engine-next-to-engine)
it's really hard for me to tell anything other than a slightly taller top part of the box.
Think the exhaust has much to do with the gains ? jw..

 

I doubt it.
I think it's really just the ECU tuning.

 

That's my understanding too. The only component of the Stage 1 kit that creates any real power is the ECU upgrade and getting the other components without it doesn't make much sense if you ask me. But to each their own.

 

Yeah you're probably right on. it just doesn't seem like an intake or exhaust could produce drastic changes with the subtle alterations MINI seems to make to them...

In terms of power, I'd have to agree with you moz, it makes really no sense to pick the parts off one by one.. I'm really interested in was some sporty sound, so, I suppose just the exhaust only, right now at least, makes some sense for me and I already have an intake, so I'll hit out the ecu tuning at another time down the road, (wonder what to do with the jcw intake that comes with it)
I'd be maybe interested in a flash or something later but I don't know how rough BMW is cracking down on those things... ? I had a mini-madness flash for my last cooper and the dealer noticed it on a service, and was alright with it

 

Not worth doing the kit in stages as was said in previous posts. But check out the fact that those "Badges" are $100.00 each. Save your money, get the whole kit and the warranty that goes with it. I did and the MINI is a blast to drive.

Just my .02 cents, Good luck

 

I'm sorry, but he's not 'faking the funk'.

It isn't a regular Bimmer with a Dinan badge, that would be obvious to spot, same with AMG.

But if I bought a JCW intake, I wouldn't mind putting hte badging on, since I paid for a JCW part that is on my car. When it comes down to it, anyone that knows anything about MINIs is going to know the difference, and it makes the owner happy.

Like what you said about Hondas-

If I have an integra with a Type R engine, type R suspension, and type R brakes, can I not put type R on it?

I know plenty of type R 'clones', and as long as they're not trying to deceive someone (ie sell it at a premium as something it's not) it makes perfect sense.

The way you talk about you and your parents cars, geez, I wish I had your life and only had to worry about other people's badges...

 

if i may throw this in there... like i've said in a couple other threads... most ecu and power gains are very impressive till the ecu starts trying to change it back to factory settings even wtih mods... even tho the power gain is surprisingly minimal with the JCW Stage 1, the ecu for that is an actual ecu reflash, not a piggyback like most aftermarket ones... and hte gains WILL remain... although... personally, i REALLY want to pair that ECU reflash with my Alta Turboback Exhaust and an Alta CAI i'd be curious if that would actually work... only as stated... you kinda need to buy the whole kit :/ but i say if they can get damn good power out of that JCW exhaust for the Factory upgrade, then for now (until people crack the ecu for more permanent upgrades) i think JCW is a good way to go IMHO

 

PS... i'm a college guy too... so i know exactly what it's like with minimal money :/ poo