Ok, trying to make some decisions about adding the JCW Tune Kit to the automatic 'S' Roadster we have coming in.

The previous generation 'S' had 172hp stock, and the kit took it to 189hp.

The current 'S' make 181hp, and the MINI web site (and any other info I've come across) still quotes only 189hp with the JCW Tune Kit.

That would mean that for the same cost, the hp increase is half what it used to be. That takes the already questionable (I know, factory warranty etc. not trying to start that debate, just pointing out opinions vary) "Dollars per hp" and makes it seem pretty darned expensive for what you get.

So, bottom-line question: For the 2012 automatic 'S', does the JCW Tune Kit add 8hp or 17hp?

And a related question - does anyone have any information or experience in just what the JCW Tune Kit does for the automatic transmission? I keep hearing it quickens the shifts / changes the shift points but again pretty minimal hard info available.

 

It could be that the kit really does only provide the same peak HP as before. I thought the S's still have the same tranny as before, and maybe Mini decided that that is the highest power they will go on that tranny. The factory JCW is rated at higher HP but it always came with a stronger clutch than the S to support that extra power.

But keep in mind, peak HP is only peak. Its the area under the entire curve that really matters.

 

Hmmm...189 sounded low to me.

Just going out to MINIUSA now...build a MINI...MCS...Accessories...JCW Accessories...Performance...JCW Tuning kit, I found:

The John Cooper Works tuning kit reaches new heights of performance, boosting the Twin Scroll turbocharged engine to 197 hp (SAE). The max. torque is 184 lb-ft from 1750 to 5000 rpm. (With over boost, temporary values of 200 lb-ft are possible from 1800 to 5000 rpm.

So it appears it adds 16hp vs. a stock MCS.

 

Good point! Bt, that's more actual A-B information that's hard to come by as well.

 

Very interesting! I've been looking at that from the Coupe/Roadster build, and that still shows the 189hp description. But if I look at that option for a hatch, I do see the 197hp value as you pointed out.
And an additional $20 for the kit price.

So now the question becomes is the kit for the Coupe/Roadster actually different, or is the website in error?

 

Greetings, Don! I have the tuning kit on my 2012 MCSa, and I totally love it. I was told the 197hp figure as well. It is quite an improvement over the stock S.

There was a delay in getting the ECU tune into the car due to a software error for 2012s that required "senior techs" from New Jersey to remote in and fix, but it took 6 days in the shop for them to correct it. No problems since then at all. Several people here on the forums have had the same issue, but that was back in the summer, perhaps it's been corrected now?

Also, yes, it does noticeably change the shift points on the Automatic. In sport mode, it will always keep your revs higher. Once I get on the highway, I turn it off so that it will upshift and cruise at lower rpms.

The short of it is, that it will really change the demeanor of your S, and it comes with better exhaust tips than you even get with the factory JCW. Go for it!

Jon

 

Hey Jon - thanks for the info on your experience!

Did it affect the "crispness" of the shifts in the automatic transmission as well? (I know, that's pretty subjective)

Did you have it added after some amount of time driving the car without it?

I had a JCW, but decided I just wasn't a manual person (plus my wife had zero interest in learning to drive a manual, so having a car that she couldn't use, even in an emergency sort of sucked).

I'd love to get close to that level of performance in the new Roadster (which will be an automatic). Your post is really tempting me... if I can confirm that the lower HP figure given on the website is an error.

Don

 

No problem, Don, glad to help! Although it looks like you have a lot more MINI experience than I do!

My car and the loaner I had are the only 2 MINIs I've driven. My tuning kit was put on at the dealer when it arrived back in early August, so I haven't driven my actual car without it. I had the 2011 S loaner for a week while mine was in the shop. I can't really give an A/B comparison of the shifting, but I can say that the shifting (to me) is very quick and responsive, in stark contrast to what some people say in some of the unfortunate "auto vs manual" threads. Having the sport button on keeps the revs eagerly in the power band, so it's always ready to GO!

One other thing, I have the JCW appearance package on mine and so, as a result, I don't have paddle shifters. I thought I would miss them, but so far I really don't.

I hope that helps you a little bit, if you have any other questions feel free to ask or PM me any time. Good luck!

Jon

 

you will notice the torque more than the HP.

 

One of you guys with the kit should dyno your car, I'm very curious as to what the power curve looks like. You should be too no? Plus it would be cool to have that info if you ever choose to sell.

 

I'd love to see before and after dyno runs of the same car (2011, 2012 and *automatic*) for the JCW tune. Would really help in the decision process.

Heck, I'd settle for even some g-force type instrumentation data like that.

Right now it sort of feels like I'm making the decision the same way I make some of my audio/video decisions. As in, if there's a choice buy the best even though I might not have been able to tell the difference because that way at least I will know that if there is a difference I took the best path!

 

In other news, was just quoted $2,800 for the installed Tune. Apparently this version includes the exhaust manifold and pushes labor hours up to 6.

While it is nice to get more than a new filter and exhaust for the price, that's about $600 more than I was anticipating.

Going to have to give this a lot more thought, and gather more info than I have today before pulling the trigger at that price!

Don

 

i have seem some dyno sheets on a 07 JCW kit floating around and i think it had about 180-190hp at the wheels. i guess that doesn't really help with out proof, but im sure if you search for it you will find it. people also said it gave the same gains as a stage one access port so im guessing the new kit would give the same gains.
i have also read that people put the stage one AP tune one their JCW kitted S and it made no power gains at all so that should be a good gauge on the power since everyone loves the AP.

 

Does anyone know if they were able to resolve the JCW tuning kit software issue on the coupes?