I'm looking at a 2013 JCW and I'm not entirely sure if this is a factory JCW or a kit one? Could someone help me figure it out? I'd like to find out before I spend some g's on it. I realize it says Cooper S on the sales sheet, but I'm new to Mini's and wasn't sure if this was just how they did it or what? I'm confused because it lists a bunch of JCW components on the sales sheet and has a price tag of almost $40K.

Please help!

 

Technically, it’s a Cooper S with all the JCW bits added on. I think the only things you’re missing from the factory cars is the turbo, brake kit, and suspension bits.

If you REALLY want a factory JCW, you will have to look elsewhere. Sharp looking car, otherwise.

 

I think the only thing you left out was the JCW manifold and tune.

 

Well, it has the JCW tuning kit... I thought the tuning kit for the N18 engines came with the revised manifold and ECU tune.

 

It's a Nicely Equipped ( Fully ) JCW that was assembled at the port, not at the factory as if ordering one...Towards bottom of that list of options is JCW Kit for $3,200.00 which includes manifold. Usually you can tell the ones at the onset on placement of JCW grille badge. For those MINI's which have kits assembled at dealer as an after sales purchase/install, or at the port the badge is affixed to upper grill in accordance with instructions. On factory installed kits you find it affixed to drivers side lower grille. So on left side for U.S. and right side for right hand drive MINI's. Only acception to this is the GP1 which has a specific area for the grille badge, and its placement will always be lower left hand side regardless of steering wheel placement.

It also has JCW interior / exterior packages, gauges, brake rotor upgrade.

It is just a guess, but having some MINI car ordering experience after working at a dealer, this car was originally coming to the USA as an S model. Then at some point, the sales manager checked off a bunch of boxes on the cars order sheet to have these parts installed at the Port. ( MINI changed how accessories were to be installed on cars ordered around 2012. Many accessories formerly installed by/at dealership were to be done at the port.

All R56,57,58,59 models ( 2007-up ) which are factory JCW equipped will have a fully welded exhaust including welded on tips. The two large chrome tips have no JCW inscription/monogram...

 

One exception to above is the Countryman JCW up to 2016. They do not come factory with a JCW exhaust...why ? Have no idea, I posed that question to MINI many years ago and never received an acceptable answer as to why that model comes through with an otherwise stock restrictive exhaust....needing to be purchased / added at dealer.

 

Ah, didn't see the tune there. I thought the manifold and the turbo for the actual JCW are different. I don't think the JCW kit comes with the turbo or mani. - Just checked, it comes with the manifold. Only thing JCW you're missing are the big brakes and the JCW turbo. It's an S with JCW add on's.. Very close to a JCW though, just not worth as much.

 

From what I've read and have been told, the S muffler and the JCW muffler are the same, it's the tips and the resonator that are different.

 

Yeah, my factory JCW has the same exhaust as the regular cars. I do have a bigger/different turbocharger than this car. It's really nice that they gave you the red Brembo brakes (if that's what's on it) and drilled rotors. So the factory JCW costs about $6,400 more than the MCS, and yours is $6700 for the body kit, Interior/steering wheel trim, tune, brakes, and gauges (which I didn't get). Looks pretty sweet to me. How much are they asking?

 

Those aren't the Brembo's, just red caliper paint.

 

That's kinda what I thought. The so-called Big Brake Kit costs a couple grand. So they charge $3200 for just the "tune"? No exhaust? Because on the F56 I think you pay like $2500 for the tune AND the JCW exhaust, installed. I wonder what else you get for the $3200. Anybody know for sure? Cause if all you get is an ECU tune that's really a lot. Mine was only $500. Maybe you do get the bigger turbocharger with that.

 

They're asking $17.5K for it. It has 19000 miles on it. Knowing it's a spiced up MCS, not sure if I want to pay that much

 

17k isn't a horrible request given it's a 13' with only 19k. I paid 17k for my 12' S 2+ years ago with 44k but that was before the bottom fell out of MINI's resale value.

 

What's the advantage of this car over a MCS without the JCW upgrades then since it isn't a factory JCW?

 

According to RealOEM.com you get the manifold, muffler, intake box, some decals, and the tune. The $3200 would also include the installation labor.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=03_0032

 

First of all it has the JCW body kit: front/rear bumpers and painted side pieces below the doors. Second is the ECU is tuned for more turbo boost, timing, fuel mixture, etc. About 20 more HP. Third it has improved intake manifold, muffler,and something else under the hood. the tune part is pretty expensive at $3200. Like I said I got mine for $500 and it is probably just as good. The body kit is reasonable at $2k. $17 grand doesn't sound horrible for 19k miles either. I'm sure it's a very nice Mini to drive. Mine was $39k.

 

You are right and these bits are expensive and make quite a difference.


As far as the car looks nice, I would pass and continue to search for a real JCW.

 

Actually the internals of a Factory JCW are not the same as a regular S....the engine has whole different part number as well. Yes, JCW Tuning after sales kits and those installed at the Depot do have the newer manifold...see below:

Engine


More aggressive ECU tuning

Turbo back exhaust system. The exhaust and catalytic converter have been reworked and enlarged to aid the unrestricted flow and reduction in back pressure. Also NO second cat.


Upgraded turbocharger - larger and strengthened twin-scroll turbocharger and exhaust manifold resulting in a pressure increase from 0.9 to 1.3 bar

Upgraded pistons


Upgraded Getrag transmission


Upgraded clutch and throwout bearing


208hp



Upgraded engine components: The engine is fitted with reinforced and specifically ground pistons as well as a cylinder head with optimized rigidity and modified gasket. The cylinder head wall thickness is increased to reduce potential stress during peak output. The intake valves and valve seat rings are also made of a specially resilient material, and compared to the engine of the MINI Cooper S there is a slight reduction in compression. The air filter, air mass sensor, exhaust system and catalytic converter have been modified so as to achieve a power-enhancing de-throttling on the induction and exhaust side. The through-flow capacity of the clean air duct to the turbocharger has also been increased.

 

Having purchased and assisted with installation I can say without a doubt there is a very big difference....no similarities whatsoever.

 

10-4. The part numbers are the same. What are the differences? I'm looking and all I see that's different is the manifold and the resonator, and the N14 JCW's don't have the second cat. When asking about the muffler at more than one dealership they both give me the same part number for the JCW and the S rear muffler. Can you provide the OE JCW muffler part number?

 

Not sure I understand.

The JCW Exhaust for a Countryman is not the same part number as a Countryman exhaust....

And the JCW Countryman does not come through from factory with a JCW Exhaust. If one purchases/orders a JCW Countryman, they would have to purchase in an after-sales situation and have the dealer install the JCW exhaust.

It is different part number and and will not come on a Countryman when delivered....When I approached MINI Corporate and my former regional Sales rep about this, they had no explanation for this anomaly.

 

I think we're talking about 2 different cars. I'm talking about the Cooper S and JCW exhaust. Even without looking I'm sure the Countryman JCW and regular Countryman exhaust is different.

 

Where did you get that we were talking about a Countryman? The car in the first post is a Cooper S hatchback?

 

JCW ALL4 Factory equipped Exhaust at time of deliver with aero kit: 18309811091

JCW Exhaust part no. - 18302239423 - You would have to buy this after delivery....

Find a Countryman JCW, put it up on a lift or just poke your nose under the rear bumper sometime and then compare with a Countryman S muffler....they are no different even visually.

Then check out a JCW Countryman Exhaust at your dealers parts counter....two different animals all together....

We installed more than a handful off these at Inskip over the years....one in my friends JCW Countryman ALL4.

 

post #6 -

In an attempted to be thorough to OP's question I referenced and clarified how the JCW Countryman was not applicable and was only model which could not be lumped in with others....Unfortunately some folks skim read posts on their blackberry causing this blurb to go viral....