Hey everyone,

Had a few fiat 500 Abarths(all modified). Love the character and driving experience in one, but at almost 6'2" they are a little tight on space. My coworker just picked up a 2017(?) 4 door Cooper S carbon edition with a JCW tuning pack. Took it for a spin and was really impressed with the xtra room and how nice the interior was. Had me starting to think about getting into a JCW stick 3 door. I have found a few local that I am waiting to test drive, but wanted to touch base with the F56 community and see if anyone else has done this same step into a Mini.

Have a few questions

1. Direct injected, are catch cans a common addition that you guys are adding?
2. Is the JB4 the all around best tuning module? or am i better off to get into a full ECM reflash?

Thanks very much

 

So at 6’2” 200lbs, I totally fit perfect in my F56 JCW. I can’t speak enough on how much I enjoy my JCW!! I love it so much I decided to buy a 2021!! There are very few out there that are used with decent mileage and untouched. If your buying new there’s even less! I was able to get mine for a great price from Mini of Wichita, totally happy to find a 6spd JCW. Good Luck finding yours. Enjoy, Jose
BTW, I have the Dinan Elite w/OEM Exhaust/Tune and I’m 110% happy with the results on my 2015. Looking to do the same when I get my 2021.

 

I don't think catch cans are too common with the F56, more with the R56.

No idea on the JB4. I did the JCW Tuning kit (exhaust, tune) rather than risk an aftermarket tune.

Definitely consider whether or not you want a sunroof, since you're 6'2". There's a substantial difference in headroom with/without one. My head is constantly touching the side visor on the roof of the car at 6'1" due to the sunroof reducing headroom. I have plenty of room in my R55 w/o sunroof, by comparison.

 

The catch can went out with cassette tape players lol. I'd definitely recommend an ECU tune over a clipon module. The guy who did my 2014 JCW tune said the majority of his customers had previously bought a module. I think my tune was about $500 in Tempe AZ.

 

Catch cans are still extremely prevalent in most direct injected engines though. I Too prefer a full reflash, but i just don't see many options for this platform(im in Canada, so mail order is key)

 

Can't really answer your MINI questions but I'd love to see some pics and specs of your Abarths. I am a recovering Abarth addict.

 

Here she is. 2013 and has 19,000km(13,000 miles).

 

Awesome! Nearly the exact spec as mine. I miss it dearly... I should probably change my NAM avatar to the R53. =P

 

I think a lot of people just mail the ECU to the vendor and I've never heard anyone gripe about it. They gripe not rarely about the clipon modules "throwing codes" (whatever that means) which doesn't sound encouraging.

 

BC here so feel you wanting eaiser import/access to tunes. When i started F56'ing i was surprised to see this market was more clip on tune than ECU flash leaning for various reasons. Not my preferred route.

There are a few tunes that offer OBDII access/update from their cloud server for file tunes. UK/EUR and NA vendors. I know evolve has both US and UK sites and prices: options for canada both ways. some have a physical connection/dongle needed - others not

https://www.evolveautomotive.com/mak...cu-tuning.html

 

Interesting situation...

While continuing to shop pristine R53/R56 MINI hatches, I added your specific car to my search awhile ago. Owned my prior R56 relatively briefly and do miss it, however owned Fiat/Alfa cars from new starting early 70's for nearly 28 combined years. At 6' when much younger but shrinking with age, a 500 "Ah-Bart" would fit me well. Being relatively low production in NAFTA USA-spec version plus FIAT not being mainstream choice, finding one with manual gearbox, low mileage and pristine is tough. Seems that Carvana has become the Amazon of used car dealers while capturing the retail resale market. Snow on the ground and reference to KMs, so I assume you're in Canada. Edit: I now see your ONTARIO license plate.

 

I've had a few Abarths, but this one took me nearly a year to find a pristine one. Almost all of them are miled out, and beat. Which is almost a set of handcuffs really. I have other summer cars, but wanted a clean hot hatch I can go out on weekends in the winter and still enjoy a spirted drive. Problem being this one is sooooo nice I Don't wanna drive it in the winter. The JCW I'm looking at will have a lot more KM, 50-70km, but at least I'll be able to enjoy it throughout the year!

 

Tune wise I have seen Byte, Evolve, and VR tuned by vivid racing. Weighting all those options currently

 

First of all, I like your Fiat 500 Abarth, looks great. I always kind of wanted to test drive one to see if I can fit and to check out how much fun it is but just never got around to it. So, I switched from Audi S4 to a 2016 F56 2-door hardtop a few years ago (I always wanted a small fast hot hatch, I grew up in Europe dreaming about Renault 5 GT Turbo, Fiat Uno Turbo, Renault Clio Williams, Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6/1.9, Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC and etc.). After it got totaled (a guy at the car wash slammed in the back of it full throttle and insurance totaled it) I got into 2019 F56 JCW with stick and looooove it. I'm also 6'2" and I have absolutely enough space in it - the only thing is that when I get into a F55 4-door loaner (when I go for a oil change at my local dealer) I have problems getting in because of the smaller doors. But you shouldn't have any issues with the f56 2-door one at all.

For the catch cans I don't have much to say, I believe all the DI engines will have some kinds of issues with carbon deposits on the intake valves in the long run but I just can't see me messing around with catch cans, emptying them every few weeks in the winter because of the extra condensation, risking them freezing up because of the condensed water gathering in it and etc. When the time comes, at around 60-80k miles or so, I'll just pay for the dealership to do the walnut blasting or whatever other method they use to clean the intake valves and call it a day. I did that with my mk5 VW GLI long time ago and when I got the car back from the dealership it got a CEL - I took it back and they figured that the injectors got clogged because of the how they did the valve cleanup job so I got a set of brand new injectors free of charge too, all for $400 - I'd call that a win.

As for the tuning options there are a few but I can only tell you my experience. I had a NM tuning box on my first F56 Cooper S and I never liked it that much. I didn't get a CEL but the going from stop was sometimes a bit notchy, the acceleration wasn't that smooth, I just didn't like how it felt at all. Then when I got my '19 JCW I decided to treat it with a full ECU tune and since I heard good things about UK's DervTech guys I decided to give them a try (plus they have a local tuning company representative for the NYC area - I'll include the thread about them at the end for you to check out). All I can say is I'm more than satisfied, I love my Mini now! There's plenty of power with Stage 1 (I didn't go for open or race catted downpipe and aftermarket IC so I couldn't go Stage 2 but maybe I'll do that in the future), the acceleration is linear and there are no hesitations or stuttering like I had with the NM piggy back box. I've had it from May 2020 and no issues of any kind so far, I highly recommend checking them out. Their representative, Kyle, was professional and genuine car guy himself, it was pleasure dealing with him.

Anyways, good luck and let us know how you like your JCW - I know you'll get one after the test drive.

Here's the thread if you want to check it out:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-the-usa.html

 

I just drove one and was very impressed! TONS of head room, tons of leg room, great interior quality. Definitely didn't feel as Manic as my Abarth (but its tuned with mods), so I imagine the Mini will feel likewise after. Now starts my hunt for a NON abused beat one. The one i drove was a 17 JCW completely loaded in White silver which i love, but odd ownership history and pretty poor condition. Was surprised of that considering it was at a Mini Dealer.