Long-time lurker here and multi-Mini owner. I thought I'd add a data point to the JCW tuning kit discussion.

I just went through a multi-week, multi-dealer headache after they discovered the OE kit will not program for my 2019 S, build date 5/2019.

The scant info I could find here and elsewhere online before buying the kit suggested that there would only be an issue on mid-2019 manufactured cars and later, but mine is a bit older. The parts and service guys at multiple dealers also believed it would work.

The exhaust from the kit does function on the car without apparent issues. It remains on the car, but the tune from the kit is a no-go. I am using the simple hack to leave the exhaust flap open all the time as the extra sound is not hugely louder, but it does sound better. My butt dyno says the car has lost a bit of low-RPM torque with the exhaust and no tune, but perhaps not much; I'm considering aftermarket tunes at this point.

Overall, I'd say be VERY careful if buying one of these kits for a 2019 and look at your build date. Don't trust the Mini organization - it appears this and other Mini sites know more than the dealers do about the kits. All contacts at the dealers seemed clueless throughout the process, including at one dealer that supposedly had a lot of experience installing the kits. My impression was that the Mini reps they had to get involved in my case didn't know much more.

So, as there are 2019 owners out there who have the kit working on their cars, they must have earlier build dates than mine, IF I am not being told complete BS. Buyer beware.

 

Its that one correct? You are in the USA? That weird it would not take.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/11122359631/

*** If you have a newer MINI production: 3/2019 TO 7/2019 and the grommet on the main wire harness is too small to seal you will need ES164380 to finish the install as MINI has an update on the newer MINIs. ***

 

Yep, that's it, and I am in the US. Bought it directly from Mini as an OE item delivered to the dealer. They tried to pursue a parts exchange with Mini HQ on the assumption the software-related components were simply wrong or broken, but allegedly the rep said it won't work on my car at all. Again, I am taking anything they say with a big old grain of salt.

 

Some the brain boxes were bad in the past. That's this part: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...e/18302450118/

Only other thing I can think of other then the box is this https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rt-number.html

The https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/11122359630/ came up for some cars based on VIN and then they did some work to the coding and now it should work.

We have sold more JCW Tuning kits then anyone I know and I did my work to figure these all out across F55-F56-F57-F60 2014-2019 and 2020+ to 22 looks like 23 and 24 they kind of work but its if the VIN and enable code will flash at the dealer, something to do with the EPA regulations I bet with the newer particulate filters in the OEM exhaust system.

Some people are just installing on the newest MINIs 22+ and then zip tying the valve as they can't get the tune to flash per vin.

Sorry that's all the info I have, on the old links on this forums we have the install pdf process, but the dealer should have that also. I know some dealers have had issues with the flashes also and it was that enable code or bad black boxes.

Hope that helps. Sometimes even the MINI dealership call me. I am glad to help.

 

Thanks for the info...I bet there is way to make it work, but it will take someone smarter than me and these dealers...

 

We just had a guy take the 11122359631 system and make it work with a 2023 JCW, he bought the wrong one. Waiting to hear back from MINI dealer for their final solution as I helped them/customer, I think they did not get the tune but it opens and closes the flap. Also those cars don't get the tune anyway. Its just a sound upgrade pretty much for the JCW people. S models its the tune.

For the 2020+ people we found this. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-do-i-get.html

Let me know if you get another dealer to look at it.

 

The flap will work on mine using the controller (as above, I opened it that way and then pulled the plug to leave it open all the time; it's not that loud). But perhaps you mean opening automatically, not just manually. In any event, yeah, I understand folks with newer cars just get the exhaust system now and no tune.

In any event, if you find the magic recipe that makes the full kit work on cars such as mine, I'll be happy to hear of it.

I doubt I'll go back to the dealers. I supposedly went to the one with the most knowledge in my region already, and look how it turned out...

 

Ok, yep i will post up if i hear anything.

 

If I'm not mistaken, MINI switched to 2020 model year production around March 2019, and if that holds true then how do you have a 2019 model year car produced in May 2019? Maybe this is the issue, that it would have to be a model year 2019 car produced before March 2019??