This seems like an awesome forum! I'm totally new to the Cooper and wanted to ask some questions before ordering one this upcoming Saturday.

I am looking at getting a new mini; the JCW. It will mainly be a weekend road track and auto-x mobile, and i am looking for opinions from those who actually drive the car. My main concern is if it's worth getting the JCW kit or not. I'm really excited about it! Is there anything additional I should consider for extra performance? I'm an X type-r owner and a big gearhead...but would it really be worth getting the package, or should I possibly consider better aftermarket parts and upgrade myself? What are some options that you would highly recommend ordering (for performance on auto-x and track courses). I’m not all about the “bling” really, although I'm considering some. Thanks for the comments guys!

v1k0d3n

 

I think it depends on how important the warranty is to you.

From what I've read, the biggest single HP gain in the JCW kit comes from the pulley upgrade. You can do that aftermarket and save many dollars, but you won't be under warranty if the engine goes.

Also, the JCW suspension can be purchased separately and installed by you. You can same some bucks there too with little or no impact to warranty issues since it doesn't really impact the drivetrain.

Good luck

 

coming from a JCWMCS owner... the warrenty is nice, but you can do more for your$$$
keep the suspension tho! drool...

 

The basic pros for JCW are warranty, and package engineering.

The cons are expensive, and heavy (like the brakes).

Some people have had issues with warranty and track use.

If you plan on racing in classes that have strict rules, you should also ask in the racing forums...

Matt

 

Then you should avoid everything but the JCW GP the very top level of performance for the first generation MINI!

 

The simple HP/Dollar calculation doesn't support the JCW decision if that is the main criteria you wish to use. As others have stated, the aftermarket route will void warranty.

Some dealerships will support aftermarket packages (like Dinan's) , but they wouldn't be covered by all dealerships like the JCW. Talk to your local dealership and see what they support. Then you will need to make a very personal decision on the value of the warranty vs. the high cost per hp.

 

The one other factor to consider is that you can finance the JCW along with the car itself - I don't believe you'll find a lender that will roll in subsequent aftermarket parts.

Next, consider the effect on re-sale or trade-in of the car. With either option, you will lose money on the upgrade(s), but I think it will be less of a loss with JCW than aftermarket.

So that we're clear - I love my JCW (engine only, to date) and would do it again.

But, if you are a "gearhead" and derive some degree of enjoyment from DIY and/or planning your upgrades, that may be a better route.

 

The asserted greater depretiation rate of aftermarket vs JCW has been debated but I haven't seen any compelling data one way or another. I believe most of the 'evidence' has been utilizing other cars as examples. Not sure if a modded Honda/Subaru is completely pertinent. It is an interesting hypothesis. From what I have seen on the postings here, modded cars are carrying their value well, and if you are a gearhead, you can convert back to stock and sell the parts used for some % on the dollar to recoup a portion of your initial investment.

The argument for rolling the package into financing is valid. However, modding is a heck of lot cheaper and you could do it on a 'as money is available' basis. You definitely get the complete bang up front going the factory JCW route.

I have seen the argument that JCW owners like their 'integrated solution'. They have placed a certain value on knowing this configuration has all been developed and tested together. Others, such as Mini Madness, Dinan and WMS, offer various packages that offer similar or better performance in terms of numbers.

I think the number one issue always comes back to what value do you place on the warranty. If the value is high enough to justify the additional cost of JCW vs modding, then by all means go for the JCW.

 

And why is that? Do you really think 8 HP is going to make any difference ... especially with those 18" boat anchor JCW wheels?

very doubtful. Plus, you get to pay the premium for getting the "last of gen one MINIs". IMHO, a very Bad choice.

 

boar anchorhaaaaaaaaaaaa

mb

 

I'd go for a JCW, or perhaps a GP if I were buying today. It all boils down to your budget, imo. If you can afford it without problems, go for it, but if it's stretching your budget to the max then I'd probably get an MCS with the lsd.

Then if you want more power, do it piecemeal as you go.

 

I have an '06 JCW (engine and brakes as the 06 factory installed kit comes with), and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

I didn't want to play games with the warranty, and the extra added cost that I knew I was paying for performance I could've paid less for via the aftermarket (and not been able to toss the keys to my dealer and say "give me my loaner and fix this") was completely acceptable.

I love everything about the car, the seamlessness of all the parts working together, the fact that it does have (a little) of that 'type R' exclusivity (side note: I previosuly owned a B17C1 GSR, yes you read that correctly '92, first one made and first application of Vtec I believe), and the fact that I don't have one bit of concern over whether a problem will occur caused by an aftermarket part a thousand miles from home.

The car is an absolute blast to drive, I opted for this over a E46 M3, a Boxter S and other cars that 'outclassed' this one and don't regret the decision one bit.

 

I walked into the dealer all ready to order a JCW w/suspension but then decided against it and opted for the regular S. Here's what changed my mind at the last minute:

1) Ran the cars back-to-back, yes there was a difference, but not as much as I hope for, and not as much as the $ would suggest. Highly suggest a BTB run for yourself.

2) Hoped a last run supercharged JCW might carry some *extra* appeal on resale. However, Mini doesn't seem to think so. Residual values for a JCW were 4% lower than the S (58% vs 62% after 3yrs). That means the $6300 JCW upgrade residual would have to be around 42% to bring down the overall residual to 58%.

3) For me, under 30k and I'd feel fine about beating on the car, leaving it outside, and if it started rattling. Approach 40k and I wouldn't feel so care-free about it anymore. Also made it real easy to keep my B5 S4 for the high speed runs where the MCS would be lacking .

I'm just a spirited technical twisty driver/rider (motorcyclist at heart) dad that highly values warranty.... I'm not a track, autoX, DIY-modding type. Only mods I'll probably make would be lightweight wheels and a rear sway bar. I could see how this car would be lots of fun to wrench yourself, though... just one more reason that people say that it's the closest thing to a motorcycle on four wheels .

If your primary purpose is track/autoX, I'd get a bare bones MCS and have fun modding away. IMHO, the JCW is built more for people like me.

 

I also drove both a JCW and regular S back-to-back before placing my order... as you say, it felt faster, but not significantly so. However, I did think the JCW felt a lot smoother -- I think that might have had something to do with the extra power available.

Anyway, I ended up ordering the JCW as 1) I value the warranty (this is my first brand-new car!), 2) you do get a little bit of a discount ordering it from the factory (i.e. a dealer will charge installation to do it later), and 3) if I didn't get it now, there's a good chance I wouldn't be able to drop >$6k a year later on it...

Now I just have to wait until April for it to arrive...

 

You might want to check into the Dinan package. I have been told it will not void your warranty and will be about half of the cost. If there is a problem, Dinan will cover what ever MINI will not. I was told this by the Dinan rep at Momentum's BMW dealership, who is adjacent to Momentum Mini.

 

there are two dinan packages, the one that gets you close to JCW numbers is nearly the same cost, at least according to my dealer (also a Dinan dealer who sells this kit)

 

Just get the JCW and have fun! You'll be grinning from ear to ear and you know it...even more so with the knowledge your warranty is in full force. This is about love, baby!

 

A Dinan warranty will only be honored at a MINI dealership whose BMW side is an authorized Dinan dealer

For a Dinan - JCW comparison ...

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showpost....9&postcount=10

 

Nice find. Not only that but some BMW dealers are dumping Dinan making them harder and harder to find. Ours has.

 

"Dinan produces 205 hp @ 7000 rpm 180 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm with a supercharger reduction pulley, ECU remap, cold air intake, cat-back exhaust, larger throttle body and modified fuel pressure regulators."

The brochure I was thumbing through at Long Beach mini showed two dinan packages, one that got ~200 hp (probably 205 as stated) and another around 180.

The 205hp number included a new cam which I don't see pictured in that thread on Mini2. I'm wondering if these were pre-production guesses or whether their brochure is wrong?

 

Hi, I just ordered my MCS JCW on Wed. I debated the JCW/aftermarket so much it drove my wife crazy. I don't have any problem with the aftermarket and I know that with the basic aftermarket stuff (CAI, 15% pulley, exhaust) you are probably at 90% of the JCW's power (which is still about 20 hp shy). But I want to keep this car for a long time and the fact that the JCW was designed and tested extensivley for production just makes me feel better, and not having to deal with any possible engine problems will make me sleep better at night. To be honest, since I am not extremely mechanically inclined, the price of parts and labor to install say a pulley, exhaust and cylinder head, ECU would probably run over $3500. So thats half of the JCW, but I also get the upgraded brakes and LSD, PLUS it's still under warranty.

To each his own, if you are a gear head and feel comfortable working on your car, that might be the best route. That's what makes the Mini so wonderful, you can taylor it to your own individuality and comfort level through the factory or aftermarket.

Which ever way you decide, you know you're gonna have a blast driving it!!

 

Does that include installation? And if not, how much would they charge for the install? Does it include the upgraded brakes? And don't forget to order the LSD which is part of the JCW pkg.

 

The Dinan S1 Package produces 182 hp @ 7000 rpm 161 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm. Adding the Boost Upgrade System (reduction pulley and fuel pressure regulators) plus Stage 5 Engine Software bumps this up to 205 hp @ 7000 rpm 180 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm, the level of the Dinan S2 Package. Adding a cam to the S2 Package gets it to 209 hp @ 7000 rpm.

The MINI2 link I posted earlier should address your questions.

 

Doesn't the JCW get put into a different auto-x class than the MCS? Like DrObnxs said, I'd check out the rules very carefully before deciding.

Mark

 

i got the regular S and modded it tastefully and it is faster than any standard JCW right now, i do not have big warranty concerns, but on the other hand, if i get another one, which will be the next generation, i will get a JCW and then mod the hell out of it