bringing my 2 week old cooper s automatic to prestige mini tomorrow for the jcw air filter and sports exhaust. according to the powers that be i should see about a 10hp boost and also gain that awesome cooper works kit growl and burble... i'm psyched!

will report back with a (still in break in period) review and pics.

cheers - drew

 

What are they charging you for those?

 

a little over 2k for the entire job.

 

Keep us informed ... I have only done the intake so far :smile:

 

oh you can bet i'll report in ian.

tell me, how much jolt do you get when you cross 4500 rpm from the intake? i know it should get louder, but is this where the added hp comes into play? or is it a constant feeling of extra pep from the sheer presence alone of the jcw air filter?

as for the exhaust, i've been told to expect the sound of a jcw works kit. apparently the air filter and exhaust combo is what's responsible for the "sound" of a jcw car.

- drew

 

Drew,
There is definitely a noticeable power surge after the intake opens up - probably nearer 5000rpm or so; but of course I am never driving my MINI up in that rev range till the break-in period ends

With the full JCW in #2, there was not too much "kick" when the intake opened up - it just continued the enhanced power band. But with only the intake in #3, you definitely notice a power response as well as the supercharger noise boost

 

right on - thanks ian!

and seeing as you had a full jcw kit in gbmini2 - how did you like the exhaust note? i am sure it is exactly what i will be getting installed tomorrow.

- drew

 

Gbmini, what are you talking about when you say in #2 and in #3 ? Do you have different maps on your jcw ecu ? Thanks.

 

He is on his third MINI... his second MINI had a full JCW kit... 3rd MINI just has a JCW Intake

 

just back from prestige mini. first off - what a GREAT organization! the staff and service are TOP NOTCH and the tech who did my car (the shop foreman actually) was simply amazing. he's installed over 50 works kits and made swapping out my exhaust and air filter look like a game. he was done in just over an hour!

even though i am still under break-in regulations, i was told it's ok to open up the car for a little while and feel out the new parts...so i did ; )

ian - thank you so much for reccomending the jcw air filter kit. it truely does give the car an added feeling of power, and the instant-on supercharger whine in the cabin when passing 4500 rpm is a blast. i wouldn't call it a "kick" of power, but the car feels even more powerful all around. it's subtle, but evident for sure.

as for the jcw exhaust - wow! not only does it look the part, but it sounds and feels great. it is actually a bit tamer than the stock exhasut in that it doesn't allow the pop-pop/backfire sort of sounds that so many 2005 owners are talking about. what it does do though is replace the already very good stock s sound with a deeper sort of growl - complete with LOTS of burblling on over runs and while coasting at high revs. just blip the throttle up to about 2500 rpm at a standstill and listen - you'll hear "the sound"....

overall i am very satified with the upgrades. the change in the feel of the car is subtle, but more power is evident throughout the entire power range. i for one am thrilled with the stock feel and power of the s automatic, and could not justify the cost of a full works kit for the added horses. i believe that jcw is offering these parts a la carte now to cater to owners like me who wanted more, but for whatever reason weren't going to go for the full upgrade.

while nothing can replace the full jcw kit, anyone looking for a little more "love" will be very happy to add these parts to an already amazing ride.

happy motoring - cheers - drew

 

I keep debating about that JCW airbox (cost vs. Alta and others). I'm getting the suspension, but I'll leave the stock exhaust alone for awhile.

Thanks for the info!

 

NYCminute, what was the final total $$$ for both parts and install?

 

it was around 2300. exahust was around 1400, air filter around 4 and change, install time and tax.

- drew

 

NYCmini thanks for the info, this was the exact mod I had in mind