I was just looking at the configurator on Miniusa.com, and I saw that they now list something called the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit as a $4,500 factory option:

I quote from the site:
An uprated supercharger, modified cylinder head, parallel-flow sports twin exhaust, recalibrated ECU system, and more. The result is even stronger overall performance including a boost up to 200 hp, and faster acceleration. See "Details" in the Complete Features List for more info. Note: MSRP does not include dealer installation costs and requires exchange pricing.



Does anybody out there know anything about this? Has anyone out there actually driven one? Is this some kind of joke?

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not a joke...
it's $4500+ about 10 hours of labor!
not a cheap option, do a search for JCW, you'll find a ton of info!

 

check the performance mods forum. It's been discussed heavily.

This is not a factory option. It can only be installed at the dealer. Get ready to pay dearly.

 

Dude, do a search for JCW on on this forum. Or even better, go to http://www.johncooper.co.uk

It's not a joke.

 

Do a search for the John Cooper Works kit here or on any other MINI site. You can get it installed by your dealer but it's $4500 + installation which is estimated at about 10 hours. Now they are offering it as an option when you order it so it's just $4500 and since your car is being built, it's just a matter of putting different pieces in so the install won't cost any more than just building your car.
-Chris

 

LOL, we all responded at the same time.

 

That was a record for most instantaneous responses!

The fact that they put it on the official web site made me think it might be a factory install.

 

I did a quick look on the configurator and it says "Note: MSRP does not include dealer installation costs and requires exchange pricing."

I have heard some rumors that it may eventually become something you can order from the factory. (Not from a reliable source however, just rumors) I guess not yet.
-Chris