JCW engine has a bigger turbo and lower compression.

 

So powerwise or hp-related, what does that translate into compared to a stock "S" engine with after-market JCW package installed? They don't change out the turbo on those packages? They are expensive as crap. What do you get for that money?

It was already on my car when I bought it or I'd know the answer. I'm wondering if I need an engine replacement if it is worth it to put an actual JCW engine in as well and pay the difference.

 

I griped at the Mini dealership and I even contacted MINI USA. Go to directly to the service manager at the dealership. The normal service guys won't be able to help you out and they wouldn't because, well, they're not the service manager and don't have any authority. There is a difference between the R56 and JCW. The JCW has better pistons and more durable internals and their sensors are different. The turbo is bigger and the compression ratio is different as well. So there IS a difference and they should know better. I could only imagine they didn't understand your inquiry and were thinking, "They're both N14 engines therefore they are the same." And yes the JCW is that much more as I checked sewellparts:

MCS:
http://mini.sewellparts.com/oem-cata...R56S-2008.html

JCW:
http://mini.sewellparts.com/oem-cata...6JCW-2009.html

The rest of the cost difference is in the labor. Honestly the MINI dealership made a big exception for me as they didn't have to give me any discount with me wanting to do the better JCW engine. There is only about $2k difference, but I bet you the dealership comes back and charges you a ton on labor. I was originally quoted $12k in parts in labor to swap to the JCW. My wording was this: "My Mini has less than 50k miles and you were going to do a free swap on it. I'm willing to pay the difference and labor on a new JCW engine. So you all wouldn't take as much of a hit on the costs as if I were to do the normal MCS engine." By showing them that they would lose less money by doing a JCW engine rather than a MCS they really had no reason to not go my way.

But just to reitterate: Demand to speak to the service manager. Say it is unacceptible to have this happend to a car with less than 100,000miles on it, especially from a BMW vehicle. Expressed your complete dissatisfaction and that you may have to consider parting out the car and buy an Audi or VW (I said I was about to go make a downpayment on a Golf R haha). Then call Mini USA say the same thing but with less attitude (so they actually will be receptive to hearing your case).

 

Awesome. Thanks! I have spoken directly to the service manager and he indicated he would do everything in his power to push for a new engine when Mini USA called him about it. I have filed the complaint and was nice but firm to the order taker at Mini USA who simply pushes it up the line to the department that makes the final decision.

Thanks again. You have given me some hope that they might take care of it for me. I hate to turn the car into a very expensive paperweight. It unfortunately isn't paid for yet :(

 

Mine isn't paid off yet either. When I had my issue I had owned the car was one year and one month to the date. That's why I raised hell. Not to mention my service history was flawless. Oh and when you do get a new engine, make sure you get a new starter. Mine went out two weeks ago, the dealership wanted $630+tax to replace. I asked the service manager why I didn't get a new starter with the new engine I just replaced and stated I haven't even had this new engine for more than 5 months. I told them a new starter should have come with the new engine. And now my new-ish engine has a new starter that was installed and replaced for free .

Depending on what they say you may want to get a new clutch while they're replacing the engine. That will cost you about $1,500-$2000 but you may have to replace the clutch anyway and since the car is disassembled it may cost less in labor to replace it now. It could save you a couple hundred down the line and your car will only be in the shop once rather than twice. Just something to think about while the dealership still has it.

 

I believe this is a common misconception. The internals on a JCW are no stronger than on an S. The jcw has lower compression, but both have forged internals (not sure of exact power rating).

 

I had to deal with Mini customer service when my chain tensioner went. I was just out of warranty as well and they took weeks to decide that they would only pay for the parts. They're very shady. I have a feeling that with a tune, they're going to claim the warranty isn't valid. :/

One thing I didn't was tweet out the issue multiple times wit h#mini and @miniUSA tagged...they actually responded.

 

It wasn't actually running a tune. I bought the AP after the warranty official ran out and had such trouble installing it because it didn't recognize my vehicle that I actually just set is aside and used the tool to monitor various engine functions (just for fun - as I didn't know what most of it meant)

I actually had to install in back on when I first had the engine trouble because I knew that I could then read the codes and try to figure out what to do. I then uninstalled the AP again before I took it to the dealership. They never asked about a tune while I was there. I actually showed the technician the AP because I was explaining to him how I read the codes.

The twitter thing is a good idea. I'm heading that direction now. I also posted my story on their forum at The Mini Lounge @miniusa.com. I have nothing bad to say at this point, as long as they take care of their issue. If they don't, I will make sure that plenty of people know about it. Thanks!

 

Do not assume the worst....
i was sitting in an independant mini shop....they had 2 gen2 in the bays...
one had zero compression, one had 30, and in BOTH CASES it was a carbon cleaning that fixed it.....
Amazing the carbon could be so bad, but an actual zero...i read the guage standing there.

 

The problem is that they don't want to even tear the engine apart to check it. They claim it is not carbon. Not sure how they can make that statement. They say it isn't worth the cost of tearing apart the engine just to turn around and replace it.

I guess it does give me another rabbit to chase if they don't do anything on the engine. If they don't, I am going to have Way Motor Works in Atlanta look at it. I hate being at the mercy of what someone tells me when I don't have the ability to check it myself. I can't imagine they would want to put a new motor in when it only needs a carbon cleaning. Seems thats a lawsuit waiting to happen.

 

Sounds like the dealership the car got towed to is just a bunch of parts changing monkeys!!
Call WMW to see if he thinks it is worth it...he once worked for a dealer..he MIGHT be able to give you some insight into how it is working behind the closed doors...
But I can tell you, both the shop owner and I BOTH thought at least ONE of the two GEN2 cars in the shop that day was due for a motor......The 30 PSI one seemed carbon was possible...but ZERO?! But was carbon for BOTH........
Since it is out of warranty, I would flatbed it to WMW ASAP.
Then IF it is a carbon issue...show MINI USA the bill, and the REFUSAL of the dealership to investigate a customers engine issue...maybe they would pay your tow-bill....would be SWEET!!

 

You ALSO are being a big help Love this forum! I have actually already been in contact with Way and he has given me some advice. Basically we are just waiting to see what Mini USA says. But if their technicians advise a new engine and they refuse I plan to do exactly what you suggest.

They are happy to tear the engine apart if I will pay, but they recommended against it because they are convinced the only solution is a new engine.

 

looking forward to see the outcome of this, hope it all works out for you!

 

Are you ready for Mini USA's offer to me? They will give me a credit of 1/2 the repair cost of replacing my engine towards the purchase of a new Mini?

LOL??????? What? So you want me to pay an overinflated repair bill (they quoted $8,000 to replace the engine - I can get a new engine elsewhere for thousands less) and then turn around and spend $35k+ on a new JCW by enticing me with a $4000 credit? Who would buy another Mini after your first one blew up at 39k miles?

It's a ridiculous offer. I'm actually laughing despite the fact that I'm furious. I would have been better off if they had just told me there was nothing they could do instead of try to put me in a new Cooper. They also said the committee is the final decision and there is nothing else to be done. Anybody have any thoughts? I have no intention of dropping this here, but outside of my attorney, I'm not sure where to start. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Hire your attorney to send a letter, then go from there.

 

Just got a call out of the blue from Mini USA. They want to meet with me and their engineer tomorrow to look at the engine and discuss what is going on. That is a positive and I'm happy about that, as they had basically already told me take a hike.

The downside is that they want to see all my "equipment" I asked them what that meant and they said the scan tool I used (AP) and any other aftermarket stuff. I told them the Intercooler was already on the car (installed after warranty expired) and that I would bring the AP (also bought after warranty expired). I think they will just use the AP as an excuse for not covering any repairs, even though I wasn't actually running the AP and had only reinstalled it to check the faulty codes I was getting when this all started. I actually showed the AP to the service tech to get the codes and then uninstalled it from the car as an after-thought. Might be my downfall

Can running a Stage 1 AP on a stock car do any engine damage anyways? I just read through the threads about it and I actually got the impression that it helped to reduced carbon buildup, etc because the engine ran slightly richer. I know its not the cause of my problems, but really don't see how it could be the cause of any engine failure unless you are running the wrong tunes, etc.

I'll keep you posted with what they tell me tomorrow.

 

 

MINI techs will know if you were running a tune even if you uninstall it before going to the dealership. The change shows up in the data log...

Your saga really sucks. I've been having issues with my '09 MCCS. Just got back from picking the car up today. Had a new turbo put in because the original one failed. I'm pretty sure my carbon buildup is also getting serious. Good luck man. I'm afraid I'm heading down a similar path with 38k miles on mine...

 

Any word on what happened? I literally just had the same thing happen to me. I have a 2007 R56 MCS. I was driving on the highway at 70mph and suddenly the cars runs like crap. I thought it wasn't running on all cylinders.

The dealer just got back at me today and said an exhaust valve had broken on cylinder 2 and it could be worse. The cylinder could be messed up but they weren't positive. The car has 62,000 miles on it. I'm seriously pissed that this happened with my car being only at 62,000 miles. I was quoted at $3300 minimum for it if it's just the valve. It's possible it might need a new cylinder. Could be a $7000 job. Any help would be much appreciated members.

I called MINI USA today, as recommend by the dealer service manager, and they are to get back to me soon...

 

Well I was really hoping to have something to report by now. I met with the engineer on Wed to discuss the blown engine. They immediately blamed it on the fact that at one time I temporarily ran a Stage 1 AP tune on the car. "You just never know what that might do". I knew they would just grab onto that and run with it. He also said the intercooler could have debris in it when it was installed. He didnt seem interested in considering that it could be a Mini problem. He said if it was totally stock he would have bought a new engine. After some discussion he promised to pass all the info up to the people writing the check and to call me back that afternoon. Nice enough people and it was a cordial meeting. However, it's Friday night and I have yet to hear from them.

I also told them I was willing to compromise on the repairs but that they should at least pay for the engine. I took the car home so that it wasnt just sitting at the dealership through this whole process. Several have given me legal advice and referrals but I'm holding out hope that it doesn't come to that.

 

I know they're trying to save a few pennies, but I fail to see how a Stage 1 tune would cause an engine failure of this magnitude. I would also incite the Magnussan-Moss act and make them prove to you that the tune is responsible for what happened, which would force them to tear into the engine to figure out what happened. Just my opinion.

 

How does the Magnussan-Moss act apply to me? The car was technically out of warranty. I read the act but maybe I'm seeing something different?

 

I thought it was for all aftermarket parts, not just warranty work, but I may be wrong.

 

You need to get MINI to put in writing why they are denying you and help. Then here is some info that might help.
http://www.bipac.net/page.asp?conten...enied&g=semaga
You can also call a SEMA specialist that might help with the fight against the company you got your tune from.

 

Finally word from Mini is no replacement due to the fact that there was a tune on the car at some point. Doesn't matter how long or how mild. They think the only possible reason for the engine is the tune and nothing to do with their engine.

It's funny that all you hardcores on this site run all sorts of modifications and tunes without problem yet I run a mild stage 1 AP tune for a short time and don't run the car hard and they blame the blown engine on me. Basically they are just using it as an excuse.