Check out Motoringfile.com's new article about R56 accessories.

The PDF attached has info about port-installed options packages which are normally dealer installs. Very cool. Be sure to check it out, and let's discuss. This is pretty exciting! It looks like a JCW Aero Kit, JCW Brake Discs, and Exhaust tips can be had installed for 3250 at the port. There's a few others options as well.

It also says Sirius is To Be Determined, as well as the dealer install alarm system. I just asked about that today!

Anyone know what do expect from JCW Brake discs as compared to the "standard"?

I am reposting a copy of it here as an attachment. Thanks to Gabe at Motoringfile.com for posting it!! (It is also being discussed on his site, and he has answered a few questions regarding it in the comments section.)

 

Cross drilled rotors that look really cool.

That's about it. You could argue better cooling, but that's debatable.

That said, I'm getting 'em!

 

I wonder if you can get pieces of the JCW kit. Parts of the aero --- side skirts mostly possibly the front air dam and have the VDC or dealer body color the whl arches.

 

That's it for the jcw brake, not bigger or anything??? Is it really worth it?

 

Maybe this is a good time for me to pose this question again.

How much should I expect to pay for JCW Aero install? I've ordered it, my car's in Panama, and I'll be facing this expense soon. Anyone got confirmation on where kits are installed, if they're coming painted and how many hours of labor we're in for?

 

Well, the thing I'm wondering now is if this is something MiniUSA is doing to ease the crunch on the service bays while all the launch cars are prepped and stuff. I'm not sure, in reading this, that it's intended to be offered to consumers at large. However, in reading the PDF, it also seems like there's little reason why it couldn't be done for a pre-sold car either.

I'll talk with my MA tomorrow, see what he says. The document does say it isn't for disribution to 3rd parties so, um.... someone did an 'oops'?

I was quoted 2900ish for the JCW aero kit, by the way. So $300 or so more for the brakes and exhaust tips doesn't seem like a bad deal, but I dunno. I'm new to this.

 

Yes that's it. Whether it's worth it or not is kind of subjective:

A full set of 4 rotors is normally about $200-250. At $218, the price seems reasonable. I hope to do the swap myself (save the ungodly install fee and keep the stock rotors in reserve).

Some will argue the cross-drilled rotors cool/perform better. I will not.

For me, honestly... it's bling. That's it. Some people like chrome... some checkers... some want a big JCW wing. I like these and must have them . Worth a couple bills to me.

At least I'm a realist about it!

 

So when would you have to spec this? I ask because I planned to get the JCW aero and install myself - if it is cheap enough, I'd have the port do it...

Randy

 

it's all in the pdf, as far as costs. looks like the cost for the parts and hardware are almost equal. The port doesn't save too much money as far as I can tell. If all you want is the aero, it may well be your best bet to do the install.

Having heard twice now that the JCW brakes offer zero performance advantage, and are just for looks, I am thinking I'll stick with plan A and have my dealer install the aero and save the 3-400. If the brakes were improved the safety aspect alone makes it worth more to me, but I don't need a pretty part that most people will never see. I thought JCW was more about function than fashion? I guess the Aero kit is in the same category for the most part, but I get the need to make the body look more aggressive to match the engine. Sporty-looking brakes I don't get. Like I said, I'm new to this...

 

I admit - I didn't read it, but thanks for the info!

Randy

 

It's all part of the package. Sporty-looking brakes. Depending what wheels you spec, it could be a very visible part of the car. Others... not so important.

Again, looks are subjective.

...and Karl, the old kits did not come painted. I cannot speak for the new ones, but based on the fact that the instructions specifically mention painting, I would assume they are primed as well. I also recall, much like most accessories installed by the dealer, the price was pushing that of the kit itself ($2500 or so for the kit, plus another $1000-1500 to paint and install).

Find a good body shop in your area. You will cut the price in half (at least). I personally would expect to pay about $300-400 in quality, color-matched, paint and $200-300 in labor mounting the panels... then again, I would mount the panels myself using MotoringFile's DIY page for the aero kit (http://motoringfile.com/files/R56_PDF/R56_aero.PDF) and put that money towards JCW ROTORS!!!

 

how do i get my dealer to have the JCW stuff installed at the port?

e.g. just phone up my dealer and tell them that i want the JCW stuff at the port?

and does the port mean VDC?


thanks for the time



_

 

Well, that's the thing. It might be that Mini is doing this to make the launch a bit easier for dealers by having the factory showroom cars fixed up at the port. Obviously from reading the PDF they know the market quite well: aftermarket/accessory items are a big part of the Mini. So, they need to be on display in the showroom to make people aware.

Perhaps they found in the UK that dealers weren't able to get service techs to upgrade the initial car shipments, being so busy with sold cars instead, or they just meant to do this all along but waited for the R56 launch to start providing this service.

At any rate, the PDF is meant to be an internal document, not a sales one for us. It IS interesting. So, talking to your dealer about it may result in "sure, I can do that" or he might prefer to have his shop take care of it. I'm not sure he's obligated to leave is up to buyer's choice. Plus, the dealer may have the question for you as to why you'd want the work done at the VDC as opposed to the dealership. Aside from the POTENTIAL savings on the install charge, I don't have many reasons I can think of. I suppose the VDC techs will have more experience installing them after the first few batches as well, theoretically.

That being said, I'd rather have the port install my iPod integration, as I'll have one of the first SatNav systems the dealersip will see, and I am not thrilled about the idea of having my car be the guinea pig for the process.

And, yes, the "port" is the VDC. Oxnard, specifically.

Does anyone know what the "HEA"cars would be? Just curious what the acronym would be.

 

The JCW brakes are bigger and Pads are also slightly larger and a little stronger compound. Drilled rotors for street use are OK ,but for any track use not a good idea. Slotted is the answer.

 

The port installed aerokit has actually been available for about a year now.

The big downside to it is you don't get to choose how it's painted. As in the wheel arches are NOT painted.

If your delaer does it you can have it painted however you like it.

Also, don't necessarily expect your dealer to charge you the cost on the PDF for it.

 

Wrong.

This was true for the R50/53...

... it is not the case for the JCW rotors offered on the R56 right now (however the new car pretty much has the old car's JCW brakes, minus some red paint and decal).

The factory JCW car may have somthing different, though. We'll have to wait and see.

 

Here is from the Motoringfile's comments section of the article:

Gabe Feb 9th, 2007 Link
Me: What do the JCW brake discs bring over the standard?

Gabe: Sporty looking holes. Nothing more. The R56 already comes with what are essentially the JCW brake calipers, pads and rotors.

 

I stand corrected. The JCW brakes are bigger on R53. They are the basic brake on the R56, almost.

 

I'm afraid it may be too late for that, as I already ordered it with the car, but I suppose if the dealer's not yet given me a labor quote, it should still be my option to take the panels and run. I'm actually taking a body shop class right now and have access to a pro paint booth and equipment. I'd also like to paint my rear diffuser black to look the way the orginal JCW R56 photos did. I guess it's time to tap my MA again for that quote.

 

OK, I just read through the pdf, and I think this is something that MINIUSA is doing internally for showroom example cars, not as a way of outfitting customer cars. It sounds like they have come up with a handful of "grouped accessories" cars as demonstrators, that will be assembled at the ports, and the dealers can order one or more of these demo cars outfitted with the designated "package" of pre-determined accessories. Check the box, choose the wheels you want on your showroom tart, and you've got a floor model.

Whether or not this memo was intended for public viewing (I think not), I don't think it has anything to do with outfitting public sale cars with accessories.

 

Worst case scenario, you pay a little more and paint the insert yourself down the road. In a year you won't be sweating it since you'll be enjoying the car.

 

Yes, I agree, but I'm not sure if a dealer would be super-sneaky and charge $2000 for install and then say, take it or leave it. I've gotten good vibes from my dealer so far, but being weeks from delivery with no quote on install...

 

I'm thinking the same thing. Here's the quotes I've gotten on my dealer installed options (accessory + installation), BASED ON R53 installs

JCW Aero Kit 2900
Driving lamps 675
Tinted Windows 160
Black carpet floor mats 94.5
Bumper Protector 109
iPod Adaptor 255
Sun Shade 48

Considering the iPod adapter lists on that new accessories list for over $200 alone, I'm guessing that's going to go up. On the other hand, I have no idea how the bumper protector, a $40-some more than doubles in cost with it's install. Driving Lamps also seemed low.

Sadly, my budget is already maxed out. If these costs go up, he'll start losing sales (and customer satisfaction). Since he's already made it clear just just "can't throw anything in" on my $33,000 (from the factory options only) Mini, I'm looking for him to treat me like a customer he wants back any ol' time now. He's a nice guy, but nice only gets you so far when it comes to car sales. There's always someone willing to do a little better for you (up to a point, of course) if you're willing to do the legwork to find them. In this case, I don't think he's even TRYING to see if he can do any better on the price for me. That's what I get for coming in in October and saying, "I want to buy a car sight unseen as soon as it becomes available, when can I give you my deposit money?"

Can I have my car now?

 

I just emailed my MA about getting prices for the JCW aero kit and he said they just got a date for when they would get them. He said April 15th. This can not be correct could it? I thought the JCW kit was available now.
I'm confused or he is.
I also asked him if he could get me a price for just the side skirts.
I might just do that and possibly the front bumper or add pieces as time goes on. I don't have a lot of confidence on his answer to this since I might know more about the aero kit than he does.
Anyone know about this stuff? Can pieces be purchased seperately? Can the dealer paint/install and possibly paint the wheel arches as well, or does this violate some rules?

 

Yeah. Though I think we're safe, I can understand this as it's a concern of mine as well. I've asked a number of times to get the driving lights and JCW rotors boxed... but we'll see, I guess.