I appreciate your response. Can you do me a favor? Can you take a picture of your engine compartment with the JCW air box exposed, and, if you feel comfortable, your VIN number and e-mail these to me, or just respond here? I don't want these folks telling me this is some foriegn air box.

I really appreciate your effort!

Michael

 

Not to burst anyone's bubble, but according to MINI USA web site. The JCW airbox is a seperate part from the JCW kit. There is no mention of the kit coming with the Airbox. It is shown as a $450 accessory. You did not mention if you had purchased the Airbox along with your kit. Granted, I could be completely wrong, but that is the way I read it. JCW kit 207/210 HP; JCW airbox +5 additional HP.

Chayse

 

Ah, there we go. It only comes with the 210hp version .

That's weaksauce!!

 

Let me retract a little of what I said previously. A post on MotoringFile states that the Airbox should come with the kit. However, when you read the description in the configurator on the MINIUSA web site, it does not say that the kit comes with the airbox. Only Head, Exhaust, Supercharger and ECU.

 

The 05 JCW kit comes complete with the new airbox, higher flow fuel injectors and ECU re-mapping. The $450.00 fee is an upgrade fee for those with pre 04 kits wanting to upgrade to 05 specs. I just confirmed this a few moments ago before reading this reply. I wanted to make double sure. And, for a hair above $6,000 for an 05 install, it should be included as is stated and written into my sales contract.

FYI

 

If you only feel better throttle response... hope they didn't just flash you a JCW ECU program

 

meb is correct. The JCW kit for the '05 MCS's that is rated at 210bhp comes with the new airbox, larger injectors and new ECU remap. Regardless of what the website says (there are many wrong things about the website such as the grey leatherette with grey door casings).


Meb,

I can post my JCW serial number. That is more relevant than my cars VIN number, since that doesn't have any affect on the JCW kit. You will have to wait until I get home, and I can take a pic of it as well.

 

Thank you very much. The dealership still doesn't know what happened or what will happen. I was told rather emphatically to wait for them to call me, not vise versa.

 

I just received a call from the dealership and my Service MA said, "Michael, you are 100% correct. We did not install the correct airbox and fuel injectors. We also did not re-map the ECU, however, the parts are on back order."

This says a couple of things to me; I'm glad, despite another dealership saying I had all the correct parts, that I persued this. Second, the incompatibility between 04 JCW kits and 05 engines is a myth. I have an 04 kit in my car now. So, as was hinted above, the castings are the same...and so on and so forth.

So, anyone who has either ordered or is considering an 05 JCW kit should make damned sure they are getting the correct hardware. I will follow up with a new thread telling us all how to easily spot the differences between 05 and 04 kits. The airbox is a dead give-away, the fuel injectors will require a bit poking around. The ECU re-mapping will require some specialized equipment to inspect. I suspect that this problem will go away after a while. However, it does point to a problem within BMW/Mini where updates are concerned; I am not at all comfortable working with techs who know less about products than I do. Yes, being in the 'know' is a great place for the consumer, but knowing better is the techs responsibility.

I am glad this will be fixed, but as I told my MA, any tech worth his or her salery should know what he or she is doing. When the kit came in sans the 05 'stuff', the tech should have said something. ...or perhaps...they had an overstaock of 04 kits and thought they were going slip it past a moron. I'll never know the answer to the first part of that thought, the second part is history.

Thanks for your support and look for the thread in two to four weeks - I've asked for all the parts to be laid out for me.

 

So, anyone who has either ordered or is considering an 05 JCW kit should make damned sure they are getting the correct hardware. I will follow up with a new thread telling us all how to easily spot the differences between 05 and 04 kits. The airbox is a dead give-away,

HERE:

 

This info has been great. I am picking up my car tomorrow and plan to go armed with pictures of the kit from the website showing each piece. Had to use screen captures to get it all printed. I have been concerned over this issue since I place my order. Any time there is a major change over without clear cut identifiers, you just have to trust Murphys law and figure they are going to screw up.Glad to hear the dealer is following through. Sounds like a stupid mistake instead of them trying to pull a fast one.

 

Thanks redrage. That definately ain't the airbox in my car. Curiously, that looks like the stock 'S' intercooler shroud in your pics. What's up???

 

meb,

How did they get the '04 exhaust on the '05 hangars? I would be really, really pissed about this. I would really push for something extra from the dealership. This kit costs a small fortune, and the kind of stuff you went through is one of the many things you are trying to avoid by paying for this kind of kit. I would really push for some kind of compensation, since it was you who caught the problem, and you who took the heat from the dealership when you initially brought this up. When I pay for something like this, I expect top notch service and an experience free from these kind of issues. I would also complain to MiniUSA about this as well. I know you probably don't want to make waves, but I think they should hear about it. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Michael,

It seems obvious that they put an '04 JCW kit in your '05. Please (PLEASE!) check the exhaust system pronto! If they mounted an '04 JCW exhaust, there will be some ugly work in the hanger department...not something you will want to accept.

Michael, the dealership HAD TO KNOW that they were not installing the '05 JCW kit, especially when they got to the exhaust. They cannot claim innocence on this one. It sounds like they were going for the dollars more than anything else. I expect they knew that the '05 JCW kits were on backorder and decided to dupe you by pressing a leftover '04 kit into service. Think of what they did; they got rid of old '04 JCW inventory (which, BTW, dealers are heavily discounting...ask me how I know) and they got the full value based on the '05 kit price up front instead of waiting for the backorders to be fullfilled. This is deception. They should bring your exhaust, airbox and injectors up to the '05 versions.

BTW -- The JCW injectors have a blue plastic section on them. I think the stock are green or black, perhaps. The injector color can be seen if you peek under the intercooler from the coil area. Use a flashlight and an inspection mirror to make it easier.

This deception is actionable. If you PM me, I can give you a telephone number of someone within MINIUSA at the NJ Headquarters who can help you out.

Theo

 

I absolutely agree. I will be checking the hangers tomorrow. You know, I've been under every car that I have ever owned and I have tracked many. One of the chief reasons for selecting this kit was to reamin in the driver's seat and not under it. Seems I'll be there tomorrow.

 

Here's the enlargement of the piccie. :smile:

Clover

 

Hope this helps everyone. I oversaw my install and can say that every part was installed .I asked for and was given all of the take off parts . The only thing that l had to pay for was the head and the super charger about 500.00 eh. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE,THE WORKS.

 

JOHN COOPER WORKS " BEFORE AND AFTER " THE WORKS

 

THE WORKS.

 

Ian Cull has an excellent description, including photo documentation, of a JCW install and subsequent 210 retrofit kit. Check his archives for January '04 and October '04.

 

Ditto.

 

There are two versions of the 04 JCW kit. One for cars with a build date prior to Jan 04 and one for Jan 04 and after. I know, I went through this when I got my JCW installed. I had to make sure that the kit was for the Jan 04 and after so that the muflers would fit the hangers. So, with that being said, there's no problem at all fitting an 04 kit to a 05 MINI, if its the right kit. If this was done intentionally by the dealer, (or an employee, without the owners consent) some one should be punished for this. This is literally, Fraud.

 

Well, you've answered one burning question; the hangers look very normal. I must have a late 04 kit installed.

 

Sounds like the Dealer just owes you an Upgrade Kit (new airbox, injectors, and mapping).

The '04 exhaust hangers were changed about 01/04 build date; my 9/03 MY04 has the old hangers.

 

Sorry to hear about your ridiculous dealer experience - it is hard to believe just how little they know oftentimes (and how the first response to questions about work done is frequently defensive/hostile).

Anyway, FYI, I found the Mini press release about the kit right on the Mini web site (see below). It describes the changes right there, and I'll bet dealer literature did as well.

Best of luck with the situation, if they have any good sense they will give you a nice credit in the parts/accessories dept for the stress and inconvenience they caused you.


NEWS
10/27/2004


MINI OFFERS NEW 2005 JOHN COOPER WORKS KIT FOR MINI


Fully Warrantied Kit Offers More Power With Increased Horsepower and Torque

Woodcliff Lake, NJ October 27, 2004.... MINI USA announces the availability of its new higher-output John Cooper Works kit for 2005. Produced by the legendary aftermarket company John Cooper Works, the new kit for the MINI Cooper S offers increased horsepower and torque over that of the previous generation. Horsepower is now increased to 207 hp at 6,950 rpm from 200 hp at the same rpm. Torque is also boosted, now registering 180 foot-pounds at 4,500 rpm, up from 177 foot-pounds at 4,000 rpm.

The unique John Cooper Works Company kit is sold exclusively through MINI dealers and is covered under MINI’s comprehensive new car warranty. At the heart of the new 2005 John Cooper Works kit is a redesigned air box with an electronically-controlled air induction system, a set of higher flow fuel injectors and a reprogrammed electronic control unit.

The new air box features an electronically controlled valve that opens an additional air duct at higher engine speeds, This allows more fresh air to enter though a special low restriction filter element. In addition to dramatically increasing the airflow, the new air box creates a more powerful induction sound that compliments the impressive growl from the performance exhaust also part of the kit.

Of course, the cornerstone of the package remains the enhanced Eaton supercharger with specially-coated vanes that generate increased flow pressure. The unit comes with a pulley design that allows the unit to spin at a higher RPM. This, along with the increased flow pressure, generates an increase in power over the stock unit.

A high performance head also remains a key ingredient. The modified head has improved port flow and has been specifically designed for the increased compression and heat produced by the supercharger. For 2005, new injectors with a higher fuel flow and a set of performance spark plugs with a colder heat rating, also help to increase the power output.

With its new upgrades for 2005, the enhanced Electronic Control Unit (ECU) has been recalibrated to optimize power output and drivability, resulting in lively throttle response and increased acceleration in the mid-range torque band. The reprogrammed ECU optimizes the power output by managing all engine control functions including airflow, combustion, fueling and spark advance.

Also included in the package is a stainless steel Sport Exhaust System. The system is a parallel-flow, low backpressure system with superb interior and exterior noise quality. The system adds a throatier, more powerful exhaust note, and has distinctive-looking twin chrome exhaust tips.

Visual cues for the kit are understated and will appeal to the MINI enthusiast. A unique chrome John Cooper Works badge adorns the rear deck lid and when raised, the bonnet reveals a visually appealing silver intercooler surround with a John Cooper Works logo. An individually numbered valve cover plaque tops it off and commemorates the exclusivity of this special package.

John Cooper Works has engineered this kit so that it can be offered in all markets where the MINI is sold around the world. Therefore, a MINI Cooper S equipped with the John Cooper Works Package must be able to withstand extreme temperatures and variations in fuel quality, but still offer enhanced power in an extremely reliable package.

The John Cooper Works kit is sold and professionally installed through all MINI dealers in the U.S. A MINI Cooper S equipped with the dealer-installed package is fully backed by MINI’s 4 year, 50,000-mile new car warranty. And the John Cooper Works package is not just limited to new cars. For those customers who already have the previous-generation John Cooper Works kit installed on their MINI Cooper S, a special upgrade kit includes the new air box, injectors and a reprogramming of the ECU for $525.00 plus 1.5 hours of labor for installation. Also, owners of an existing MINI Cooper S may visit their local MINI dealer and have the kit installed at any time. The balance of the factory warranty will still remain in effect. The full 2005 John Cooper Works kit retails for $4,650 USD plus an estimated 10 hours of labor for installation.

John Cooper Works is no ordinary aftermarket company. Since the 1940s, it has produced celebrated racing cars, notably the front-engine Cooper Bristol driven by Juan Fangio and rear engine Coopers for Formula 1, driven by Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren and Stirling Moss. Under John Cooper’s direction, the Cooper Car Company won consecutive Formula 1 Constructors' World Championships in 1959 and 1960.

The Cooper name is forever entwined with MINI, originating with the 1961 MINI Cooper, which was developed by John Cooper. Recognizing MINI’s inherent motorsport potential, Mr. Cooper’s team produced cars that took numerous race titles, and the MINI Cooper S became the stuff of legends with three Monte Carlo Rally wins between 1964 and 1967, driven by greats such as Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen. The Cooper company continues to produce aftermarket parts for the classic MINI and played an active part in the development of the new generation MINI Cooper. John Cooper passed away just as the new car came to market and the company is now run by his son Michael.