[scone]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Scone, how did the ride quality compare on the 18" rims ?.

The ride was fine mate, did'nt feel any harder than my 17" wheels, the R109's had Bridgestone tyres and had enormous grip. I'm sure you'll be absolutely made up when you get your new car!

[118]

I have the R109's on my S and the ride is fine tbh - I do think the Bridgestone tyres are better than the Dunlops I had on my old S' JCW spider spokes. plus with the new suspension setup on the R56, that helps a lot!

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by scone (original)

The ride was fine mate, did'nt feel any harder than my 17" wheels, the R109's had Bridgestone tyres and had enormous grip. I'm sure you'll be absolutely made up when you get your new car!

Cheers for the feedback Scone. I was in the dealers today looking at my newly arrived kit and my R105's........forgot to check which tyres were fitted

All being fitted at end of week. The demo is having the kit fitted tonight ( they have a night shift ) and i will take it for a spin on Saturday.

Anybody else managed to bag one of the dealers kits fot their car ?.

[Japper]

It's getting closer...............my badges are fitted

Was told that the demo took way more than 4 hours. Apparently the manifold change is awkward. This may be harder on cars that have done mileage before fitting the kit !

[kevkbuk]

Was at my dealer this morning and a had a look at their demo car fitted with the kit, looked good but it couldn't be driven as they are having "ongoing issues" with the ECU update. Doesn't look good, if anyone is getting it soon I would try and get the dealer to commit to the labour charge before the work is started, it could be a long job!

[Washy]

Had a look round my dealers demo this morning too. The exhausts look quite impressive....Make my R53 works pipse seem quite puny.

[Japper]

My dealer didn't report any issues with the programming, just the manifold. I am test driving it in the morning......................watch this space

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

Had a look round my dealers demo this morning too. The exhausts look quite impressive....Make my R53 works pipse seem quite puny.

Didn't see the demo today as it was away having the KDS done. They're not 'chavvy' big are they Washy ?.

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Didn't see the demo today as it was away having the KDS done. They're not 'chavvy' big are they Washy ?.

No not at all IMHO. Just about right I thought.

[specky 1]

Had a look at stealers works demo today !!! NICE !!!! Sounds flippin pop poptastic !!! Cant wait now to have it fitted !!!

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by kevkbuk (original)

Was at my dealer this morning and a had a look at their demo car fitted with the kit, looked good but it couldn't be driven as they are having "ongoing issues" with the ECU update. Doesn't look good, if anyone is getting it soon I would try and get the dealer to commit to the labour charge before the work is started, it could be a long job!

They have sorted the problems and they needed updated software on their systems for the update to work properly. It'll probably be another two weeks before I have chance to drive it though so I'm looking forward to any reviews posted before then. They also said they would not charge extra if any problems occured during fitting.

[Japper]

Quick update.

I test drove the JCW demo yesterday. The exhaust tips are huge but look great. The sound is a little deeper throughout the rev range. It burbles a little more on blip of throttle but you can only hear it with window open. The power is exactly the same as the std. MCS until you get to 5500rpm where the extra power extends the rev range. I cannot remember the std MCS revving this freely to red line...........it screams. The rumour from Gabe about the sport button settings being altered are untrue, i couldn't tell any difference, which was the only thing that dissapointed me. The traction from the 18" rims with the Bridgestone rubber was awesome. The ride was unaltered, but the traction out of second gear corners was staggering.

Roll on the 1st

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

The power is exactly the same as the std. MCS until you get to 5500rpm where the extra power extends the rev range. I cannot remember the std MCS revving this freely to red line...........it screams. The rumour from Gabe about the sport button settings being altered are untrue, i couldn't tell any difference, which was the only thing that dissapointed me.

Not feeling any difference in power below 5500rpm would be disappointing to me

[Paul]

Glad you had some fun.

UK press cars are not available to test until November (?!) which is annoying.

[kevkbuk]

The sport button mod wasn't a rumour, Mike Cooper discussed the changes in an interview at Mini United with MotoringFile, that's not to say they didn't make the final version though I guess.

Do you still think its worth the money?

Not sure I will if I will find the same. I've just covered 10,000 miles in my R56 MCS so maybe I will notice more of a difference.

Did the engine sound any better under hard acceleration from inside the car? I know it sounds nice from outside but I'll be really dissapointed if theres not much difference from inside.

Did you stamp on the throttle to get the overboost? Again I'll be dissapointed if you can only notice the extra power over 5500rpm.

[DerekH]

Japper i thought the kit helped from lower rev's than this that does not appeal to me having to drive it like a type R Honda to get the extra grunt you won't it spread accross the rev range IMHO never mind a test drive coming up never the less. Good luck when you get it Japper

[emtrey]

I am curious/dissappointed about your reaction to the JCW kit. According to Mike Cooper's comments, their design philosophy was to provide the power and torque at the RPMs most people drove at normally. If indeed, the power increase is only above 5500 rpm, it seems like a pretty pricey upgrade. A high perf. exhaust like ALTA might be a more viable choice.

[Washy]

Mmmm not quite what I was expecting to hear TBH.....

[Japper]

Well guys, a few answers to your questions.

I forgot to stamp on the throttle to engage overboost. I know Gabe's comment wasn't based on a rumour but i could not notice any difference. The power curve for both the std. MCS and the JCW car are the same albeit a mere 10ft/lbs torque higher ( which must mean more power ) but the rev limit is 500rpm higher, so the 17hp is at 6000rpm rather than 5500rpm. The car does sound slightly louder / deeper / throatier but can only be heard with window down. The car does rev slightly more freely throughout but more so at top end.

The car had covered only 1500 miles and only a mere 40 miles since having the kit fitted. Maybe it will perform better once the new ECU programming has had chance to 'learn' ?.

For the price i've paid for mine i am not dissapointed as it is quick enough and the exhaust looks far better and the badges look good and it will retain some of it's value unlike the aftermarket route.

On top of this you can do other mods like the GTT stealth mod.

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Glad you had some fun.

UK press cars are not available to test until November (?!) which is annoying.

I know, very strange and a few months late for the dealer demo's too so they could sell more kits at the right time...sept 1st. I'm lucky to bag an extra dealer kit.

I will post my experiences over the first few months.