[Benny No.1]

msh411, did you just upgrade the front pads to red stuff? I'm just about to fit JCW Slotted rotors, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid. I can't make my mind up on pads. Go stock or go with redstuff up front and stock at rear as i don't think they do the rear pads yet.

Any ideas?

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by Benny No.1 (original)

msh411, did you just upgrade the front pads to red stuff? I'm just about to fit JCW Slotted rotors, braided hoses and DOT 5.1 fluid. I can't make my mind up on pads. Go stock or go with redstuff up front and stock at rear as i don't think they do the rear pads yet.

Any ideas?

Front and rear.

I'll be looking for some drilled/slotted rotors as soon as EBC comes out with rears for the R56 (or approves/confirms that the rears from the '05/'06 will fit - which I think they will).

I'm not going to worry about lines just yet. Plans for the $$$ to go somwhere else.

[Benny No.1]

I know that the R56 front brakes are the same as the R53 JCW brakes, and so redstuff pads are already avaliable. I didn't know the rears were or are they the same as the R53?

[msh441]

Quote: Originally Posted by Benny No.1 (original)

I know that the R56 front brakes are the same as the R53 JCW brakes, and so redstuff pads are already avaliable. I didn't know the rears were or are they the same as the R53?

When I oredered I vaguely remember hearing that there was a change in MINI's rear brakes somtime between 04 and 05? The R56 used the newer rear brake pads... or somthing of the sort. I'm sorry I don't remember 100% what the salesman said, but the pads I recieved fit fine, so...

[JG02JSG]

Got the call of woodmans on Friday saying that they where going to order my JCW conversion kit and iam sure it will be a matter of time before they ring again saying when can u come to get it fit.
First time dealing with Alison and James @ woodmans and i cant fault them. Hopefully between now and Xmas i will be making several visits to parts to get little bits and bobs. I really want a new set of alloys fingers crossed I have been good this year and Santa brings them hohoho

[J0nesy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG02JSG (original)

Got the call of woodmans on Friday saying that they where going to order my JCW conversion kit and iam sure it will be a matter of time before they ring again saying when can u come to get it fit.
First time dealing with Alison and James @ woodmans and i cant fault them. Hopefully between now and Xmas i will be making several visits to parts to get little bits and bobs. I really want a new set of alloys fingers crossed I have been good this year and Santa brings them hohoho

You made the right choice moving to woodmans matie, Great service so far I believe you have actually followed my path too.

[JG02JSG]

Quote: Originally Posted by J0nesy (original)

You made the right choice moving to woodmans matie, Great service so far I believe you have actually followed my path too.

Suprised your not tempted to get the JCW ordered think it will finish your car off, but i think the areo kits looks mint, almost sure i passed you the other week on Liverpool Road at the Royal Bank getting some money ?

[Alibev]

I was all set to buy the stage 1 kit having digested all of the comments here. I test drove one yesterday and I must say I was dissapointed. Yes I could detect a slight difference but not really that much and certainly not worth the money. Am I the only one that has this opinion?

I think I will hang on for the stage 2 kit or factory JCW when they arrive.

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alibev (original)

I was all set to buy the stage 1 kit having digested all of the comments here. I test drove one yesterday and I must say I was dissapointed. Yes I could detect a slight difference but not really that much and certainly not worth the money. Am I the only one that has this opinion?

I think I will hang on for the stage 2 kit or factory JCW when they arrive.

I can't really say as I only have experience of the JCW fitted car. Perhaps I should go and have a go in the std S to make a comparison.

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alibev (original)

I was all set to buy the stage 1 kit having digested all of the comments here. I test drove one yesterday and I must say I was dissapointed. Yes I could detect a slight difference but not really that much and certainly not worth the money. Am I the only one that has this opinion?

I think I will hang on for the stage 2 kit or factory JCW when they arrive.

The kit needs a few miles on it to 'bed in' this together with the overall miles on the demo makes a huge difference.

Again the power hike is not massive and the thing that still amazes me more than anything else is HOW WELL this LSD puts the power down. I swear the std. MCS didn't put it down this well. Don't know whether it's in combination with my 18" rims and Bridgestone rubber, but's it's truely awesome.

My R53 with LSD and less power would wheelspin all day at junctions / corners that this one just doesn't even flutter at. Yet the speedo gains rapido mucho

[Alibev]

Would be interesting to find out what you think going from a JCW to an S.

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alibev (original)

Would be interesting to find out what you think going from a JCW to an S.

Well that may be possible on Friday. My car has to go in to replace a bit of interior trim so i sholud get the std. MCS demo which has the same 18" R105 alloys / tyres as mine.

I'll let you know

BTW: The JCW kit for you automatic owners out there is released Same price as for manual cars.

[Tonyrec]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alibev (original)

I was all set to buy the stage 1 kit having digested all of the comments here. I test drove one yesterday and I must say I was dissapointed. Yes I could detect a slight difference but not really that much and certainly not worth the money. Am I the only one that has this opinion?

I think I will hang on for the stage 2 kit or factory JCW when they arrive.

I went from an S (driving from new to 4,800 MILES) then to a JCW and im mighty impressed.
The difference is only small in real terms but it makes a huge differnce in real world driving. As i said earlier, its enough to take it to the next level, and for £1100 fitted its an absolute steal.

[caesar]

There are probably a lot of after-market kit's available which will give equal or better results at much lower cost.

[djtex]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alibev (original)

I was all set to buy the stage 1 kit having digested all of the comments here. I test drove one yesterday and I must say I was dissapointed. Yes I could detect a slight difference but not really that much and certainly not worth the money. Am I the only one that has this opinion?

I think I will hang on for the stage 2 kit or factory JCW when they arrive.

I'm amazed you were disappointed, maybe the car wasn't fully run in, as the demo I drove didn't seem much quicker. However my car has 16.5k miles now and is sweet as a nut, JCW was added 1500 miles ago and I have to say the difference is pretty big. Not low down in the rev band but the top end is wicked now, before I would change up at 5.5k but now you can go as far as 6.5k before changing, and as for the noise!!!!

I have also done some timed runs from 50 - 70 in 3rd gear, pre JCW did 4.1 secs, which I thought was impressive, post JCW I have recorded 3.6 secs!!!!! A whole half a second quicker!!!!!!!!

[J0nesy]

Quote: Originally Posted by JG02JSG (original)

Suprised your not tempted to get the JCW ordered think it will finish your car off, but i think the areo kits looks mint, almost sure i passed you the other week on Liverpool Road at the Royal Bank getting some money ?

Well Its certainly something to think about, I am just wondering what my insurance is going to be like after my speeding ban, Its due for renewal in a couple of months I remember seeing you actually, you leathered it and it sounded Its a shame I did it and got caught Watch out heading out of Preston (Guildway) the mobile cameras seem to have hit gold around there, they got a fortune out of me anyway, Roll on March 20th...

Dave,

[n5290066]

Quote: Originally Posted by Alibev (original)

I was all set to buy the stage 1 kit having digested all of the comments here. I test drove one yesterday and I must say I was dissapointed. Yes I could detect a slight difference but not really that much and certainly not worth the money. Am I the only one that has this opinion?

I think I will hang on for the stage 2 kit or factory JCW when they arrive.

Alibev, I tend to agree with you. I had mt MCS for 9,000kms before fitting the long awaited JCW Kit. I was disappointed. part from the nice burble and slight improvement i would not get the kit again. I found that fitting the Alta Intercooler made far more significant gains. This plus Japper with his GTT Stealth Cat are far better investments.

The only reason my getting a JCW kit wasn't a complete waste of money was that you get the redeveloped manifold between the block and the Turbo. This chewed a lot of development time to keep the heat down and will supposedly help whatever you do after the turbo. Unfortunately you cannot order or purchase this separately.

As far as waiting for the Stage 2 kit is concerned, i fear that they may be just as conservative with this kit. In the end they may only offer some more mapping increases that fit with supplying you with a larger IC anyway.

[Tonyrec]

Quote: Originally Posted by caesar (original)

There are probably a lot of after-market kit's available which will give equal or better results at much lower cost.

I dont doubt what you say.
However, as a complete package, and by that i mean warranty issues and of course resale.....i dont believe that any other kit compares.

Prior to getting mine fitted, i canvased a number of dealers about resale. Most said that it would be worth a few hundred more but the appeal would increase and also that they would gladly take it back in part ex etc.
Sadly, the same couldnt be said about other aftermarket power increases.

If you have a new car, then the way to go is with the JCW....if you have an older car thats out of warranty then you have more aftermakets kits which become viable.

At the end of the day its down to individual choice. If i wanted a car that did 180mph then i would buy one, simple as that. However, i like my Mini and it does everything that i want without all the drama.

[Den W]

I must admit to being disappointed in the JCW I drove, it had 4.5k on the clock, as soon as I got out of it I jumped into mine - with 8.2k - and it honestly didn't feel any less responsive, but didn't sound as sporty. think i might get the aero kit done first and maybe later on try another JCW

[emtrey]

BTW: The JCW kit for you automatic owners out there is released Same price as for manual cars.[/quote]

could you elaborate ??

Motoringfile had a comment that Gabe had sat in one at an undsclosed loaction and it was coming soon.

Same power specs? When in US if you know?? Thanks in advance.