[Wooly]

Guys, do you think it is worth getting this, or just wait a few years for the proper one to come out. If i get this would the proper works kit just have stuff added on to this stage 1 kit?
I dont want to spend c£1000 then being mugged off when the proper one comes out for a few more quid.

[FergusM]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wooly (original)

Guys, do you think it is worth getting this, or just wait a few years for the proper one to come out. If i get this would the proper works kit just have stuff added on to this stage 1 kit?
I dont want to spend c£1000 then being mugged off when the proper one comes out for a few more quid.

From what I've read... the full on JCW will be a seperate car (with 4 wheel drive ??) and will not be an upgrade bolted on at the dealers. I suspect a handling upgrade will come out to compliment this stage 1 tuning kit...

I would be tempted if I had £1k sitting around, though would rather spend money getting the GTT stealth cat done first, probably followed by some strut braces once they are released by GTT.

[lalaboi]

I heard from our country MINI importer that JCW Stage1 will probably not be imported here.. =( so sad..

[Nath316]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

Still less than you would hope for though in terms of power...its put to shame by many of the other GTi type cars on the market who are looking at 220-230bhp off the shelf.

also dont forget that these are normally 2 litre engines and not 1.6

also the VXR in my view has too much power as it torque steers like a *****

The Cooper S at the moment has the right mix of power and handling

[miniXL]

mmmm

Me thinks we have to add this to the Bolton...

Phoned Chris at Woodmans... I'm on the waiting list now. Should get a call when they start taking orders. He also mentioned that he will post a "special deal" on here A.S.A.P.

More POWER to the People I say!!!

[ScoobyDoo]

Having JCW bodykit fitted at Woodmans pretty soon, so will ask Chris to put me on the waiting list then.

[minigolf]

Quote: Originally Posted by wheyaye2 (original)

It is fairly cheap, but you aren't getting a huge amount of power increase. In respect of horsepower per pound, it's probably comparible to the works tuning kit on the R53 etc.

I'm a bit disapointed thus far, I know it's only a stage 1, but was expecting more. Especially when most other hot hatches output 200bhp+ as standard now. Perhaps there's a limit to what's reliably possible out of the new 1.6...?

Outright power is only half the story though. My wife has a Mk5 Golf GTI and even though my modded R53 MCS closes the power gap somewhat, it wouldn't matter how much power the GTI had, it's not going to give the car the MINI's razor sharp steering response, or make the car any easier to really throw into a corner. On some roads I've no doubt the Golf would be quicker, much quicker. But, even though I love the GTI to bits, it will never be as much fun to drive as the MINI.

[Lordy]

im on the list with chris as well, as i already have the GTT cat fitted to the car .

[popey]

I'm waiting till MINI XL is in town then I'm going to rob the keys once the kit is fitted. Full review to follow (probably from hospital if xl catches me or prison if the police can catch me)joke

On a serious note anychance of you (MINI XL) taking me out for a spin once the kit is on?

[Ben18]

I was thinking exactly the same... I think you will probably need a taxi meter lol!

Ben.

[n5290066]

Quote: Originally Posted by FergusM (original)

From what I've read... the full on JCW will be a seperate car (with 4 wheel drive ??) and will not be an upgrade bolted on at the dealers. I suspect a handling upgrade will come out to compliment this stage 1 tuning kit...

I would be tempted if I had £1k sitting around, though would rather spend money getting the GTT stealth cat done first, probably followed by some strut braces once they are released by GTT.

I agree. I think it will be a car, not a kit that can be bolted on. Not sure about 4wd though. Spend the grand now and enjoy it now with the GTT Stealth Cat. That'll blow a few into the weeds.

[daro911]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Sorry, forgot to mention in my original post that the following dealers are doing discounted prices: ( according to other forum )

Menzies @ £1210 inc. VAT & Fitting
Eastern @ £1185 inc. VAT & Fitting

I am still awaiting my dealer confirming a similar discount

My dealer still knows bugger all about this kit but said if the kit is £1000+ and current labour charge a measely £188.00ph getting it for under £1400 all done and dusted sounds like a non starter at there workshops

[miniXL]

Quote: Originally Posted by popey (original)

I'm waiting till MINI XL is in town then I'm going to rob the keys once the kit is fitted. Full review to follow (probably from hospital if xl catches me or prison if the police can catch me)joke

On a serious note anychance of you (MINI XL) taking me out for a spin once the kit is on?

Thanks for the warning! Still have not hear back form Chris so it might be a while!

Will give you a call once we have a date set.

[Arnbut]

My dealer still has no word as well.
The waiting is tedious...

[Den W]

Spoke to my dealer yesterday and all he would say that release would be imminent but no confirmed date, what he did say though is that every dealer would be getting a demonstrator with the works kit fitted.. so naturally my name's down for a test drive!

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Den W (original)

Spoke to my dealer yesterday and all he would say that release would be imminent but no confirmed date, what he did say though is that every dealer would be getting a demonstrator with the works kit fitted.. so naturally my name's down for a test drive!

Yeah they all get a sizeable additional discount to 'persuade' them to have a demo model. Kit is suposedly leaving for dealers in next week or so !.

[pipedream72]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Yeah they all get a sizeable additional discount to 'persuade' them to have a demo model. Kit is suposedly leaving for dealers in next week or so !.

Folks, I spoke to my dealer this morning as I'm picking up my MCS in 10 days or so. I think there is a bit of confusion amongst them around when the kit will be available. Their systems have said 4 - 6 weeks for the last week or so and yet their understanding is that the kit is available for the demo vehicles. My dealer's feeling was that BMW are still testing the kit officially but are happy enough with it to put it on the demo cars at this point in time.

Fingers crossed.....!

Steve

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by pipedream72 (original)

Folks, I spoke to my dealer this morning as I'm picking up my MCS in 10 days or so. I think there is a bit of confusion amongst them around when the kit will be available. Their systems have said 4 - 6 weeks for the last week or so and yet their understanding is that the kit is available for the demo vehicles. My dealer's feeling was that BMW are still testing the kit officially but are happy enough with it to put it on the demo cars at this point in time.

Fingers crossed.....!

Steve

Not according to Mike Cooper on his interview 2 weeks ago on Motoringfile. He said these kits were signed off ( UK / europe version ) and boxed at his facility waiting to go out.

Apparently the USA version is still in testing as these cars run different air filter design and exhaust / cat configuration.

[Paul]

I've been asking of MINI UK for a while when these will be available to test and they apparently do not know at this stage when they will be able to have them for their fleet.

[J1JPE]

Blue Bell in Crewe were advertising it as available 2 weeks ago & there flier says a demo car will be available 'soon'