[Jumbomini]

Anyone got any news about the stage 1 for the automatic (i realise it's like putting vinyl flames on a zimmer frame but for those of us who do 3500 miles a month and 60 roundabouts a day you have to make a compromise). Dealer seemed positive and then unsure as Germany weren't that forthcoming.

Any rumours welcome.

[emtrey]

a very reliable source of info so far...

Click here: MotoringFile » Archive » R56 JCW Engine Kit: Auto Availability

According to this website Its a done deal...no real time frame, so far

[Japper]

It was supposedly only going to be a month / 6 weeks after the manual version, making it end Sept. But we all know there has been delays on the manual version so i'd guess it'll be November at the earliest.

[AndyP]

Anybody know if this is any closer yet? I can't wait to get the kit on my car but the dealer stil has no news on when it will be available.

[emtrey]

from Gabe at Motoringfile--a proven reliable source of info

Gabe Oct 30th, 2007 Link
Any word of when the jcw kit for the auto will be ready ?

Well judging by the fact that I’ve sat in one already at an “undisclosed location”, it has to be fairly close.

[Jumbomini]

Sooner than that - the dealer's been on the phone, I've paid through the nose for the insurance and it gets fitted on the 19th! Will be interesting to see the difference as the car will have 20k miles on it by then.
At last some performance to go with the ridiculous JCW roof spoiler. I hope.

[emtrey]

absolutely awaiting your impressions. please post and thanks

[Jumbomini]

All done. Makes a real difference - installed at 20,000 miles so the engine was nice and loose anyway. immediate impression is that there is now more power available, it pulls particularly well from 2k revs at lower speeds and at, er, track day speeds, it is now immediately more responsive. Basically between the gears on the automatic there is less tendency to change down and where it used to hold on to a gear almost to the red line it now changes earlier. they have clearly remapped the gearbox as the install takes longer. about 1mpg difference although that's more about being heavier footed because it is so much fun. cornering is also enhanced as you can get the power down quicker and tighten the line.
and those big tubes at the back? pure filth and the size balances the JCW roof spoiler. exhaust note is just a rumble the whole time.

[emtrey]

thanks, Jumbomini. Sounds really good. Hopefully it will be available soon over here across the pond.

One more question---how is the mid-range repsonse? What is like if you are cruising along at 2500 rpm and need/want to get on it as in passing or ramp/corner exit speed ??? Any additonal comments would be appreciated as you settle in w/ the new kit.

[emtrey]

Picked mine up today. Love it. Smooth, seamless power right up to the redline.
A bit throatier at idle./ low revs but get over 4000 and it starts to growl like a real performance engine. Well worth it.

[Jumbomini]

Agree. wait til you put another 3k on it - you still notice the difference. somehow the car feels more solid, it's bizarre but i think the high end turbo whine has disappeared or been replaced by the new exhaust note. I particularly love around 2.5k revs it just pulls really strongly and overtaking 60mph vehicles is a doddle with new gaps opening up.

[emtrey]

the more I think about it, the more the engine now remind me of a BMW 6 cylinder. Smooth and rev happy. My car has baout 6K miles on it so the engine is pretty loose. Are you saying more miles "breaks in" the exhaust?

it does feel very eager to just drive by eveyone-and that's a good thing. So far, very pleased.
Got to work on reteaching that trans my drving style.

I think I figured out why it feels so much better. They have programmed out (in US) the second gear start it used to use. It appears now to start in 1st gear whether in sport or non sport modes.

[emtrey]

MINI has soft lauched the auto trans JCW kit as of today in the US. This is why I was able to get it done w/o my dealer knowing anything about it till I asked them to order and install the kit.

[Jumbomini]

I fitted at 20k and have now put 4k on the kit - yes it seems to break in the exhaust or it just settles down and i think it also needs the mileage to retune the auto to my driving style. Certainly it blats around now quite noisily. i think you are right about the 1st gear takeoff.