I emailed JCW yesterday asking them about the availability of the works kit in Australia and what will be involved in the conversion. Here is their response. Roll on 2003!!!
-------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your email,
The Works kit will be available in Australia early January 2003. Warranty will remain intact as it will be BMW approved
The modification will consist of Replacement cylinder head, new exhaust system ,remapping of the ECU and changing the pulleys within the supercharger.
At this stage I would "Guestimate" the cost to be £3500 ish.

Confirmed spec will be on our website I guess mid September.

Best regards
JCW
----- Original Message -----
From: "Leng, Wayne W"
To: <works@johncooper.co.uk>
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2002 12:47 AM
Subject: Cooper S Works kit for Australia


> Hi, I will be taking delivery of one of the first Cooper S in Australia.
I
> would like to get more power out of my car and have been directed to your
> company. However, I am getting conflicting information from various
sources
> regarding the avaibility of the kit in Australia and also the warranty
> implication of modyifying the car to a JCW car. Can you please confirm
the
> following for me.
>
> 1. Will the works kit available in Australia? If so when?
> 2. Will my factory warranty still be intact?
> 3. What will the modification entail?
> 4. How much will it cost in Australia?
>
> I would really appreciate answers to those questions. Thanks.
> PS: I saw Michael Cooper racing at the Australian F1 GP in the celebrity
> race. He must have copped plenty from his friends for losing to an
amateur
> in a car he prepared. Hahahaha. Wish I was on the track with them!!! :)

Thanks for that.

Thats a serious amount of Australian Dollars for an extra 40ish bhp though. (serious amount of pounds for that matter).

:(

Thats a serious amount of Australian Dollars for an extra 40ish bhp though. (serious amount of pounds for that matter).

Yeah I think your right... If I could get a second S for about the same money as my curent S it would be stripped down say except for DSC and the works kit :D Now that would fly :eek: such a good dream

The money it would cost me in tickets would be another issue :D :D :D

Originally posted by Basil
Thanks for that.

Thats a serious amount of Australian Dollars for an extra 40ish bhp though. (serious amount of pounds for that matter).

:(
I've got to agree with that Basil. That's some 25% of the cost of the base car!! I was given a figure of AUD5,000-6,000 originally, which I think is a bit on the high side but still agreeable with me, but at about AUD10,000 I could buy myself an original Cooper S to play around with!!!

I did read an artical in the local rag here a few months back, and they wern't quoting those kinds of figures.

Let's hope it eases back some, as 200+BHP sounds like serious fun, and may give my DSC something to do after all !!

:D

I've read in a few articles in Australian publications where BMW are hoping to get the Works S in at "just under $50k" So the $10k figure may not be too far stretched after all, its a lot for 40hp though isn't it. :(

Basil - i know it sounds a lot, but after seeing the car and hearing it you will think its good money

Those four exhausts look so good and the performance was superb

Around Goodwood its 2secs a lap quicker than the Club Challenge cars, so performance is a premium :D :D

Originally posted by ELISEBOY
Basil - i know it sounds a lot, but after seeing the car and hearing it you will think its good money

Those four exhausts look so good and the performance was superb
Have you driven one?

:)

Originally posted by LMB

Have you driven one?

:)

LOL

only in my dreams
saw it at Goodwood and hopefully it will be there again on Monday

Originally posted by Darryl
I've read in a few articles in Australian publications where BMW are hoping to get the Works S in at "just under $50k" So the $10k figure may not be too far stretched after all, its a lot for 40hp though isn't it. :(

Hmmm.......but it would make my car $60,000AU. It's still too much for a 200BHP 1.6 litre motor car I reckon. I'd happily spend $5000, but $10,000AU is too much. Mind you, buying a MINI in the first place isn't exactly a rational decision is it.....ha ha ha ha

Cheers

Originally posted by ELISEBOY
Basil - i know it sounds a lot, but after seeing the car and hearing it you will think its good money

Those four exhausts look so good and the performance was superb

Around Goodwood its 2secs a lap quicker than the Club Challenge cars, so performance is a premium :D :D

Are there any pictures around EB ?. I assume the price includes a body kit if the central exhausts are moved outboard. ?

:)

Thinking about it though a STI WRX is selling for $55k AU and all you get with that are the engine upgrades the interior is still atrocious. I know it is faster than a S and probably a Works S but your comparing cars in a similar market segment.

I'm unsure about the 4 exhaust outlets, I like the centre outlet on the S.

My trouble is try what I may I can't seem to get a total under $50k for a standard S once let loose on the spec sheet let alone a works model and those R90 wheels do beckon.

Originally posted by Darryl


My trouble is try what I may I can't seem to get a total under $50k for a standard S once let loose on the spec sheet let alone a works model and those R90 wheels do beckon.

Hmmm, interesting you should mention the R90's. At $4700AU for four rims only, that makes the Works kit quite good value........:D

Originally posted by Basil


Hmmm, interesting you should mention the R90's. At $4700AU for four rims only, that makes the Works kit quite good value........:D
I don't get it with the R90's. I mean, it's just a BBS rims isn't it? Surely you can get it cheaper aftermarket??? $4700 is a lot for a set of 17inch rims. I rather try to get Hamann or AC Schintzer for that kind of money. Don't forget you couls probably offload the standard 16's for a few hundred bucks to a Cooper owner too.

Originally posted by WAY

I don't get it with the R90's. I mean, it's just a BBS rims isn't it? Surely you can get it cheaper aftermarket??? $4700 is a lot for a set of 17inch rims. I rather try to get Hamann or AC Schintzer for that kind of money. Don't forget you couls probably offload the standard 16's for a few hundred bucks to a Cooper owner too.

That's true, but I've gone for the 17" S-spokes. At $1100AU for those rims AND the tyres, it's the only real bargain out of the whole deal......:)

I believe it's a 3 piece BBS rim made especially for BMW. Why it's not marketed as a factory option is beyond me, as they look superb. ***** to clean though.

Cheers

Anyway, I know Rosie was talking about going the Works' Kit route. I wonder If she's around for comment ?

:(

Originally posted by Basil


That's true, but I've gone for the 17" S-spokes. At $1100AU for those rims AND the tyres, it's the only real bargain out of the whole deal......:)

:(

Got to agree with you there Basil. I went for it too. The only gripe I have about it is the weight of the damn thing. Argghh!!!

Hey, when we all start to get our Cooper S, let's try to get together. I know Brisbane is a long way from Melbourne, but maybe we can have our first Australian wide Cooper S meet in like Sydney. I think most of the Cooper S in Australia will either be in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. I am keen to organise a Cooper S club in Australia if there isn't already one.

Do the dealers offer you a buyback on the standard S wheels when you spec the R90's?

I know when bought my last BMW the local Bob Jane Tyre place traded the standard rims and tyres in for $1500 when I swapped over to new rims.

I'd be interested in a works if it came with a few upgrades other than just the engine bits though.

Originally posted by WAY


Got to agree with you there Basil. I went for it too. The only gripe I have about it is the weight of the damn thing. Argghh!!!

Hey, when we all start to get our Cooper S, let's try to get together. I know Brisbane is a long way from Melbourne, but maybe we can have our first Australian wide Cooper S meet in like Sydney. I think most of the Cooper S in Australia will either be in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. I am keen to organise a Cooper S club in Australia if there isn't already one.

Yep, we should all try and get together at some stage. I would prefer to be involved with the Ozzie branch of ClubMINI2, but it's all up in the air at present, plus it's a bit early for Club's here imo. Have a chat to "swamos" sometime as he has showed a bit of interest in a Club here.

Cheers

:)

$10,000 haha, sorry but I will happily void the warranty on my MCS and trust in BMWs build quality, I am going for an aftermarket upgrade that offers the same amount of increase but I am not at liberty to really talk as I have not seen one in the flesh yet. I have read heaps on back preassure now and can honestly say 50% of the worlds techs have thier heads up thier asses. I am not sure which half but at least half!

I have no resonator, I don't think I have a cat ( don't even start about the illegality of all that) and a free flowing muffler. tacked together with 2.5 inch mandrel bent exhaust I suffer no loss of torque but gained a Massive increase in acceleration. I wish I had dynoed my car before so I could tell you technically what happened, but anyway.

I will cut the exhaust at the extractors and free flow it to two mufflers on the back. also I had a diagram in the latest EVO that shows the air flow for the Cooper S. looks needlessly complicated and by ripping out all the air filter and puting a K&N or pipercross filter at the front rather behind the engine and working the air the long way around, I think you could make the Cooper S breath much better.

Also I have asked around and from what I understand BMW can't void warranty if you remove thier exhaust, as long as its done by a qualified mechanic and and follows ADR. I would like to here a final word from a few Australian mechanics so as to not let BMW scare people into not modifying thier cars.

Originally posted by Darryl
Do the dealers offer you a buyback on the standard S wheels when you spec the R90's?

I know when bought my last BMW the local Bob Jane Tyre place traded the standard rims and tyres in for $1500 when I swapped over to new rims.

I'd be interested in a works if it came with a few upgrades other than just the engine bits though.

I reckon it has to come with an aero kit of some sort, the rear bumber's different with outboard exhausts by all accounts.

I'm sure BMW would buy back your standard 16's and tyres, but don't forget you've got to add your tyres to the $4700. Thats 4 rims only. You could try Bob Jane if your keen.

Cheers

I'd be very surprised if you could get 40hp out of just airbox and exhaust mods even with a modified/piggy back chip, maybe 20hp at most and that would set you back probably $4-5k.

I've a mate who's just had these exact mods done to his HSV ute and it cost him $5K.

No way I'm chopping up my $50,000 motor car, without factory backing. There's so much potential for problems before making matters worse.

Everyone will think differently on this of course.

Cheers

:)

Originally posted by Basil
No way I'm chopping up my $50,000 motor car, without factory backing. There's so much potential for problems before making matters worse.

Everyone will think differently on this of course.

Cheers

:)
If you modify your car with a reputable tuner, you would not be "chopping up" your car. Look at what some of the local tuners are doing to the WRX and 200sx. Some even come with their own warranty!!! I really NEED to have more power in the S, especially due to the gearing in first and second. How much I am willing to spend on it is another story...

Originally posted by Basil


Are there any pictures around EB ?. I assume the price includes a body kit if the central exhausts are moved outboard. ?

:)

Basil - yep Justin has some pictures on his site, i will stick the link in here in a bit but im sure you know it anyway!! :D :D

Originally posted by ELISEBOY


Basil - yep Justin has some pictures on his site, i will stick the link in here in a bit but im sure you know it anyway!! :D :D

I'll have a look........cheers mate :)

Doh !!......looks like he's working on it as it's "under construction" :)

Originally posted by Basil
Doh !!......looks like he's working on it as it's "under construction" :)

Yep just spoke to him, he has moved servers and has not uploaded the pictures yet!!!!

i actually went to BM Melb and asked the guy about the wheels, he told me not to worry about them since i could get a better deal from aftermarket shops... haha


i couldnt find any pics the the JCW version... the four exhausts sound a bit over the top for me... considering its such a tiny car....


btw, for the melbournians, the EB S at BMW melb has finally gone into service for a new set of brake pads...
haha, not surprised, considering the torture they recieved from the 'track day'.....

has any melb people got a confirmation on the delivery date?? my dealer said late August,maybe... hope he's not lying.
anyone is getting there's earlier??

Originally posted by disdis


has any melb people got a confirmation on the delivery date?? my dealer said late August,maybe... hope he's not lying.
anyone is getting there's earlier??

I haven't got confirmation, but my car should be arriving in less than 2 weeks. My car is a pre-spec car. If anyone wants a car sooner, BMW Doncaster has a pre-spec car available in July, and also 2 cars they have specced coming in September.

Ordered my S with R90's and got them for £1200.

The dealer bought back my 17" that came with chili pack.

Originally posted by WAY


Hey, when we all start to get our Cooper S, let's try to get together. I know Brisbane is a long way from Melbourne, but maybe we can have our first Australian wide Cooper S meet in like Sydney. I think most of the Cooper S in Australia will either be in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. I am keen to organise a Cooper S club in Australia if there isn't already one.

I'm in, can help on the web side of things if you want...
As for the Works Kit... $10K is a lot (my dealer said 6K), but i think i'll stretch for it anyway.. :D
Has anyone got a picture or link of an S with the kit they can post??