[DurhamFox]

Ive got an 04 MCS and am considering the JCW kit but is it really that much better than the Lohen 210 BHP kit? Both produce the same BHP but the Lohen conversion is roughly £2500 cheaper!!

Considering my warranty has almost run out what am I getting extra for the £2500??

[T-bone S]

If your out of warranty - then JCW loses its value in terms of performance imo. - Your better off going to aftermarket tuner and pocketing the difference.

Depends on whether you want to pay for the heritage that the JCW has or just want to go faster

[Richard Crofts]

Lohen. Thier kit uses basically some of the changes that the JCW does. Several folks have got their kit and as yet I have not heard of issues. I'd consider thier 220 kit as its still cheaper than the JCW by a long way and its more GeeGees than the GP!!!

If your cars out of warrantee JCW just doesn't cut the mustard, the real cost of the JCW is that its warranteed if your car is still warranteed...once your car ain't under warrantee is it worth bothering wether something voids it or not

[CC07ERS]

£2500 reasons to go to lohen m8 buy the badge on ebay keep the money

[oceanstarBug]

well... Well I was head to head with my friends 05 JCW "S" and my LCS1 "S" about 7 months back, but to be honest JCW is still faster on every gear to 100... on private road .... but now with the MTH, alta Induction kit as well as Alta intercooler I think its different story tho...

[T-bone S]

there may be a simple reason for that though - what year is your car?

Remember there was a gear ratio change after july 2004. If you car was built before this it would have been slower as the new ratios make the mcs much much quicker through the gears

[TallAndy]

I've tested these 2 on a private runway also:

Car1: 05 JCW 210
Mods:
GTT Manifold
DeCAT Pipe
Alta CAI
GRS Intercooler

Car2: 03 MCS with LCS1 package (210bhp)
no other mods

Car1 was only slightly quicker very very close hardly anything in it. Cars we tested from standstill all the way to about 140mph.

I'm sure if the LCS1 had the extra mods the JCW had it would be considerbly quicker!

Also its worth noting the JCW car only produced 190BHP consistantly on Superchips rolling road in Buckinghamshire before any of its mods were added.

[T-bone S]

Like I said - the key fact is the difference better early and late gear ratios

That lohen 210 you tested Andy may have wiped the floor with the JCW if it had the same ratios.

JCW mapping is conservative

[TallAndy]

But I have shiny works badges LOL

I have had a dabble with a GTT220 05 build and that was about the same performance wise, thing is to be significantly quicker you need a lot more power than your competitor.

I've put my car up against an 03 Audi S4 (4.2 v8) and a 05 nissan 350z and theres nothing init upto about 80/90mph after that ther difference happens.

[Mike Edwards]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-bone S (original)

JCW mapping is conservative

Meaning the cat won't melt...

It all depends if you're looking purely at enjoying the driving experience or are concerned with the resale value as well.

The Works-kitted car will be easier to sell then the Lohen and will be worth more than a standard car, while the Lohen equipped car is likely to be worth less than a standard car. Also, many insurers don't count the Works as modified - just a different model.

This is in no way a reflection on the quality of Lohen's work (or any other tuner's), just the way the used car market works.

[oceanstarBug]

Quote: Originally Posted by TallAndy (original)

But I have shiny works badges LOL

I have had a dabble with a GTT220 05 build and that was about the same performance wise, thing is to be significantly quicker you need a lot more power than your competitor.

I've put my car up against an 03 Audi S4 (4.2 v8) and a 05 nissan 350z and theres nothing init upto about 80/90mph after that ther difference happens.

So andy you have your 220bhp front wheel drive Mini cooper S which 0-60 take about 6.5 second up against a 4wd 340bhp S4 0-60 takes about 5.4 sec 0-100 takes about 13.5 sec and you saying theres nothing init?? I really wonder what yours look like when you up again a S4 from standing to 100??

[T-bone S]

with a rolling start and dependant on drivers - anyone has a chance against anyone - all on a private track of course

disclaimer - Mini2 does not condone racing except under supervised conditions on an official race track or course

[uncle albert]

On the Cotswolds run last weekend I gained first-hand experience of the difference the 05 gearing can make. In the first leg of the run I was behind a 52-plate S that had been fettled on by GTT, and my near-standard 55-plate was keeping well in touch. Think the other S belongs to minimorgan on here (can't be certain of that).

James

[TallAndy]

Quote: Originally Posted by oceanstarBug (original)

So andy you have your 220bhp front wheel drive Mini cooper S which 0-60 take about 6.5 second up against a 4wd 340bhp S4 0-60 takes about 5.4 sec 0-100 takes about 13.5 sec and you saying theres nothing init?? I really wonder what yours look like when you up again a S4 from standing to 100??

Its 53 plate S4 B6 with a fat man driving it (my mate) so maybe that helps as my i'm a little lighter . In the wet it kills me like you say because of 4wd, but in the dry he certainly doesn't leave me for dead until... 80/90 when he then starts to pull away more significantly.

Anyway I suppose we getting off topic now....

[oceanstarBug]

fair enough...

[DurhamFox]

So we are basically saying pound for pound Lohen is the way to go for non warranty people if you arent too fussed about resale value???

[TallAndy]

There are other tuners out there too, most of them advertise on the forum. You could also put together your own package to get what power you want.

[T-bone S]

Quote: Originally Posted by DurhamFox (original)

So we are basically saying pound for pound Lohen is the way to go for non warranty people if you arent too fussed about resale value???

Not necessarily - most people decide on these factors when choosing who to have tune their machine -

1 - Cost
2 - Proximity to where they live - distance they would have to travel
3 - Reputation

[DurhamFox]

Quote: Originally Posted by T-bone S (original)

Not necessarily - most people decide on these factors when choosing who to have tune their machine -

1 - Cost
2 - Proximity to where they live - distance they would have to travel
3 - Reputation

Ok....what are people experience of the GTT and hartge packages?? Are there any others? I see Graham Goode do one, they are down the road from me...

[TallAndy]

I'd suggest searching through the forum there a plenty of reviews of the various tuners.

Lohen
GTT
West Tuning
BBR
Hartge
GGR
MiniSpeed
MiniSport

See what warranty the tuners offer if something was to go wrong with your conversion.