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Is This A Fake JCW?

15K views 44 replies 11 participants last post by  Roygarth 
#1 ·
Hi Guys

Well after selling my last Cooper S, I have decided it was too much fun, and want another One

Found One close to me at a really nice price, but advertised as a "John Cooper Works" Model

Here is my concern

The first One I had was also advertised as a JCW, but after spending 3 hours on a train to go get it, I figured out it was just badges! so that was a massive let down

This other One is a little bit suspect too, it does have the correct exhaust tips, and a JCW stamp on the engine, but I haven't actually had the time to get under the bonnet to check anything else yet (will do tomorrow)

Are there any obvious signs of a bogus JCW I should look for?

It's just on the test drive, it really didn't feel any quicker than my previous Cooper S!

Not even a nice roar from the exhaust which I was expecting

The dealer has of course "lost the certificate"

So if anyone can offer some advise on what to look for when go back for a second viewing tomorrow, it would be much appreciated :)

Couple of pics for you to see in case it helps ;)

BTW - IS THE NUMBER PLATE WORTH SOMETHING?





 
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#5 ·
The thing that makes me suspicious is the engine bay pic!

Not only is the jcw tuning badge on crooked but you can see the remnants of adhesive from another sticker!

And the jcw tuning badges on cam covers I've seen encompass the entire square cut out!

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk
 
#11 ·
TBH I might just buy it anyway as its damn cheap!

And I think the reg having R53 in it might be worth something if I sold it?

It is in very good order with 104.000 Miles and loads of receipts, been lowered and bigger wheels, Sat Nav,

And the Cooper S is quick enough anyway lol

But I can get the price down if it's not the JCW I guess ;)

Seems like there a few fakes out there, as this is the second One now!
 
#13 ·
Once you get the VIN number off the dealer or the windscreen (a sneaky pic does the trick) then enter the last 7 digits in here for the full build spec then you can print this out and take it to the dealer and tell him it aint a JCW and knock him down a bit more and let him know he's falsely advertising a car if hes definetly saying its a JCW :big_grin:
 
#14 ·
Think the dealer knows TBH

Just chancing has arm lol, a young kid might just jump in without any proof as it has the exhaust and stickers lol

But I'm too old fr ******** haha

But at an asking price of £1795 it's still a good deal I reakon?

Not being a real JCW means an offer of £1500 which is a steal! (if he goes for it)
 
#19 ·
Jus been to see it again, and yes it had a lot of extras, even a very expensive strut brace, and carbon bonnet scoop

But it's not a JCW just exhaust caps and some stickers :(

But I might buy it anyway if he takes £1600 (says wont go below £1700)

Wish me luck :)
 
#21 ·
Well I managed to get it for £1550 as a quick cash deal

Nice drive home of 20 Miles, and not One thing that concerned me

Stereo is awesome (Kenwood)

Although it was rather hot by the time I got home, and the heater wasn't very hot?

On top of that, the remote keys do nothing, and the key in to lock just turns to the Left (no spring back) so I can't lock it!

Pics of under the engine showing an attempt to be a JCW lol

And the Carbon scoop which if I remember aint cheap


 
#25 ·
First the car is a September 2003 build, so the JCW Kit would be dealer installed. Look under the strut brace to see if there's a JCW Logo on the airbox. Are the bodies on the fuel injectors blue? If the answer to both these questions is "Yes", I suspect the car has the 210 bhp JCW Tuning Kit.

BTW, the Power rating on the VIN decoder won't reflect whether the car has the JCW Tuning Kit.
 
#27 ·
First the car is a September 2003 build, so the JCW Kit would be dealer installed. Look under the strut brace to see if there's a JCW Logo on the airbox. Are the bodies on the fuel injectors blue? If the answer to both these questions is "Yes", I suspect the car has the 210 bhp JCW Tuning Kit.
If it's got the JCW dealer retrofit kit then it'll most likely be the 200bhp kit.

I'm sure this is stored on BMWs history of the car.
I have a history of all warranty work done on my car from years before I bought it.
 
#26 ·
Hi Percy,
I'm new to Mini Cooper and don't know much, however when I purchased my 05 Mini S the remote didn't operate the locks either. I checked the owner's manual and read into. that stated the key would need to be initialized if the battery had gone flat. On mine you put in the key and turned to the 1 position, turn back and pull out, immediately hold down the unlock button while pushing the lock button three times. It took me a couple tries. When you get it right the doors will lock and lights flash. Hope this helps. If yours is different for that model year maybe someone in the know will chime in. Good luck, that's a mighty fine lookin' Mini ya got there.
 
#32 ·
That is a steal Percy. Great car for the price JCW or not. If you have a independant Mini specialist near you maybe get a full health check done. Just bought an MCS 2005 (I wanted a facelift) and the health check was about £100.00. No issues anywhere - except all disks and pads needed replacing. Ooops. Consummables really. Expensive. There were no advisories about this on MOT in March 4,500 miles earlier which seems strange.
I'm going to change the gearbox oil for Redline MTL (my decision) but otherwise no service or other issues.
 
#33 ·
Booked in at a local BMW Mini independent specialist and they are gonna plug it in and see how healthy it is :)

Mainly they will be looking for any faults relating the the central looking system though, as per my other thread, neither key locks/unlocks the doors :/

And the manual function also doesn't work!

Not the motor though I don't think, as the anti highjack function works and locks the doors when you drive away

very odd

The ****er is spending £40 to have it plugged in, when if it is the receiver (as I suspect) that's only £25 off eBay lol

But no idea where that goes anyway ;) (there are no wires in the rear view mirror btw)

Apart from these issue's I can't find much else wrong "yet"

Except the heater isn't very hot (possible thermostat?) and couple of rust spots just above the number plate Chrome light holder (will sand that off, treat it, and touch it up (and maybe an additional chrome strip)

And just ordered a 2017 GPS DVD as the original 2003 disc is still in there lol
 
#40 ·
Well that will teach me to actually read the manuals!

Just looked through all the booklets, and in there was the service book, and on the first page was the original dealer stamp stating
"Mini Cooper S Works" followed by the chassis number which matches the log book :)

Just thought I would mention this in case anyone else has questions as to if their's is genuine JCW or not :)

Thanks to all those who responded to this thread ;)
 
#42 ·
Quick check - look up the road tax status online. That will pull the DVLA register on it... should expect to see the requisite higher co2 and with mine if I recall when called insurance they explicitly called out as JCW when putting the reg in.

It was an 09 mind you so not sure if different on the 04s

T
 
#44 ·
Quick check - look up the road tax status online. That will pull the DVLA register on it... should expect to see the requisite higher co2 and with mine if I recall when called insurance they explicitly called out as JCW when putting the reg in.

It was an 09 mind you so not sure if different on the 04s
The DVLA wouldn't have been informed about the tuning kit fitted to any gen1's.
Different matter to factory JCW gen2's.
 
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