R53 JCW questions

[ianysm]

Go easy on me!

Just a few questions regarding the older JCW. I've searched and read some info on here but still have a few questions:

How much power does a standard 2002/2003 model have is it 210bhp?

is the works kit just power mods or is there suspension and any other things?

Finally, how much better than a standard S (with pulley upgrade or at least circa 210bhp) is a JCW to drive?

I'm hoping to pick up one soon but the lack of power of the standard one concerns me since i'm stepping down from an E46 M3. So i'd thought about getting a JCW, however, they cost a couple of greand more which i'd rather have in the bank!!

Cheers for the info
Ian

[MINIAC]

The 210 bhp JCW Kit wasn't available until October 2004. Earlier models with dealer fitted JCW Kits would have 200 bhp unless they were fitted with the JCW Upgrade Kit (air box, 380cc injectors and ECU remap) which became available at the same time.

[Berthil]

Better get a 15% smaller pulley and a remap and keep your money in the bank.

Best package is to find somebody who can install the pulley, 380 cc injectors and a JCW remap.
Then also get a better CAI, GP intercooler and plugs one step colder.

The 380cc injectors go with the JCW remap. The JCW remap is good enough and is cheap compared to the tuner specialist remaps, trouble is to find somebody who can give you the JCW remap. Our Dutch tuner will install a pulley and a remap for only 675 Euro to get to 203 honest and dynod bhp. I payed 1250 Euro for a Digi-Tec pulley and map a few years ago and it only got to 195bhp tested on the same dyno!

Don't forget to do something about the brakes, 1st generation standard brakes are not the best out there.

[ianysm]

Thanks for the info guys.

Hmm, perhaps i should just get a MCS then spend about a grand for the 210 conversion and maybe some uprated pads.

I've seen a Hartge 210 bhp MCS for sale with about 45k on the clock but its Red and i'd prefer grey, however, beggars can't be choosers as they say!

Could do with driving one, could try a dealer... I'm sure it'll be miles slower than the M3 but fun in different ways and less speed required to have fun!

Cheers again
Ian

[Richard Crofts]

JCW came in 2 varients... 200bhp was the early cars, then a 210bhp model later some time near facelift changeover year I think. However please note that rarely do JCW car make thier factory numbers....Most 210 JCWs seem to hit around the 195-200 mark from my experieince of seeing a few on the rollers...Surprisingly the GP seems to do rather well, despite being almost the same car just with some tweeks??!!!

The only mods were for power, anything else was an optional modification (there was JCW brakes, Suspension etc but they were optional parts normally a JCW is just a "210" varient of stock car)

I would say better to buy a well specced stock MCS and then spend a few grand on some nice susp mods, power mods, and other work. You could have a JCW spec + using almost all JCW parts for well under the £3.5k that MINI used to charge to retrofit it.

[Mike Edwards]

The JCW Suspension is worth every penny, and the brakes are nice (but you can improve the standard items for less).

As to buying a JCW or not: They don't seem to fetch much more than an equivalent MCS, so if you're buying 2nd hand it's probably cheaper to buy a JCW than modifying a car after you've bought it.

It also makes it easier to sell on than a car modified using another supplier (in that there will be a broader market for it), plus as an official model, it doesn't count as modified for insurance purposes with some firms.

[ianysm]

Cheers for the info. I must admit, i'd rather have the JCW version. So are you saying the JCW versions are only engine upgrades and no suspension or brakes? Also, are they fitted with LSD's?

I can only afford about 8k so older shape JCW's only just fit into this. I've seen a couple i like with sat nav aswell (same satnav as in my M3 which means i can probably use my existing 2008 CD!)

What sort of extra power can be had from 200 bhp JCW's and for how much?

There is a red Hartge 210 MCS for sale somewhere, whats that conversion like? Its only 6.5k with 46k miles!

Finally, do MCS's and JCW's have BiXenons or normal Xenons?

Cheers again
Ian

[Xr3i_Alloys]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Edwards (original)

The JCW Suspension is worth every penny, and the brakes are nice (but you can improve the standard items for less).

As to buying a JCW or not: They don't seem to fetch much more than an equivalent MCS, so if you're buying 2nd hand it's probably cheaper to buy a JCW than modifying a car after you've bought it.

It also makes it easier to sell on than a car modified using another supplier (in that there will be a broader market for it), plus as an official model, it doesn't count as modified for insurance purposes with some firms.

I bought my JCW for only slightly more money than the same milage/reg standard S and my insurance was slighty less(who knows how they work it out???)

[Xr3i_Alloys]

Quote: Originally Posted by ianysm (original)

Cheers for the info. I must admit, i'd rather have the JCW version. So are you saying the JCW versions are only engine upgrades and no suspension or brakes? Also, are they fitted with LSD's?

I can only afford about 8k so older shape JCW's only just fit into this. I've seen a couple i like with sat nav aswell (same satnav as in my M3 which means i can probably use my existing 2008 CD!)

What sort of extra power can be had from 200 bhp JCW's and for how much?

There is a red Hartge 210 MCS for sale somewhere, whats that conversion like? Its only 6.5k with 46k miles!

Finally, do MCS's and JCW's have BiXenons or normal Xenons?

Cheers again
Ian

Yup engine only mods and the LSD was not an option until 05(if you can find one with LSD i'd buy it as it's a real ballache to get one fitted afterwards (engine out blah blah)

xenons were only an option after 2004

[Lucky Dave]

Most of the early 200 JCWs I see have been upgraded to the 210.

I have one for sale with sat nav, its a 2003 and was very rare in pepper white at the time.

the details are on my webpage if you want a look.

[ianysm]

Looks good Dave, but there is no price! Just says offers! So...Hmmm, 6k?

Gotta sell the M3 first!

I thought they all had Xenons? I couldn't live without them these days!

[Keano]

If you want to keep to JCW parts only (i.e. no aftermarket stuff) and need to get an early edition i.e. the 200 version, then the 210 upgrade is about £300 but thats as far is it goes for JCW engine upgrades - otherwise you will need after market stuff...

I have Xenons on my Feb 04 JCW, the facelift (after July 04 is it?) car gets a different lamp design for the xenons. Prefacelift arent Bi-Xenon just xenon, not sure about facelift versions...

[Richard Crofts]

Xenons came with a visability pack I believe... I don't think they all had them.

[Keano]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Crofts (original)

Xenons came with a visability pack I believe... I don't think they all had them.

Any ideas what else came with the visibility pack? Dont they come with the Chili pack?

[ianysm]

Interesting to know. I'll be looking for one with them then when the time comes!