[Aminiman]

I'm in the final stages of speccin' my new Cooper S, and this question has been bugging me. I was in a dealership today, and was told that there aren't really any JCW demo cars out there. I'm a bit hesitant to spend the $7k Canadian including taxes on it without experiencing it for myself beforehand.

Oh, and the reason I'm thinking of going JCW as opposed to aftermarket upgrades is the warranty. BMW service costs are a bit intimidating! For that matter, would the JCW package bump costs up as far as service goes? I assume that JCW brake jobs will cost more than regular Cooper S, right?

[BigMarsh]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aminiman

For that matter, would the JCW package bump costs up as far as service goes? I assume that JCW brake jobs will cost more than regular Cooper S, right?

That's a good point actually. One that I didn't consider when I got my JCW. Does anyone know if there are any costs on top of the TLC that the JCW introduces?

As for getting the JCW kit, the cost of the kit new is a bit scary. I still think the best way to get the kit is on a used Mini, let someone else take the biggest price hit. Having said that, you do get the brake package with the kit now. And it does make a big difference to the car, well worth it if you can stomach the cost!

[plys]

check this link out you can - give you an idea how to calculate addiontal horse power vs $$

http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...23#post2268623

[minigolf]

I don't think anyone has asked this question before.

"Worth" is a very personal thing. The biggest advantage, obviously, of JCW is warranty and heritage. If you're not fussed by that and still have CDN$7000 burning a hole in your pocket you'll be able to add bits to your MINI to make it embarass anything JCW ever offers up.

[jnichol]

Not sure I can answer the question with anything other than qualitative impressions. I just took delivery of my JCW S and I love it. Prior to ordering I had a lot of experience with a basic Mini (non S) but only a test drive in an S. I actually originally just ordered the S and added the JCW package to the order beforre the car wenbt into production. Yes it's expensive and yes you can get similar performance enhancements with other aftermarket bits, but still the cost for fun factor is still quite a bargain when comparing to other cars.

I am very happy with the performance and am quite sure that I would mis the added HP had I not ordered it. And I am still waiting for break in to take it up past 4K !

Josh

[dakini]

a lot depends on how you plan to use the car ... for me, well, it's my commuting car, and fun and sporty, but i by no means push the car to its limits, nor did i need the extra HP. so it wasn't worth it to me. if you want/need/desire the extra HP, etc ... or if it's bugging you that you might regret not getting it, then think seriously about adding JCW.

[snapper]

I went through the same decision pains... walked into the dealer ready to buy the JCW (+JCW suspension), walked out with a straight MCS ordered. Decision points for me:

1) Test drove JCW and MCS back-to-back, yes there was a difference, but not as much as I was hoping for, or as much as the price would suggest.
2) Asked about the lease residuals were after 3 yrs, just to get an indication what Mini thought the car would be worth. MCS-62%, JCW-58%.
3) Mini's not the best build quality car around. Below 30k and I wouldn't care if it starts rattling, but near 40k, it would bother me.
4) JCW money saved is making it much easier to keep my biturbo as an extra ride too.... So one car for the slow tight roads and one for the fast sweeper roads, they're very complementary.

[Aminiman]

Yeah yeah, I'm sure the JCW dilemma has been faced many a time by people on MINI2!

Hmmm some good points made. I'm not too concerned with residual value since I'm looking at this as a "long term" car. I don't really have any intentions of selling it for, say, 10 years. We have 2 cars, and try to only have payments on one at a time. I also like to have a bit of time between finishing payments on one car, and starting up on another. I also doubt that I'd do any after-market tweaking of my own. It's just easier to absorb one larger impact than a bunch of smaller ones. I'm sure that people with kids out there will understand (I have two boys, 5 and 7 years old).


The MINI will be primarily a commuting car for me, so I may not get full use of the JCW additions. I've driven a MCS and had a great time doing it, but I just wonder what I'm missing! The other thing I always believe is that if I'm going to spend thousands of hours behind the wheel of a car, I might as well have fun doing it!

Ugh. I have a feeling I won't be able to decide this one until I'm in the dealership ordering!

[le_knut]

one word: yes. but you've got to be crazy. are you?

[AprilWhine]

No, but get it if you want it.

[titleist8]

IMO.........NO!! I have a 03 MCS with pulley and cold air intake + ignition kit. drove a friends 03 JCW with all the extras and could not really feel the diff. i would imagine a chipped ECU more or less bring my car up to speed with the JCW for around 1/5 the cost

[Themikanic]

If like me, you have no intention of selling your car this side of the end of the next decade, then the JCW kit is for you.......
One of the advantages of the dealer fitted JCW was getting to know my S before its modifications, as I had almost 3 months waiting for my upgraded kit to arrive.
To me the difference was amazing. The car readily & eagerly revs to the redline, it's a great sound with the bigger supercharger and, to me especially in Oz, the JCW badges make my car just that bit better than the run of the mill standard S!!
Definitely worth it and my first scheduled service was only about AUD$180, so not at all expensive, however I was told the JCW kit's air filter, scheduled for replacement about every 100,000 Km or so is not cheap.
Mike in Australia.

[Aminiman]

Hmm. No intention of selling it off any time soon. Add that to the fact that I just did my taxes and I'm getting back a bit more than I thought. The scales seem to be tipping a bit more towards the JCW side!

Thanks all for the advice, both positive and negative. I'll be sure to keep you posted as I change my mind back and forth

[MiniFr34k]

If money wasnt a problem id go JCW.

[dogpaddler]

Quote: Originally Posted by Aminiman

I'll be sure to keep you posted as I change my mind back and forth

I waffled for awhile on the same question and for me, the answer was no. I decided that if I really wanted the JCW, I could have the dealer install it later (yes, I konw I wouldn't get the brakes for the same price, but I'd much prefer a set of Brembos to JCW brakes). Plus, with JCW added to the cost of my MCSc, the cost would have been over $40K (USD). For that price, I'd rather get a 3 series cabrio or a used M3 cabrio. That being said, aftermarket mods are not out of the question, especially with Dinan offering 20% off through the end of March.

[BlueMax]

I have taken the plunge. JCW engine kit booked for installation on my April 04 built MCS. Took allmost 2 years to decide and in the end it is what I want - no fancy reasoning about warranty, heritage and all that - it is my money and I can decide on how to spend it. I have pretty much read every input on this forum on the topic, many did it and love it, many critizise it because you can get similar or more HP for less cost etc. but in the end it is down to personal decision. Love my Mini (and it is an EB which you cannot get anymore), plan on keeping it long, it is that simple.

[cct1]

I'm in the same boat; if I decide to keep this car forever (which I'm leaning toward), I'll add the JCW.

Just a note: above someone mentioned a larger supercharger for the JCW. It was my impression that the Supercharger put on with the JCW kit is exactly the same as the standard supercharger on the MCS--the sound difference should be from the JCW intake rather than the supercharger...Correct me if I'm wrong.

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by cct1

... above someone mentioned a larger supercharger for the JCW. It was my impression that the Supercharger put on with the JCW kit is exactly the same as the standard supercharger on the MCS--the sound difference should be from the JCW intake rather than the supercharger...Correct me if I'm wrong.

The only difference between the stock and JCW supercharger is the size of the pulley. The JCW supercharger has a smaller pulley to create more boost. The JCW intake has a flap which opens at 4500rpm allowing more air from the cowl area into the air box and making the supercharger whine more audible in the cabin.

[Themikanic]

Err....yeah, that's what I meant.......
Mike in Oz.

[n00b]

It's worth it if you don't mind forking out the extra bag of gold coins nowadays it's better value too with the brakes, bigger injectors and that lovely CAI thrown in.

I figured you can potentially make money out of it (think of it as a rebate) since JCW badges are only available to JCW owners