MCS, JCW MCS Hartge MCS review

[Adriann001]

Any one read the new edition of CAR. There is a reviev of the MCS the JCW MCS and the Hartge. Hartge most fun but works is the best (most refined) 17-inch give best grip but 16-inch give most fun.

[Paul]

I've moved this into 'The Press' forum, where you'll also find this: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthrea...threadid=28429



I've just bought a copy....

[Ginger]

Got it, though what's with the five spokes on the standard S?
G

[Rick]

Evo seemed to rate the Works as better than the Hartge too

[Tonyt3]

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick
Evo seemed to rate the Works as better than the Hartge too

They do seem to rate the overall Wks package better, but to be fair, most of these 'hacks' get to drive cars that they haven't paid for and don't have to worry about long term values/reliability issues. I wonder how objective they can be from an owners point of view.

I think that there is only one way to sort out the Hartge/Wks issue fairly. I have two standard MCS's at my disposal (mine and the wifes), and I think that we should convert both, one Wks and one Hartge. Then I will be able to give the definitive answer to the problem. All I need now is the £5300 that it would cost. Anyone willing to sponser this in order to give a proper scientific answer to this perplexing issue?

Go on, in the intrest of science, send me some cash!!!

[Rick]

where do I send the check?

[TheBlackKnight]

From memory, I think they preferred the JCW because of the completeness of the kit - in other words, it felt more like a complete performance overhaul and less like a 'Bertie Bolt-On' conversion, for want of a better phrase.
I must admit, if I had an MCS, I'd be headed straight for East Preston to say hello to Mr M Cooper, with a large wad of the Queen's finest in my back pocket. But that's just me.

[LMB]

What I like about the Works S is that they replace the Supercharger. This gives the car more potential once the warranty/TLC has elapsed to be tuned even further I recon you could squeeze more out of a Work S, than you could with a Hartge S.

[Ginger]

The works S is also more frugal than the standard car - fantastic!
G

[Adriann001]

just been looking through on page 156 there is a good bit about the MCS. comes second in the top 100 the surrounding cars are also quite good too.

[collinsc]

Quote:

Originally posted by LMB
What I like about the Works S is that they replace the Supercharger. This gives the car more potential once the warranty/TLC has elapsed to be tuned even further I recon you could squeeze more out of a Work S, than you could with a Hartge S.

Ive been wondering about this lately as well and am curious why it hasnt been covered more on this board. Obviously before going much over 200hp in this FWD car you would need to upgrade things like the diff and the brakes BUT...

Seems to me that the JCW kit goes for a much more factory performance approach, instead of the usual aftermarket tweak business. This seems to mean to me then, that the possibilites for more aftermarket tweaking are still abundant.

How much you can reasonably get out of this little engine is another thing though...

Anyone have anything to say about this? Does the JCW kit have even more opportunities for upgrades? (no, it doesnt need to be any faster, but gearheads like me are always looking for something more)

[MINIAC]

The JCW Kit includes a new supercharger which has a smaller pulley to speed it up and Teflon blades to make even more efficient. It also includes a new cylinder which has been polished and ported, but uses the same cam and valves ... probably similar to the MiniMania Stage 1 Performance Cylinder Head. The stock air intake remains.

The Hartge Kit includes a smaller pulley for the supercharger, but I'm not sure whether any head work is done.

More aggressive head work (cam and valves) could probably be done for either kit, but how would this effect driveability?

[pbraun]

I reckon it all depends on what you mean by driveability.
The cam grind , and natch the oversized valves, is infinitely variable, from mild street, wild street to full race....the hotter the cam, the less driveable the car will be on the street, but the better on the track. Life can be a giant compromise. So, one street car, one track car works for me! Wish I had the do re me to do that!

[Adriann001]

I dont know what to do I have money burning a hole in my pocket JCW or Hartge and some new brakes or some one else?

[Tonyt3]

Quote:

Originally posted by Adriann001
I dont know what to do I have money burning a hole in my pocket JCW or Hartge and some new brakes or some one else?

My opinion,

Peace of mind = JCW (I think you will recover some of your initial costs on resale)

Performance edge = Hartge (probably, not definite)

If you intend to do track days, I reckon the Hartge with the brakes upgraded.

If you are only doing road driving, and you have the money, I reckon JCW for its 'sleep well at night' factor. Although saying that, I don't think Birds in Uxbridge will let you down in any way over any possible warranty issues, its just not in their intrest...

What we really need is the stig doing them back to back on the Top gear test track.

Tony
Still sitting on the fence until I have test driven both and committed hard earned cash.