Factory JCW Kit Confirmed for '06 Model Year

Sections: JCW | R52 (Conv.) | R53 (Coupe) Jul 14th, 2005 82 Comments

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As we reported back in early April, MINI will begin to offer a few select John Cooper Works accessories straight from the factory for the 2006 model year. We’re happy to report that this has now been officially confirmed and the option will be made available for 10/05 production. Additionally we can also confirm the full JCW factory offerings will be made available to the US market.

But the really good news is that this is not just a few accessories that will be available from the Oxford Plant, but the full JCW Engine Kit. The factory JCW Engine upgrade will be available for both the Cooper S hardtop and the Cooper S convertible (with manual transmission only). In addition to the engine upgrade, MINI will include the JCW Sport Brake kit and the Limited Slip Differential in the package as well. It would seem that BMW/MINI engineers weren’t keen on adding all that power from the factory without giving the car some stronger stopping power and didn’t feel it was appropriate for 210 bhp to go through the front wheels without LSD. Because of larger brakes however, MINIs with the factory JCW package bound for the US will have to be equipped with either the (US Spec) Sport Package or the Checkmate Package. This apparently is due to the brake kit needing 17″ wheels to clear the calipers, a feature both of these packages offer.

Costs for the kit haven’t been announced but we should have more 2006 model year details coming in the days and weeks ahead…

Update: The European version of the kit will come standard with the new 16″ Bridge Spoke wheels instead of requiring 17″ wheels. The Bridge Spokes (unlike other OEM 16″ wheels) are designed to clear the JCW Sport Brake calipers. You can download the entire German price sheet for the 2006 MINI (including info on the JCW factory option) here.

Update 2: Now for the news many of you have really been waiting for, factory JCW Package pricing for the US. As we mentioned previously this package (code 3AL) will come with limited slip differential ($500), JCW Brake kit ($1056) and of course the JCW Engine Kit ($4775). Now add up those three and you get a surprisingly close idea of what the option costs. The factory JCW kit (including both options just mentioned) will retail for $6300.

Written By: Gabe

Aurel

if the price stays in the $5000 range with all included … will spring for it.
Frank

Greg W., you are wrong.

Here in our local club http://www.minisofmiami.com we have 1 classic Mini equipped with a factory 3-speed automatic transmission. The car is right hand drive and the paintwork is black.

It is one of the most beautiful classic Minis we have in our club.

Do your research first.
Kaelaria

It is absolutely insane that people pay that much for such little performance. I’m sorry, but those parts aren’t worth 1/2 of what they charge, and are easily outperformed by the aftermarket.
Melanie

What a well-said argument against the “manual only” snobbery (I don’t have another word for it, sorry) that I have witnessed on this forum as well as others. I have a manual transmission in both my MINI (2005 MCSc) and my 1996 Audi A4Q. It is by the grace of god that I am able to drive them. Good for you, that MINI would give you and others similarly disposed (due either to disablily or inablity)to own an automatic version of such a fun car! I sincerely hope that you own one someday, and have the opportunity to enjoy it as much as the rest of us!
Gregory

I think it’s all a matter of preference and I doubt there will ever be clear agreement on whether the JCW performance justifies the price.

The MINI attracts such a varied audience. You’ll see someone shopping for a performance car in the $50-60K range buy a JCW MCS or MCS. Next to that person in the showroom, you’ll see someone ordering a $23K MCS or MC for is zip, looks, and economy. There are so many things that go into the feeling a driver has behind the wheel.

I test drove a 2005 MCS and it was fantastic. No arguments. Great car. I bought a JCW MCS and it’s worth every penny to me. Is it any better? Well, that’s subjective. The cost-benefit equation is based on what features the person behind the wheel felt were needed to put that smile on their face. And from what I have seen, every MINI driver has a smile so the equation is always different.
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew

amen paul – and if you’re ever in nyc and want to test drive an mcsa with the jcw air intake, exhaust, brake kit and 18 inch wheels…my keys are yours.

cheers – drew
SF

Gabe, there isn’t anything fundamentally “JCW” about the LSD, and perhaps MINI Germany is simply packaging their JCW kit differently from the expected US configuration. I do think it is a bit odd for them to include 16 inch wheels! Not bling enough for the typical JCW buyer.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Gabe, there isn’t anything fundamentally “JCW” about the LSD, and perhaps MINI Germany is simply packaging their JCW kit differently from the expected US configuration.

No there is nothing different that I know of. 2nd question – I would doubt it. I am guessing that the inclusion of LSD for the US market was a decision made by engineers in Germany for the entire production worldwide. Just my guess though.
Greg W

My apologies to all above re the Auto thing. In fact I drive a Cooper Auto with paddles myself (yellow with black roof and sunroof). So I take your points. But excuse me but there was no such thing as a three-speed Classic Mini from the factory – the auto box was unique as it had a stick shift for 1, 2, 3, 4, D, R positions – at least in RHD English markets – made by Automotive Products (AP) in 1968. I should know cause I worked on them!

GW
David

Paul, great post, but I don’t think the argument was against the auto-MINI, but against the JCW-auto-MINI.

Most top-line-trim performance cars are not offered in auto (MB-AMG is a distinct difference, but I think they cater to tastes more concerned with luxury than performance). Look at Corvette Z06, Evo 8 or 9 or whatever they’re at now, Acura NSX, last-gen Mustang Cobra, etc.

While I understand your situation (as much as I can), there’s something to be said for performance cars staying true to their race-car roots.
meanboy

Jag,

The JCW on Ebay was in NJ so I guess it’s not the same one. It’s priced at 48k and doesn’t have navigation!

Anyway, I hear you about the lottery. My pockets aren’t that deep yet.

If the JCW costs 5k more I might have to reconsider it depending on what it includes. I’ll just have to wait and see.
dan

I can think of a few other “top of the line” cars that have what one would term automatic transmissions – the new BMW M5 & M6 were initially offered with SMG only options – it was the outcry from the US market that forced BMW’s hand to put in manual transmissions. Ferrari also comes to mind, and I am sure this trend will only continue. These are certainly performance cars….
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

I would certainly not call SMG or the F1 gearbox an automatic. It’s actually a traditional manual transmission with a computer controlled clutch. Very different from a traditional auto.
dan

Gabe – I would agree that SMG & F1 gearboxes are not traditional autos – I guess my point was that there are a number of performance cars that do have non – manual transmissions, and some of the purists (as we all know )are very vocal about that fact.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Gotcha. BTW it should be interesting to read reviews of the M5 and M6 with the manual compared the SMG. My guess is that most journos will much prefer it.
cct1

Can’t wait to see the pricing on this. I’m totally rethinking what I might be doing (and now probably going to have to wait another month to order).

Just an idle thought: the JCW factory installed is a double whammy for the dealer–not only do they lose the markup for installation, but depending on the price, this could cut in to their aerokit sales too–I’d wager a significant number of people would choose the JCW kit over the aerokit if the price is right. There are so many posts at NAM and mini2 in that vein on which to spring for, the aero kit or JCW…
Chris

I hope the aerokit is offered from the factory too, that would be outstanding.
Edge

That’s the thing that irks me about the “aero kit”… there is absolutely NO performance benefit, it’s all about the bling. The name suggests some kind of aerodynamic improvement, but all it does is add weight.

If someone has to ask the question of “JCW or aero kit?”, they are clearly very confused individuals.

Put simply, what’s more important? Real performance or fake “style”?
Chris

It seems to me the Mini is about style more than performance, so I don’t think that’s a fair statement. Can’t blame people for balking at spending $6000 for another 1/2 second off their 0-60.
Edge

Chris,

I am not saying that style has no place on the MINI… that would be absurd. I’m saying that I can’t understand how someone would ever be confused about which choice to make. They aren’t anywhere near the same ballpark, in price OR purpose.
cct1

Different strokes for different folks–some people may prefer the looks of the aerokit versus the performance of the JCW, especially if money is an issue. I personally am not a fan of the aerokit, but I can understand how someone else would be. My whole point was that if the dealer installed aerokit comes close to the same price as the factory installed JCW, I’ll bet the factory JCW will take a big ‘ol divot out of the dealer installed aerokits–we’ll have to see what all the final pricing is.
PeB_35

The german list price show 4’680 Ã¢â€šÂ¬ (with 16% taxes) for the JCW package.
http://nemini.org gmini

A motoringfile citing Motoring Advisor told me the other day that the Factory JCW may not be available in the states. Did I miss something?
Greg W

Dear Frank, Check out this site below for a desciption of the AP 4spd Auto trans as fitted to 1968-on Mini, Austin America, and Metro range. http://members.tripod.com/austin_america/id72.html

Cheers GW.
Adrian

I’m realy pleased with my new cooper s cabriolet apart from one important factor why do they make the seats so hard i cant travel much more than 100 miles in the car without getting severe backace.The lumber support realy bruses my back is there anyone else that has the same problem
Kevin

I am hoping to order a JCW car before it is offered as a factory option… and this forum raised a question. When installed as an aftermarket item, the vehicle owner would retain take-off parts, would they not? I’d like to order 18″ JCW wheels but use the Sport Package 17″ wheels for winter snows.
Dave

If the factory JCW production begins in October, when should I submit my order to ‘get in queue?’
Eric

Any news on the JCW Auto kit? Is that even coming out in the U.S.?
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