The JCW Cooper Sound Kit US Pricing

Sections: JCW | R50 (Coupe) | Uncategorized Aug 19th, 2005 61 Comments

One of the little nuggets released yesterday with the new 2006 MINIUSA configurator was the full pricing on the US Spec JCW Cooper Sound Kit. The Sound Kit will retail for $1100 and will be available only as a dealer accessory. There’s no word on install time but expect at least 2-4 hours and $200-$400 added onto the final bill. Here’s the official product info on the JCW Cooper Sound Kit from MINI:

True, the John Cooper Works Sound Kit for the MINI Cooper does not replace the HiFi system in the car. But if the station search function is not able to keep up with the speed of the MINI Cooper round fast bends, the sound kit comes in very handy, this “radio straight from the engine compartment” ensuring perfect reception at all times: The special connection between the air filter and the interior is tuning for your ears, naturally live and with extra legroom in the front row.

The John Cooper Works Sound Kit also has an additional offer on the drive wheels: Together with modified engine management software and the stainless sports exhaust complete with the John Cooper Works logo, the sound kit increases engine output by 2kW/3 bhp, giving the MINI Cooper maximum output of 87kW/118 bhp. A certificate signed by Mike Cooper himself, finally, confirms that this is really genuine equipment from John Cooper Works.

[ engine cover ] [ exhaust ] [ air filter ]

MF Analysis: What’s a brand worth? How strong is it? Where should the brand head in the future? These are all things MINI needs to be asking itself wiith the addition of a JCW product like this. There’s no question that $1100 (+ install) doesn’t get you much of a performance increase with this product. Intead it gets you a badge, some bright work under the bonnet, an exhaust and an improved engine note. Is this the path that MINI wants JCW to head down? Sure there are other JCW accessories that don’t do much for performance (carbon dashboards anyone) but these are drivetrain components. Should JCW have left the Cooper alone since it already had a full JCW Engine Kit out since early 2001?

Or is this simply a scratch of an itch that a few Cooper owners have had over the years? Maybe MINI and JCW have done the right thing by bringing a simplified engine upgrade within the reach of more owners. Perhaps MINI feels that most Cooper owners don’t feel the need for more power and simply want a nice piece of kit for the commute?

Either way it certainly brings up an opportunity for some good discussion…

Written By: Gabe

Dillion

I suppose you are talking about intial Cooper JCW kit. If you are, that would be awesome and I think is a good way to go. However, why wait? I thought the reason many go JCW was to keep warranty.

if you are talking about this sound kit, then look into the one mentioned above. there’s a link to it in the article.
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

Hi from a git who has just ordered one of these kits to go on their new Cooper :) (At a reduced rate, though, to close the deal on the car).

I think Kurt and David Clark are actually making quite a lot of sense; if these are 3 genuine BHP, and not just at the top end but overall, and the ECU remap really does make the car more responsive, I don’t think this is a bad product. I would love to turn my Cooper (once I have it) on a head-to-head dynotest with another car equipped with after market exhaust and air filter. Not to compare top-end power persee, but overall, across-the-scale power and torque (although it would be interesting to see how much of the claimed gains actually hold up on either car as well).

My main reason to fit a replacement exhaust at all is sound anyway; the stock system just doesn’t sound the way a car baring the Cooper name should sound. The ECU-remap is an added bonus to me, and if it has any noticeable effect on the responsiveness, I’ll be happy.

The number one reason to go this particular route instead of third-party products is that my car will be a company lease car and I don’t want any fuss from the lease company if I fit any after-market items that could void warranty. With this “official” kit, I will certainly have no grieve from them.

I’ll probably leave the badge of the boot, but mainly because I’m not a big fan of badges anyway (I ticked the “no badges” box before the JCW kit was even considered). I’ll keep my judgement on whether the kit actually deserves a JCW-badge until I can compare the driving experience to a regular, unmodded Cooper.
ZAKdog

I was at Downtown MINI yesterday while they finished installing this kit on a Cooper. Many techs and others were waiting around to lower the lift so we could hear this thing. Sounded good!

My observations/opinions: What is with the cheesy plastic JCW rocker cover? They put a JCW badge in place of the “MINI” badge on the engine only six inches away. IMO a needless plug that is echoed in comments above.

As for the price…MT said $1400 installed with NO gains whatsoever. I don’t know why anyone would pay that much for sound alone. The whole warranty issue is useless in my opinion because this mod doesn’t do anything for performance! I think people who will purchase this like having badges on their car.

I agree it dilutes the prestige of JCW.
ZAKdog

I would also add that $1,100 to $1,400 is better spent getting lighter wheels to make it perform better, look better and get better mileage.
http://www.blokspeed.net Eelke

Whether whatever you pay for it is worth it or you should spend your money otherwise, that’s down to personal preference, I would say.

Also, I wonder how people feel about all these carbon bits and bobs JCW sell. Does that dilute the brand in any way? I would say they’d potentially do more damage than this particular kit, but that’s just me.
Kurt

I’m gonna wait until I can see/hear/drive the kit. Many are still missing the point that you’re gonna spend about the same amount of money putting on an aftermarket exhaust/intake/chip, and while the vendor’s claimed hp numbers might make for great bench racing, I doubt it’s going to translate to much of a seat of the pants difference. If I like the sound/feel of the JCW kit, I’ll probably add it to my Cooper & forego the leather seats. If not, I’ll probably put on a Milltek & leave the intake alone. I do agree on the aftermarket wheels/tires.
Richard

I have blindly and perhaps foolishly ordered the Sound Kit to go with my 2006 MCC when it arrives. $1100+labor for an intake, cat-back exhaust and remap may be higher than the aftermarket, but the pricing is in line with other JCW products. If you want to complain about cost and performance, look to the $1200 JCW dashboard, $280 mirror caps, $235 bonnet scoop, or $168 boot handle.

Power increase from the Sound Kit may be small, but reports from customers in the UK are that the kit does enhance the “driving experience”, and isn’t that what it’s all about? It is amusing to see all the criticism about the Sound Kit being little more than an “audio bling” product. When people discuss aftermarket intakes and exhausts on the forums, performance seems to be barely a consideration. Someone reports that they’ve installed something, and everyone just wants to know what it sounds like, how loud it is, and whether there are sound clips.
resmini

I’d like to have it on my 03 MC. “just because”.
ZAKdog

performance barely a consideration?! Take a look at the NAM exhaust thread. There you will they are rated by performance gain.

Back to the subject, if you feel the JCW branding is important and worthwhile $$ then have fun! I would love the carbon fiber hood scoop but will settle for painting mine instead. :)
Monkeyhanger

Well if it upsets people this much – I’m buying one !!!

:D
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