R56 JCW Accessories Coming Next Spring

Edge Sep 1st, 2006 Link

The bling BEFORE the meat this time huh? I personally wouldn’t put JCW stuff on my car if I didn’t have the engine kit FIRST. I hate the idea of being “fake”. Blech.

Reply

Mark (Texas) Sep 1st, 2006 Link

I agree with Edge – JCW cosmetic accesories/bling on a non-JCW car is just for posers. Like the idiots selling a Monte Carlo edition on Ebay right now, and advet’ing it as a John Cooper Works edition ’cause it has a JCW carbon fiber dash (no JCW performance parts or kit – just the dash). Bet they go to weddings wearing tuxedo t-shirts too ;-).

Reply

Pedro Sep 1st, 2006 Link

The engine kit is not the only JCW performance you can do though. The JCW airbox includes an emblem with the kit. While it is not a full engine make-over, should the person just toss the emblem? If they paid $475 + install on the airbox, I think they are entitled to wear the emblem that came with the airbox with pride. Just my 2 cents…

Reply

Matt Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Question for anybody who can help… Will current mini owners be able to order accessories indefinately or will these products be unavailable once the 2007 comes out?

Reply

Gabe Sep 1st, 2006 Link

like the idiots selling a Monte Carlo edition on Ebay right now

That’s about as derogatory as it gets. Not cool.

The bling BEFORE the meat this time huh?

Things like full performance kits take time to delvelop and test. Making trim pieces are relatively easy and thus those will hit the market first. Would you rather them put everything in a warehouse for a year and wait until the JCW kit is ready to go?

Question for anybody who can help… Will current mini owners be able to order accessories indefinately or will these products be unavailable once the 2007 comes out?

Indefinately, no. For a long time, yes.

Reply

Edge Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Would you rather them put everything in a warehouse for a year and wait until the JCW kit is ready to go?

In one word… YES!

Reply

Gabe Sep 1st, 2006 Link

In one word… YES!

Why? You’d not only be robbing the company of potential revenue but you’d be robbing MINI owners of the chance to buy accessories like wheels, aero kits, trim, and just about anything else with a JCW name on it.

Reply

drew Sep 1st, 2006 Link

edge, mark…. were you the mean kids in high school? ; )

who cares who does what to their cars? isn’t this the whole point of MINI?

play nice and get over yourselves!

Reply

~Marcus~ Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Any news on when an Aero kit will be available – the standard Cooper bumpers are very bland and want to include the kit in the finance deal, not buy it afterwards if possible

Reply

Avitor Sep 1st, 2006 Link

If you put the JCW badging from the kit on your car when there is no JCW equipment under the hood, that is fake. If you buy a spoiler, leather dash, alcantara steering wheel, or JCW rims — that is accessorizing.

If you’re running a Cooper S you already have a performance car, no need to fake the funk. If you choose to jazz your Cooper S (or Cooper) up, but don’t want to spend four to six thousand on the official engine kit there is nothing fake about that. The MINI is all about customization.

If you’re going to hate on people who add non-engine equipment to their cars without first making performance modifications I’m sure there is a Toyota Supra website out there that will welcome you with open arms.

Reply

drew Sep 1st, 2006 Link

right on avitor!

Reply

Jon Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Yes, I agree with gabe and Drew.

Let people express themselves the way they want to with their MINIs. Why deprive all MINI owners just because you don’t want to use JCW accessories without the whole performance kit? Those are YOUR parameters and opinions, why force those opinions on the rest of us MINIacs?

If you want to argue about this issue, do it somewhere else. This is not the right forum for such petty squabbles.

Reply

dickdavid Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Buying JCW Accessories to enhance the look of your MINI = Good Selling your MINI as a JCW Works MINI because you have JCW Accessories = Bad

Kudos to JCW for marketing to the folks who can’t afford their engine kits. I don’t think you are poser until you start badging your MINI like you have an engine kit (i.e. boot and engine badges).

Reply

dickdavid Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Yeah, what avitor said.

Reply

Dave Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Aviator: You get my nomination for POTM

Reply

minijcwgp Sep 1st, 2006 Link

I agree on the accessory thing as fine for all – to a point. JCW is/was known formost as a speed/performance shop for MINIs. I think what Edge and Mark are getting at, maybe not nicely put, is don’t water down the JCW name/image into the category of the rice-burner bling-thing companys just for the bottom line. There may be a point where selling JCW frill may be just too much. For example, any GP owners out there want to see JCW selling red mirror covers, GP wings, GP trim, GP scoop and roof number decals to put on any MINI, or should JCW maintain the exclusivity of the GP look for just th GP cars?

Reply

drew Sep 1st, 2006 Link

i’ll second that!

Reply

John Sep 1st, 2006 Link

What sort of mods can be done to a turbo engine to increase horsepower. In talking to with a mechanic at Cincinnati MINI,he mentioned a new power chip and larger exhaust. He mentioned that a turbo engine is easier to tune than a supercharged engine. Any guesses as to what performance products ALTA or some of the other aftermarket companies may come out

Reply

DB Sep 1st, 2006 Link

For example, any GP owners out there want to see JCW selling red mirror covers, GP wings, GP trim, GP scoop and roof number decals to put on any MINI, or should JCW maintain the exclusivity of the GP look for just th GP cars

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the items that are specific to the GP won’t be available unless you already have one and need those part because who knows why.

I’m actually seriously thinking about getting an ‘07 and think it would be nice if some of the non-mechanical pieces are available shortly after I get the car. I’ll wait for engine/suspension/brakes because those things take time, but a steering wheel would be pretty nice to have right from the get-go. I’m not going to wait to get my car until the full JCW kit is available, so why not start early and build it out as the parts become available?

Reply

dr Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Claiming you have a JCW car by badging it as such with JCW accesseories does make you a poser. I don’t have any kind words for wannabes and people who are into the image more than the substance…..If you guys think that the MINI is all about cool and custom with out respect to roots and heritage then you do have it wrong.

Think about it….this is a very obvious BMW marketing strategy…….John himself would punch you in the face if all you had was pretty cosmetic parts with his name all over and no ability to hop in and take first place in a rally.

Reply

drew Sep 1st, 2006 Link

dr: you’ve pushed me over the edge. NOBODY’S OPINION CAN BE WRONG! enough with the “who is a poseur” stuff…grow the eff up people… please!

now back on topic.

db: agreed that MINI will in no way make gp parts available to the non gp owner. gp owners would go berzerk and todd’s wrath alone would be enough to handle ; ) as for getting n ‘07 and having a cool wheel or such to install, well that (in my opinion) is the best part! when i found out that the jcw kit would never see the light of day for the mcsa i went down a completely different path and did everything oem+ style and installed it all bit by bit. looking back at the process i think it was actually more fun that way and has allowed me to keep adding to the experience and keep the car “fresh”. and speaking of fresh, i’ll be adding the jcw spoiler to my car next week… pics to come.

cheers – drew

Reply

Drewski Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Bottom line: Don’t claim (by grill badging, etc.) that you have a JCW if you don’t even have any engine mods. Aesthetic JCW parts are fine and dandy and will be welcomed for the R56 as soon as possible, but it’s not cool when stock engine MC/MCS start sporting JCW badging.

Reply

Gabe Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Bottom line: Don’t claim (by grill badging, etc.) that you have a JCW if you don’t even have any engine mods. Aesthetic JCW parts are fine and dandy and will be welcomed for the R56 as soon as possible, but it’s not cool when stock engine MC/MCS start sporting JCW badging.

Maybe I missed it but where was someone wanting a JCW badge as an accessory? I’ve seen several references to how it would be wrong to put a JCW badge on a non-JCW car and I can completely agree with it. But that’s not something MINI will be selling as a stand-alone accessory so where’s the concern?

Reply

dark06mcs Sep 1st, 2006 Link

any word no how much badging is going to be on the new trim pieces (ie carbon dash)? i like the interior stuff just not a huge fan of the surf shop logo and definitely not crazy about having one on my wheel, shifter, e-brake, shift boot, dash, mats, seats, headliner, forearm, etc.

Reply

dickdavid Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Maybe I missed it but where was someone wanting a JCW badge as an accessory?

I think folks are trying to articulate the true difference between posing and accessorizing.

I, for one, am glad MINI knows the difference and won’t sell badges as accessories. Hopefully, other folks will grasp the concept as well.

Reply

Gabe Sep 1st, 2006 Link

I think folks are trying to articulate the true difference between posing and accessorizing.

Well then – here here!

Reply

Neil Sep 1st, 2006 Link

I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony.

Reply

minijcwgp Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Gabe, I think what the other “camp” is trying to wrap their head around is – if a regulation size JCW surfboard logo badge is considered in poor-taste and a MINI owner no-no on the boot or grill of a non JCW car, how is a regulation size JCW surfboard badge logo imbedded in the middle of that carbon fiber dash, (wheel, shifter, e-brake, shift boot, dash, mats, seats, headliner, forearm ;-). installed in a non JCW car then considered “accesorizing”? Don’t realy know, as I can see both points of view.

Reply

MINIAC Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Heck … some owners with dealer fitted JCW Kits opted not to have the grille and boot badges installed.

Reply

Rich Sep 1st, 2006 Link

, how is a regulation size JCW surfboard badge logo imbedded in the middle of that carbon fiber dash, (wheel, shifter, e-brake, shift boot, dash, mats, seats, headliner, forearm ;-). installed in a non JCW car then considered “accesorizing”?

Reply

Vanwall Sep 1st, 2006 Link

The proof is in the pudding – if you’re buying what purports to be a JCW MINI, caveat emptor applies in any case. If you bought a genuine JCW part, for me there’s no problem with displaying the logo, they sell it like that for crissake, and it’s to JCW’s advantage to have their I.D. out there, so they won’t object. Make you MINI your own, however it works out. There really isn’t any room for MINI purists of any stripe to start griping – you’ll start sounding like Porsche v. Porcupines.

            BCNU,
          Rob in Dago

Reply

Rich Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Umm…what happened to the rest of my post after the quote? Hmm…

What was supposed to be there was essentially this:

I don’t think that Mini/JCW will create a bunch of “accessory” equipment with the JCW surfboard logo positioned “front and center”. It’s tacky, and they have resisted doing so thus far. Cases in point: The really, really nice JCW steering wheel and spoiler.

Let’s give JCW/Mini a little credit for understanding the difference between an accessory and a true performance mod. Although in my opinion the JCW steering wheel is in itself a form of performance mod!

PS: I agree with Niel; Give Peas a Chance!

Reply

Gabe Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Umm…what happened to the rest of my post after the quote? Hmm…

No idea… looked at your post from the backend and didn’t see anything else. Just post it again

Reply

MauiMac Sep 1st, 2006 Link

So will the JCW engine kit make use of the NON-functional bonnet scoop?…

Reply

tony T Sep 1st, 2006 Link

It will be interesting to see if the JCW ‘kit’ will be just that… a kit… I have a funny feeling that the Works R56 will only be available off the production line, not retro fit like the current car. If it is going to be ‘230bhp’ then theres going to have to be serious engine work, not just the easy stuff like the previous Works kit.

So that beggers the question, if you buy a standard R56 S, will you actually be able to upgrade it when the Works is released….

I’m thinking its a strong possiblity that you won’t be able too…

Reply

Gabe Sep 1st, 2006 Link

So that beggers the question, if you buy a standard R56 S, will you actually be able to upgrade it when the Works is released….

Nope. The JCW package will be a factory option only this time based on everything I’ve heard.

Reply

05DSMCS Sep 1st, 2006 Link

If we want to get really nit-picky, historically, only the suped up versions of the Minis were Mini Coopers, so technically does that make all us new MINI owners posers since we all carry the Cooper name on our cars?

I say to each his/her own and no matter how wild, subdued, pretend or real a person’s customization of their car is – good for them. That is what this car is all about, making it yours, from the jacked up 4×4 MINIs that are out there, to the coffee can piped MINIs, to the base OEM cars. We’re a family and we should all just love each other.

Reply

Bzzz Bom Sep 1st, 2006 Link

The 2007 MINI is not worthy to be dressed up.

Reply

Dave Mac Mini Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Bzzz Bom, you are confused. You should go and find a Pontiac Aztec board if you intend posting silly comments like that.

Reply

Gratefyl Sep 1st, 2006 Link

With everything that is changing for 07, now I am questioning whether I should wait or continue to search for my 2006. I was told that the new engines in the 07 are going to be French? and that 2006 is the way to go because they have the best of everything….hmmm..

Advice?

Reply

Gabe Sep 1st, 2006 Link

I was told that the new engines in the 07 are going to be French?

The engines were designed and engineered almost entirely by BMW. BMW is partnering with PSA for logistics and for manufacturing scale. The blocks comes from PSA’s plant in France and engines for the MINI are assembled in the UK.

Compare that to the current Tritec engine which was predominantly designed and engineered by Chrysler (not a bad thing mind you) and built in Brazil.

Reply

Avitor Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Weren’t the Tritecs also used in non-US Neons and PT Cruisers?

Reply

GPMINI Sep 1st, 2006 Link

This debate is pointless. All JCW “accessories” are poseur material. Period. JCM stuff is the real deal. Check out the steering wheel, shift knob, spoiler, brake ducts, etc. Makes the JCW stuff look like totally rice.

Reply

MauiMac Sep 1st, 2006 Link

Gabe, will the JCW engine kit make use of the NON-functional bonnet scoop?…

Reply

MiniJCWGP Sep 2nd, 2006 Link

GPMINI: Huh?? Don’t you have to have JCW, BEFORE you can add most JCM components? So you I guess you have to be a poser first, to add the JCM mods?? And things like the JCM steering wheel are track only – not even street legal.

Reply

Dave Sep 2nd, 2006 Link

Much ado about badging

Reply

GPMINI Sep 2nd, 2006 Link

Don’t you have to have JCW, BEFORE you can add most JCM components?

No, you don’t, actually. But I wasn’t knocking JCW performance upgrades (although they are bloody ephing over-priced) just their silly bling bits.

And things like the JCM steering wheel are track only – not even street legal.

No airbag on that wheel, but still legal.

Reply

MiniJCWGP Sep 3rd, 2006 Link

Hey GPMINI, your right on the steering wheel – JCM just says it is “Not suitable for road use” not that it is not street legal. Yes, the JCW performance bits are high-priced when compared to some of the general after-maket stuff. But then you have to remember that the mods are all engineered by masters in the race performance parts field, road tested in multiple MINI mules, re-engineered, re-road tested for a year or more by BMW/Cooper until they are as right as they can make them – all the perf parts working together for top performance, then finally released AND warrantied by the factory. Not just bits and bobs that a small speedshop put together in the back room, then dyno tested once or twice, independent of any other mod – with no coverage, other than for that part (and pretty much a given that adding the mod cancels your MINI factorhy warranty). That’s the reason for the premium cost – premium developent/design/testing/warranty, not just the JCW logo.

Reply

RedRocket Sep 3rd, 2006 Link

I look at from the perspective that by the time the JCW engine kit is out I will have already narrowed down what accessories I want on my car. C’mon guys and gals, MINI drivers are half full people not half empty. Just look at what we drive. It took allot of faith and character to surf against the wave of public popularity in term of motor vehicles when choosing what we will drive.

Reply

GPMINI Sep 3rd, 2006 Link

I predict the R56 JCW is going to kick ass, particularly when not outfitted with $400 carbon fiber sun visors…

Reply

markus Sep 4th, 2006 Link

the new JCW Aerokit:

Reply

Eelke Sep 4th, 2006 Link

If we want to get really nit-picky, historically, only the suped up versions of the Minis were Mini Coopers, so technically does that make all us new MINI owners posers since we all carry the Cooper name on our cars?

Well, just about everywhere but the US market, there is the Mini One, so that does make the Coopers the “souped up” versions. With the R56, it will even no longer be possible to get a One up to the same level of a Cooper with just a software upgrade, because its engine will be smaller (1.4). Which I suppose is a good thing for the Cooper name.

However, I do think the Cooper name has devalued over the years. This devaluation was probably at its prime between 1996 and 2000 when the difference between a “normal” Mini and a Cooper was a white roof, white bonnet stripes and white side mirrors, and the difference between a Cooper and a Cooper S (“sportpack”, in some markets) were bigger wheels, bigger wheel arches, (two additions which actually made the car slower because of more weight and more drag) and some extra gauges in the dash. Take special note that there were no technical differences.

So, Mini actually has taken steps in the right direction again, although I do think that the current positioning of the Cooper is still not quite right in terms of doing the name justice. I think the Cooper should be much closer to the S in terms of power (140 BHP turbo? For early Minis, Cooper used to be the magic word, S was icing on the cake – the magic now all seems to be in that single letter). This would leave some room between the One and the Cooper for another model that takes the 120 BHP engine they are planning for the Cooper, but doesn’t bare the Cooper name (Seven would be a nice name for such a model – One, Seven, Cooper, Cooper S :)).

Of course, there are all kinds of possible reasons to not do this. Gap between MC and MCS not big enough for people wanting the S, gap between One and Cooper too big but no market for yet another model, etc. My point really is, I think those are all reasons the marketing department came up with (had they had a will to do the right thing in a historical sense, the Cooper would have been Seven all along, Cooper S had been Cooper, and Cooper S JCW had been Cooper S – but they chose to cash in on the Cooper name, and who can blame them?). The fact the R56 Cooper is getting a 6-speed gearbox just like the S is actually a step in the right direction.

Reply

Drewski Sep 4th, 2006 Link

Of course, there are all kinds of possible reasons to not do this.

It’s all about the marketing behind it all…And it all makes sense if you think about BMW’s marketing schemes for US models: Base model, Larger/Higher output engine model, and then a somewhat limited production premium model (the M, of course).

Reply

Eelke Sep 5th, 2006 Link

Yup, that’s what I said, it’s all about marketing :) However, for that marketing scheme to work, names are not important. What it’s all about is that they wanted to cash in on the Cooper name. When it’s down to the name (imagine identical cars, except for white roof), would you rather have a Mini Cooper or a Mini Seven (for example). How about the guy next door? But as I said, who can blame them, really? They already did much better than Rover did the last few years in terms of doing “the right thing” with the Cooper name. But we digress…

Reply

Rocketboy Sep 5th, 2006 Link

Wow, it’s the invasion of the piss and moaners. Sorry, JCW is not just the kit, but also the brand name of the line of accessories. Having JCW accessories does not make you a ‘poser’ if you do not have the engine mod. It’s you’re fault that that you assume that if someone has a JCW wheels, or a JCW dash, etc, that it has the JCW engine mods. If I replace my MINI shift knob with a Momo one, does that mean I’m a poser for not having a Momo modified motor? Or if i have a MiniMania skid plate, does that mean I’m a poser for not having the MiniMania engine kit?

Reply

MotoringFile » Archive » R56 JCW Accessories Sneak Peak Sep 5th, 2006 Link

[...] No word on pricing or exact release date but as we mentioned previously, expect a spring of 2007 availability and prices similar to those found with the R50 and R53. Big thanks to Markus for the link. [...]

isellem Sep 5th, 2006 Link

i wonder if its the JCW aero kit… or just the regular aero kit. If you look at the current jcw brochure all the cars have the aero kit… but its not a jcw aero kit

Reply

alpinamike Sep 5th, 2006 Link

The problem is that it will happen , the e36 M started it all. De baged or not, people will do things to make their car look like something else, maybe that is the breed and MINI is about making things “your Own” as long as it is a MINI or a BMW, thats it!. Opps sorry, is a Vtec classic a classic, yes-its just had a update:). I think everyone has their own opinion, you just have to take things with a grain of salt. Some people want to spend money on the engine and some like the outside to look more or less like something else.

Reply

MauiMac Sep 6th, 2006 Link

markus, would you mind poster a Hi-Res image of “the new JCW Aerokit”? Thanks in advance!

Reply

Jake Sep 6th, 2006 Link

I think this has been the most entertaining thread I have ever read on this post! Talk about polarization!. Personally, I would be inclined to remove any JCW badges and run as a “Q-Ship”. However, if the guy in the Cooper S beside me (or Cooper for that matter) wants to put a JCW badge or “accessory” on his car, all the power to him. He’s obviously having fun, despite being labeled a poser by others. I think “fun” (and marketing, of course) is what Mini intended…it certainly sells cars. I’m not suggesting the purist agree with this. Far from it! If people were’nt so opinionated, this forum would be boring. Long live the posers!

Reply

Pedro Sep 9th, 2006 Link

If putting something on your car that is more cosmetic than functional makes you a poser, than technically everyone that buys an ‘07 MCS is a poser for having a fake hood scoop…

I say put what you want on your car…

Reply