The History of the Modern JCW Tuning Kits

Drill Jul 18th, 2008 Link

Great info Gabe, thanks! When do you suppose we can update the info above to include the Stage 1 Clubman kit?? :-)

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nuvolari Jul 21st, 2008 Link

Hmmm. So, this seems incorrect to me.

From what I know, the original 03-04 dealer-installed kit did NOT include an upgraded air filter or larger injectors. Just an new SC (with then upgraded rotors), ported cylinder head, plugs, exhaust and ECU update.

The kit was enhanced in 7/04 (US) to include the air intake and larger injectors, along with a new tune to take advantage of these. That is where the 10hp difference came from. This upgrade to 7/04 specs was available to purchasers of the v1 kit at a surprisingly reasonable price from the dealer.

This later kit became the factory option available for 05-06, with the exception of the exhaust being welded in place at the factory and including a restrictive crimp so that it would be compatible with the Cabrio’s rear end.

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Edge Jul 21st, 2008 Link

I concur with nuvolari above.

Also, the list is missing one small but still very significant kit:

The JCW Tuning Kit for the MINI Cooper

(Note: This was for the R50 Cooper, not the Cooper S… and it pre-dates the JCW Tuning Kit for the R53. It’s also distinctly different than the JCW Sound Kit for the MINI Cooper that was listed above)

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nuvolari Jul 21st, 2008 Link

Edge, maybe we should start a Mini site. These hacks obviously don’t know what they’re doing. :)

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MINIAC Jul 21st, 2008 Link

The 200 PS kit was announced in April 2003 but the kits didn’t reach US dealers until June.

The 210 PS and Upgrade kits were announced in October 2004.

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greg Jul 21st, 2008 Link

Nuvolari. I never heard of a “restrictive crimp” in the JCW cabrio exhaust. Any idea how it can be “uncrimpted”?

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Charlie Jul 21st, 2008 Link

Greg, It can’t and still fit under the cabrio. The crimp is there to allow the exhaust pipe to fit next to a cabrio-only body-stiffening brace.

JCW Coupes, even the GP came with the crimp–even though it wasn’t needed to fit–because MINI didn’t want to offer two separate JCW exhausts.

You can have a muffler ship remove the crimp and weld in another section of exhaust pipe.

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MINIAC Jul 21st, 2008 Link

The torque listed for the 200 PS kit should be:

• 240 Nm peak torque at 4,000 rpm

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Jon Jul 21st, 2008 Link

Nice to see this all laid out, good work Gabe.

JCW has always been a point of interest with me.

Though I have to say this story pretty much has me wondering about Mini’s future.

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/new-fiat-platform-could-be-use-for-bigger-mini-model/#more-6566

“A larger Mini platform by 2015″

Looks like the ever growing size of the Mini is still underway.

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nuvolari Jul 21st, 2008 Link

Nuvolari. I never heard of a “restrictive crimp” in the JCW cabrio exhaust. Any idea how it can be “uncrimpted”?</blockquote I don’t believe it can be, if you have a cabrio. If you have a coupe, it probably could be through some creative torch work. My preference is a pre-cabrio dealer-installed JCW exhaust with the front resonator section replaced with a straight pipe (MyMini offers a nice piece). With that you achieve a true “rorty” exhaust note. :)

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nuvolari Jul 21st, 2008 Link

The 210 PS and Upgrade kits were announced in October 2004.

My bad on the date, thanks.

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C4 Jul 22nd, 2008 Link

I remember driving a dealer installed 200HP JCW R53 S back in the summer of 2003 and that car put a huge grin in my face. To me that car felt “right” like any other factory R53 should have felt and driven (This was before the 2005 “Facelift”) from the get go. To me the bone stock pre-2005 R53 S felt a little lethargic from the get go and the original JCW kit addressed some of the annoying acceleration issues the stock Cooper S of the time had.

Believe it or not, I have never driven a 2005+ JCW R53 S, dealer or factory but I just can’t even begin to imagine how sweet those cars must be in comparison to the original pre-2005 200HP JCW cars.

I still think 1st gen R53 JCW cars (Including the GP of course) will be very sought after vehicles in years to come and the factory versions will command premium prices in the used car market.

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James Jul 25th, 2008 Link

2003-04 John Cooper Works 126 hp Tuning Kit for MINI Cooper

UK sales: ?

Technical Specification

* Machined cylinder head
* "Cat-back" sport exhaust system
* Improved-flow air filter
* Cover injection tube
* Modified engine control unit
* Engine cover finished in silver, including a John Cooper Works emblem
* John Cooper Works rear and side vent badges
* John Cooper Works certificate of authenticity

Performance data

* 126 hp
* 155 Nm peak torque at 4,750 rpm
* 126 mph top speed
* 0-62 mph in 8.9 seconds

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Brian Jul 27th, 2008 Link

I just bought a used 2003 Mini Cooper S from a Mazda Dealership in Oregon. I was surprised to find a complete JCW tune kit installed. There was no mention of this in the advertising. How much would it have cost to put this in. Thanks

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Greg Jul 28th, 2008 Link

Brian:

At the time (circa 2003), the dealership where I sold MINI charged $5,400 to install the kit. I live in OH, and it is important to note that prices vary greatly from coast to coast. If you’d like a more current price, simply pick a dealer from miniusa.com, call the service/parts dept. and pose as a 2003 MCS owner who wants to install one.

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mini cooper tuning Feb 23rd, 2009 Link

Believe it or not, I have never driven a 2005+ JCW R53 S JCW has always been a point of interest with me.

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Wallace Jul 26th, 2009 Link

I hope this site is still active, because I have just the question for you guys. I am looking to purchase a used 2005 R53 in the US. The photos show an engine cover with the JCW engine cover and tag that says JCW tuning kit #xxx, and there are JCW emblems everywhere including the brake calipers. When I checked the VIn with the local MINI dealer, however, they told me the VIN did not correspond to a JCW vehicle, just an R53. How is this possible? Please reply to my email if possible. Thanks so much,

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