JCW Pro Exhaust – The Sound
On the fence on whether or not to upgrade to the JCW Pro exhaust? The new kit is designed more holistically than before and is comprised of a full ECU remap, stainless steel and some interesting features. But how does it sound you ask? This MINI UK promo video gives us our best audio sample yet.
Here’s the full rundown of features:
– A stainless steel cat-back system
– Optional Carbon Fiber and Stainless tips with JCW logos
– 15hp Power increase due to ECU remapping and increase flow (on the Cooper S)
– A remote that allows the driver to open and close the electronic baffle inside the exhaust allowing for a more aggressive note when appropriate
– Track mode – opens the exhaust baffle increasing exhaust noise via a button on the remote – not approved for the street
– Available only on the Cooper S as a dealer accessory
<p>My main question is how does it compare to a factory JCW exhaust?</p>
<p>Much higher quality in build quality and materials. Louder and sounds better.</p>
<p>Having tested the pre-production version on MTTS last year and the standard JCW exhaust a few months ago, I double-down on what Gabe said.</p>
<p>Thanks guys.</p>
<p>My main question is “Why isn’t this an option on the factory JCW?” makes no sense!</p>
<p>We installed this kit on a Cooper S a few weeks ago. It was the best sounding exhaust from MINI yet. With the car in sport and with the exhaust in track mode, you get wonderful feedback! In non-sport mode and with the exhaust in street mode it was louder. Not obnoxious, but throaty. This is a great kit. If you’re on the fence about it, you have nothing to worry about. I’d take a Cooper S with this kit over a JCW.</p>
<p>We’ve debated over this on WRR and we came away with the same conclusion.</p>
<p>“I’d take a Cooper S with this kit over a JCW.”</p>
<p>Purely from an aural standpoint.</p>
<p>I’ve heard it and driven it. i thought the borla on my friends 2014 S was louder although I have a hard time understanding how. You could get away with driving around in track mode most of the time .</p>
<p>If anyone get a ticket because they left their JCW exhaust on track mode, I want them to reach out to us and we’ll write a post about it on MotoringFile. This rule is almost impossible to enforce. And instead of worrying about exhaust note, I’d rather see law enforcement crack-down on people using their phones while driving…</p>
<p>As a person who lives (and sleeps) in a neighborhood with other people, I rather welcome law enforcement cracking down on cars displaying an illegally obnoxious exhaust “note” in inappropriate areas.</p>
<p>At least this exhaust from MINI has the ability to tone it down… I hope most MINI drivers would have the common courtesy not to blast it in track mode past people’s houses.</p>
<p>it’s quieter than the my friends exhaust (which I just put link to</p>
<p>in my op.)</p>
<p>I know this is an old thread, but someone I know of received a Section 59 notice for using his pipe in track mode. His car will be seized if his neighbours call 101 again.
The local council are also looking at reducing speed limit from 30 to 20 and possibly speed bumps, purely based on the perception that loud noise = cars are speeding. It feels almost as if they were waiting for the increase in popularity of loud pipes as some kind of gift. The 27 year old lad with the Mini was hard accelerating in a 30 zone and lifting off to produce the fashionable popping an banging noises that locals are finding distasteful (big out-cry in London as well when the super car arabs visit)
Community Police have also visited the local MOT center after the tester was heard bragging ‘I never fail a loud pipe, this is how powerful cars should sound’</p>
<p>I’m sure I’m in the minority…..but the only thing I want louder is the car audio system. I suppose there are better and worse sounding exhausts but I’m not terribly interested. If it makes the car more powerful that could sway me a bit. Louder just makes me think of Mustangs, that always seem to be loud but not very quick, as I used to give them a little hell leaving stoplights (silly 4 speed auto Mustang owners with loud exhausts, just a waste of metal).</p>
<p>Not to mention those in modified Honda Civics (non- Type-R)…</p>
<p>I’ve got a neighbor who has a Dodge Journey with an exhaust that is magnitudes louder than my JCW. How fast do you think it is? Oh, and he’s got a baby seat in the back…</p>
<p>Glad I’m not alone.</p>
<p>Unless I missed it, don’t think anyone is arguing loud = good.</p>
<p>Your description was “Louder and sounds better”. I don’t begrudge others the sound they want, just voicing that to me loud = bad, and it seems implied that louder is better in most of the comments and the car community at large. I’ve never heard someone say “that sounds much better and is quieter too” as a compliment to someones exhaust upgrade, though it could happen.</p>
<p>Yeah that’s right. It has more volume to it. I feel like people should be aware of that. Separately is also more nuance within the growl which makes it a more satisfying sound. You can read our exhaust reviews going back over ten years to see us talk about what we find successful with after sales systems.</p>
<p>When I think of loud, I automatically think “RICE ROCKETS” with the 5″ tin can exhaust pipes that run up and down the down town streets on the weekends. A truly high performance car that is loud, but has some power there, well to me that’s just fine. No I don’t want double A Fuel dragster loudness, but something that lets you know that something is there. Make sense?</p>
<p>I agree with everyone that the Fiat 500 Abarth is the best. I can’t believe that everyone loves the Fiat more than a MINI!</p>
<p>Only the exhaust note. Not the car. ;)</p>
<p>Would this make any difference aurally to a cooper SD/can it be installed on an SD? I love the torque and economy of my SD but I get so jealous when I hear that awesome snap and crackle from the cooper S it is literally my only complaint about my car.</p>
<p>How much will this dealer installed option cost?</p>
<p>I believe it’s $1,750 for the parts. Adding the cost of labor brings the total above $2,000.</p>
<p>Do you reckon there is any possible way to put it on a gen.1 GP ?</p>
<p>I don’t think so. Plus the stock exhaust of the GP1 is perfect.</p>
<p>I’ve always wanted something a little louder and a few more bangs! A louder exhaust with the remote option would be perfect</p>