This news comes from a reliable source:
The JCW Sport Brake Kit will soon be available at US MINI dealerships. They are currently in stock in Germany. The part number is 34 11 0 393 455 with a suggested retail price of $1065. An official release date should be issued shortly.
<p>Awesome picture.</p>
<p>Photographer is pretty impressive being able to run up along side the car like that. ;o) hehe.</p>
<p>This is great news! Now there's only one performance-related JCW part not available in the USA… the Strut Brace!</p>
<p>(carbon fiber dressings do not qualify as performance enhancing!)</p>
<p>Do you know if it for Cooper or Cooper S or both? Also, just for front brakes? I know all this info is new, so I will be patient. Would like to know specs as they come available vs. Wilwood, Brembo, AP Racing, etc. Thanks!</p>
<p>Actually these were developed with Brembo. Take that how you will.</p>
<p>I want!</p>
<p>From the JCW website:</p>
<p>“With larger brake discs and callipers at the front and special brake linings on the rear axle, this first-class braking system always provides immediate response with plenty of bite. Available for all MINI models.”</p>
<p>Will these fit behind the 17″ S-Lites?
(I know… I've got to get rid of those heavy sandbags and get some lighter wheels…)</p>
<p>I wonder how these are brakedust-wise. They sure do look yummy! But probably not needed.</p>
<p>I boil Motul racing fluid with my Wilwood race kit. Wilwoods are much bigger than these JCWs look. I'll wait to see the JCW kit in the flesh.</p>
<p>I love it..</p>
<p>To Edge, I think the seats are not available here either…more than carbon fiber LOL!</p>
<p>Gabe
Question… how heavy will these be than the stock brake kit? This is sure to have you lose a lil hp… but then again… being able to haul down your speed= priceless!</p>
<p>allan</p>
<p>We have the JCW kit and suspension want these to match the lovely red bloomers but our dealership service fellow is a little iffy on them though… Says they won't make that much difference and they won't be noticable unless you have 18″ wheels.</p>
<p>just spoke to Mini parts guy:
JCW seats cant come to the Us until the EPA requirements are met on them which said, will make them cost more for us! :(</p>
<p>allan</p>
<p>ChrisLW,</p>
<p>Sorry, the seats still don't count in my book… sure, they'll keep you in your place better than the standard seats, but they don't change how the car handles, accelerates or brakes!</p>
<p>Edge</p>
<p>What do seats with no airbags in them have to do with the EPA??????</p>
<p>Who is this MINI guy?????</p>
<p>Do a search for JCW Seats in the top right and you'll have your answer.</p>
<p>Basically it would be cost prohibitive to develop new seats with integrated airbags and MINIUSA won't sell an accessory that eliminates safety features.</p>
<p>Yes … but the point was EPA = Environmental Protection Agency! Unlikely to be the agency that controls airbag safety ;)</p>
<p>ah EPA – i got my acronyms mixed up…</p>
<p>Here is what it says in the brochure hand-distributed to me by Mike Cooper during my UK trip back in September: </p>
<p>“The high safety levels are further optimised with the use of the first-class braking system. At the front larger brake discs and calipers are used. In conjunction with the special brake linings on the rear axle, the sports brakes provide an immediate response with plenty of bite. Performance is assured at all times, even under high thermal loads caused by sporty driving.”</p>
<p>Will they offer these as a retrofit kit?</p>
<p>:) Okay had to say that! I think these will probably be a pretty good kit. In my opinion the engineering elements of JCW is top class. A lot of aftermarket tuners, while they claim extensive testing, it usually amounts to a couple of track days and 5,000 miles. If it hasn't broken they start selling it. This isn't all tuners, there are some reputable ones out there. While the JCW kits may be expensive, no one can rip apart their engineering elements. And the fact that they do a good job of providing excellent performance while keeping the character of the car. The suspension kit was another fine example, and I am sure the brake kit will be great as well.</p>
<p>I am going to guess that these will only fit behind 17″ wheels and the 18″ JCW wheels.</p>
<p>Not 100% but I believe you may be correct in that they won't clear 16″ wheels.</p>
<p>That guess means I'm running 17″ snowtires with these brakes. That's just not right.</p>
<p>I've been running 17″ wheels and snow tires for years. Nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Since you're the “man in the know” about these things, have you heard any word at all about the JCW Strut Brace? I realize this is a less complicated part, less “sexy” and fancy than the other JCW parts. Also, that there are plenty of aftermarket options to do the same job… but for my 2005 JCW MCS, I am hoping for a “pure” install – all official Mini parts (except perhaps for the Dension Ice>Link Plus and the Ian Cull Auto-Up Circuit!).</p>
<p>(crosses fingers for positive word…)</p>
<p>Edge</p>
<p>no word but I can't imagine it won't be coming. </p>
<p>BTW I was told we'd see a full catalog of JCW parts before the year's end and while that hasn't happened yet I expect to see it (with the strut brace) before too long.</p>
<p>I wrote to JCW directly to ask the question on the brakes fitting on 16″ as well as 17″ wheels.</p>
<p>I was told in the email back to me that they WOULD fit inside 16″ wheels (ie standard cooper S (non chili pack) setup.</p>
<p>I asked them as i have 17″ s-spokes and also a set of the 16″ original cooper S wheels/tyres</p>
<p>if anyone has info to the contrary i would be interested to hear</p>
<p>“The high safety levels are further optimised with the use of the first-class braking system. At the front larger brake discs and calipers are used. In conjunction with the special brake linings on the rear axle, the sports brakes provide an immediate response with plenty of bite. Performance is assured at all times, even under high thermal loads caused by sporty driving.”</p>
<p>Cutting thru the marketing fluff: The JCW brake kit just like many after market kits, Low on real engineering but a lot of hype. It was developed with the “pick the low hanging fruit attitude”. It only provides the front calipers and discs. New calipers and disc for the rear is too complicated because of the ebrake. We decided to take the easy way out and just swap the brake linings. Most Mini owners are not discerning enough to argue and they will be elated with anything with the JCW logo on it. We are laughting all the way to the bank.</p>
<p>ok-enough. Does anyone realize that any bigger back discs would be doing more harm than good? The fronts take 90-95% of all braking force, so to have the backs too strong means they could lock up and overall be a very bad thing. Interesting to see that this was engineered with Brembo- I wonder how it compares to the current aftermarket Brembo big brake kit for mini.</p>
<p>add to the fact that larger brakes in the rear would also increase un-sprung weight… not a good thing if they're not needed. JCW and Brembo know what they're doing. Sure there might be something technically better out there but for the money this is a nice solution. </p>
<p>BTW many big brake kits I've seen only come with fronts and cost twice as much. The ones that are for all four corners cost at least three times more.</p>
<p>Of course we could end this debate if MINI would just send over a set for me to test ;)</p>
<p>Actually, Stoptech has some wonderfull info on the 2 vs 4 brake upgrade issue in case anyone wants to look.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/rear" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.stoptech.com/whitepapers/rear</a><em>brake</em>upgrade<em>is</em>bigger_better120601.htm</p>
<p>This is the Stoptech info page on the subject.</p>
<p>That last paragraph is especially a good read.</p>
<p>Regarding “Cutting thru the marketing fluff”; your sarcasm, gipsyflies, would suggest we reach for the top of the tree and opt to pay three times as much for a product the won't actually make a difference in the real world? Likely, those running larger after-market rear rotors will suffer from braking instability during decel/transition areas in our driving. Real braking prowess is determined by tires anyhoo.</p>
<p>Sorry Gabe, but I feel we are a very excited and professional group. That paragraph doesn't belong here.</p>
<p>I agree with you Michael… but he certainly has a right to announce his opinion to the world as long as it's on topic and not slanderous or offensive. Even if most don't agree with it.</p>
<p>Funny how competitive the JCW kit price is very with the Brembo, StopTech, AP, UUC kits, cheaper in most cases… this is a good direction. Like Tom, I'm very interested in comparing the specifics, like diameter, what else is included (s/s lines? etc), stop distances, etc… throw in the whole dealer maintenance and warranty thing and it seems like this could be a very good deal, instead of merely adding zeroes and a JCW badge.</p>
<p>Actually since the MINI's have EBD (electronic brake-force distribution) and CBC (corner brake control) they could send the correct amount of braking power to the wheels with grip, so having larger brakes in the rear could help, but only marginally. This helps avoid lockup, but Gabe is right though, no need for any increase in unsprung weight. I am sure Brembo and JCW did their HW on this one.</p>
<p>Ok, I've been waiting for the brake kit to be released… I've got the JCW wheels and the stock calipers and discs look pretty puny inside those big wheels. I'd like to do the suspension at the same time, but I haven't heard yet if pre-05 cars can get the suspension fitted. Any news on suspension availability?</p>
<p>Here's a recent story we did on the JCW Suspension kit with pre-'05 info that may help (if you didn't see it already): <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2004/11/12/jcw_suspension_in_detail"><a href="http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/11/12/jcw" rel="ugc">http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/11/12/jcw</a><em>suspension</em>in_detail</a></p>
<p>Anyone know if the JCW kit disks will be slotted?</p>
<p>God i hope not….</p>
<p>Actually, I'm hoping that they are. Slotting is the most effective way to reduce pad glazing and heat buildup.</p>
<p>Anyone know what includes this kit ?
Bigger front discs with 4-pot calipers ?</p>
<p>I received news from JCW</p>
<p>“the JCW brake kit consists of
larger front discs,larger single pot sliding calliper bigger front pads,and higher temp rear pads,increasing braking
efficiency by 12%”</p>
<p>Only 1-pot calliper :(</p>
<p>I believe that slotting reduces pad glazing as you state. However, I'm told this adds heat. Pretty sure about that. I too was surprised.</p>
<p>Heat build up is controlled by mass. Drilling and slotting of rotors reduce mass.</p>
<p>I believe Porche's “drilled” rotors are cast that way and are ceramic.</p>
<p>My understanding is the surface grooves (they better not be cut through the rotor) help keep the pads clear of debris. I've seen them used in WRC.</p>
<p>Yes yes. One would think, however, that creating a place for hot gasses to escape might actually cool the rotor. I'm not sure reduced mass is the reason here…</p>
<p>Agreed, for the surface channels, the removed mass is probably insignificant. I've seen rotors being sold that looked like somebody milled all the way through to the other side! Outgassing may be desirable, but forced venting may be better for cooling. I've noticed JCW has brake ducts available for racing applications (inlet is where the OEM fog lights are). Has to be fitted in their shop, though. </p>
<p>Doesn't help us in the States. :(</p>
<p>I see a lot of mention of Brembo, anyone know who the manufacturer is? I saw the brakes yesterday at the NAIAS(detroit auto show), and saw 'TRW' stamped on the pads.
Anyone got anything that proves who the manufacturer is?</p>
<p>hi,my friend is taking part in a rally race. he orders his brakes from mini dealership but the brakes was given to someone else. His rally is in august and he needs the brakes as safety measure. Please tell me where can i purchase the JCW Brake upgrade kit and strut brace.
Can i get it install in sydney if i purchase it somewhere else?</p>
<p>URGENT. please help.</p>