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…
<p>Speaking as a MINI Cooper owner, this is quite the waste of money – thought it was an April fools joke… then realizing it is August (HOT)! I realize that a kit like this should just sit in the back of a parts department with a tablecloth over it so the parts guys can use it as a breakroom table. I have a SS exhaust and a cold air intake and I know I have more than 3 hp added. JCW is great for the MCS, leave all the mods there, us cooper people will be happy to go to aftermarket resources for our horsepower.</p>
<p>While $1100 plus labor is an insane amount for 3Bhp, I think the kit may still have a place in the MINI family. I think the kit may be used by home modders picking up a used MINI and installing the kit themselves. Why should Honda Civics be the only cars with a second life as a tuner car?</p>
<p>I’d pay $600 – $800 for it, installed. That’s how much you might pay for aftermarket exhaust and intake, but you add the brand caché and warranty.</p>
<p>I’m not big on performance so that’s not much of a factor.</p>
<p>paging nkrist…</p>
<p>So is this just an air intake and exhaust? What is this “special connection between the air filter and the interior” Are these different parts than what is installed with the 6 grand JCW Package?</p>
<p>Is your warranty worth $1100? I would hazard to say that it is. </p>
<p>Keeping the warranty and resale value is the main advantage of JCW. </p>
<p>Alot of aftermarket mods could actually hurt your resale value.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Are these different parts than what is installed with the 6 grand JCW Package?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As mentioned above this kit is for the Cooper and comes with a cold air intake, exhaust, and modified ECU.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>As mentioned above this kit is for the >Cooper and comes with a cold air >intake, exhaust, and modified ECU.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks for the info, Gabe, but I was just wondering if the actual parts (air intake, exhaust) were different parts than the air intake and exhaust included in the JCW Engine Package. To me, it wouldn’t make sense to carry two different versions of an “upgrade part” like the air intake.</p>
<p>Ah gotcha… well I would suspect that only the exhaust is the same since the air intake was redesigned for the 2005 model year.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>paging nkrist…</p>
</blockquote>
<p>LOL</p>
<p>Ok, lets see how this adds up. An enthusiast would probably order an MC like I did with the sport suspension ($500) and seats ($300), 16″ wheels and tires ($726). Add $1100 (w/o install) for the JCW and you’re up to $2626 over base. Or pay $3650 and get an MCS. The modified engine management software would really have to be something special because an MC really drives pretty good just the way it is. Doesn’t sound bad either.
Granted, it’s not great big stupid silly fun like a MCS JCW, but few things are. And that’s an entirely different discussion.</p>
<p>I’d like to see the sales figures for this type of add-on during a slight recession. It looks pretty, but is practically useless (like Kate Moss?)</p>
<p>It’s not really a performance mod, it’s a dressup mod and heaven knows there are lots of people who will pay untold bux for pretty, useless things on their MINIs (carbon fiber, graphics, metallic paint, leather seats, covered driving lights that are never used, etc.) It’s harmless. Let them live.</p>
<p>Cute mod but…it works out to about $433+ per horse installed! Ouch….</p>
<p>I assume that the JCW donwplays the performance gains for insurance reasons.</p>
<p>[blockquote] It’s not really a performance mod, it’s a dressup mod and heaven knows there are lots of people who will pay untold bux for pretty, useless things on their MINIs (carbon fiber, graphics, metallic paint, leather seats, covered driving lights that are never used, etc.) It’s harmless. Let them live. [/blockquote]</p>
<p>Of course this is true, but it becomes a problem when it has the JCW name on it. JCW is supposed to mean performance and I guess it’s questionable to see them put their name on a 3BHP increase drivetrain system.</p>
<p>Doesn’t the JCW Intake produce at least 5hp? Why would one on the Cooper produce less? Is that just because of the lack of the blower?</p>
<p>If the engine management moves the power curves around, that’d be interesting to see. Maybe it’s more usable power in a broader range, so it’s only a 3hp increase…</p>
<p>About 2x too much…but maybe after I drive one and hear the difference…</p>
<p>Or not.</p>
<p>A few points of information and then some opinion:</p>
<p>1) The airbox and cat-back exhaust are specific to the Cooper, not parts from the Cooper S kit.
2) The airbox includes an additional intake/sound tube that connects to the bulkhead in front of the driver (in LHD cars). Although this tube has a filter element and no doubt draws additional air into the system, it appears the main purpose is to create a sound chamber and vent it back to the passenger cabin.
3) The remap of the ECU is limited to manual transmission cars. CVT cars don’t get it.
4) The installation guide from MINIUSA suggests 1 hour for installation which seems pretty consistent with the work to be done.</p>
<p>OPINION: There are aftermarket products that cost less and deliver more bhp. If power is your primary goal, this is not the kit for you. However, the JCW kit is blessed by BMW and will not affect your warranty in any way. One warranty dispute can make the cost differential go away in a hurry.</p>
<p>Finally, everybody has an approach to making their MINI unique. Some will like the cachet of the JCW badge and its potential impact on resale value. Others will spend hundreds or thousands on carbon fibre this and anthracite that. Whatever floats your boat, I say.</p>
<p>FULL DISCLOSURE: I am planning to have the JCW Sound Kit put on my son’s Cooper. It won’t affect the warranty, will give it a little extra oomph without adding power he doesn’t need right now, and be more likely to retain its value than a bunch of bling someone else may or may not be impressed with.</p>
<p>As Dennis Miller used to say: “Of course, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.”</p>
<p>The kit would seem to be attractive to someone like me, who could afford an MCS, but wants a Cooper for reasons of aesthetics, fuel economy, better ride, etc. BUT can’t resist personalizing the car, and tweaking it a bit. I’ve put custom exhausts on the last 3 cars I’ve owned primarily for the sound. It would be really important to me to know if the JCW kit is mellow and drone-free. I’d frankly be more interested in whether you could disconnect the “additonal intake sound tube” in case you didn’t want or care for the additional sound in the passenger compartment. 3bhp does seem very little result from a free-er flowing exhaust, intake and the ECU work – but if it results in good “butt dyno” and sound characteristics, it might well be worth it – You could spend about $700 for a good aftermarket exhaust, another $200 for an intake, and another $100 to $300 for ecu PLUS installation, and have warranty issues and higher hp numbers that are either “alleged” or all at peak rpm.</p>
<p>just my 2cents</p>
<p>I think it is an interesting alternative to an aftermarket SS exhaust & intake, especially if the dealers inventory a car to test drive to get a feel for the sound, make sure it’s not too intrusive, etc.
I have been contemplating a Borla exhaust for my Cooper, but it is basically a “buy without try” option, and if you are not satisfied, then what? (I know, ebay, etc. but that is small consolation)
Don’t care much for published hp gains, but if it feels/sounds right, then it is right.
Waiting for Canadian dealer pricing, why do I suspect it will be more than U.S. asking price + exchange?</p>
<p>Can anyone give a review of the sound on this exhaust? Is this the same exhaust that is, and I think has been available from dealers? My JCW MC wish is JCW exhaust from the factory.</p>
<p>Gabe, I agree with you, this seems a poor move in terms of branding for MINI and JCW (and I don’t say that lightly, as you know). I wasn’t familliar with this previoulsy, and the explanation of just exactly what the kit did was so cryptic, I couldn’t tell it was an engine “upgrade” until half way through the second paragraph. Did they let the intern write this or what? </p>
<p>“Is it an audio system? Is it a system to eliminate ignition interferance in radio station signal? Oh, it’s a sort of “works” kit for the Cooper? How much horsepower does that add? Three! Are you freakin’ kidding me?”</p>
<p>It reminds me (though on a much smaller scale) of when Chevy introduced the Colorado during the super bowl a couple years back with the tagline “Everything’s bigger in Colorado.” Meanwhile everyone in Texas simultaneously said “What the…?” I couldn’t believe that such an oversight could make it all the way through Chevy corporate, through their advertising agency, and all the way to commercial – in the bloody Super Bowl no less! I like to imagine their voice-over narrator looking at the script for the first time and asking “are you guys sure about this?”</p>
<p>I have to second the general consensus that $1,100+install for a gain of 3 hp is absolutely shameful, even if it does look and sound nice. I can’t believe they even introduced this – it seems like it needs further development. Is this an exhaust-note upgrade that happens to add 3 hp, or a failed performance upgrade that makes the car sound better? I’m doubtful that it would even add any real resale value since anyone who researched it at all would know that it doesn’t add any real value to the car.</p>
<p>The heart of the issue for me, back to the brand, is that they’ve put the JCW name – a name synonimous with racing pedigree and real performance gains – on a package that is ultimately little more than gimmick and bling. Perhaps some of the other aesthetic JCW (and aguably ugly) “upgrades” should fall under this same criticism. </p>
<p>A JCW equipped Cooper S is an object of prestige and desire for any performance-minded MINI driver or enthusiast. I would hate to see JCW become so common that people forget its true performance prestige. For example, every other Toyota Tacoma you see says “TRD” (for Toyota Racing Division) on it’s bum. Nobody notices because it’s so common, but in reality TRD has some serious performance upgrades available for Toyota vehicles. An even better example would the Acura’s Integra Type R from a few years ago. With every import-tuner-wanna-be putting Type R badges all over their body-kit-clad Cavaliers, the brand value is lost. People forget that the real Type R was a true light-weight Integra with a hand-built engine produced in limited numbers. It’s always fun to see a 911 in the parking lot, but seeing a 911 Turbo in the parking lot is a very different thing. Putting the JCW name on an otherwise impotent upgrade just seems so strangly contrary to the brand MINI has worked so hard to build with itself and JCW that it can’t help but be at least slightly destructive. It would be one thing if the performance gains from this kit were simply less than aftermarket as there are numerous other tuner shops and kits that boast higher numbers than the JCW kit on the Cooper S. The trouble is that after all that work and expense and swapping out engine components, it’s only a gain of 3 hp – like they don’t know what they’re doing. You could probably see a 3 hp difference by switching your brand of gasoline. Yet there it is, and with the JCW name loud and proud. </p>
<p>In all perspective, this isn’t a huge deal, just a bad move. This isn’t going to sink the proverbial boat or anything, but there’s an unsightly hole in the deck and the floor is getting wet.</p>
<p>$1100 for 3 HP? hmmmm.</p>
<p>I did Borla exhaust and K&N Typhoon intake and got almost 10HP from that, and it cost me less than $700. Doesn’t seem like a very good value to me, even if they do include some spiffy decals. </p>
<p>Just because there isn’t a super charger on top doesn’t mean, IMO, that the car shouldn’t get a little JCW love. I mean, the Cooper challenge is MC’s only if memory serves. Just these kinds of prices are a little bit on the high side.</p>
<p>Well said Nathaniel. </p>
<p>One thing that occurred to me about the lack of HP increase in this kit. Perhaps MINI felt that the CVT couldn’t handle much more than a paltry 3HP increase. Remember that the last Cooper JCW kit had only a 11HP increase and was not available on the CVT. Perhaps the rumors of the CVT being able to handle no more power than the stock 115 mark are indeed accurate.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>the Cooper challenge is MC’s only if memory serves.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Actually the JCW Challenge includes two classes… one with spec JCW Coopers and one with the JCW Cooper S.</p>
<p>That same JCW Cooper kit was available on 2001 through 2004 Coopers. In fact I know of a few that are still available at dealerships in the US.</p>
<p>That’s a pretty sad commentary on the strength of the CVT if that’s true. Seems to me that the tranny should be engineered to handle far more than the engine is capable of simply for longevity’s sake. </p>
<p>On dad’s ’69 MGB, it’s the same clutch and transmission as the MGC, which boasted a straight-six instead of the straight-four of the MGB. It’s been a daily driver since ’69 when he bought it and he’s only on his second clutch – still the original tranny. He attributes this to the transmission being designed to handle the load of the larger engine.</p>
<p>It’d be pretty poor if the MINI CVT was truly engineered only to just barely handle the engine it’s mated to.</p>
<p>I have a question. Can I add the sound kit into MSC? Does that add performance as well?</p>
<p>It seems to me that you are missing a point here: how does the CVT effect the emissions? </p>
<p>A tranny, which is a key part of the powertrain, is going to require different EPA certifications. Clearly this is the case…look at the MPG on the window sticker of a CVT vs a manual…are they the same? Of course they are not.</p>
<p>If the accessory is going to change the engine it will probably need to be certified by the EPA. I’m sure that isn’t cheap. </p>
<p>Let’s face it, most people looking for a sporty ride are going to get a manual anyway. So do you want to pay for certification for two different transmissions if you know that the vast majority of the people buying the kit will have the manual transmission only?</p>
<p>Probably not. Seems logical to me.</p>
<p>Amen Nathaniel….
The ridiculous 3 bhp is actually irrelevant, it’s the status quo that is more concerning. JCW can’t afford to lose their “prestige” (even if they don’t have any and their propaganda just has MINI owners’ necks in a noose over their silly warranty, but that’s a side issue) against the already very competitive aftermarket sector. JCW needs to be kept special, and therefore in limited numbers, to preserve the status quo. Because that’s just the point—only a select few can have JCW for it to be worth anything. And that’s simple economics.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It seems to me that you are missing a point here: how does the CVT effect the emissions?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I’m actually not sure what you’re getting at here. The JCW Sound Kit is available for both the CVT and the manual.</p>
<p>effect is a noun
affect is a verb</p>
<p>sorry, but i don’t appreciate the deterioration of the english language.</p>
<p>Wow, I would put the money elsewhere! I like that they call it a sound kit, rather than a performance kit…</p>
<p>Still tough to part with $1100 for 3bhp. Resale is nice to talk about, you must consider having to locate that potential buyer (down the road) that is willing to give you the extra cash for the sound kit… and hope that they are as excited about it as you were when you purchased it!</p>
<p>Well put, Nathaniel.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t understand why anybody would want it louder <em>inside</em> the cabin. That just seems silly to me.</p>
<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>I just ordered my MCS today and though I’d been following the threads almost everyday since May, thought today was the right time to introduce myself.
I came to New York City about a week ago for an MBA and will probably be around for a couple of years at the least. I’m from Istanbul, Turkey and had been driving an Audi S3 for 5 years. Being a big fan of the hot hatch, I knew it was the MCS that I had to go for in the States. I did a lot of reading and thinking on how I should configure the car and finalized it today. Luckily, I got one of the last two slots of August production from the dealer. So the car can be here by the end of September. Hope I can get my US Driver’s by then. :o)</p>
<p>Anyway,a big thanks and congrat’s to Gabe for making this wonderful MINI site that helped me a lot in making my decision and configuring my MCS.
I’m looking forward to actively contribute from now on.</p>
<p>Cheers,
Kaan</p>
<p>Kaan – I hope you enjoy the first F1 Race in Turkey this weekend!</p>
<p>Congrats on your new MCS..</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Thank you very much. I’m afraid I’m gonna miss the race though as I’m in the US now, but I’m sure my friends there and actually everyone in Istanbul is going to enjoy that. People are so excited about it.</p>
<blockquote>effect is a noun affect is a verb</blockquote>
<p>Except when effect is a transitive verb ‘effect a settlement of a dispute’ or when affect is a noun ‘the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes’</p>
<p>I hate people when they’re not polite (Byrne)</p>
<p>At the risk of stirring up folks even more than my earlier post, I think some of you are missing the big picture. BMW has long had the “M” performance group for its cars. Just like JCW, they build highly tuned versions of stock models and charge a pretty penny for them. M also sells pieces from its full package such as aerodynamic body kits, steering wheels, pedals and rims to hundreds of stock BMW owners who want the M badge cachet, like their look or appreciate the subtle improvements the M parts offer. And it certainly hasn’t hurt the M’s image in the marketplace – just check out the recent reviews of the forthcoming M5 and M6, and the size of the waiting list to buy them. I believe BMW is trying to position JCW as the M house for the MINI. The decision to bring the JCW Cooper S kit into the factory and rumors that BMW is negotiating to buy JCW would support that view.</p>
<p>If $/bhp is your yardstick, the Sound Kit isn’t going to do it for you. Truth be told, go buy the Cooper S; it’s the most cost-effective way to more power. You can add third-party aftermarket parts but when you go to sell it (and if you’re into aftermarket mods, you will eventually sell it), maybe 1 out of 10 prospective buyers will appreciate a “Typhoon CAI and Borla cat-back” modification and a dealer will look at it as both a sales and service risk. At least half of those prospective buyers and any dealer will see the JCW badge as a plus – even if it doesn’t add a lot of direct performance benefits. Look at the descriptions of used BMWs at a BMW dealer. They never fail to mention it when M mods have been done to a car and they price them higher as well.</p>
<p>Answer honestly: How many of you have removed third-party performance mods when you sold a car? Why? Because you couldn’t get the value back out of them on the car, or the dealer balked at taking it on trade-in? With JCW mods, you’re far less likely to have those kind of problems.</p>
<p>BMW has a successful formula and it appears they want to replicate it with the MINI. Third-party mods will always have a place in the market but BMW wants to capture as much of that work as they can. Who can blame them?</p>
<p>I certainly agree that factory mods (if not stock) beat aftermarket hands down when it comes time to sell the car. That’s just common sense. I can’t help but laugh when I see used car lots with heavily modded Civics on the lot, wondering if they’ll ever sell. And no one will argue that BMW’s M division has made a solid name for itself in performance.</p>
<p>This entire thread has been a big discussion about a small issue. This is ultimately a “It’s the principle of the thing” situation. If someone wants to spend the money for the empty prestige of this particular JCW pseudo-upgrade, then more power to them (albeit only 3 hp more power to them). </p>
<p>The ultimate issue is putting the JCW name on this impotent kit and presenting it as an $1100+ upgrade. If it was simply an option package with a prettier valve cover, engine management reprogram, and an intake/exhaust kit, then there wouldn’t be much discussion beyond how pittiful it is to only get a 3 hp increase in performance for the price and components. But because it says JCW on it, it IS a deeper issue. If BMW put out a M kit like this JCW “upgrade” that only added 3 hp, I think the BMW enthusiasts would be equally befuddled and the M name would drop a half-knotch for anyone who cared passionately about the brand. If I paid all the extra money for the M5 and some schmuck paid $1100, added 3 hp to his 525 and all of the sudden could call his otherwise stock car an M, that would bother me more than a little.</p>
<p>Lastly, this ultimately bothers me especially so because branding is my business and so I’m extra sensative to bad brand decisions like this one. Because long before promotions, long before style, long before equity, the brand begins with the product. The old adage in the ad industry is “you can’t polish a turd” – i/e you can’t save a bad product with good advertising. The bottom line is that MINI has introduced a seemingly inferior product in this kit and then tied it to a great brand in both MINI and JCW. </p>
<p>THAT’S the bottom line, and that’s why it’s a bad brand move. Will the MINI and JCW brand weather this poor choice? Of course. But it’s still a bad choice. And maybe it’s because I do this every day, but the configurator description and Gabe’s original excerpt above are both over-written, in my observation. They’re trying to “sell” it in a way they don’t have to with the other JCW upgrades – or anything else about the MINI for that matter. The real JCW performance upgrades are described in very simple terms of performance and technical specs. The JCW Sound Kit is peppered with artificial adjectives. The call it a “fantastic kit!” Are you kidding me? </p>
<p>So the seemingly unpardonable sin in this whole situation for me is that they’re actually aware of how pitiful this “upgrade” really is and therefore feel like they have to “sell” it. There’s an abstract brevity and honesty to the MINI brand that is being betrayed here.</p>
<p>The ECU remap isn’t available with the CVT? Hahaha…now you’re paying $1100 for even less than before. Yeesh.</p>
<blockquote> If BMW put out a M kit like this JCW “upgrade” that only added 3 hp, I think the BMW enthusiasts would be equally befuddled and the M name would drop a half-knotch for anyone who cared passionately about the brand. If I paid all the extra money for the M5 and some schmuck paid $1100, added 3 hp to his 525 and all of the sudden could call his otherwise stock car an M, that would bother me more than a little. </blockquote>
<p>wait.. BMW does have something like this for the M division and is what jkh was arguing. They have an “M” package which inlcudes the exterior styling of the “real” M3 and M5’s. The badge is a little different “///M” vs “///M5” but the M name is still there. </p>
<p>Maybe the badging will be a little different as well? if not, o well. Let everyone have their own fun, everyone who is on this site is able to figure out when someone has a true JCW.</p>
<p>I’m all for this if it is funding JCW development of a bored & stroked, water-intercooled awd 2007 JCW MCS. Hey, development dollars have to come from somewhere…</p>
<p>I think some of you are missing the point. This is the JCW “SOUND” Kit, not the JCW “PERFORMANCE” Kit or the JCW “ENGINE UPGRADE” Kit.</p>
<p>This IMO, is a cosmetic mod, pretty much like a carbon fiber mirror cap or hood scoop. Instead of appealing to the eyes, it appeals to the ears. Now, $1100+ for a cosmetic mod is expensive, but how much have some of you paid for new wheels. </p>
<p>Brand or not, JCW and MINI have one main objective – money and making lots of it. Does JCW lose any brand caché by selling carbon fiber mirror caps or hood scoops? Not to me. They’ve already developed their reputation with their heritage work on the Classic Coopers as well as there “Performance” work on the new S. Now it’s time for them to cash in on that by selling “accessories” to the folks that love the heritage, but don’t need the performance increase.</p>
<p>I was thinking $1100+ was a lot of money to spend on this, but now I’m thinking that I’ll get it just to be the NUT who bought the over-priced cosmetic mod.</p>
<p>Mr. Cooper, could you please pass the bong? If I want “John Cooper Works” emblazoned on my car I’d go buy a badge for $20 at the dealer. I’d admittedly be a poser but I’d have $1080 + $200 to $400 in my pocket and a whopping three less hp. Woop de doo.</p>
<p>Here are a few questions. </p>
<p>Would any of you feel less bothered by this if it didn’t come with the “poser” badging on the outside? If it didn’t imply that the Cooper was performance tweaked? Because, it really hasn’t.</p>
<p>Would the brand caché be in tact if the official badge only went on JUST performance upgraded MINI’s? I think it would. The only thing that has bothered me about this whole thing is the fact that they are offering the coveted badging for a cosmetic mod. </p>
<p>If this Sound Kit came with just the engraved logo on the tail pipe and modest badging under the hood (essentially, just the parts upgraded), would it be easier to buy into? </p>
<p>Would it still be worth $1100+? Personally, I’d still get it (if it were more within my budget) without the badge, because I know the value of what I’m getting. </p>
<p>Would a Cooper with a JCW Brake Kit or Suspension Kit be worthy of the JCW badge on the boot and front grill? I’m on the fence on this one. Although they are performance mods, I still feel that badge implies an engine performance upgrade.</p>
<blockquote>effect is a noun affect is a verb
sorry, but i don’t appreciate the deterioration of the english language.</blockquote>
<p>The irony of this is not lost on the spelling of your name. ;-)</p>
<p>As for this JCW kit, this one breaks the bank as far as dollars per horsepower achieved. It’s also quite expensive as a simple intake/exhaust kit. There will be those who will buy it though and be satisfied, and that is good for them.</p>
<p>Good lord people, it’s a freakin’ intake/exhaust/ecu upgrade, not a new interpretation of the constitution! lighten up . . . I’ve lost count of the number of people who have paid about $600 for an exhaust, $200 for an intake, and $200 for an ecu tweak, plus installation – all on some vendor’s claim that one made 4 hp, the other 4 hp, and the other 5 hp, and the fact is that usually this stuff isn’t cumulative. If this package makes even 3 real ponies, and they’re somewhere on the power band other than redline, and the drivability is improved, with good exhaust sound and no ill effect on warranty or resale, it’s probably money better spent than in many aftermarket product cases . . .</p>
<p>…soon as my warranty ends,I’m looking at getting a JCW kit for my ’03 MC. One reason is the added horsepower when I’m starting off will be better. Two, the money I’ve saved from that great warranty will allow me to trick out Sade(car’s name:black,white,British,and sexy),so the cost is no problem. Lastly,since I’m not selling her,she’ll be a classic in about twenty years. Think how rare it will be to own a 2003 JCW MC in 2023…</p>
<p>If you like it, buy it; if you don’t, don’t.
Personally if I were to have it installed I would leave off the JCW decal from the boot.
Yes, it is poor value on a dollar/bhp ratio, but it is not much more money than aftermarket work of a similar nature that more than likely comes with inflated bhp figures & great advertising copy.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>if you are talking about this sound kit, then look into the one mentioned above. there’s a link to it in the article.</p>
<p>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). </p>
<p>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).</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I agree it dilutes the prestige of JCW.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>I’d like to have it on my 03 MC. “just because”.</p>
<p>performance barely a consideration?! Take a look at the NAM exhaust thread. There you will they are rated by performance gain.</p>
<p>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. :)</p>
<p>Well if it upsets people this much – I’m buying one !!!</p>
<p>:D</p>