R56 JCW vs Cooper S
Discussion
When I bought my Mini in January I plummed for a Cooper S over a JCW (both at the same dealer) as I loved the Ice Blue and didn't fancy red and black with a red and black interior.
The extra poke of the JCW was nice but I preferred the overall package of the one I bought.
Now I've been enjoying my Mini I wondered what the actual differences are between a 2012 Cooper S and a JCW.
Is it map and exhaust or are there oily bits to change as well.
Not interested in the body mods or wheels or interior trim. just the differences to engine, chassis and brakes.
Also are these reversible? I am quite sure my Ice Blue Cooper S is fairly rare, so don't want to mess it up.
Thanks in advance!
The extra poke of the JCW was nice but I preferred the overall package of the one I bought.
Now I've been enjoying my Mini I wondered what the actual differences are between a 2012 Cooper S and a JCW.
Is it map and exhaust or are there oily bits to change as well.
Not interested in the body mods or wheels or interior trim. just the differences to engine, chassis and brakes.
Also are these reversible? I am quite sure my Ice Blue Cooper S is fairly rare, so don't want to mess it up.
Thanks in advance!
Drekly said:
The JCW didn't get the N18 engine until later on in 2012, so your engine is probably more reliable unless compared to a late JCW.
As others have said above, the difference for both engine generations is more than just a remap and exhaust, and the JCW turbo is capable of being tuned to higher levels.
But if looking to upgrade your own car, a simple remap on yours for a few hundred quid will achieve pretty much the same performance as a stock JCW. Maybe even a tad more torque.
You don't even need to change the exhaust really, other than to improve on the somewhat muted sound of the standard Cooper S (tempted to do that on my own car). So you could keep it looking completely standard.
Where things get more expensive is the brakes, the Brembo set up on the JCW is quite a bit better, but dear to retrofit.
Suspension wise, Koni FSDs are meant to work well if you want to retain standard ride height, or numerous options if you want to go lower. I don't think the standard JCW suspension is necessarily the best way to go.
And get rid of the runflat tyres if you haven't already. That is another best bang for buck change along with a remap.
Excellent info. Exactly what I was looking for. As I am on Hankook Ventus all round (non runflat) I think I'll maybe look at a little map and an exhaust.As others have said above, the difference for both engine generations is more than just a remap and exhaust, and the JCW turbo is capable of being tuned to higher levels.
But if looking to upgrade your own car, a simple remap on yours for a few hundred quid will achieve pretty much the same performance as a stock JCW. Maybe even a tad more torque.
You don't even need to change the exhaust really, other than to improve on the somewhat muted sound of the standard Cooper S (tempted to do that on my own car). So you could keep it looking completely standard.
Where things get more expensive is the brakes, the Brembo set up on the JCW is quite a bit better, but dear to retrofit.
Suspension wise, Koni FSDs are meant to work well if you want to retain standard ride height, or numerous options if you want to go lower. I don't think the standard JCW suspension is necessarily the best way to go.
And get rid of the runflat tyres if you haven't already. That is another best bang for buck change along with a remap.
Cheers.
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