Greetings fellow motorers! Just a quick warning to anyone thinking of adding the JCW tuning kit to their 2012 MCS. The ECU flash is not compatible with the new model year due to software changes. Unfortunately, my car has been at the dealership since it arrived 10 days ago because they put the intake and exhaust on, then realized that they had no way to update my software, effectively gimping my car that has 2 miles on it. Thus far, their "high level" engineers in New Jersey have absolutely no cause or solution for this problem. Hope this saves someone else a major headache!
Welcome to M/A.... Hope they get it resolved. Once they do, it'll be a whole lot more fun than Jim "Justa"... Just gobs and gobs more fun.....
Welcome to M/A! When you say tuning kit, is this the full JCW kit? Or are you talking exhaust and JCW air filter assy? I mean the factory JCW's must have a tune, but doesn't that include head also?
That was the nicest thing you have ever said to me Crash, thanks, but I actually like NA engines. More traditional, for old guys like me and a bunch less trouble. Oh and did I mention I get great mpg? Jim
I would tell them to put the originals back on until they figure it out. So it's not Jim Bewley, it's Justa Bewley eh Mark
Great MPG = Less fun Poor MPG = More fun ......just sayin At least switch back the intake, shouldn't be a problem with just exhaust.
Shouldn't be a problem with either one ....... but it sounds like the flash may have bricked the ECU?
Interesting...wonder what changes were made to the 2012 software that would cause this. I'd like to hear more about what the issues are here as opposed the blanket statement that the dealer installed JCW Kit is not working on a 2012 model.
Forced induction is very traditional Jim. It has been around since the 20's & maybe earlier. Gas mileage is fun, but the mileage my MINI gets with the power it gives me is a wonderful compromise & one I am more than willing to make.:ihih: Your mileage may vary as they say. :wink: It has been said that it is more fun to drive a slow car fast than fast car slow. Well that is true, but it's a whole lot more fun to drive a fast car fast. :cornut: A Blower Bentley from '30... :drool A Supercharged Auto Union from '37... :biggrin5:
True, it has been around for awhile, not on production cars or if it was, the number would have been very low I would guess. Your last statement, may be exactly why I like my justa. I can drive her plenty fast in the twisties, but I have never been a speed demon on the highway, so she goes plenty fast enough there for me and I don't feel the desire to track. I think that if I had an "S", the turbo would be underused. Jim
Groo, do you have an automatic or manual? Not that I have a fix, but I know late model 2010 MCS-auto had many problems with the JCW Tune that MCS-manual models didn't. I wonder if something similar has resurfaced with the 2012. Perhaps something to pass along to your SA
Oh I'm sure the drug would take hold of your right foot. :ihih: Back on topic..... Bricktronics & how they screw with your new MINI.
Hello! Sorry I have been slow in reporting back until now. The problem has been resolved and the kit is working perfectly. There is definitely a problem with getting it to work on 2012s due to some software incompatibility, but I don't have any info on specific details about why. One of the MINI engineers in new Jersey had to remote in to my dealers computer and manually adjust the software to get it to work. It took a few days to get it right, but I can certainly say that it's totally smokin'!!! To clarify any previous confusion, this is the JCW "stage 1" tuning kit on a MCSa, nothing to do with the Factory JCW car. Here is the info on my car, and there are pics in the link. [ame=http://www.metroplexmini.org/forum/showthread.php?t=32394]Without further ado...meet Groo! - MetroplexMINI[/ame] Good luck to anyone installing on a 2012, it is totally worth it! Jon
Jon, Thanks for the update and glad it worked out. We have heard of others having similar problems with the JCW and auto, thought that was cleared up.
Newbie question, what is MCSa? Is that the website for mini acccesories? MINI Motoring Accessories and Motoringgear I'm curious to see where you got the kit from, I'm looking at one myself for my 2011 MCS. also, did the kit come with any exhaust modification? This kit seems a bit different than the one on the mini JCW part of the website: JCW John Cooper Works Tuning Kit for 2011+ - Way Motor Works Seems like the official Mini kit but with headers and a k&n filter? Or does the official mini kit also come with headers?