1st Gen R50 Cooper Most liked posts in thread: John Cooper Works Sound Kit for $526

Yes it does -- a nice growl from about 4K rpm. I have the Sound Kit on my R52 Cooper.

Todd did a great audio review on White Roof Radio: http://www.whiteroofradio.com/podcasts/JCWSKReview.mp3

 

The Sound Kit includes an ECU flash that makes the engine a bit more responsive. I later got an RMW tune that made a much bigger difference.

 

Steve,

That's a great price. Much better than I can get from my dealer, but not enough savings to justify a road trip to FL, unfortunately.

I've read mixed reviews about the software remapping. Could you speak to the difference, before and after, you experienced? If it gets rid of (at least some of it, anyway) the lag at acceleration I'm experiencing with my 2006/MC/manual, that would be a huge push towards the kit.

Thanks in advance.

 

I had my Sound Kit installed at Ralph Schomp MINI yesterday afternoon. Here's my initial reaction after putting driving 80 miles with the Sound Kit:

Overall, my favorite aspect of the JCW Sound Kit is the ECU reprogramming. Coming off the line in 1st gear is no longer accompanied by a dip in throttle response.

As for the sound, it's elegant, refined, and a bit different than I expected. After listening to the WRR review, I was concerned that the kit would be too loud in all circumstances. In fact, it's quite the opposite. There are times when the MINI sounds much the same prior to the Sound Kit.

The idle is wonderful. Throaty, a bit sassy, and decidedly British (to this ear, anyway). At cruising speeds it's hard to notice any difference at all.

Under hard acceleration, the intake comes to life, It is much louder in the cabin than the stock intake. But the sound, or noise level, is something that is entirely regulated with the throttle. Push the MINI and the Sound Kit insists on being noticed, go easy on the throttle and the enhancement is something that must be focused on to be heard. Wonderful all around.

I'm also hoping for a slight bump in MPG, which some users have reported. Also, based on what I've read elsewhere, I'm wondering how the kit's overall sound will evolve with time, if at all.

I chose not to have the JCW emblem mounted on the boot, and kept the original fuel rail cover on the engine (rather than the silver JCW fuel rail cover).

Thanks to Ralph Schomp for a great install experience, and hats off to the men and women at JCW who put this Sound Kit together. Impressive work.

 

i never thought the JCW sound kit was all that, but man was i wrong lol.
that sound kit sounds pretty awesome i must say.
good bang for the buck

 

ahhhh 3rd gear. yes i love that gear also lol. have you ever driven through a really long tunnel in high RPMs in 3rd gear? it's such an exhilarating experience haha.

 

If this is the same kit I'm thinking it is MINI of St. Louis

Heres it's called the 'JCW Tuning Kit'

If it's one in the same that's a hell of a price!

I asked about this and the CD ROM that comes with the kit to flash the ECU will be a permanent tune, it's VIN Specific from MINI. In other words you don't have to worry about the flash done by your favorite tuner being inadvertently erased by your dealership if you forget to tell them not to hook you up to the MINI computer.

 

They're talking about the first generation JCW sound-kit for R50s and non-S R-52s. The N/A engine sure does have a unique intake sound, even compared to other cars of similar displacement.

 

ahhh that explains the huge delta, thanks ken

 

Actually MINI of St. Louis does have it (they got my hopes up with the GP parts in the sidebar though):
MINI of St. Louis

 

Hi rkw,

I'm researching the RMW tune, and wondered if you could tell me more about your experience with it on your R50?

Thank you!

Matthew