Anyone done this? I'm thinking of programming my 04 MCS with the 05 JCW S programming. I'm wondering if there's any benefits to be had and if there is a noticeable performance increase over the stock programming. All I have on my car is an foam air filter, and besides that all bone stock.

And yes I'm aware that the programming is tuned to work with the JCW hardware so save the "lecture", but just want to know if its been done and what effects it has.

 

i have it, works fine for me and with my mods car runs very smooth

 

How are you able to get the JCW programming without purchasing the entire JCW kit?

 

I attend BMW training school, so have access to all BMW/MINI goodies :D Well either case I'm going to do it topmorrow and if it doesn't work nicely, well I'll switch back.

 

oo I want more info on 1) how it turns out and 2) BMW/MINI tranning school. Just think working on MINIs all day

 

I have an 05... JCW software installed. Only mod is K&N air intake (HAI), and it doesn't do anything. Little more in 3rd, but nothing of recognition

 

working on minis all day would get boring no offense lol. There isn't much difference between the 2 models + convertible. And MINIs are harder to work on due to the tight spaces and the transversely mounted engine.

I probably won't notice much but just to satisfy my curiosity I'm going to try and see what happens. I'll revert to original non JCW programming if I notice anything detrimental whether it be fuel consumption, performance etc.

 

Programmed vehicle with v44. Didn't get to do the 05 JCW programming due to the programming #s not matching. So seems like it's not possible to load 05 programming onto an 04 control module even w/ the same DME. Anyways haven't noticed anything, I'm hoping it'll resolve my rolling idle issue, but I'm not relying on it. It does seem a bit smoother if anything.

 

As soon as my warranty is up I am planning on doing ALL of my own maintiance so actully any info on becoming more educated is helpful, I don't mind the tight compartment. Though only two models is probably part of the reason that some dealer SAs I've talked to are having trouble with retention.

 

I will most likely work on MINIs as well as BMWs if I decide to work at a BMW/MINI dealership as most techs are trained in both. Everyone talks about having a separate MINI only techs but I have never seen a dealership that actually has that setup.

Another reason I would prefer not to work on MINIs specfically is that I probably wouldn't want to work on my own car after working on them all day! lol What they say is true, don't make your hobby your job, or you'll end up hating it! hahaha

 

I think every dealer I know has the MINI techs cross trained but only a handful (2-3) that have done the extra learning and they always end up working on the MINIs because dealers are still few and far between so the demand for MINI work is high because people will travel from 500 miles to have work done.

 

Extra learning?? There's only one MINI class, and its fairly short. I've heard techs that prefer to work on MINIs, and some that prefer to work on BMWs..all a preference. MINIs are easier to diagnose I'll tell you that! lol
Trying to diagnose electrical problems in a 7 series is NOT fun.

 

I'll have to ask my SA next time I'm in but he keeps saying that he only has three guys who know how to do the work for the MINIs out of the approx. 20 BMW techs so the BMWs are in and out (mostly) and the MINI folks are getting 3 hr. - 2 day waits for an oil change.

 

barnabas, Are you at a trade school taking step or at a dealership going to tech training? I work at a bmw only dealer and think how much easier it would be if I only had minis. My productivity would be through the roof.

 

I'm in Orlando STEP class #37 If a tech is BMW trained he can work on MINIs with no or little training. MINI systems are either exactly the same or very similiar to BMW systems.

MINI only would make life definitely easier! A short test takes like 1 min compared to like 15 for the 7! I hate waiting for short tests to finish

 

Mini body electronics should be used as intro to e46. That book explains everything pretty well.

When I do a short test on my mini I usually do a double take because of how few modules show up compared to bmw.

Congrats on your classes, they will make everything so much easier at the dealership.

 

I'm trying to get hold of the MINI training book, Orlando training center apparently held the only MINI training program.

It's impossible to remember everything I learned! I think I forgot so much stuff...lol Hopefully I'll remember enough to get by for the first few months

 

If you have access to centernet, all the training manuals are stored in pdf. in the TAS section. Centernet will become your best friend.

 

Oh I'm already there I really dislike how BMW has setup their group #'s. Some of the stuff in there doesn't make sense, especially when trying to figure out airbag stuff. And I want a hardcopy to reference to instead of a copy on my hd (which I already have).