I'm getting tired of waiting for Mini to release the JCW kit for the automatic.

So, I've looked here and looked there. I sent an email to AC Schnitzer about their R56 kit.

This is what they responded with....

Thank you very much for contacting CEC for your AC Schnitzer inquiry.

Here is the information you requested,

* AC Schnitzer performance kit for Mini Cooper S, 1100 56220: $13,439
(ETA: 3-4 weeks)
** AC Schnitzer sport exhaust system
** AC Schnitzer ECU (which needs to be sent back to Germany)
** AC Schnitzer induction piping
** Horsepower: 226


Are you kidding me??? 226 is great but $11K more than a JCW kit for less than 30HP?

They're crazy.... no way.

Somebody know more than I do?


Damn, guess I'm stuck waiting for the JCW kit.

Mark

 

LOL, not a very good value is it?

How about some domestic tuning parts while you wait? Full turbo-back exhaust and intercooler will help dramatically. If you wanted to push the electrical envelope you could see if Helix has a GIAC or ALTA has a UNIchip for the automatic.

 

so is cec the official distributor of ac schnitzer stuff in the us? there's a cec showroom in west la and every time i pass by i look inside and all i see are ugly overdressed cars wearing crass nasty stuff, like ridiculous-looking body kits and ginormous chrome rims. i think cec might be the kind of place where you don't ask for price, you just pay. maybe there's another way of getting ac schnitzer stuff?

 

who do they think they are PU?

 

No, not a good value at all... kinda blew my mind. I thought it was a misprint.

I've thought of adding parts like GIAC but I haven't heard of anyone that has it installed in an R56 which isn't too good since they advertised their product back in Feb.

The Unichip is too flaky for me. I really like Adam's helpfulness but it seems the only way to make it dependable is to hardwire it (which I don't want to do)

Guess I'll have to wait patiently...

Mark

 

hey Mark!
(whispers: jcw... jcw...)

Cheers Sam

P.s. I am still in shocked denial of that AC info. I could buy a used used r53 for that almost, and then you would get 160ish horsepower!!!! granted, it's in another vehicle.. But... :P

 

Ahhhh shaddup....

I wish. I installed the JCW aero kit but waiting ever so patiently for the engine kit.

 

I'll follow up with saying that there are two solid solutions right now:

1) JCW Stage 1. I have this on my R56 and it's fantastic. Smooth, easy, affordable, warranty-friendly, and fantastic exhaust tone.

2) Choice Aftermarket hard-parts: Helix or ALTA intercooler and a good turbo-back exhaust will gain you about the same [or more] as a JCW Stage 1 but costs more, will probably be louder, and might cause problems with stupid dealerships.

 

Man, if Mini would release the automatic version of the JCW kit, I'd have it tomorrow.

I'm on my 3rd mini and the first two were sticks. Of course, now that I have (and thoroughly enjoy) my automatic, I can't get the JCW kit.




Mark

PS. In case you can't tell, I'm not the patient type....lol.

 

BOLT ONS!! =]

 

I am very upset as you are. I bought my first auto in my life and was told verbally and shown a mini press release that the Auto Kit would be out soon. I was on the fence about buying an Auto but I liked it and was told I could get the kit soon. 8 months later I spoke with The national manager of After Sales at MTTS and he confirmed there will not be a JCW Tuning Kit For the Auto. The project has been permanently terminated.

 

Are you ****** kidding me??? Now, I'm pissed... I'm sitting here waiting and they won't release it? WTF?

The problem I have with it is the few people that have had it installed on automatics haven't had any issues, no CEL's, nothing.

I'm making a phone call today, this is BS.

Mark

 

Well, if people installed it with no problems... then what the heck?

I'm confused...

 

The problem is supposedly it won't pass emissions. However, we have 2-3 members on here that have been driving with it on their automatics and have had no CEL lights come on.

So honestly, I'm lost.

Ohhh, and btw, here's an update from AC Schnitzer...

Hello,

First we would like toh thank you for your interest in our company and AC
Schnitzer´s range of products.

Please find the below mentioned information regarding the Mini performance
upgrade.

MINI Cooper S
for cars with 128 kW / 175 hp standard performance

Performance: 166 kW / 226 hp

consisting of:

AC Schnitzer control unit

AC Schnitzer induction pipe

AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer

AC Schnitzer sound pipe

AC Schnitzer connecting pipe

Price in ?: 4900,--

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me
again.

Best regards

Michel Weber

So as you can see, the first return email of $13K apparently was incorrect???

Still pricey but a substantial gain for the money....

Mark

 

I have a feeling a big reason for the huge price tag is the exchange rate.. the Dollar has depreciated against the Euro greatly..

 

Not THAT greatly

IMO, it sounds like someone punched some currency conversions into their calculator wrong.

$4900 is still overpriced, but $13,xxx is either a mistake or they plan on recouping ALL of their R&D on one sucker... er, customer.

 

well 4.9k isn't terribly terrible, considering the r53 jcw kit was like 6k. you are paying for the brand name also, keep that in mind. why not just put the stage i kit in if it works for autos? would dealers not do it or void warranty or something?

 

Yeah, there is something to be said for it being from AC, and certainly products for "premium" cars like BMW's (Mini) and such are more expensive in general... it just seems like a lot of money for a 30% increase in power on a factory F/I car. Then again, I'm used to Mustangs and such, which are some of the cheapest cars to modify.

 

Maaark I would imagine your frustration over this stupid jcw-for-autos thing. See until a month ago even, I wasn't aware that there was a separate kit! Auto transmission so WTF? ... Honestly though, I would install the jcw kit anyway.
If it's been done, that means it's only a matter of time before it finds it's way into your car.
Bet of luck!! Dont throw in the JCW towel!!
Cheers,
Sam

 

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, don't you worry about it, I'm working on it....




Mark

 

Sad but true.....Remember the Euro is worth 1.5 to your dollar!

 

Don't really have anything to say.... just realized I have 666 posts. Had to get rid of that....lol.

Mark

 

HOLY CRAP! You could buy a whole other MINI for that! Let me know if you are interested in any non-JCW performance for the car from ALTA!

Thanks!

 

Not that it's that much better but when I sent them a response telling them that was ridiculous, the second email came back saying 4900... better but still a ton of money unless that was american money.... cause if it was Euro, that would be STUPID.

Mark

 

NICE!