New JCW Products US Release & Install Info

drew Feb 6th, 2006 Link

very cool gabe.

with regards to the steering wheels, what about those of us with mfsw? does it come in that flavor too? also wondering if it will work with the paddles on the mcsa…

Ian C. Feb 6th, 2006 Link

There is at least one error in the links (one I found has an

Ian C. Feb 6th, 2006 Link

Oops. Now your comments have erroneous linking too - sorry :(

CraigE Feb 6th, 2006 Link

From what I’ve read on MINI2 the JCW steering wheel comes without airbag or spoke covers. Those items are transferred from the original unit. Of course they may not do the same in the USA.

PocketRobot Feb 6th, 2006 Link

Awsome leather steering wheel. The rest I can do without.

Gabe Feb 6th, 2006 Link

From what I’ve read on MINI2 the JCW steering wheel comes without airbag or spoke covers. Those items are transferred from the original unit. Of course they may not do the same in the USA.

I believe that is how MINI USA is handling it as well. The photos shown include the carbon fiber dovers. There are no MWSF covers at this time and no option at all for the MCSa.

Siddhartha Feb 6th, 2006 Link

Hmmm . . . JCW Marketing seems to have tapped into the proper sub-niche interest in shiny stuff. The ratio of bling to go-fast is 10:1. I’m ascribing go-fast capabilities to the new aerodynamic spoiler (pix in my NAM gallery as soon as I get it on) but not the gearshift indicator, because personally, I ain’t got time to ogle some guage when I’m in the process of hittin’ that apex and trackin’ out to the rumble strip. Maybe I could sneak a peek honkin’ down the straight, but then there’s that sweet tachometer right in front of me with my speed digitally indicated in the computer window. Now a heads up display on the windscreen, THAT I’d go for.

RHT3 Feb 6th, 2006 Link

How about a CF gauge pod with perfectly-matched gauges. And maybe a choice of USEFUL options, like oil temp, [actual] coolant temp, EGT, oil pressure?

How about [US-legal, with airbags] REAL sport seats with color/fabric options?

How about a factory-integrated rear-seat delete kit? Maybe one with storage, race-tire location, or sold in combination with a shock tower brace?

IMO most of these appearance-based options listed by JCW are just silly, overpriced WEIGHT.

Siddhartha Feb 6th, 2006 Link

IMO most of these appearance-based options listed by JCW are just silly, overpriced WEIGHT.

yep.

I have to say though that after 2 years of seriously flogging this engine without so much as a hiccup I wonder about the efficacy of the old school temp and pressure guages.
My inclination is along these lines: (with apologies to Arkie Shibley)
“Now we were MINI men and we both knew
That we would race till somethin’ blew”

RHT3 Feb 6th, 2006 Link

My modded engine is reliable too. I want it to stay that way.

JCW is a performance company, selling more bling than performance. I want to know what my performance car is doing behind the scenes of my hope for continued reliability. I want JCW to provide those tools. Like gauges that actually say something that indicates the engine’s health: temp and pressure.

“Old school?” No. Valuable, timely information? Yes.

WxSquid Feb 6th, 2006 Link

For tomorrow…

SEATS! SEATS! SEATS! SEATS! SEATS!

(C’mon, everyone chant….)

;-)

O(=^=)O Capn Feb 6th, 2006 Link

SEATS! SEATS! SEATS! SEATS! SEATS!

blalor Feb 6th, 2006 Link

That leather dash is dead sexy. Not seven hundred dollars sexy, but still sexy. Gabe, I think the all-black would go well with your Galactic Hyperhearse-themed MINI. You’ve gotta be able to get a pretty smokin’ discount on that stuff, right? ;-)

Gabe Feb 6th, 2006 Link

Actually the one with the red stitching is what I have my eyes on. Yeah, you could call it smokin’ :-)

James Feb 7th, 2006 Link

I’ve got a thing for alcantara, so the shifter and parking brake boots are right up my alley. I love the JCW alcantara steering wheel but I’m not sure how I feel about losing the multi-function aspect. Especially since I did pay for it and all.

Leather dash and downtubes w/ red stitching = very tempting.

James Feb 7th, 2006 Link

Oh wait, I just re-read some of the comments above. You only lose the MSFW if you opt for the carbon-fibre covers, right? If so, sign me up for the alcantara steering wheel, no covers!

James Feb 7th, 2006 Link

And for a final comment, why does red thread cost $22.50 more than black thread?

Gabe Feb 7th, 2006 Link

I think the better question is, does it look $22.50 better than the black. And the answer has to be yes :)

blalor Feb 7th, 2006 Link

Hmmmm, tough choices. Wheels and tires, or a leather dash. What to do, what to do…. :-)

IanF Feb 7th, 2006 Link

SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS!!!!

And I’m really liking the shift knob, although I could do without the carbone fiber - straight leather or alcantara is fine please.

The leather dash… Very interesting… not sure I’d put it in a car, but it’s different.

And in closing…

SEATS, SEATS, SEATS, SEATS!!!!

Derek Feb 7th, 2006 Link

seats, please

Alex Feb 7th, 2006 Link

How long will these parts be available for? Will they still make them when the next-gen MINI starts production?

Edge Feb 7th, 2006 Link

That’s funny, I thought the illuminated JCW sills were already available… ?

Gabe Feb 7th, 2006 Link

Illuminated MINI sills and regular JCW sills are… but not the illuminated JCW sills. At least that’s what I read on the document (not posted).

GMINI Feb 8th, 2006 Link

i want either one of those steering wheels.

Jim Z Apr 7th, 2006 Link

Has anyone been able to buy the JCW shift knob? My dealer still tells me that the part number does not exist in his computer system.

Booboo Apr 22nd, 2006 Link

Is the leather stitch dashboard available yet? The article says March, but I still don’t see it as a JCW accessory on MINI USA’s configurator.

Gabe Apr 22nd, 2006 Link

Yes it is. I installed it on my car today. The configurator is generally the last place to get new dealer installed accessories.

Booboo Apr 24th, 2006 Link

Awesome, thanks so much Gabe!

Gabe Apr 24th, 2006 Link

A sneak peak: JCW Leather Dash

Glen Nov 16th, 2006 Link

Hey Gabe,

Help me out here. I just received a quote from Mini of Dallas TX to install the JCW kit in my 05 MCS. They provided the following info:

$4,775 - Kit Parts
$1,762.50 - Labor (15 hours @ 117.50/hr)
+ $393.94 - Tax

$6,931.44 - Total Cost Installed

This is getting more insane by the minute. Do you know of a way to do this for less money? Do you know of a dealer who will do this for less? From what I have read, the Kit is supposed to be $4,500 and the labor should only take 5 hrs. Any assistance, facts or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!!

Glen.

Gabe Nov 16th, 2006 Link

Yeah that’s pretty high. There are some dealers out there that will give you a deal on the labor. I think it’s technically listed at 10-11 hours though I’ve been told that it doesn’t take anywhere near that for an experienced mechanic.

I would certianly shop around if you can.