Todd (of Whiteroofradio fame) takes a MINI Cooper with the JCW Sound Kit out for a day and finds a lot to like, despite the lack of considerable power gain. He also manages to put to shame the quality of any of my audio reviews. Thanks Todd! You can grab the file below:
JCW Cooper Sound Kit: [audio:http://www.whiteroofradio.com/podcasts/JCWSKReview.mp3]
[ JCW Cooper Sound Kit review ] (MP3 / 2.9MB / 6:22)
Related:
[ Full JCW Cooper Tuning Kit Review ] MotoringFile
GREAT REVIEW, TODD!!!
You make me miss my previous MC that had the JCW Sound Kit. You were right on with your description of the sound. Well worth the money!!
BTW, you do feel the difference in performance. I truly didn’t realize how much until I got back in to a regular MC.
Now, I’ve got to see if I can get the money together for my new MC.
BINGO!!
Great review. I just had the kit installed last week. Morristown Mini was having a 20% off sale. I drove 2.5 hours to get there and saved over $220.
The sound is better than I ever thought it would be. It could be a mental thing but I do see a performance difference.
If you can imagine it the MC is even more fun to drive now.
If you are thinking about it, Do it. You won’t be disappointed.
BTW, They also make a version of the SK for pre July 04 Coopers as well.
great review todd – well done! and fyi, as mastering engineer for the last 13+ years, i can honestly say…excellent recording ; )
cheers – drew
Short, Sweet and Succinct Todd. This kit clearly provides more evidence that JCW continues to do their homework and sets the benchmark for other modifiers.
Keep up the good work Todd – White Roof Rules!
Yeah, great job Todd. I listened with a good set of earphones and was just diggin’ the sound! To me it sounds so much like dad’s MG – a very old-school brittish sound. Love it! If I had a Cooper, I’d definitely drop that price for that sound. Gorgeous.
While it may sound nice to some the $1,300 – $1,400 price is just way nuts for just three horsies. Not much bang for the buck. Noise does not = power. Kind of reminds me of a riced out Civic with a fart pipe & a couple of type R badges???
<blockquote>Not much bang for the buck.</blockquote>
It depends on what your version of a “bang” is.
This isn’t a performance mod nor does it pretend to be. I think of it more as a cosmetic mod with a slight performance bonus. Expensive? Yes, but how much do folks spend on big wheels that are just for bling? You might say they could have saved money and got better performance with smaller wheels and stickier tires, but ultimately it’s about individual preference.
Here’s a quote from another forum that I relate to:
“… HP/torque aren’t the only metrics to measure value by. Prestige, serviceability and warranty count too. I know you can get more bang for the buck by doing aftermarket as opposed to JCW, but if I had the cash I’d go JCW in a hurry.
If you can work on your own car (and I admire those who can) or track/AutoX seriously, then you’ve got a different set of values than those of us who just enjoy the car as our daily driver and like a little thrill getting on the tollway.”
Damn that sounds good
I’m kind of surprised at the positive response to this, from Todd and everyone else. I think the sound inside does sound very very nice, but the exhaust sounds like one of those grapefruit shooters on a Civic which produces a sound akin to an angry flatulent hornet. I don’t really think it’s the sound quality of the recording, because that really did come out well (how ’bout some pics of that rig, Todd?), so that just leaves the exhaust system. The exhaust just doesn’t sound like an expensive, high-performance, tuned-for-the-sound kind of system I’d expect from JCW, or any manufacturer, for that cost.
Again, all of this stuff is highly subjective, and we’re all entitled to our opinions (can’t we all just get along?), so I’m just stating mine. 🙂
You are right. It is very subjective.
Personally, I’d like to hear more of these reviews on other after-market exhausts on both MC and MCS.
<blockquote>Personally, I’d like to hear more of these reviews on other after-market exhausts on both MC and MCS.</blockquote>
More exhaust reviews are forthcoming with the next being a Miltek Sport equipped Cooper S. The exact same recording set-up will be used so that it will be easier to compare and contrast from one to another.
Look for more reviews in the next few months.
Awesome!
<blockquote>The exhaust just doesn’t sound like an expensive, high-performance, tuned-for-the-sound kind of system I’d expect from JCW, or any manufacturer, for that cost.</blockquote>The Sound Kit matches the stereotype in my mind of what I think a small British sports car sounds like, and it was probably the effect JCW was aiming for. Could you give some examples (MINI or not) of tuned exhausts and cars that you like?
Great review, thank you very much!
Just one question thought… It is said (on the review) that this kit is only for Minis built in 2004 onwards, is this a fact? I never read that anywhere…
Mine is from 2003 so I’m quite interested in that mater.
Cheers
<blockquote>Could you give some examples (MINI or not) of tuned exhausts and cars that you like?</blockquote>
No, probably not. Of the exhausts I have heard, I couldn’t tell you which was which. I’ve got a Micron exhaust on my v-twin sportbike (SV650) and it’s excessively loud, but has a nice throaty sound, as opposed to the typical “flappy”, flatulent, high-octave sound of many cheaper exhausts (like those of the grapefruit-shooter ilk).
I’m anxiously awaiting Gabe’s audio review of his exhaust. 🙂
<blockquote>ust one question thought… It is said (on the review) that this kit is only for Minis built in 2004 onwards, is this a fact? I never read that anywhere…
Mine is from 2003 so I’m quite interested in that mater.</blockquote>
There are two kits available. One for pre July 04 and the other for post July 04.
I believe both kits are the same except for the intake.
The only 2 kits that I know for the cooper are the performance kit that costs over 2 times the sound kit – this wast the 1st JCW Cooper kit. And the sound kit…
Anyway I’ll know soon enough when I go to my dealer 🙂
<blockquote>The only 2 kits that I know for the cooper are the performance kit that costs over 2 times the sound kit – this wast the 1st JCW Cooper kit. And the sound kit…</blockquote>
Sorry, I meant that there are at least two JCW SOUND KITS available.
There is one for up to 06/04 MC manuals: Part # 11 12 0 395 823
and
There is one for 07/04 and on MC manuals: Part # 11 12 0 395 824
There might be more options available for CVT MCs as well.
I’ am from Belgium and I own a Mini One.
Is it possible to install a JCW Sound Kit on Mini One?
Has anyone experience with it?
Great review TODD
Greetings,
Didier
From the podcast Todd said that it was an exhaust and a drop in filter. Does this mean there is not a new air box? Does anyone know the part number of the filter?
I have the soundkit on my MC & I love it!
Have a look on this site: <a href="http://www.minispeed.co.uk" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.minispeed.co.uk</a> –> does anyone have experience or opinions about the “performance upgrades”(u can boost you normal MC up til 165HP!)
I m thinkin about gettin my car upgraded, but afraid that it’s maybe not well worth it, or incompatible with standard brakes, too much consumption, and somehow I guess it’s not that healthy for your car..
What do you people think about it?
Greetz
I am looking into upgrades for my 04 MC. It seems that the HP gain is in line with other exhaust systems, and when considering the price for a cold air intake and exhaust the JCW Sound Kit is within a similar price range. I will definitely give it a look.