100 replies to this topic

[brivinci]

I just went up to my attic and dug out my old JCG tuning brochures. One of which has the price list with it. VERY interesting to see the prices from 90:-)

 

As for the argument, I dont really see it. Paying more for something because of the name on it is the name of the game. ALL of us have done it at some point whether it be car parts, home goods, whatever. Just as before, the Cooper's outsourced the development to other companies and compiled the parts into their kits. Sure you are paying more for it, as you would have been back then BUT its still special in my book simply due to the connection back to the brand itself. The same could be said for all tuning companies I guess. In America, speaking of the Mustang you could have a Shelby, a Saleen, a Rouch and others. You could source the parts (heads, intakes, cams, suspension bits and whatnot) yourself and piece together a "kit" but it doesnt have the heritage the others offer. There is a lot in a name.

 

Personally, I own a Monte Carlo LE that went to JCG for bits and bobs and my brothers is a 95 Si "Plus". I LOVE all the tiny extra bits that are on the cars. Its makes them special. The Si, with its number plate is extra special. Knowing that it was commissioned and improved by JCG is a really cool idea to me. Especially being from the US where these kind of things seem so far away. Now, I totally understand that the current kits are being sent out as kits and its not exactly the same but this is just the beginning and I think its still really cool. I also really like that they changed things slightly. It keeps the originals original and the new ones with a sense of the moving times.

 

Oh, and someone mentioned how these kits would not pass an MOT with no cat included. Not sure this was addressed but you are supposed to retain your original cat...just as it was in 90's.

Edited by brivinci, 13 June 2014 - 06:55 PM.

[minidizzy]

 

My understanding is that Mike Cooper got very fed up with fake Cooper parts being sold on eBay and decided to reintroduce a range of products with a genuine provenance.

 

I don't buy this I'm afraid, not for one minute.

The fake parts aren't exactly at epidemic levels and seem to come from one source in wales.

He's doing this for money and last time I checked that isn't illegal

 

You do not have to take my word. This was as reported by John Parnell in CooperWorld. John Parnell is the leading expert on the Mini Cooper and knows Mike Cooper very well.

[sirjakethebrit]

After reading this amusing thread,
My two pennys

The stuff (tunning kit wise) is no not expensive than ten years ago. I had my mpi to there garage in 2004 and it cost me £1927 Inc vat

I think this re launch is great for the brand and the stuff is British made and looks the nuts.

No, the mpi and spi kit won't give those power figures, my works 90 pulled a huge lean 72bhp (that's been resolved now thanks to specialist components)

If you don't like the look of the stuff just don't buy it, don't ******* about it, is as sad as People preaching hate to new minis.

Regards jake

[sledgehammer]

just had some spam from John Cooper Garages , think mini sport gave the email address

 

John Copper Garages Ipad cover £30.00 - & mugs at £ 14.00 - who is the mug ?

 

cooper water bottle - £15.00

 

doubt they are made in the uk - but maybe - who knows

Edited by sledgehammer, 13 July 2014 - 01:44 PM.

[KernowCooper]

Expensive for what it is and a limited market, if you need the JC Branding then buy it, if you dont get the same power from Minispares for 50% of the price.

[minidizzy]

Yes, you might be able to get it done for 50% of the price but in classic car terms a genuine Cooper conversion will probably increase the value of the car. If you are just after performance then buying a modern car is probably a better option.

[cian]

Are the kits rebranded mini sport?I think as the previous post said would increase the value of selling on as everyone knows the name John Cooper 

[minidizzy]

The kits are not rebranded MiniSport. JCG never actually manufactured the kits. The very first kits were developed with and made by Janspeed but Janspeed could not keep up with the demand and through the 90s other companies were subcontracted to produce them to Cooper's specification. MiniSport were a major supplier in the late 90s. This is just a resumption and is probably aimed more for those who want correct period modifications to a classic Mini.

[cian]

So where do the heads come from? If these came out a few years back when mine was standard I would be licking my lips for the mpi kit lol 

[HarrysMini]

I would love a conversion kit, but at that price it's just unfeasible. My head is already blue, and my build will meet the quoted power output so I think I'll just get a rocker cover to finish it off 

[minidizzy]

The later MPi kits were developed in collaboration with Mike Theaker, the Rover engineer who designed the twin point injection system. One member of the Mini Cooper Registered remembers collecting his Cooper S Works in 1999 from John Cooper Garages and seeing three conversion kits packaged up with MiniSport labelling. MiniSpeed were also sub-contracted in the early days. My RSP has a very early conversion carried out by JCG in January 1991 when the catalogue credits Janspeed. All later catalogues make no reference to Janspeed, who now specialise in exhaust systems. I am guessing the MPi kits were all produced by MiniSport. If I save hard I might just might be able to afford the 90bhp kit for my MPi. There are a few differences but it should add a bit of value and interest as well as power.