The best modification for an F56? Fitting a Wavetrac diff to our Cooper S

The F56 Cooper S/JCW is a fantastic car out of the box, and after fitting our Evolve Stage 1 Map and Bilstein B16 coilovers the smallest member of the Evolve fleet was hugely capable and handled great.
However, BMW chose to fit an open differential to the car, most likely to keep costs low. An Open Diff is detrimental to a cars performance in anything other than optimal grip conditions, as it will put all the power through one wheel, effectively halving the amount of grip you have. This problem is exacerbated in a front wheel drive car as not only are the wheels trying to move the vehicle, they also have to steer, and deal with how the contact patch of the tyre changes as the wheels turn left to right.
Ash Stewart from Wavetrac Europe came to visit us to explain how the Wavetrac Differential works. Then we take the car out for a good B road blast to see how it's changed the way that the car can put the power down to the road. Spoiler alert - It's transformed the car, improving the main downfall of the standard F56 Cooper S.
Wavetrac Differential for the F56 Mini Cooper S:
www.evolveautomotive.com/wave...
Wavetrac F56 Diff including fitting - 0% Finance Available:
www.evolveautomotive.com/wave...
Music:
Ryan Little - flew da coupe.
www.soundcloud.com/iamryanlittle
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www.evolvetuning.us

[@laminesy9134]

Favorite fun-car; you can tell by looking at your emotion. One of the few time that I see you smiling ...thx for sharing an authentic expression of love

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Lamine Sy yeah it's all genuine too. Love this car

[@7eamGhast]

*The most underrated aftermarket part sold. Wavetrac's are amazing.*

[@EvolveAutomotive]

100% agreed :-)

[@k12rising]

And one of the most expensive mods.

[@themadhiker]

What a remarkable difference! Will definitely look at doing this once I get my Cooper S.

[@mbae58]

These vids are so amazing because you dont know what holding back means. The way the videos look and sound its all just pure quality. You cant even hold back when driving a mini imagine if u tuned the f90 and took that for a ride cant wait for the new vids. keep it up 👌👍👍

[@EvolveAutomotive]

mb san thanks! That is coming soon.

[@washout04]

Thanks for another great vid. The cooper s is a surprise for me. It gets panned in the odd review but it really is an amazing car. While it might not be made as a track day weapon, as a road car it never fails to make you smile.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Absolutely. The fun factor huge.

[@MacBookAir-cu4fb]

I can absolutely confirm that! ;)

[@peterrosscochrane]

Great video, really informative, credit to Ash at the start too.

[@Amp1771]

This is a cool channel it's educational as well as fun for car enthusiasts

[@aksaks2651]

This Mini is something else!! Quality video again!!! #EVOLVE

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Aks Aks cheers

[@willsy5164]

Always really interesting watching you try out your mods on the road. Your commentary gives a real insight into the pros and cons. When do think you will need an uprated clutch?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Thanks! Glad you are liking the videos .Not sure yet. The clutch in holding up fine at the moment.

[@mhperformace1769]

👍👍 very good upgrade

[@EvolveAutomotive]

It really is 😁

[@simont4708]

Nothing quite like thrashing a mini down b road.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

👍👍

[@neilbate2872]

Once again and I seem to say on all your videos, brilliant quality & always nice to see when somebody knows what there talking about (not shit). Imran even though I see you driving fast cars were do you get your driving skills from ? Do you find the gen 2 mini are totally different than the latest generation!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Thanks Neil. We are aiming to provide good content with high quality videography which is missing from most. Yes it is very different from the second generation. Chassis is much improved and just feels a bit more well put together. As for driving skills.. wouldn't say I'm that skilled. Just been driving powerful rwd cars since before traction control so learnt not to rely on cars safety features.

[@davidblackwell7958]

Awesome video, can’t wait for the Eventuri install 👍Any eta on that please ?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

David Blackwell in the next few weeks 👍

[@fazer12779]

4:50 what about the old Fiat Coupe 20v turbo with Viscodrive? (Slip diff)

[@jcmeza91]

Amazing video!!. I have a slightly off questions but I’d really like to know, how much tire pressure you got on those wheels? (in PSI). Thanks!!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

We tend to stick to manufacturers recommendation

[@compkiler]

Audi S3, Golf R or Cooper S Works?? All with a remap... hmmmm not sure what to buy next!!

[@MickehPuppeh]

Wonderful video! I have an R56 Cooper S. It's on decent Goodyear tires - not the world's sportiest, but still. Do you think it'd be worth going with a Wavetrac over a fantastic set of tires? I'm planning on at least doing a Stage 1 tune on it too (N18 engine, so 210ish horse.)

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Good tyres are important, not only for performance but safety. Saying that, the Wavetrac would give your Goodyears a much easier time as the power would be going through both wheels not just one!

[@KevinG-hi9cv]

Great video. I have a f56 Cooper S with the JCW tune. How much for the diff and stage 1 fitted by you.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Thanks Kevin, drop us an email on [e-mail] and we can quote you on that.

[@shanecreamer6889]

Do you have an LSD recommendation for a 2019 Cooper S automatic?

[@TheFbca]

Drexler motorsport but spenny

[@slopedouche5460]

Shit this guys is definitely putting the pedal to the metal!!

[@cyprianskiba8768]

Why is is so difficult to find reasonably priced exhausts for the F55? There are tons of options for the F56 but the F55 is neglected

[@cyprianskiba8768]

Can you give specific ones?

[@964cuplove]

1:20 why exactly would a slipping inner wheel push outwards ?! The energy would go to the slipping inner wheel and you waste power, but how should that lead to understeer?! Just cause you loose the traction from the inner wheel ?!

[@dha588]

When are you going to buy a body kit?

[@matteomottola349]

what are the tightening torques?

[@theipcress1977]

which colour combination and what year is the mini cooper in the video pls? it looks like youve modified the suspension as well. is it the factory version?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

It’s Thunder Grey. And yes on Bilstein B16 coilovers.

[@Aldant432]

Fitted s wavetrac to my 05 R53. The driver's side drive (LHD) shaft keeps coming out from the gearbox causing an oil leak. Purchased a new driveshaft and oil seal, but still comes out and leaks. Disappointed with the wavetrac LSD, wish I would have bought a Quaife.

[@potatochobit]

that doesnt sound like it's normal, something else might be wrong. btw, on a FWD car it is called an axle or a halfshaft. on a RWD car the long pipe from the front of the car to the back is the driveshaft. your wheel hub should be holding the axle in, not your limited slip differential. it is possible the torque could be walking it out of the transmission but you better check your knuckle where the tire is, make sure you did not hit any potholes and all your rubber bushings in the control arms are good.

[@eSavoylounge]

Hello guys, I love your channel. Well put together and very informative. I have 2019 jcw black night edition and I'm wanting to start tuning it. I only has 6000miles presently. Would it be wise to put more mileage on the car or its ok to jump in right away and start tuning it.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

6000 miles should be more than enough to work out any possible manufacturing defects.

[@kylehamilton9495]

Hi guys, when's the next Mini F56 video coming? Thanks

[@EvolveAutomotive]

In around 2 weeks and it will be about the new Eventuri Intake.

[@charliefarley74]

Off topic. What specs are you wearing Imran? 👌🏼👍🏼

[@EvolveAutomotive]

They are PQ by Ron Arad 🤓

[@impactblue2601]

If this Cooper S is pitted against the GP3, what would you choose between the two minis?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

On the road...in all honesty this Cooper S. Miss the manual gearbox, Wavetrac LSD and more supple suspension

[@MrGflan]

I’m a little out of the loop these days. I have an R56 Manic tuned to stage 3, bigger turbo, etc. do you find that the F56 is making more power and easier to tune than the second gen? I’m debating getting one.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Yes, it’s a much better car pretty much all round, with the engine being more reliable and easier to tune. If you use the car every day I don’t think you’d regret it.

[@MrGflan]

Evolve Automotive I love my R56, and I chose it because it felt more go kart and engaging, being a smaller car, in my opinion. Years later, it’s still a lot of fun, and it shoots flames ha. I do however feel it’s very uncomfortable and a rough ride and maybe the new ones are more comfy from what I remember. Do you guys do your own tuning? I’ve heard that Dinan tunes these cars also. Is Manic pretty much out of business by this point?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

We tune our own cars yes, we had a lot of involvement with the R56 also including competing in Time Attack with one. We tune a lot of these cars, it’s a great platform.

[@ccsupra1997]

You guys products look awesome! But you’re slacking on the mini Cooper videos. I want some updates on the tuning looking at purchasing one.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Thanks Chris! We should have some more mini content coming soon 👍🏻

[@clubsportf56s48]

What about fitting a drexler diff to an automatic F56? Any posibility?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Not sure we would have to check

[@RolandoCappas]

Still non for the f56 automatic?

[@ekimandersom4478]

The best mod is programming the start/stop system to off !

[@simongentry]

‘here’s one i made earlier’ Blue Bloody Peter !!! 😉

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Hehe

[@mikescott4008]

Love the Mini Cooper S and like you, prefer it over the BMW for B roads. As it’s the wife’s car fitting a LSD would be a waste, but tempting

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Improves the car hugely!

[@mikescott4008]

Evolve Automotive will message Regal as live near Southampton. Been a Quaife fan generally.

[@fazer12779]

What about a totally locked diff (welded diff)?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

welded diffs ruin drivability, especially tight turning such as when parking, and would still have the same labour costs.

[@baileyofabergavenny]

Would you recommend one of theses for the JCW??

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Yes 100%, before any other modification!

[@baileyofabergavenny]

Thanks for the advice, I’m hoping to buy one on the new reg and would like the wavetrac, coil overs and re-map obviously dependant on price etc and I have to come from Hereford so will need to stay in hotel too 👍🏻

[@EvolveAutomotive]

If it's the DCT model I'm not sure the Wavetrac will fit

[@user-vn6bt1br8o]

I want to ask something this diff I need to adjust the esp of my car?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

No need to.

[@paulrobinson9355]

2018 Mini Cooper S 7 speed Steptonic or 2018 Fiesta ST?!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Not a fan of the Fiesta. Drive both and see which you prefer.

[@michaellegere4823]

Can I ask the cost for this upgrade including installation??

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Drop us an email for a quote - [e-mail]

[@brianmogle1121]

Doesn't anyone make a LSD for the automatic? I need one bad!

[@johngraydon506]

Golf gti mk 7 can have dynamic chassis control

[@brianmogle1121]

@@johngraydon506 ??? I'm asking about a LSD for the F56 Mini, not a Golf GTI. What does the Golf having dynamic chassis control have to do with LSD or my question? My Mini has chassis control, but that still doesn't compensate for, or eliminate the need for a LSD.

[@TheFbca]

Drexler motorsport have one but it's quiet expensif

[@cyprianskiba8768]

That is a MASIVE job for that upgrade! $$$ Ouch!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Fairly involved job yeah, but 100% worth it if you're interested in driving the car quick. Can't wait to get it out on track now, but even on the road it's fantastic.

[@AIRCOOLEDLIFE]

I put one on my R56 myself...with alot of upgrades. Haven't driven it yet due still upgrading. I still have to do coilovers, sway bars, big brake kit, wheels and tires. It should be quite interesting.

[@danielngho]

Will this work for an F55s Automatic?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Unfortunately no, only the manual gearbox is supported.

[@potatochobit]

will this fix wheel spin in first gear?

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Yes, because power will be put through both wheels.

[@tommyjakobsen5504]

how expensive that, also will that work for 1.5T.. (COPPER) not S

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Pricing is on our website, if you email [e-mail] we can check if the B38 1.5T shares the gearbox.

[@stevehash158]

heheh gotta be expensive AF if you do this at a shop.. Its ALOT of work!! My guess would be 3000-5000k£ In my country this would be 10000£ LOL =)

[@marctheshark7567]

F56 JCW owner....sure LSD is a should have on a perf car. But, to easily eliminate ALL understeer put the 25mm GT NM engineering rear ARB. Use a good set of 200 tread wear tires....and learn to drive, most people get on the power way too early...these changes you’d be surprised how effective they are. That said I still want an LSD for the auto....

[@jasonyarwood]

what's this Marc? .........''the 25mm GT NM engineering rear ARB''

[@alsn126]

I’ve been driving my car for awhile now, more than 30k miles. No mod. No tune. Any tips on what mod to start out with? I want power, better throttle response, the sound- I welcome loud pops. Was looking at k&n air intake with borla exhaust-good start?(for stage 1)

[@kylejarmolych]

KDaNiFL O if it’s an F56, or F5X for that matter, I’d recommend Remus V2 valvetronic race exhaust (NOT the sport exhaust), a burger tubing JB4, or RPM tune. I have a VIP intake, the JB4, and the remus V2. This may be my next mod, just have to save up some dough!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Best value for money will always be just our Stage 1 tune, as it requires no other modifications. Then I'd honestly recommend the Wavetrac Diff as your second upgrade, because of how much of a difference it makes to driving the car, especially when tuned. Air Intake wise, we haven't tested anything on this platform, but from experience almost none of them make any real difference. The Eventuri Intake is in final development stages and does make a real world performance increase.

[@alsn126]

@@kylejarmolych I am terribly sorry with my reply lol. Getting old messages just now; yeah I was thinking of going Remus but then I went with milltek catback exhaust system. They gave me a resonated one which sounds deeper than a nonresonated. Lmk how that Remus is! Jb4.. I’ll want to wait until I get stronger motor mounts lol

[@alsn126]

@@EvolveAutomotive sorry for the very late reply lol. Getting my messages real late. I still drive the Cooper s f56 almost at 60k miles. It’s going well. I just have exhaust and k&n intake. I’m just worried about the internals not handling the aftermarket parts such as ecu tune. Wavetrac diff definitely thinking about next mod for handling and cornering. Eventuri is well designed. I’ve seen it, compared to the mitshimoto product, for example, the filter housing is not sealed entirely from the engine hot air. But the eventuri is seems to work very well. I can’t wait to have eventuri installed. I do live in cali, so I’m not sure if I need a executive order to be able to install it.

[@TheDataUpsurge]

How much is a lsd supply and fit

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Drop us an email, we can quote you, might even be a Black Friday sale if Wavetrac are doing anything!

[@elimoon3012]

I didn't know Justin Timberlake retired from singing

[@EvolveAutomotive]

I'll be gutted if this is true, love me a bit of JT 🕺🏻

[@brianmogle1121]

Sadly there isn't one for the Automatic like I have! If your going to make one make it for both manual and automatic!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Unfortunately not! Completely different gearbox and with manual being the main market it’s the one that makes sense to support. Wavetrac would look at producing one with enough orders for it.

[@brianmogle1121]

@@EvolveAutomotive And guess what quaife is doing? They are developing one for the 2018 7-speed automatic. So now I have to look at trying to upgrade my automatic to a 2018 trans and spend a shit ton more money.

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Yes as that is I assume the same gearbox as the GP3?

[@brianmogle1121]

@@EvolveAutomotive I'm not sure yet as I haven't got that far into researching it yet. I would assume you are correct.

[@stevehash158]

If you fit Michelin pilot cup2 on a mini its not bad at all in understeer!! Sure if you push very hard its okei if you want to break records go for LSD but the car does more then fine!! The problem for LSD they are to expensive with the work needed!! If you track NBR 1 month at the time i would maybe consider it!! They need to drop the price on the job and diff before average joe can afford in other words before it gets very popular!!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

You’d still be significantly slower than a car with an LSD. Not to mention how much more expensive Cup 2’s are, and that they are a consumable, and not an ideal daily tyre through winter. It’s an expensive upgrade, but the best one we did to the car by a country mile.

[@stevehash158]

@@EvolveAutomotive no NO you never use them on winter 😂 they work perfect vs understeer doh on fwd-rwd And awd.. Very little i understeer.. You only need LSD if you are a bit serious in racing.. IF you upgrade to kw and brakes you dont need much more.. when that is said it works yess LSD will make you quicker but are you a racing driver ? Thats Q ppl need to ask themselves..A cooper S with cup 2 And cheap coilovers will do the job very good infact..

[@EvolveAutomotive]

@@stevehash158 all these things are attempting to fix an issue indirectly, rather than just replacing the problem part - the open diff. Agree to disagree.

[@stevehash158]

@@EvolveAutomotive hehe NO😂 you simply failed to see beyond your business side 😂😘 i get you want to sell, However a sales man that gets a very good rep and many customers is a honest salesman.. Do a honest salesman excist?? Ohh yess.. They simply ask; WHAT do you want?? What is your goals?? And whats your budget 😂😉😉😉🖒 Ny point is that a cooper S is a awesome car for 95% off all ppl it has more then it takes.. IF you do coilovers and cup 2 the car gets beyond impressive.. Even for me that armature race cars and bikes.. IF i ever get very serious then a LSD would be on the list.. Another factor is that with electronics comes limitaiton meaning you are NO longer driving the computer does.. This will give you lack of driver skills.. You are no longer in contact with ur car.. The more EL you fit, the more it becomes num...

[@takeowong3421]

Wavetrac is mechanical not electrical LSD..

[@samlewis967]

So simple to fit too.. 😶

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Only gotta fit it once 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@samharper5527]

Amazing car but what’s with his glasses??😂

[@4jm4l786]

Large lenses = better visibility = better driving experience... I guess?

[@Daveraybell]

Damn man. Dude's just tryin to see.

[@peterbustin2683]

Best watched with the volume down to get rid of that horrible musik !