The F30 just came out where in 328i garb it is using the N20, and it seems to be an incredible engine/package. It's keeping-up if not out-doing the precedent set by many of the Minis released in recent years and dyno testing "at the wheels" at if not exceeding the manufacturer's figures at the crank ... latest video account showing 240 hp / 275 ft-lbs at the wheels where it's rated 240hp/260ft-lb by BMW.

While I haven't test driven it yet, it's generally getting rave reviews by autorag writers and early owners' reports, it seems like it will give me fuel economy on-par w/my JCW (or maybe just 1 or 2 mpg combined less), will provide far more comfort and room for others and luggage @ the same time, and still out-do my '09 JCW in performance. I find myself lusting after one and can certainly see myself trading in the JCW for it in touring [F31] x-Drive form at the end of this year (sure hope the M-Sport will be offered on it, but I bet it won't).

But my preference? ... I'll give-up some space for the savings of several hundred pounds of weight that an AWD JCW Countryman can offer me over a 328i AWD wagon. A search for N20 didn't yield a lot of talk (tho 3 character vBulletin searches are notoriously unreliable). How many else are hoping to hear the Countryman JCW will have the N20?

 

I guess I'm just 1 in 108 (that being the number of reads of this post by this time).

 

I kind of hope that it doesn't have the N20 motor in the JCW CMS! Although admittedly only for selfish reasons! My CMS4 isn't even here yet, so it would be quite a few years before I could obtain one!!

 

Just in today... still a Prince .... Crap! :(

Perhaps by yesteryear's standards, this is ok ... but by today's standards it's too much of a dog to wear the JCW label IMO.

 

Well doesn't look like it will have the N20. It would be nice to have the more power, especially with the extra weight. I guess this would make it more in the reach to those that did'nt get the option, if they just make the tuning kit rather than change the whole engine out. "More Money LESS Work"

I guess we'll have to wait to see, maybe they will come out with another special Edition or a Prodrive version with the N20.

 

I think I'm gonna place my deposit tomorrow. The way I spec out an S 4all is $40k anyway. I hate to give up the cooper S, but I really need the space and everything else I've looked at sucks.

 

Well it's nice to see BMW/Mini took the 1st step, and has a 2.0L engine now. For a forced induction 2.0L engine HP is comically low , but I assume that will evolve. As soon as the Countryman/Paceman approaches 240hp with it I'll again consider purchasing one if I haven't gotten a F31 or something else I'm happy with at the time.

 

We have a shop car 328i with the N20 motor. It's running a simple piggy-back tune from BMS with about 275 crank HP. The motor is excellent. Unlike the MINI turbo motors, it pulls hard to redline, and has a good gob of torque from 2k. The only disappointment, which is a small one, is that it sounds a little underwhelming in a BMW sedan. I think in a MINI hot rod with a sporty exhaust, the thing would be great.

 

I like your car... I want your jcw rims on my countryman