I'm Expecting,……………….not a Boy, not a Girl but a JCW…………

I’ve never had a new (as in brand new) car before.. Not only because I couldn’t afford one..but nothing really excited me..

I always had something different in cars… I like different…I was the caretaker of a 1968 Volvo P1800s, 1972 Plymouth Satellite, 1956 Cadillac Sedan deVille, 1969 Cadillac Eldorado, 1971 VW Beetle (modified Cal style), 1971 Datsun 240Z just to name a few…
My daily ride is a modified VW Fox.. I also just got into motorcycles..

A few years back I worked in the rental car business and I was able to “test drive” new cars. While some I did enjoy, there was nothing I really wanted or needed or could afford..
But as a few of us do play the game if I hit the Lotto what new car would I own..?
I saw the MINI a few yrs back at a car show in Carlisle PA. I said that would be nice…
I shelved the idea…

I bought the Fox to be modified as money came in and parts need to be changed.
Upgraded brakes(16v Sirocco) a performance cam, diesel transmission (better gearing) Hi pro exhaust.. etc. I’m not a racer, I just want to get out of my own way..

Well about a year ago I decided It was time to look into a new car… something with a warranty, also something I could get full insurance on so I don’t have to worry if something happens to it..

I was seriously looking at the 2010 Jetta TDI Cup Edition.. different, plus it gets approx. 33mpg city 42mpg highway…
The GTI well everyone has one… Camry , Civic Si or Subaru WRX will be stolen shortly… Nissan Altima talk about a belly button car (everyone has one) even the Police (NYPD) drive them ..

Now there’s the MINI I read up and found out about the “S” wow I want one. I went to the International Car Show here in NYC last yr. and had a long conversation with a MA from NYC and was introduced to a JCW…

Not only did I have to justify a new car to myself but the higher price of a JCW
I lost sleep, brain cells, hair, but not weight (I like to eat) MINI’s are good on gas, MINI’s are small and are easier to find parking, they hold their value and… so on.
I took a test drive in NYC they only had a Clubman S in manual.. so after a quick..very quick ( um how do I put this…let’s say the big dial in the middle was a thermometer and it was showing the outside temp..when I shifted from 3-4th it was 105 out side ) I new I could live with an S but I was told the JCW was that plus. I do like different….

After some decision on a 2010.. I bit the bullet, but the JCW I chose some how ended up living with someone else…
I had to wait to build a 2011 but that’s ok.. It is being built for me..like has my DNA in it...
“They say” 5- 6 weeks it should be in…
Midnight Black/Chili Red roof/mirrors, JCW cloth, chrome line interior, Chili Red interior, Xeons/white/black head lights, rear fogs, premium package, JCW suspension
Black 17” rims.. I think that’s it…

I made my decision from posts on NAM, plus stopping people with MINIs and asking them what they thought of them…”They’re great”, “they’re fun” etc….

The only doubts I’ve had were reading up on engine fires, cold start cam chain issues, HFFP problems and exploding sunroofs… some people have a strange way to describe “Fun”

I’m leaving my VW family after many years and I hope to see and meet a lot of you at MINI meets.. a new Family beginning

Thanks Dave

 

Welcome to the forum, good luck with your new MINI, hope it's as much fun as you expect.

 

Welcome and keep us updated as you track your build please.

 

NYC-JCW: Yes, a big welcome to the JCW/Mini scene. As you can see from my signature, I, also have a JCW on order. You can get a rough idea as to time it will take to get to you by that signature, as well. Mine was ordered on September 8th. I feel confident that it should be here first week of November, well hopefully.

But, time isn't the issue, it's getting what you really want. By the way, what options did you order? Later.

 

I loooove that 2011 JCW MB with the red mirrors and roof. SO NICE!!

 

NYC-JCW: Just reread your post on your options. Sorry about this, but you probably won't get the blackened headlights, as that is only an option for the rest of the line. I know, doesn't make sense, but that's what Mini/USA has done. Yes, it was on the earlier configuration, but that's life. I would have gone that same way, but for the not being available. So, I went with the adaptives and figure that I can powder coat the inner headlights.

Hey, it made it thru final assembly and final inspection this morning, so one more month.

 

Congrats & Welcome! I think you'll be happy with your decision. They're not perfect - no car is - but they're just quirky enough and IMHO a total blast to own and drive. Can't wait to see pics.

 

Thanks for all the Welcomes... I org. wanted the JCW in Dark Silver with Black.. but when MINI changed over to Eclipse Grey.. I didn't get a chance to see it in person.. MINI didn't have color samples out and the pictures I saw online appeared to have a greenish tint to them.. I saw the black with red and said thet would look sharp expecially now with the black and red interior.
As far as the blackened headlights why would they take them away from the JCW? Maybe I should call my MA and tell him to call MINI and drop my order if they can't do that for me... After taxes and interest I'm dropping over $40K with them....It's not like the headlight housings don't just plug in..
Yea I know I read up on the "Joey Mod" seen pic.s and they look great but there's no way I'm baking my new lights in the oven if they can come that way from the factory....
As of 10/5 I called Ask Mini .. they couldn't give me an update to the status of the car..it's on order.... well it just gives me more time to save for the downpayment....
Dave

 

NYC-JCW: On Motoringfile, they have been talking about the darkened headlights for a couple of years, that it would be a nice option for the JCW as an exclusive. So, what do they do? Make it for everyone EXCEPT JCW. Look on the configurator and you'll see that it is now gone. Like I said, sorry, but the Joey Mod is about the only way, and I'll probably do that too.

 

welcome to the fold! I too came over from VW: first a cleaned up Karmann Ghia, then a GTI... yeah, it's night and day.

I don't think you'll regret the JCW. If I could, I would have gone that route myself!

good luck with the wait!

 

I also have a JCW on order and being a motoring advisor here at South Bay Mini, I was very dissappointed to hear they removed the black headlight housing for the JCW cars as that was an option I ordered.
Mini's response on the option 3A2 black housing was; "they want to make the Cooper and Cooper S owners feel sportier while the JCW model was sporty enough and don't need them."

 

Hey guys, Update.... my JCW has been in about a week now...I haven't been in a rush to get it...I was sick then had dental problems.... The dealer is putting in my JCW suspension as we speak.....
I will be picking him up on Saturday the 20th if all goes well...
Another plus was may daily driver VW was sold this past Sunday to the first person to come out and look at him ..he got a good car..It was sad watching it drive down the street for the last time.....I'll miss it..5.5 yrs and lots of mods...

This is my first new car any idea what I should expect at the dealer? How long to do the paper work? do they give me a walk around? maybe a hug

Thanks Dave.

 

MINI is pretty good regarding customer service, I bought mine used from a dealer and the sales guy did a great job with a walk through and explanation of all the features.
Paperwork will depend on how you are buying - if they're giving you a loan or someone else is. I paid cash (check) so it was just a few signatures and I was outta there.

 

welcome... happy driving.. easy at first

 

yay, this will be an exciting day for you!

 

I’m no longer Expecting..!!!

I took delivery today Saturday 11/20/10…
2011 JCW Black/Red…looks great… yea I will get some pictures soon…
I want to do my tints, red beltline, and pinstripe my sport stripes…
The deal went pretty much smooth except for…….
I have to go back the sport stripes have to be redone.. My MA,SA detailer, and even the VP said they will redo them they admitted up front even before I saw the car they put the wrong person to do the stripe job and I will go back next week… hopefully they will have my License plates in by then (running on a temp)…
One thing I was a little disappointed was the radio doesn’t have a USB jack …just a aux. jack …. I thought all HK systems had the USB connection…. They said only if ordered with Bluetooth or Ipod connection .. sucks….. but I will make do

I was told keep the revs below 5000 for 500 miles and under 100mph….(I don’t know if I can) I already innocently passed one of them by a small amount..

How was the ride home? All I can say is “HOLY SHET” ….. I can’t believe how easy this motor spools up…with minimal engine drag/braking.. near those numbers in 4th gear with more to go, plus 2 more gears 5&6…
As far as the JCW suspension and runflats… the ride is nothing compared to my 93 Fox with new struts.. my Fox was stiff and handled well,but you felt everything.. the MINI felt softer I wont complain about the tires yet, true it’s only been maybe 50 miles but through NJ/NY it was great..
Oh I haven’t been in Sport Mode yet I was told to take it easy at first…

A guy in NJ with a nice looking.. Mustang Roush (I wont buy Ford, joined Ford Anonymous ) must have felt I threatened his manhood , goosed the gas chirped his tires then did an aggressive move around some cars to get 5 car lengths up..(probably spent more gas in that maneuver then I will in a week ).. I guess he didn’t like the idea he wasn’t the center of attention anymore..
Um… sorry to the MINI S driver on the SI expressway that was coming up for a look when I did a (lane change) quick suspension/ acceleration test and lost em…. I was nervous.. (new car ya know)...
Maybe I’ll get used to looking at the speedometer in the tach.. than just the road and the tach. (didn’t want to go over 5,000) my GPS kept yelling at me “ you’re over the limit” “ you’re over the limit” “ok..ok just let me out” [

That just a few hrs with my new little friend… we’ve got to learn each others um habits/limits… hopefully with little interference of the boys in blue, to help adjust my attitude..

Dave NYC-JCW

 

Love the write-up NYC!! Congratulations on your 1st MINI, they are quite the Little Devil's, you'll definitely have more 'jealous' drivers to confront as you put more miles on, but hey you can just tell them..."GO BUY A MINI!!"

 

NYC: Sounds like you are having the same problems that I have had. I pushed the Sport Button once, just to feel if there really was a difference, then kicked it, no all the way but sufficient, in 2nd gear. Yup, the tires broke loose and I let up on it. I got my answer.

As the time has gone on, I now have 790 miles on it, we put 200 or so on it today, so I feel better about giving it some gas now. Still staying out of Sport Mode until 1000 miles is over. Just me, I guess.

Lil Guy seemed to have alot of fans today, we went to the Pie Lady's in Eldon, Iowa with the Central Iowa Mini bunch. About 20 cars, give or take, it was a nice outing and got us out of the house on a Sunday. Pie was great too. Met alot of nice people, but Lil Guy was the only 2011 as well as only factory JCW there. There were some 1st Generation JCW's, one that I know of, maybe others. Lil Guy shined well.

As for your Black and Red JCW, it will gather attention, believe me. Most that come up beside it on the freeways, don't have a clue what it is. I kick it a bit, and you should see the surprised look on their faces. Hey, it's fun.

 

Welcome & good luck!

 

Those JCW's with the red roofs are pretty cool. I saw one this weekend at my local MINI dealer's Countryman unveiling and took some pics. (see my gallery if you like). The Countryman was nice, but that JCW stole the show!

 

Hi all Thanks, for the welcomes....

I need more seat time..have a little less then 100 miles on the car...
I've been finding reverse instead of 1st and going into 6th instead of reverse...years of conditioning on a 5spd VW..... you should see the look on the persons face behind me as my reverse lights come on at a light .

My car looks just like the one wpb took picks of except I have sport stripes..that will be redone at the dealer on Friday.... the dealer asked if I wanted the matt finish stripes since the hood is gloss... but I thought what if I get wax or my fingerprints on the matt ones so I have gloss which I will take red pinstriping tape on the borders of the stripes likes the "JCW" hood stripes but straight... I have the redbeltling tape..waiting for a day off to do it... getting 20% tints next saturday....

I want to put red pinstripes around the wheel rim (black rims) I have a paint roller tool to do it, but it's too cold out so I can't do that until it gets above 70*. Anyone know if the kit's that are out there for I think motorcycles will work on 17" rims.... it's a plastic tool that guides around the rim to put pinstriping tape down... and how thick 1/8,1/4 will work or too tight for the diameter...

Thanks
Dave NYC-JCW

 

There is a pinstriping tool you can get from Eastwood (Beugler tool, about $100). Don't know if it's what you need but might be worth a look. Good luck.

 

Hi Maugre, I have the Beugler tool.. I used it very little... the problem is the One Shot paint shouldn't be used below 50* and it's been below or around that... this time of year... I'm afraid if i use it and the paint doesn't dry... next time I take the car out it will look like I used a Spiral Graph (some could tell how old I am to remember this) with red paint on my black car.

I saw in a motorcycle catalog a tool..disposable..came with a spool of pinstripe tape and it helped align the tape as you ran around the edge.. I figured to do this first to see if I like it then in the summer aybe use paint for a more permanent fix..

Thanks
Dave NYC-JCW