Hi:

Been monitoring this site for some time, but haven't contributed.

Oh, the quandry?? Well, I really like my '09 JCW. Ordered it just how I wanted it and it's been bullet-proof. The only car in the market place that will either give you 40 mpg or cruise at a 100 mph (effortlessly).

We've racked up over 38k miles with me, a retired engineer, as the only driver. And that is the quandry. My wife refuses to drive it. Not a bad thing, you say. Would seem, on the surface, to be a good thing, huh? However, when we travel in our motorhome six months out of the year, "Coop" goes with us in an enclosed trailer. As long as I'm in good shape, transportation is no problem. But, like our last adventure in Phoenix last winter, my leg was bothering me beyond my ability to drive. So we were stranded for nearly two weeks. Probably not a good thing.

So, the thought is to replace Coop with an "S" auto.............hard to swallow for me.

I like bells and whistles, so I have "built one" pretty loaded, including the Recaro seats, which I'm a big fan of. Talking with a Mini tech, his advise was to pass on the "JCW dealer install" as he noted that many owners have been very disappointed with the marginal performance gain. Especially for the money.

Any thoughts if such a new animal could replace Coop? Or, would you just send my wife to driver's school at Miller Motorsport Park?

 

I believe the 2013 JCWs will offer automatic trans.

Side note: How do you get 40 mpg in a JCW?

 

A new JCW will cost a lot less than a new wife so I would go that route. I have also heard the JCW will have an auto option in 2013.

My ex refused to learn how to drive a manual. All she would do was make rude comments about anyone that owned a manual transmission. I sold the wife. Now drive a Mini Coupe S with a 6-speed.

 

Performance wise, there is really no difference between auto and manual, you can't go wrong with the auto, I really love it. The whole "manual is superior" angle is one of the many baseless myths found on these forums.

The difference that the JCW tuning kit makes to an MCS is way beyond "marginal". It may not look like it on paper, but it really is a big improvement over stock. I have it on my MCS and it really changes the driving experience. For someone coming from a factory JCW, I can't say whether it would be acceptable to you, but it is a great option that was designed for the car and keeps you fully under warranty. Nobody I've spoken to with the tuning kit has said anything but large positives about it.

Safe travels, and good luck!
j

 

I've always been successful managing at least 20% more than the "sticker mpg". You have to have an egg-shell foot and short-shift (shifting at not over 2,ooo rpm), but 40 mpg is doable.

We spend winters in the Phoenix area and regularly fill up at 450 mi and sometimes getting closer to 475 before the reserve light comes on. That's not a daily diet of stoplight to stoplight, but includes road work between the surrounding areas that make up the Phoenix valley.

Oh, and thanks a bunch for the insight on the JCW auto for '13. I will definitely follow up on your lead.