Greetings! Ive been a long time flat4/subie fanatic.. but recently purchased a used 2011 JCW R56, after 'subie-inflation' hit CA making it impossible to buy used for decent money.

Coming from a modified '06 NA Legacy & stock 2014 WRX.. the JCW is quite a joy! I instantly fell for the Brembos. Though Im not 100% on the reliability of the N14, I know my way around a motor and can take proper care of a turbo. Ive just put the first 3k on my JCW (purchased at 71k miles) and taken care of its first oil change and air filter replacement. A little less than .5q of consumption with a few good redline sessions of spirited driving and 6hr road trip didnt seem too bad. I feel like the motor I have is in good condition, sounds, feels tight, no leaks of any kind.. no stumbles, rattles, hesitation. From everything I have read about the N14.. I feel like I found a gem!

Previous owner had installed a catless DP and GP2 exhaust. It pops/spits some good flamage in sport mode, a bit much for casual driving.. but great when you want to let the guy you passed know "its not just a mini".

Future plans to swap the FMIC, change plugs and coils & pro-tune. Its a daily driver for me which I plan to enjoy for many years to come (assuming the N14 loves me back).

-good motoring

**I cannot drive with tire pressures recommended by BMW.. 34/30 is so much better in these tiny cars (running Potenza 205/40/17)

 

Welcome, Nice JCW

 

Welcome to NAM. Nice gem of a car.

 

Welcome to NAM, great looking car.

With the N14, change the oil every 5,000 miles and then do not forget to change the oil every 5,000 miles. Does it have an oil catch can?

 

2x eBay catch cans on the way for install. **I have had really good results using Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 synthetic in my subarus..and am using it for the JCW too. 5k religiously on changes.. and 3-4min cool down idle for the snail to cool at every shutdown.

 

A guy I know has over 220,000 miles on his N14 so there are some decent examples of the N14 out there.

He does not baby the car either.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
Nice looking JCW model. The N14 engine will give you good service, if you take care of it!
Congrats!

 

Welcome to NAM! You're not the first of the Subie crowd to join the MINI's. I have an STi track machine that is a garage queen. Aren't the MINI's just super fun to toss around? Enjoy and I am here if you ever need anything!

 

Plug change this weekend was well needed.. winnerwinner chicken dinner cyl#3 ! Oh let me list the ways things were wrong here...

*plug 2 & 3 were hand tight into the head..
*plug 1 & 2 were 7B8DG while 3 & 4 were 7A8G..
*Gaps were around .30 ..little hard to measure in this state.. lol.


New NGK 7B8DG IR's went in..gap @ .27; torque @ 19lbs.. car is running smoother at idle and top end now, response is more immediate throughout. Was so excited I forgot to enable logging but heres a shot of max recorded from quick drive & 3rd gear WOT after properly warmed up.

*running E30 fuel (AFR @ WOT are 11.0-11.8 all the way to redline)

peak values from 3rd gear WOT to 7k

*also have learned that my car does indeed have a catted DP and does NOT have GP2 exhaust.. though it is some aftermarket 2.5" with the 2nd cat and res deleted..the dealership was hyping things up a bit I'd say. lmao