I have been looking around at getting a mini for a while and I finally got all my money together then I started thinking about getting a Used JCW. what are the opinions on this? Is the JCW worth it over a new CooperS? I read about the gearing being changed but that the JCW is quicker gearing then the older trans. Any input would be greatly appreciated

 

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago and asked the same question. Check out this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=62119

The consensus was go with the new car - that's exactly what I did and haven't regretted it yet. You'll get peace of mind with the warranty and free maintenance. Of course I couldn't resist and got the JCW CAI anyway!

 

I bought a JCW that came in a week ago. To be honest it doesn't seem all that quick.(I know I should be getting on it). Any way I do enjoy this car a lot. I figure the all the mini's handle the same, so I'd go with the JCW, I've never drivin the regular S at all but if it much slower than a JCW I'd be depressed if I bought it. ( A regular S)

 

I was looking at an 04-05 JCW, if I went with the 05 it would still have the same gearbox but ive seen them fairly inexpensive. Are the smaller pulleys available for the JCW and tuning? also if I decided later on to go this way what about the twin charging kits? thanks again for the quick responses

 

Go with the S. The problem with buying a used JCW is one, they are rare, two they are overpriced, and three, they are overpriced. Minis just hold their value to darn well. Plus, if you really want it to go fast, just get a15% pulley, intake, or exaust and ur set.(the 15%+one of the other two. Good Luck!

 

Make sure you get an '05 MCS with the revised gear ratios......

Difference between a stock MCS and a JCW is not all that great unless you do all your daily driving constantly in the 4000+ RPM range.

 

Doesn't everyone drive in that range?

 

I also thought about this before I plunked down my hard-earned cash on an '06 MCS. The reason I chose it? It came down to my use for the car: a fun commuter/occasional auto-x car. I decided it was more important that I could specify the exact options/colors I wanted, because I'd see those every day. If you find a used JCW *exactly* (or close) to the way you would build it yourself, that would be great. But I thought the chance of that happening would be near-impossible, so I ordered my MCS exactly the way I want and I *love* it.

 

Here's how it breaks down, to me, if you buy a used JCW:

Pros:
You'll get a good deal on a Mini with a tuning package
specifically designed for the car by the folks at Mini/BMW.
The supercharger in the JCW is EXACTLY the same as the one in
the MCS. The injectors and cylinder head are different, though.
It's faster than the stock MCS.
If you are not interested in making many mods yourself and just want
a fast car, this is the easy way to get one.

Cons:
It's a used car. Are you buying someone else's headache?
It may be "pretty much", but maybe not exactly what you would
have ordered for yourself.
You can spec a new car exactly the way you want it - and
let's not forget, there are a LOT of choices and combinations to
be had, so you can make a very individualized car.
You can always add a 15% pulley (cost about $400-450), get a
JCW CAI for around $150 (buy it from someone with a JCW car
that wants an Alta or some other make instead), and/or buy the
JCW exhaust (again, from someone that does't want theirs, or
buy one new.)

I didn't have the funds at the time to get a JCW car when I got my 2005 MCSC. I ended up making JCW mods to my car and adding a 15% Alta pulley
(installed by Randy Webb). My car goes plenty fast, looks great with the JCW exhaust, and I am totally happy that I got exactly the car I wanted.

Good luck with your decision!

 

how are the stock heads on the MCS? is there alot of room for improvement?

If I got a new one it would probably be PW or HB with black and just HID/LSD/Chrono... everything else like the audio system and seats I would replace anyway. I work in audio and have a set of evo IX leather/suede seats in the garage.

 

Obviously those who are not are not driving the car properly....I know I drive 4000+ all of the time....I love the SC whine!

-Cody

Oh, and I would go MCS over MCS JCW. If you want power, go aftermarket. Simple, cheap, and fast!

 

used jcw normally implies driven pretty hard. I mean who wouldnt after hunkering all that cash over. Like the former poster said, you may be buying someone else's headache.

From my personal experience after owning numerous used and new cars, ...When buying used versus new, you have to factor in how long you intend to keep the car, upfront versus potentially hidden costs, and what you really can afford.

I went with a new MCS with some features that were beyond what many of the MINI dealerships could offer in their inventory. I put more effort into the interior since I am meticulous with the car and need the driving environment just right the way I like.

If you found a car used with just the features you wanted at the right price, it may be a gem worth having... but ive learned in the used mini market that a deal is never really a deal... Just read the forums and acknowledge the troublefree MINI's versus the problematic ones that are reported shortly after new car delivery.

They arent known for their reliability... and i am eager to see how the cuteness factor will weigh over time. I have hope to keep this for a long while but on the same token, not as trusting on the reliability so I bought into the 06, the final model year for this gen... good luck in whatever you decide... yes it all comes down to luck

 

I understand the next gen will be turbo, any projection on cost and ETA?

 

Time of arrival: early 2007 (Jan-Feb).

Cost: anybody's guess. The most common guesses are $500-1000 increase on the MC, and at least $1000 to $1500 (but perhaps higher) on the MCS

 

In your position I would go with a new MCS over a used JCW. Don't get me wrong, I love my JCW, but unless you know the person who has driven the car, I would never buy a used sports car. Plus, the new MCS will likely be pretty close in performance to an old JCW, at least at legal speeds .

 

"Acitydweller" very succinctly elaborated on my comment about the risk of buying "someone else's headache" by getting a used car. I do believe that the reliability of the later gen MINIs (04-05) will be better than that of the earlier models, but nevertheless, they aren't a Toyota. Even a brand-new car can be a lemon. Why is the car being sold, anyway? It may be for perfectly legitimate reasons, but it also may be fraught with "issues". And, as he/she said, it was very likely thrashed to death, considering it is a JCW car.
I have been lucky so far (and luck does play a huge part!) with my 1996 A4 Quattro which is coming up to turning over 200,000 miles and is still a commuter car, as well as my 2005 MCSc. I had to have the top replaced due to the well-known wear issue, but other then that, it's been trouble-free. But you never know!

 

It's deceptively quick because of the torque curve you don't get the big shove in the back, but if you pay attention, you can really feel the force continue to increase in a very linear fashion! I kinda felt the same way as you, now I've got 3000 miles and all I can say is "wow". I had no problem keeping up with a Dodge Magnum R/T Hemi coming off an exit ramp, and he was hammering it! (Up to the speed limit of course)