Was all decided to put down some coin down on a JCW Paceman. Took my MCS in for service and i got a countryman S ALL4 as a loaner for a week…so far this has been impressive. Nice ride, pickup, handles curves way better than i was expecting. The look has been growing on me in the garage. Looks like a normal mini shape from the side..and those two extra doors come in handy even though i don't need them…and being smaller, easier to get in/out in my garage. Still not thrilled on the back look. Haven't driven a paceman yet..does it drive the same?

Anyone that has experience on both to say which u like better?

JCW vs S..can u really tell the difference in power?

Things I like about CM
- smaller doors
- easier to access back
- nice look from the side
- about 1k cheaper

Things I like about PM
- Nice looks from back
- rear bucket seats
- "little" more sporty look
- offers the red copper interior which i like

I know everyone will have a different opinion, just want to hear them, and hopefully help me make a decision. Thanks.

 

To me, CM was a no brainer since it had extra doors. PM does have it's own pros, but for its utility of CM compared to other 2 dr coopers, you can't beat it. CM rear end does look better as you look at them more often. I am biased though...


I think you should get the model that makes you smile the most

 

I think the CM looks better overall and it's more practical as well. You know the old saying, "Four Doors, More ******!" (sorry mods )

I've never been super keen on either, but I checked out a black one with "Alien Green" accents at my local dealer over the weekend, I have to say it looked pretty sharp. Linking a photo from their facebook, not sure if it'll work...

 

Paceman all the way for me......

 

If I didn't need the four doors, I would've chosen the Paceman.

 

thank you thank you. I definitely don't "need" the four doors..in fact, most of the time at least one of the seats will be folded down so my golf clubs can be in the car.

Keep them coming…where are our JCW guys that can attest to the power difference…...

 

Keep in mind the ALL4 of the JCW Paceman will weigh it down and be comparable to the Paceman S as far as quickness.

 

4 doors for me. Occasionally have friends along and climbing in and out of the back seat of a 2 dr car gets tiring after a while. I do prefer the rear buckets though which my 2011 CM has over that bench seat that i believe comes std in the 2014 models.

 

My loaner is an All4 CM….so i am looking for a JCW vs S All4 comparison as I will be getting an All4 no matter what. Thanks.

 

one question the OP asked is can you tell the difference in power between JCW and S. Absolutely. The power delivery of the S and JCW(both CM and R56 hardtop) are totally different. I drove numerous S models before deciding on the JCW for both of our cars.

The S has a typical turbo power delivery. Step on the throttle in any gear, and you get a burst of power. It's not my style. I come from a long line of driving cars with V-8 motors, and love a linear power delivery. That's what the JCW's provide. The power delivery is consistent and increases hard, all the way to 6k on the tach. It's all in what you prefer. 208hp plus overboost in the heart of the power band is nothing to sneeze at.

Also, the JCW motor, turbo, and clutch are of the heavy duty variety which I prefer. I also like the JCW interior and the exterior aero was done very well-not too over the top, just enough to give off a low, aggressive look. Trust me, I understand that a ~$7k up charge for a JCW is a bite, but for us, it was worth it. The exhaust of the JCW has a deeper tone than the S. Again, it's what you prefer. The S has more of a raspy, snappy sound. The JCW is more of a low growl which I prefer.

As for CM or PM. It was a no-brainer for us. Now, the OP asked for opinions, so here's mine. I really don't like the PM styling from any angle. I do not like cars whose roof lines angle downward toward the rear of the car... Reminds me of a Dodge Magnum which i also don't like. The PM is the most polarizing model in the line, no doubt.

I also don't think any Mini should have horizontal rear lights. The car just does not look properly proportioned.

whatever you decide, I cannot say enough about the full-time All4 system. obviously, having 4 wheels under power at all times is great in the winter, but it's amazing on twisty roads during the summer. the back end rotates very nicely and tracks really well without stepping out. You can throw the All4 CM into a corner at speed, with complete confidence, especially if you add in some inexpensive but effective suspension upgrades.

finally, whichever model and sub-model you get, I hope you seriously consider the M6 tranny. IMO, it's the only way to fully explore all of the fun that Minis are famous for. The pedals are set up perfectly for heel/toe down shifting. No better feeling than screaming toward a turn or corner and nailing a perfect heel/toe downshift, carrying that speed and momentum through the apex....priceless!

good luck!

 

Love my JCW. With 19's and run flats you have abgreat feel of the road. ( Not Like Your MCS) And with the All4 it just feels glued to road in the curves. The M6 tranny is great, I just wished it had pop and burble. Four some reason they drop that on the JCW.

 

Yes, they tuned it out of the US JCW CM, but it's fully present on the JCW R56. My understanding is that since the CM likely will draw new customers not previously familiar with Mini into the fold, dealers would get a lot of cars coming in for service due to "backfiring" so they tuned in out.

I can tell you that the pop and gurgle is definitely on the European JCW CM's, as I have seen a few youtube videos of them..

It's sad....very sad...

 

Thanks again. Dealer just got in a JCW Paceman with M6 (but no sport suspension) that I can drive when I drop off the loaner on Friday. I'm assuming since they are pretty much the same car that driving a paceman will be the same as a countryman? and yes, whatever car i get will be the manual.

 

Well,I took the JCW M6 for a drive today. Surprisingly, I was a little underwhelmed. I actually thought the "S" auto had more spunk and get up and go. Don't know if that was just the auto vs M6….or maybe since the JCW wasn't broken in?? JCW had 10 miles on it, vs the "S" loaner with 4K. The clutch and gearbox did feel great shifting. Was unable to do a drive of an "S" M6 to get a real apples to apples comparison. Am i missing something??

 

Hey Boz,

Question for you. Did you use the SPORT button on both models that you drove? with the auto trans, the sport button manipulates the shifting for better response. it obviously does not do that with the M6, so depending on how you drive a manual, you may have indeed felt the auto had more pep.

there are 27 more horses in the JCW, that's about a 15% increase over the S and it hits peak power higher in the band-6000 compared to 5500....nothing to sneeze at, and 15 more lb/ft of torque. Also, the JCW motor has overboost, providing 207 lb/ft of torque right in the usable power band between 2000 and 5100. That lump has some get up and go when I put my foot into it. There's no question, I felt the difference via seat-of-the-pants when comparing the S to the JCW in both the Countryman and the Hardtop.

You can't go wrong with either an S or JCW.

 

In terms of golfing...I drop the middle seat of the bench down and slide the clubs right through. And I can still carry two passengers in the back of the R60S too, if needed.

 

the PM rear end look cheap to me since it has too many plastic on the bumper..

 

Z06…thanks. Yep, had sports mode on in both. I did notice the power difference higher in the rev range as you mentioned. I guess the JCW just needs to be rev'd. On the highway, I had to downshift an extra gear to get the same passing power it seemed..since u mentioned its max power is closer to 6K vs 5500..that makes sense. Wonder how the JB+ tune would help….

 

Update….after going back and forth, reading numerous reviews, videos, etc. I just placed an order for a JCW COUNTRYMAN, Chili Red with Black top, tobacco cloth seats with the chili red interior outlines. The rear of the CM started growing on me after looking at them. Still like the paceman looks, just thought the "smaller" four doors would be more beneficial, plus the seats fold flatter. Now the waiting game, but it gives me a couple months to try and sell my 2011 MCS outright for more money than they offered for trade. Thanks for all the help, and I will have more questions as I wait. My first purchase will probably be the JB+ just to give it some more juice, but I'll wait till its broken in.