Yay!! you will love the JCW! It is the most awesome car i have ever driven!! congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Maybe just a little bit!

 

Then why'd you just buy a Z4 coupe?

I've drove a Z4 convertible loaner for almost 5 weeks. It was fun - it drove very well, although I missed having a stick shift (auto = <yawn>)... but I was VERY happy to get back to my MINI.

 

Just got back from MoT. Ive now got a production number....and I went ahead and ordered the parts for the Digital POWER Sound Modul with anthracite trim. WHOO HOOO!

 

Cool, now we get another DCMM "demo" car for the DPSM, after Irishcow leaves.

I can see the future... people meeting ssallykat and asking questions about Mia2, and she says "WHAT? I can't hear you, talk louder!".

Also: Complimentary earplugs for every Mia2 passenger.

 

I have an idea: when we have a run we should put Irishcow and Mia 2 at each end as leader and sweeper and turn our radios off and enjoy free LOUD music

MD STREGA2

 

LOL!!..and earplugs for the cars immediately near Mia2 as well!
I will have to be on the end for a little while, til I stop stalling the new MINI.

 

I think I see another autocrosser in the making.....
Congrats

 

Sally told me that she will have FUN ( ) getting out of MoT! Something about a big hill with a stoplight either way! Gotta get you out in SF to get more practice in! We can work on hills! (JUST make sure there isn't ANYONE behind us!!! )

 

In NVa at the Miter building there is a big - and most weekends empty - parking lot. The lot slops down to the middle where the drains are located. That is where I am teaching my daughter to do handbreak starts. Most likely there is a simular parking lot near you. Start out with down hill starts and work your way into up hill starts. Another good place to learn is Fed Ex Field parking. When working gate at the autocross I see people in an empty lot all the time learning to drive. err ammmmm, that would be in a lot other than the autocrossers like me that are learning to drive in.

John

 

Maybe in time...but yes, I have thought about that!
Yikes!!!...Not looking forward to the hills at MoT!!! Got to learn somehow though.

 

Hey Sally,

I caught this news through the grapevine while I was traveling, but didn't get a chance to congratulate you on your purchase. Welcome to the insanity.

Stick? 2 weeks after you pick the car up you'll be wondering what the fuss was about.

Fair warning through: the wait for the car is tough. The wait once it's at the dealer tougher still. The wait until you're through the break-in period and can really open it up is almost unbearable. Enjoy!

-James

 

Yes, but at least she already has a MINI to motor around in while she's waiting! Oh yeah, that's the tough part... and the JCW doesn't REALLY open up until past the 4250-4500 break-in limit too... but something tells me she will think of plenty of excuses to get that break-in period over with in no time.

 

when u pick up Mia2, just push it off the lot , get it moving on the road, then if you hit a hill at a light, run it

 

True. True. A decided advantage over those of us who had to pass the time in Honda Civics.

And Sally, if it's any consolation, I've found that even while keeping it below 4K one can still have almost too much fun. You're gonna love it!

 

Hey, if the JCW difference is anything like a 'pullied S' car I find the most fun / useable difference IS from 4K down! Don't get me wrong, I know what a dyno horsepower plot looks like, it's just that I'm not keen on pulling real high revs in 'normal' traffic. I don't want to attract that much attention. I enjoy the added torque down low.

 

Mark... that's just it... yes, the bottom end is much improved with the JCW... but the top end is even more dramatic. Check out Gabe's long-term JCW review on MotoringFile:

MotoringFile » Archive » JCW MCS Long-term Review: Part 1
MotoringFile » Archive » JCW MCS Long-term Review: Part 2
MotoringFile » Archive » JCW MCS Long-term Review: Part 3
MotoringFile » Archive » JCW MCS Long-term Review: Part 4
MotoringFile » Archive » JCW MCS Long-term Review: Wrap-up

Haven't you driven one yet? If not, we need to fix that, pronto. I can help.

 

Aww, that's just it. The top end isn't a big deal to me. To most others yes I'll agree it is. Nice write up by Gabe. Clearly a great package. I want handling first and foremost, low end second, then high end last. The main reason I haven't done a Milltek yet is I'm afraid it'll be too 'high profile' for my taste. I like being a bit stealthier and quieter in traffic. (Pretty funny from a arrest me red owner I admit).

I can't even accelerate slightly briskly on Rt 1 without some kid in a Honda thinking I want to race. It's actually a problem. Last thing I need is some kid thinking that and a cop to see me going moderately and a Honda wailing as it passes me and the cop to think we're racing. Guilt be association of being in the next lane.

I know, you're just rying to talk me out of $6K. And maybe I better not drive a JCW or it might just happen! Or at least I could end up feeling my car doesn't measure up and get all depressed.

In truth I would insist on a convertible again. That's just my desire and taste. This car was a bit over thirty at the dealer and I added about $4K after. If I did a JCW with the other things I'd want I'd be looking at well north of $40K.

I LOVE my MINI but I won't put over $40K in one. Others will I'm not saying they shouldn't! Once in the 40 to 50K range I'd personally be looking at a maybe a Elise, or at fixing up a old toy. I.E. XKE, 190SL, 230SL, Austin Healy 3000, Ferrari 308, or build up a street rod... Yes, quiet a varied range I know but I'm a complex guy.

Edit: Sorry all, I took this WAY off topic. Sorry!

 

This is very true! and those souped up Hondas are SOOO freakin' loud!

 

The JCW package is nice but the price doesn't sit well with me nor does it match the current aftermarket mods that can be done for a lot less....more bang for the buck. For example - The JCW BBK is a joke in my opinion. A bigger rotor, larger pads but 1 piston????? For a few hundred more you could get a Wilwood BBK that has 4 pistons, the larger pads and rotors that are easy to find at retailers (unlike the JCW pads and rotors) and superior stopping power. The CAI....the aftermarket systems trounce the JCW kit. John Cooper is rolling in his grave!

I agree with Mark...if I am going to pay close to 40K...it will not be spent on a MINI. That money would be spent on a BMW 330i that would have no problems keeping up with a MINI and passing it.

 

Don't get me wrong. I think JCW is cool and am happy to drool on them ;-) And I'm NOT suggesting that it's not worth it. Under certain circumstnaces I'd snap one up in a heartbeat! But we all have different values and are willing to take things to certain levels. I happen to have many interests that I desire to spread my 'discretionary' income among. A 35 year old sailboat and some pricey bicycles among them.

It just so happens that when the price is up in the range I would hit with the combo of specs I would want, there a lot of other toys I would desire within reach.

I don't want any JCW owners current or future to think I'm suggesting it's a poor choice nor anything of that nature. Far from it. I'm only speculating that if I found 45 K under my matrress I'd forgotten about what I might do with it. If we all had the same list it'd be a boring world indeed!

 

Thank you.. Im very much looking forward to it..Today my MINI finally showed up on the owners lounge!
Yes, Mia has been good to me, and I hope to spend some final quality time with her. But when the JCW arrives. I will definately be finding ways to get the break in time over with! Lets Motor!
Id still get a MINI. Have loved them for years, and this is MY dream car!
I agree! And this is what Im doing with the money I found under MY mattress!

 

Life is good....

Not only am I getting a JCW... but today I found a new job!!!

NO MORE RETAIL!!!!!

Dont worry Alan, I will complete and deliver your framed Dragon Panorama before I leave Joanns

 

That's fantastic news! Do tell more...

 

When I get back up there (sometime in mid-ish September, date still in the air), I'd be more than happy to do some quality motoring!! In fact, if you really wanted to get past the break-in quickly, there's some roads in PA that I've been meaning to explore... And I'm sure that there'd be a couple of DCMMers that would be happy to come along... hmmm...

-Paul!