After having my fears eased on some Mini issues I'd read about (confusing previous gens with the new on), Wife asked why not get the JCW rather than the regular HT with all the JCW packages?

Did a comparison and the JCW comes in $3K more that the regular S with all the packages. Money aside, is the JCW a smart buy over the regualr S?

I kinda like the motor (although the S should be more than peppy enough). I figure Dampers are a necessity since we like a softer ride and the sport package w/ comes standard stiffens things up further than the stock S which we found to be a bit "jittery" as is.

I assume if I pick the $500 Dampeners for the JCW, it should tame the ride down to something softer than the S, correct?

We are considering the JCW for the appearance more than any other reason (and it was the first model my wife wanted before considering the F55 4dr HT or the regular S 2 dr). Seems like every time we get on the configutor we change something else.

Since reading this forum, we are going to order our accessories through a forum vendor rather than the dealer. Lots of excellent info from a great membership here.

 

First Mini, go all in!

JCW

 

JCW! You'll regret it later if you go with the "S"

 

While riding in your new JCW, you spot an MCS with the JCW package. Do you say to your wife, I sure wish we had bought the lesser Mini, one that's not quite as nice?

 

Base JCW price is $31,450 and MCS price including JCW Exterior and Interior Packages is $27,850 (24,950 + 2,500 + 400), so you're really talking about a $3,600 difference.

If you're "considering the JCW for the appearance more than any other reason" why pay the difference?

Is the extra power and torque plus larger brakes worth the difference to you?

 

..

 

Jcw of course, the resale value will be better if that helps.

 

I don't believe the adjustable dampers have a very wide range of adjustment so paired with the sport springs (which I assume are standard on the jcw) you may still have a stiffer ride than the standard S suspension.

maybe just get standard jcw suspension and do a 1 for 1 swap with an S owner with standard suspension.

or order with adjustable dampers and swap with an S with adjustable dampers.

and one other point to note is the JCW cars seem to hold their value a bit better than non JCW

 

I have a JCW Coupe, and had a 2007 MCS before that. The engine is way faster, the bigger turbocharger. The brakes are noticeably better, it's a big difference. I have the sport suspension and it's comfortable for me, but you can opt for the regular Mini suspension or maybe even the adjustable dampers. But from what you say what you really want is the bodykit not the engine and brakes. So just get that and save $3600. The JCW is definitely more of a track car, which is why it has the boost and brakes. I guess the F56 has 20 more HP than mine which is ridiculous.

 

I think it really depends on what options you're speccing, but the JCW gives you the higher output engine, bigger brakes, and the better sounding exhaust. These are not things you can spec on the Cooper S (the brakes and exhaust can be fitted as accessories, however). I think the Cooper S has plenty of power and if you're just buying for looks, the JCW exterior kit you get on the Cooper S is EXACTLY the same as the JCW stock body.

Suspension options are exactly the same as well if you're looking at a Cooper S with the JCW exterior package: sport suspension is a no cost option and is 30% stiffer than stock and also includes (someone correct me if I'm wrong) an upgraded sway bar. The Dynamic Dampers are the same on both as well and are 10% softer than stock on MID and GREEN modes and 10% stiffer in SPORT. Standard suspension is a no cost option on the factory JCW.

If performance is a priority, the choice is clear: go with the factory JCW. If it's all about looks and you have no intention of getting on the gas or carving corners, save your money and go for the JCW packaged Cooper S.

 

The Mrss gave you the green light for the JCW , Go for it!

 

I am a MA in Nevada. Keep in mind you will forgo the fog light option if you go with the actual JCW vs the JCW Appearance Package. In the JCW the fog light spots are used additional air intakes. As others mentioned of course you will get an upgraded exhaust, breaks, badging and the center LED dial has a racing flag graphic around the circumference that is not on the "S" or "Non-S" Models.

Regarding the dampers, I received my ordered F56 with dampers last week and it is nice. I have a fully spec'd "S" model with the JCW Appearance Package, Etc. You access the dampers by going into the Connected/Nav Screen under settings "Sport Mode" and you can select three options:

- Chasis & Engine (Sport + 10% = Includes Both)
- Chasis Only (Sport + 10%)
- Engine Only (Comfort -10%)

The above options are in addition to the drive modes that are at the base of the shifter.
Good luck with your decision and Happy Motoring!!

 

Excellent info. Dampeners for sure. Great to know I can have sport mode with a 10% softer ride w/o changing engine setting.

 

It's so easy to spot who owns an R56 or an F56 around here.

yes, the F56 only has 8 more hp than the R56 (189 vs 181), but the torque is up substantially (207/221 w/ overboost vs 177) and occurs at 1,250 rpm. Acceleration times are about the same if you're drag racing your Mini.

I have driven Coupes, Clubmans, Pacemans, hardtops (2 and 4 door), both S and non-S. The F56 S engine is significantly stronger around town.

Not sure why we're even talking about the dead R56, so anyways, if you can afford the JCW, go for it.

 

The King is Dead, Long live the King!

 

Fixed it for you

 

My two cents worth...

JCW

Motor on!

 

JCW...bit more exclusive. And black with the red roof really pops.

I don't think you'd regret it

 

You will always wonder "what if" if you don't get the JCW. Just get it!

 

One thing I've learned over 4 MINIs is that your perception of what you want out of the car may change after actually having it in the driveway. I was tempted to go JCW on ALL FOUR MINIS and in each case backed out for financial reasons primarily. In each case, I regretted it. Only with the most current one did I have the capability to afford the JCW but chose not to for other reasons, albeit somewhat short sighted. I didn't want to wait another 9 months for the manual. That said, you've indicated two things now that seem to argue against the JCW:
1. Ride quality: The JCW will be stiffer than the S, without question.
2. Aesthetics: if aesthetics govern, saving the money and getting the kit makes sense.

Now, you *may* discover after purchase that you want more power and track-fit than you thought you would when you bought it. All is not lost; you can still do the performance mods and get close to factory JCW with the JCW kits for the S, or even better (possibly) with aftermarket (at least based on previous gens) however for resale value and just out of the box refinement, going JCW now would be a better longterm financial decision, if you can afford it now. As another poster said, worst case, you can do work to the suspension to soften things up.

I don't really have regrets not going JCW this time, though had it been available when I ordered, I would have. But I just dropped suspension and springs into my 2015 and it's reallllly nice.

 

Well, since I'm not a "Tokyo Drifter" and really looking for a ride a bit more compliant (even than the stock Cooper S), I becoming less drawn to the JCW version.

I really do like the JCW look (interior and exterior) and can get most all of that with the packages for far less money. With the packages I want in the car (Wired w/the Navigation, Storage, Automatic, HK Audio, Sat radio, Dampners) the JCW will be pushing up to or just past the $38K mark. The Cooper S with the same options and JCW appearance packages will be under $34K.

I never buy a car based on resale value as they are one of the worst investments we make. You lose all the way around unless you happen to buy a car which is going to be a classic and keep it for 20-30 years. Although, I will admit, it is a great pitch to make to one's wife when you're trying to justify the initial purchase.

I like the JCW bonnet stripes better and the red accent on the grill, and the more powerful engine (but not for the price bump). I realize you do get LED headlights (which I had considered w/ the cornering option), but realized I rarely drive at night and replacement cost for the LEDs are $1K each, compared to a bulb replacement w/ the standard lights. The 2.0 S motor w/ 189HP should be more than enough to merge with traffic and do around the town scooting.

I still may have to convince my wife that the less expensive car is a better deal that the JCW for our use (talk about role reversals )

 

You can always go to a vinyl or stripe place and get JCW bonnet stripes if you want too, as well as paint the red accent. I am actually painting my grill black with the red accent next week.

 

I don't think the question of "MCS vs JCW" is the same as was for the 2nd Gen MINI. The 2nd Gen (R56) JCW engine was a MCS engine with beefed up internals and a larger turbo. I think the difference in the 3rd Gen engines is just the "state of tune". So if you buy a MCS and want more power later on, you can go with an aftermarket tune.

 

The 3rd gen JCW also is an upgraded version of the MCS engine and has the same kind of upgrades as the 2nd gen JCW: bigger turbo, upgraded internals, and slightly re-tuned.

 

I stand corrected

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