Just some curious thoughts as I read your post. You claim that the new JCW will be left in the dust by the competition. Kinda hard to say as of yet, since there is not data for that car. I don't view and STI or Evo as competition as they are both AWD. The Mazdaspeed 3 is , but much heavier. I don't think it'll be able to beat the new JCW. Plus, how can you say the STI is underrated, for it's performance seems totally inline for a 300hp car of it's weight. You mention a reflash for the STI, I'm sure a reflash for the new JCW will see great results.

Anyway, everything is total speculation at this point. I've heard that the new factory JCW will cost about the same as the last one, so if you are careful with your options, you should be able to get one for well under 35K, I know, because I did

 

AWD is not a penalty for a turbo car. Heck, wheelspin is an issue on my R53. The market: $35k for a 'drivers car'....the STI or EVO aren't competition in your opinion? All due respect, what planet on your living on?

And, yes, the STI is underrated...has been since the '07 model with new turbo ('08 is a carryover re: powertrain). The torque is far in excess of it's stated spec. Don't take my word for it....it's out there to research.

As for engine tuning on the R56, the roadtests by magazines (like EVO) on the JCW Stage I kit for the R56 are underwhelming at best. The Stage II car has a lot of ground to make up.

 

As the power increases in a FWD, the torque steer gets more and more unbearable. JCW II sounds all good and fun on paper but AWD system should come with it and it also needs alot more power at $30K than 220HP. Strip the stereo and power windows and such like the STI if they need to cut the cost. A AWD MINI with 270 whp at $32K will be a winner, IMO.

 

amen. I had hoped for more power than my old Subaru (250hp) in the new JCW and AWD. BTW - the STI has always had power windows. only the '04 came without a stereo. The SRT4 had manual rear windows

 

Actually, I'm not saying that awd is a negative, much to the contrary, I know that it's very beneficial. I'm just saying that STI and EVO are not really in the same class as the Mini. I'm not talking about dollars, I'm talking about competition. You can get a Mustang GT for under 30K that would eat a Mini in acceleration, but I don't consider it competition even though it's priced around an MCS.

So, it's logical to say that the competition are cars like the Civic SI, VW GTI, Mazdaspeed 3, Volvo C30, Chevy Cobalt SS. Basically, sporty front drivers.

Let's face it, for the price a new MCS, you could buy a VERY nice used Porsche Boxster. I think most of us buy these cars or more than monetary reasons.

 

im waiting for more news about this car, before i decided to buy one to join you guys.

 

Geneva Auto Show 6-16 March 2008 should have your answer...

 

http://jalopnik.com/360018/2008-john...per-s-revealed

 

as opposed to a half 218hp? <snicker> Wimpy numbers. Yeah...I said it. Look at what competition makes. Heck, I have more at the wheels on my 'antiquated' R53 with a mix of OEM and RMW parts.

 

Oh, be nice.

 

haha, im digging those "MINI Wing" brakes!

 

Give the car a chance and yes with some proper additions it will probably run much better than your antiquated R53...Like he said be nice.It really should be a great little car when all is said and done..

 

I don't care much about being nice. Being realistic is more my style. This new JCW is barely more powerful than the GP, though the torque curve is better

 

The point is that it is more than the GP and the tranny, brakes will be upgraded to match. Get over it....

 

Yes it's funny how some continue to harp on about the numbers not being huge(and by the way remember both BMW's power and 0-60/100 numbers are notoriously conservative, the car will probably dyno between 220-225hp and do 0-100km/h in closer to 6 seconds than 6.5. Throw in the aro kit and JCW suspension and it'll be even quicker.) and totally forget about the countless hours of R&D, engineering and testing that goes in to making sure the JCW products not only match performance expectations but also do so in a safe manner. It's all very well going aftermarket, not knocking it in the slightest as I intend to add a couple of Alta goodies to mine, but 250-300 horses in your MINI won't do you much good when your drivetrain was not meant to handle it. It's only asking for headaches if you ask me and that's why I'll be going the factory JCW route this summer.

 

Most of you guys crack me up.

After reading the full specs on the New JCW on MINI2.com, that is a great package, and a heck of a deal for the money. Not going to order one, as I have stated on here my reaction times are no longer up to the level of performance that the car is capable of.

It will be just like the GP, or GEE PEE for those of you who never drove one. A stock MINI can certainly be tuned to above the JCW level. To claim that aftermarket bolt on enhancements on a stock S will reliably outperform a car prepared by BMW, and warranted by MINI, is certainly optimistic.

And, as in the case of the GP, stock MINI's tuned to that level of reliable performance by the best aftermarket parts exceeded the cost of the GP by a considerable sum.

Every new thing brought out by MINI "SUXs" until it proves to be better than the old.

 

Yup, the JCW cars are designed to last 100K+ miles. Not sure you can say that about a heavily modded car.

 

As well as warranty and reliability, there's also resale value to consider. A factory performance model (R53 GP, R56 JCW) will hold its value better than an S of either generation with a bunch of mods.

And a factory performance model allows for better financing and leasing options than going to the aftermarket.

 

For those who are interested, Motoring File has posted the specs. I'm glad that I have placed money down for one....

 

only because you say so

 

My car has quite a bit of JCW stuff on it. Besides, I'd expect more than 100k+ out of any new car these days.

Last time I'll say it....the competition passed MINI by in the power race. MINI made the R56 more mainstream, yet is not competing in the power dept. Miyagi said it best.....'left of road, ok. right of road, ok. middle of road - squashed like grape'

 

Yayyy for the Karate Kid reference! I use the 'grape' quote often.

 

Obviously BMW/MINI found that they needed to upgrade the clutch and transmission to maintain reliability with the increase in power.

 

(a) Regardless of power discrepancies, I don't see a 3,400lb, AWD, $36k car as "competition" for a 2,600lb, 2WD, $29k car. Two very different driving experiences at different price points.

(b) No reason to think the STI is "underrated". C&D and R&T got 1/4 mile trap speeds of 102 and 98 MPH respectively. Nothing there to indicate it's putting out more than 300hp.

 

I wonder if this one is underrated too, just like the Cooper S (190 hp on average) en JCW Stage I ( 208 hp on average)..