Hmmmmm, ordered mine with Premium, Convience, Rear Fogs, HiFi, Xenon Headlights, JCW Aero Kit and Sport Suspension all for $36,500.

I buillt a MCS with all the same things added and it was only $800 more for the JCW and I got the upgraded engine internals and tranny. Plus the hope of collectability factor like the GP later.

To each their own.

 

I definitely see your reasoning. I'd go with the 135i. But, if I could trade in my S to get a JCW (no other car choices allowed), I would in a heart beat (after I revert the S back to stock). Then transfer the afterparket parts I had on my S to the JCW factory car.

 

I know if I was shopping for a $30K car, JCW won't be on the shopping list.

 

I ordered mine almost the same. I did without the Premium (too many stories about rattling, etc.with the sunroof) , no HiFi and Rooster Red, alarm and Sirius for 33,500. My original S order went for 26,400.

 

30k? I just priced out the JCW with the options I have on my R53. Came out to 44k. I'd rather take that 14k dollar difference and apply about 10 of it towards the mods I have now. I still have 65 BHP and 35 lb-ft of torque on it too...

I'd rather buy a 135 or an M3...And don't give me the "But it's not a MINI" BS. A 135 with a chip and coilovers will out handle, and rape the living ***** out of ANY MINI in a straight line.


Who the hell buys a 47,500 MINI after tax...

You'd be lucky if you could get $30 for it a year later...

 

The JCW is sweet, but IMHO just not worth it for me once you slap on all the mods, but maybe thats because I have 430 lb ft of tq and the mini is really just going to serve as a commuter.

JCW is sweet but I think it shuold come standard with the aero kit and the suspension. I have always purchased the special editon models with my cars and never had to add anything. My srt has the upgraded suspension and front fascia stock, also I owned a type r which also came with an amazing suspension as well all at no extra cost.

I would think that with the aero kit and the suspension the car should be 33k from the factory, then I would say for me it would be very worth it. And I want them to get us the Euro seats, I just saw em and damn those are sweet.

 

I think they'd sell more JCWs if they had the aero kit and suspension, screw the little engine mods that add a few HP. The aero kit you can SEE, and people like that, their car is cooler right in the lot. The suspension kit you can FEEL, probably during a good test drive, and makes the car more fun. The current mods are pretty obscure, tranny/clutch/brake piston jargon that probably nobody will notice. The 20hp we'll see about.......

 

Drivetrain and brake upgrades aside, the only "extras" a Works model has over the MCS are 17" wheels, DSC, DTC/EDLC, Anthracite Headliner and Piano Black Interior Surface.

Adding 17" Web-spokes ($1,250), DSC ($500), LSD ($500), Anthracite Headliner ($250) and Piano Black Interior Surface ($250) prices a MCS at $24,850 which is $4,350 less than the base Works price.

How do you come up with only a $800 difference when adding the same options to both models

 

what exactly is different about the tranny? Is it strictly the gearing, final drive?

Also is the turbo bigger or did they just squeeze a little more out of the regular mcs turbo?

 

As someone preparing to order, I certainly noticed this, too. The question is, is the factory doing this right now, before the end of the '08 model run? Or is the website just gearing up for the '09s, with the previously-publicized painted arches as part of the factory aero package? Anyone talked to a dealer lately?

 

Second that, the one I built was 33.5K, 6K more than the S I also built

 

You guys made me think I did something wrong so I went back and redid my build and still come up with the same numbers.

Did you guys add the JCW Tuning Kit $2100, Brakes and Rotors $1578, Strut Brace $275, Door Sills $78, $1500-2000 for JCW Rims and JCW Aero Kit with install $2600? To make your MCS into what would be a JCW you would have to add those items.

Then I added all the options and still same result for me.

 

I dunno that you will get flamed. It's personal pref. I love me a BMW, but for what I now know about MINI, and the MINI community, I'd buy the JCW. BMW has become played out, IMHO. I love them for the engineering pinnacles that they are, but everyone has or wants one. I prefer to be the individualist with a MINI.

Also, very happy to see that they are selling the chrome scuttles as accessories that anyone can buy. Ordering tomorrow

 

I bought an 06 with the factory JCW kit at a $6300 premium, and I am still chapped that it didn't include the suspension, which I added later. I went through this when deciding to order and what I ended up doing was driving a couple of moded cars with intakes and pulleys and then I drove someones JCW. To me the JCW was smoother in it's power delivery and just felt a bit more refined. Probably not enough to justify the price increase, but I wanted to play it safe with the warranty and went with the JCW. In the end, I have no regrets about paying the premium, I love my car.

There is no right or wrong answer in ones decision, it's like anything Mini, a you-ification of a car. Choose your own road and don't rag on anyone's ultimate decision.

 

^^that's only a relevant point if you want an insulated floating barge like the 135i. Personally, I'm not ready to buy a Cadillac yet. That said, I did drive a new CTS recently and it smokes the 1-er in terms of driver involvement and precision steering [around town].

There probably is a solid market for the JCW models. They are expensive, but I just config'd one myself and came out with $31.2k, not bad really if you look at the whole picture. Take an MCS and add several grand in mods to match the JCW in performance and you're in the mid-30's no problem. It all depends how you want to get there.

 

Werd.

 

Besides, I was thinking that with the upgraded engine parts that can handle the increased demands I will put on the car later, it was a wise choice.

Also consider the added expense of repair costs when your after market part causes a failure and Mini tells you your warranty does not cover that now.

Some will, some won't, who cares, just motor on.

 

The JCW Strut Brace or the JCW Aero Kit would be options on either model. Adding the JCW Engine Tuning Kit to the MCS would only give 189 hp, 19 hp less than the Works model. The $1360 JCW Brake Kit (which includes the $218 cross-drilled rotors) is intended for the Cooper model as the kit's brake calipers and rotors are the same size as those on the MCS.

You can't really make a MCS into a Works model with OEM parts

The question is whether you prefer a Works model or a MCS with $5,600 to spend on engine tuning, brakes and wheels/tires.

 

I love my MINI but I definitely don't feel like an individualist around L.A. You can't drive 2 blocks without seeing another MINI. Or a BMW for that matter. They're both played out around these parts.
That being said, I appreciate the 135 but have become enamoured with my 2,600 pound small car and have no desire to own a 135 like I did before I bought the MINI.

 

It looks as though the new Challenge "style" rims don't come with run flats. If this is true, do we get a spare tire lodged somewhere?

 

What leads you to believe this?

 

You have a choice between "17 inch Challenge Spoke (perf.) STD" or "17 inch Crown Spoke (perf. Run Flats) ($0)"

You would think they would iterate "Run-Flats" on the Challenge Spoke if they came that way.

On any MINI, however, you can opt for all-seasons instead of run flats at no charge...

 

That would surprise me - the specifications on the configurator mention run flat tires on the JCW hardtop "with certain wheel models", but both the Challenge Wheels and run flats are listed as standard. It's listed that way with the MCS as well and may just be a carryover. I assume that the optional 18" wheels are the exception with respect to the run flats.

 

Yeah I'm going for all seasons on mine since I'm putting some 18" wheels with non run flat performance rubber on for April-October.

 

Your math is as good as mine. I did the same math and order the 2009 JCW. Yes the price was over $40k with options, but the car has character and style.