What do you get exactly for that $7000+ premium; I see that you still need to add the JCW suspension?

 

I can't believe the car doesn't come with an upgraded suspension. You either have to pay for the sport or JCW suspension, on top of the $30k for the "base" car.

-edit-

Pfff, you don't even get an aero kit. Basically it's the engine, exhaust, brakes and a bunch of eye-candy (like "chrome plated side scuttles")

 

I want those wheels... dammit.

specked it out and it came to 40K.... too rich for my blood. Auto AC no longer comes in the Premium.

 

You get the following:
-upgraded engine/parts
-upgraded transmission
-upgraded clutch
-bigger turbo
-bigger brakes
-elsd (electronic LSD)
-DSC
-DTC
-JCW intake (the dealer installed one)
-Challenge style wheels
-Antracite headliner
-higher MPH speedo
-there may be one other "fluff" option that I'm forgetting

You have to ask yourself if the options listed above are worth the 7k, and what would it cost you if you were to do the above yourself to an S...oh and back it with a 3yr warranty

-No Aero Kit
-No upgraded suspension

If the aero kit and suspension kit was added, it would add an additional 2k+ putting it at almost 10k over the S for a BASE JCW. I think that it would be a barrier to a lot of people. I know it would not have been worth it to me. They had to cut costs somewhere. Since the hard parts were required, there was no more big ticket items to chop off other then the aero kit and suspension, which the JCW could lumber on without. The wheels are probably the next biggest ticket item, which they can't get rid of because it is now the visual JCW identifier aside from the small badges.

 

So essentially you get more HP (and everything needed to get it) and bigger painted brakes with new wheels to clear the brakes?

Just like ordering the bigger engine in other brand cars...

Everything else seems to be just the same as a regular cooper S, with less options available because of the more HP (i.e. no automatic)

 

Nothing new for the JCW to come in over $40k fully optioned. I priced one out with most of the goodies (but certainly 'fully loaded') three years ago, and it ran $43k.

 

yeah, but why get a sports car without a manual?

 

For $7K I'd want 275-hp and 300-ft.lbs......

I'd say to cheeze all the fluff and give us the suspension. It's like a lineman that can bench-press 500 lbs but has the legs of Barry Manilow.

 

For $30K I can buy 4 nice road bikes..... Mmmmmmm..

 

because now they're faster.

and that seems way overpriced imo...

 

Just get the JCW aero kit and be a poser

 

Mmmm... yummy. Too expensive though and gas prices suck. Cool though.

 

I noticed too that the factory aero kit now comes with painted fender lips in all models.

 

Mine came to 32,650. That's spec'd exactly how my 07 S is now. Will they come out with another one when the stage 2 kit comes out?

 

My JCW config. comes in at 5k more than the car I have now, with the same options.

 

same options 4500 more... for 20 more HP, newer gearing.. no LSD..hmmm

 

$7K more.

The only real question is are you against spending $3K on rims. Cause that's what Mini would charge for those. You get the rest of that stuff for $4K.

35HP
Upgraded Internals on engine and transmission
Brembo 4 Piston Brakes
DSC
Electronic LSD
Piano Black Inside
Arthatrice Headliner

The JCW dealer install is $2.5K. The bigger brakes are another $1K. DSC is $0.5K. So basically the upgraded internals, the eLSD, the inside stuff is all free as long as you are willing to pay for $3K rims.

Some will be ok with that. Some will want after market rims and a few horses less.

 

The interior options seems to be lacking too. So with the JCW I can't get the brushed aluminum and it still costs more. But yeah it camse to just over 40k, and i think I can still do the S for a bit less and get the interior bits that i want.

 

GRRRR
thats a bummer for us '07 hypersport body kit owners.

 

Can't wait!

 

I am not sure which configurator you saw but the one I pulled up had the sunroof, auto-A/C and the MFSW in the Premium package - what is no longer there is the MINI Hi-Fi

 

That's a lot of coin for 35hp. Couldn't one add an intake, intercooler, pulley, exhaust, and get almost that much without even increasing the boost? And without the suspension ($2k installed) what good is it? It's nice to have the choice I guess, it wouldn't be my choice. I'd opt for different wheels myself (lighter for sure). That would save $ too. I also wonder how much it would be to just paint the wheel arches and oem side skirt. That wouldn't be that much different than the JCW aero look. The bumpers aren't that different to the casual onlooker.

 

The one I speced out was about 8,000 more than the S I just ordered. That is alot for .2 seconds faster to 60. Any car over 6 seconds in this day and age is not even considered "fast".

How often in the lifetime of this car would you ever realize any benefit for the factory JCW over a S model? Either the car next to you is way faster than 0 to 60 than 6.2 or you could probably beat it with an S.

I could see spending 8,000 more if it looked way better than an S. Face it the reason most people buy an M3 over a 335 is the prestige of owning it. All of these cars are faster than you need on a day to day basis. So for 8,000 more I would get zero prestige, barely noticeable performance and higher insurance and lower gas mileage. The cost/benefit equation does not work.

 

I know I will get flamed for saying this on here, but I would rather spend $40+k on a BMW 135i than on a loaded factory JCW. I currently own a Stage 1 JCW MCS and I test drove a 135i recently. The factory JCW will only have 20 or so hp more than my MCS and even then it will be no match performance-wise for the 135i. I know the factory JCW vs. 135i subject has been beaten to death, and they are very different cars, etc. But it makes a lot more sense performance-wise for me to spend $40k on a 135i than on a loaded factory JCW.