EDIT: Ordered! Will put details in a below post. Here's my config:


***Original Post***
I'm heading down to the dealer tomorrow after work to give him the config for the 09 JCW that I put a deposit on last week. Build week is August 3!

Here's what I'm thinking:

Quote:

My 2009 MINI John Cooper Works Hardtop
Base MSRP* $28,550
Destination & Handling $650

PAINT IT
Black Roof/Mirrors $0
Black Bonnet Stripes $100
Laser Blue Body Color $500
White Turn Signals $100

PACKAGES
Cold Weather Package $500
Heated Powerfold Mirrors & Washer Jets
Heated Front Seats
Premium Package $1,250
Leather Sport Wheel w/Multifunction
Automatic AC
Dual Pane Panoramic Sunroof

PERFORMANCE
Dynamic Stability Control STD
Front Fog Lamps STD
Xenon Headlamps w/Power Wash $500
6-Speed Getrag Manual STD
Rear Fog Lamp $100
Dynamic Traction Control STD
17" Challenge-Spoke (Performance) STD

COCKPIT
Sport Seats STD
On-Board Computer STD
6-spkr AM/FM CD Player STD
Anthracite Headliner STD
Center Arm Rest $250
Leather: Punch Carbon Black $1,500
Dark Grey Color Line INC
Interior Surface Piano Black INC

TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $34,000

JOHN COOPER WORKS ACCESSORIES**
No selections in this category

GENUINE MOTORING ACCESSORIES**
Mud Flaps front and rear axle$62
Black Rubber Floor Mat (back) $30
Black Rubber Floor Mat (boot) $54
Black Rubber Floor Mat (front) $55

TOTAL ACCESSORIES ** $201
TOTAL MSRP AS CONFIGURED* $34,000

I'm on the fence about a few things.

1- Seats. I'm leaning towards CP leather but I'm not sure if I can justify the price. I rode in one that had CP last week and liked it, but didn't really look at the leatherette much and I didn't check out a cloth interior either. The money here may go better towards something like...

2- Aero Kit. I'd get the factory aero kit as it's a lot cheaper and I like the painted wheel wells better than the JCW kit. However, I'm not sure on this as the configurator makes it seem like the aero kit doesn't actually make the car lower, but that it just replaces a lot of the black bumper with painted ones.

3- HiFi stereo. I know this gets pretty poor reviews, but I figure I might as well go in and crank up both to see what I think. I've never had an aftermarket system before, but my girlfriend's Nissan Versa has a stock sound system that makes me want to die a horrible death. I couldn't deal with something that bad, and I'd end up paying a boatload for install on a new system methinks. Unless I can just swap out the speakers with noticable improvement.

4- My dealer (MoP) is notorious for throwing in nothing for free. I want mudflaps and rubber floormats. Should I get them through the dealer (assuming I'm paying MSRP) or can I get them elsewhere for cheaper than MSRP after shipping?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I've been researching relentlessly the past few months and I'm very happy with most of what I have in this config. I'm really, really excited. It's going to be a long ~5 weeks.

 

I know, I've been a research freak for a couple of months now. The one thing I would advise is keep things like mud flaps, mats etc. off your build and buy those separate. You don't want to be paying interest on over-priced accessories, and it will keep you payments down. (a little)

Stereo, from what I have read, is near impossible to replace with after-market. I'm sure it could be done, but I think you may be better off just upgrading to the hi-fi and swapping speakers.

I'm a fan of the punch leather (over the lounge), but I'm a bigger fan of the leatherette. The leatherette actually looks real good in person, and there is virtually no upkeep. Each time I talk myself into thinking I need the punch leather I go see the leatherette and the only thing I think is, "Wow I just saved myself $1500."

If it were up to me I would take delivery of the car, then save my money for the JCW aero kit. I think it's much nicer than the factory IMO.

Good luck with your order. It looks like a winner!

 

Hm, good point on the accessories. Are the mud flaps tough to install myself? I'd assume not. Any places that sell online for cheaper than MSRP?

I like the JCW Aero kit but it seems pretty damn expensive after painting (I'd install it myself). I guess if I grow out of wanting the aero kit then waiting would help.

I'm not gonna get much sleep tonight....

 

My MA told me that the Mud Flaps do NOT fit on a JCW Aero Kit. I wanted them bad too, if you hear different, please let me know

 

Agree. And if you lease it's even worse because dealer accessories don't residualize, so you pay for them in full and lose them when the lease ends. I've left all my dealer accessories off my order. I'll get them at 20% off or so and take care of install myself.

 

Sounds good to me too!

 

I went down to the dealer today after work. Out front was a beautiful 09 JCW they just got in the day earlier. It was a CR/B with CW, JCW Aero Kit, swaybar, steering wheel, and side scuttles. Now that I think of it, I think it's the same one as on the MINIUSA front page.

Keep in mind I'd not driven a JCW before, or even seen one for that matter.

The wheels are *awesome*. They looked great online and do not disappoint in person. The red brakes look great with them too. This was the first thing I noticed on the car.

The cloth seats were a nice surprise. When I think cloth, I think of my parents' 94 Suburban. I was very impressed with how sporty they felt and I loved the color. I sat in other cars with leatherette and lounge leather, and while the leather was nice, I couldn't justify spending $1500 for it. The leatherette just felt and looked unimpressive to me. The black cloth looks great with the black headliner, piano black dash and stock color line.

I plugged my iPod into both the stock and HiFi stereo via the aux jack. There was a little hiss with both stereos (wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't set up right), but other than that I was reasonably impressed with both. In the end, the HiFi sounded noticably better to me, and although it's not the best system ever, I'm sure I'll be happy with it. And, if I ever do get annoyed at it, I can always upgrade the speakers.

I really liked the look of the JCW Aero Kit, especially the side skirts. Although the manager originally thought I could get it for $1595 factory installed, I questioned him on this a few times and he finally agreed that it was a dealer installed accessory. It'd run me about $2600 painted and installed. I couldn't stomach that. I don't like the factory aero kit enough to fork up $1250, either. So, I decided to stay without an aero kit for now. If I end up wanting it, I can always buy it and have it installed (or install it myself) after the fact.

As for the drive, I think my exact thoughts were "HOLY ******!" The JCW seems SO MUCH FASTER than the MCS I drove last week. It sure felt like a ton more than 36hp for sure. I *love* the exhaust note. Coming from my V6 Mazda6 with MagnaFlows, I knew one thing I'd miss the most about the 6 was the exhaust. Turns out, I won't be missing much. It sounds great when you're on it and is quiet but still notable when just cruising. The MA said the exhaust gets a bit louder with the sport button on, but I'm not sure about that.

Other than my MA taking out this car for a little ride yesterday, I was the first to drive it. I thought that was pretty cool.

I was very, very impressed with how easy this whole buying experience was. Both the manager and my MA were amazingly laid back. Once it was all over and we were on our way out, my MA really started to show how genuinely excited he was for me. He really likes the config of my car and he said he's glad everytime he gets to sell to an enthusiast rather than someone just looking for "a car that gets good gas mileage". His name is Mark and I'd highly recommend him to anyone looking at MINI of Peabody.

Build week is in fact August 3. Delivery was estimated to be September 10, though I'm hoping it might be a bit earlier than that.

Hmm, I think that's all I've got for now.

Gonna be a long month!

 

Very nice. I'm sure you'll love the car.

 

Hi Friends
I get my new JCW in a week or so.
I added the suspension upgrade to my order.
Did I make a mistake and is the ride too harsh?
This is going to be my daily driver.
I love exceptional handling but I don't want to lose my kidneys.
Anyone with experience with this upgrade?
Thanks!!
D

 

You will LOVE your JCW! We've had ours for 4 days and it screams! Didn't get the suspension upgrade but wish we had. Check out the '09 JCW Forums if you haven't already.

 

The only difference is the sway bars front and rear are about 1 mm thicker. That does not seem worth it. Someone else has indicated that getting that and adding the JCW springs is the same as the $1295 JCW Suspension kit. I'm not completely convinced about that.

I did not order the sport suspension option. $500 for marginally thicker sway bars did not seem worth it. I may buy the JCW suspension later at a discount and install it myself.

 

I didn't buy the suspension because 1- I live in New England and our roads get pretty bad in the winter and 2- I was very pleased with the stock suspension already.

 

thanks for the response
d

 

I too was thinking about adding the JCW springs. Any feedback on harshness of ride would be appreciated.