I'm looking to purchase a new Mini and can't decide whether to buy a JCW or buy and S and modify it over time. With all of the factory and aftermarket parts available, is it really worth waiting/paying for a JCW car?
I know the factory JCW is like 208 HP, but shouldn't you be able to get this kind of HP out of a modified S without opening the engine up, ie, bolt-ons. Your only talking about a 20% increase. Seems doable with proper planning.
I know JCW cars come with more then just a few extra HP, but you sure pay a lot for them and most avaialble are loaded up with items I don't want.

What does your experiance tell you?

 

The brake kit is $2k+ by itself and you get the upgraded exhaust, extra stuff as standard that most people would buy on the MCS (anthracite headliner, piano black trim, DSC/DTC), etc.....plus you get factory warranty.

 

Try costing out upgrading your clutch, pistons and transmission to handle all the extra power and see how much more it costs you. Also as wj94 you have the added security of a warranty. As for options you don't want then that's simple, order it from the factory how you want it.

 

You've posted this in the JCW forum. Most of us have already done this calculation and feel very strongly that the JCW is well worth it. It's not just about the HP upgrade - it's the engine and drivetrain internals, the 'free' interior and wheel upgrades, and the brakes (wow they are good!).

If you are content to buy a relatively base spec S, and don't plan to throw a lot of money into it, then the MCS might be the way to go.

I paid less than $31K for my 09 JCW, so I wouldn't trade it for ANY modified S.

 

Same here, my spec was under $31k and I paid under $30k for it. The S I had built was around $25k, felt the extra money was well worth it and besides, the residual on the lease was 4% higher than the MCS, production was late July instead of September, and the actual cost on my monthly payment was LESS than the $25k MCS at MSRP. Dealer gave me a discount on JCW, wouldn't budge on MCS.

 

so no one has really found the keys to real power gains yet. Not to say they won't, but they haven't. GIAC has done it, but it's a send in the ECU, not a dyno tune, so you can't get all there is to be had. I'm sure that will change, but till it does, the modders are more limited to direct bolt ons. Also, it's a direct injection motor, and the modders are just starting to crack these. I've read of some tuners boosting fuel pressures a bit, but I haven't yet read about injector swaps and the like. I don't think you can really expect huge gains from the mod world till these changes are a bit more worked out.

That said, once they are, they apply to the JCW as well as the MCS, and like others have siad, there are some internal differences to the engine with the JCW that should make it better able to handle the power.

I'm someone who's modded (a lot) an 02 MCS, and for now, I think I'd go the JCW route. Especially if you can order from the same dealer that gave the discount mentioned above!

Matt

 

Get the JCS. You can't do a whole lot with the MCS (CAI/intercooler?/exhaust) to boost HP. Remember one thing in your mods planning with the JCW: you need suspension upgrades. From what I've read/heard the stock or "sport" (lol) suspension is a glaring weakness in the new JCW. So plan on that as your mod budget.

 

All good points. The problem here is that JCW's seem to be in the high 30's-low to mid 40's here. That's a chunk of change!

Thanks,

 

Just go light on the options. MSRP on mine was $30.3k.

 

I decided on the JCW because it gave me a good amount of upgrades over the S and ended up not costing much more. I was looking at a well-spec'd MCS for 29,5 but ended up going with a only-slightly-less spec'd JCW for 33. That said, I don't plan to do any performance upgrades so warranty was the key for me.

If the dealers closeby aren't giving you MSRP, it might be worth a short road trip to somewhere that will, if possible.

 

But just like any other Mini, it needs a bit more front camber and maybe some rear bar. That's about it till you're a really, really good driver.

Matt