Ok. So I have my 2009 JCW Build Sheet done, and my salesperson is waiting for me to give the go-ahead (and the the $1000 down) to have it built.

I just want to hear what people think about this car fitting me. Here are the things I want out of a car:

(1) Daily Driver - needs to be efficient.
(2) SCCA Car - needs to be fun to do SCCA with.
(3) Good Owners Events - good people, roads, and stories.
(4) And all of that under warranty incase anything goes wrong.

If those are my expectations do you think I will get that with this car? (Please don't go of into Mini S vs. JCW... I've done the math and am fine with the cost)

BTW - I used to own an EVO VIII so I am used to a performance car in some respect.

Lastly here is what is on my build:

Laser Blue/Black w/ black bonnet stripes
XENON headlights
Comfort Access
Ipod-Bluetooth
Multi-Function Steering Wheel
Rear Fog Lights
JCW Aero Kit
(Will eventually get suspension upgrade... it just won't be the sports suspension from Mini)

Let me know what you guys think.

 

Looks like a slam dunk to me. I have a 2008 MCS with the JCW tuning and suspension. It meets all of the criteria you listed. Great car and great group of car owners. I belong to the local club here in NC. The car has been to the track twice as well for DE events.

Also, would highly recommend the JCW suspension. Handles great and pretty darn comfortable as well.

 

DE events?? I dont know that acronym.

Thanks for the reassurance. I'll probably make the dive by the night, but it's easier when you hear positive remarks from other owners.

Anybody regret the JCW and wish they had something entirely different for the money?

 

DE = Drivers Education

 

I did it!! I got my production number tonight. Should take delivery on my birthday!!

 

Congrats!

I just picked up my Laser Blue/Black JCW last night! It's awesome and you won't regret it! From the ~70 miles I've put on it I got about 29mpg and I am NOT breaking it in gently! Woohoo!

Mine is similarly configured, though I don't have the aero kit, Comfort Access or USB/iPod, and I did go with the Premium Package, Cold Weather package, and HiFi.

While I haven't been to any meets yet, the NAM and MINI community in general is awesome. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more friendly, helpful, devoted, and large community to any other vehicle.

 

ok, here's my plunge. I ordered mine in beginning of August. And here's where I'm at:
1) I wanted daily commuter with good gas milage.
2) I have 2 1/2 year old daughter with one on way.
3) Something decent in snow.
4) I have itch for sports car, and this was most practical.
5) This will be my only car, wife has a Subaru Outback.

 

Am I the only one who is checking the owner's lounge like every few hours to see if it's possibly in production?? It's going to be a long few months.

 

Yeah, it's rough. You'd probably be best off to just never go on the OL or NAM and just forget about things altogether. I only had to wait 5 weeks and it still was awful.

 

I am trying to forget, but the waiting gets me thinking and I almost have cold feet. Start thinking of the trade, the amont of money, and what are the alternitives, but I do keep coming back to the JCW as the best choice for the above reasons. I can even get the new M3 or C63, but I am trying to be practical too. There are others things to spend on at this point of my life, but a boy has to play too!

 

I 100% understand. My friends have tried to get me to choose a different car, but the JCW is a well rounded car for fun and practicality. Hard to pass that up.

 

Same here, and others I don't even tell, but I test drove the S and I miss a stick and have a blast driving. I will be taking to NYC at least 4 times a week, and commute 30 miles each way. Why should I haul larger car than I need......
BTW, around where I live, the Smart car is popping up all over the place, now there is a useless car!

 

It's best to put the car out of your mind for a while. The real action happens in the last 3-5 days before it ships. THEN the boat ride is the longest ever and the boat doesn't seem to move at all as you're tracking it every day.

For the folks that had placed orders first, we had to deal with a holiday (US 4th of July), a transportation strike in Spain and a truckers petrol demonstration in the UK that interfered with delivery. THEN they held the cars at the VDC until the "official" launch date. Consider yourself lucky and hopefully it will be smooth sailing for you.

 

Thanks! Keeping it in perspective is probably a good idea.

 

I just learned that I probably should not check the owners lounge at work. I just read that my car has been scheduled for production, and I nearly ran out the door to get my camping supplies so I could take on the elements as I sleep outside my local Mini dealership.

 

Hey Wize, how long was the time between when you got your production number and the "scheduled for production" step.

I'm a few days behind you (ordered mine on 9/2), checking the board every few hours too...

Boys and their toys...

Thanks,
Steve

 

Mine really only took like a week. But I think this completely depends on your specific dealers allocations. Mine will be in production next week (about two weeks after ordering).

I'm confused though... isn't today 9/5/08?? Did you mean 8/12 (which would be before I ordered).

 

you are right WIZE, it depends on the allocation. Your dealership can tell you which week your car is actually scheduled to go into production.

 

you are right WIZE, it depends on the allocation. Your dealership can tell you which week your car is actually scheduled to go into production.

 

doh - ordered 9/2 not 9/12

... and now that you mention it, my MA did mention something about a slot about to become available but i can't remember his exact words - i was too excited.

 

You guys might think I am crazy, but I haven't checked it once!!
I don't know, I feel it might be a idea to just get a call that lets me know the car is ready for pickup. (plus or minus the car will be here by Mid october)

 

What kind of a Miniman are you anyway? Some people track their car closer and more often than they tracked hurricane Gustav. I remember one LENGTHY thread where someone was updating the new owner about the windspeeds every hour over the Atlantic and posting maps and stuff. Get with the program.

 

there's a windspeed map... where can i find it...

funny thing - 2 years ago, my BMW after 12 years and 170,000 miles was getting too expensive to maintain so i bought a Rabbit. I was never excited about the Rabbit but i needed transportation.

i special ordered the Rabbit because i wanted exactly what i wanted, no more, no less. At that point my wife had me convinced an automatic was the way to go (which is why, right or wrong - i didn't consider the MINI).

Now i do like the Rabbit and have no real complaints but, honestly, i haven't been happy since i sold the Bimmer.

Point of the story is that i ordered the Rabbit in August and waited until December - not until December did i call my salesman to even check on the Rabbit.

Boy this is a whole different experience - my MINI - now i'm like a kid again.

... now where's that wind map...