Would you buy your JCW again?
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 2
From: Slip F-18, Bahia Mar Marina
I've driven like a granny or a couple of tanks in the past, as well as coasting, short shifting, etc. to see what I could get. Mixed driving (pretty much half city and half interstate), the best I could manage was 31. I have yet to go on an interstate trip long enough to use a whole tank of gas, and I live in Tennessee, so mountains/inclines will suck up some of the mileage.
Neutral
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Greenville, SC
Might be too soon to say after a month of ownership but I'm pretty impressed with my JCW so far. Some of the plastic pieces are pretty cheap and remind me of Chevy, the fit and finish isn't perfect but then I have to remember it isn't an Audi. The car is a blast to drive with good handling, great front brakes and acceleration. I do miss all-wheel drive (horribly!) so I'm getting used to how it handles.
I get bored with cars too quickly so I doubt I'll buy another one. Already looking at Boxsters...
I get bored with cars too quickly so I doubt I'll buy another one. Already looking at Boxsters...
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Almost two years into ownership and 11,500 miles, I have to say NO or MAYBE to the question of buying another JCW. It can be a rough ride on anything but ideal road surfaces and the plastic interior is an annoyance as well as an eye sore. The torque steering is a pain and can be dangerous. HOWEVER, I love the speed and pickup and the brakes are FANTASTIC!!!!! but considering the high entry price point, I feel I could have done better for my money. At the time I bought, Fuel Economy was a huge factor in my decision. Now, 2 years later, there are more and more cars with good mpg and great performance. I like my 135, and I'm impressed with the Mustang GT and the value it presents. I still get a lot attention in my JCW and it's sort of like a cool toy.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 310
Likes: 2
From: MO
Still would buy another JCW. With two in the garage we will need a third in a couple of years for the kid to drive.
On the mileage my computer says 32.0 lifetime. I have manually calculated 27.5-34.5 on any individual tank. Normally calculate 31.5-32.5. I live 3 miles from work and drive it 4 times a day. Plus off to soccer practices and games and general running around. Almost 30,000 miles and ready to keep this one or replace with similar if ever have to.
On the mileage my computer says 32.0 lifetime. I have manually calculated 27.5-34.5 on any individual tank. Normally calculate 31.5-32.5. I live 3 miles from work and drive it 4 times a day. Plus off to soccer practices and games and general running around. Almost 30,000 miles and ready to keep this one or replace with similar if ever have to.
Almost two years into ownership and 11,500 miles, I have to say NO or MAYBE to the question of buying another JCW. It can be a rough ride on anything but ideal road surfaces and the plastic interior is an annoyance as well as an eye sore. The torque steering is a pain and can be dangerous. HOWEVER, I love the speed and pickup and the brakes are FANTASTIC!!!!! but considering the high entry price point, I feel I could have done better for my money. At the time I bought, Fuel Economy was a huge factor in my decision. Now, 2 years later, there are more and more cars with good mpg and great performance. I like my 135, and I'm impressed with the Mustang GT and the value it presents. I still get a lot attention in my JCW and it's sort of like a cool toy.
And as far as torque steer, there is an update on the ECM that GREATLY reduces torque steer even on a tuned car pushing much more HP/TQ.
Just a suggestion....
Mark
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
I must have a heavy foot cause I average only around 27mpg hand calculated.
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
Yeah, my 2011 came with that already included, and I don't feel any torque steer.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 2
From: Slip F-18, Bahia Mar Marina
1 year this week. 7k miles. I'll be putting less on it this year, given that I'm happily jobless.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
MY ANSWER IS A FIRM NO!!!! Just got back from the BMW/MINI corporate dealership and was trying to trade in my car as described above. Guess what they offered me as trade in value??? 20k!!!! They have no problem charging me a premium price for this so-called premium small car but when it came time to trade it in suddenly after only 2years and 11,500 miles it's worth almost half the price!! at a mini/bmw dealership no less. Other car dealers offered numbers ranging from 17-19k. Let's just say I'm deeply disappointed, and I could never recommend to anyone to buy into a JCW Mini.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 2
MY ANSWER IS A FIRM NO!!!! Just got back from the BMW/MINI corporate dealership and was trying to trade in my car as described above. Guess what they offered me as trade in value??? 20k!!!! They have no problem charging me a premium price for this so-called premium small car but when it came time to trade it in suddenly after only 2years and 11,500 miles it's worth almost half the price!! at a mini/bmw dealership no less. Other car dealers offered numbers ranging from 17-19k. Let's just say I'm deeply disappointed, and I could never recommend to anyone to buy into a JCW Mini.
MINIs tend to hold their value fairly well... relatively speaking - I would try private sale.And let's face it, cars depreciate FAST. Even faster when the economic climate is poor. It looks like you have the JCW Cabrio... with the new roadster on the way I wouldn't be surprised if the cabrio looses value faster now.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
DUDE, I'm quoting NADA and BLUEBOOK "TRADE IN VALUES" not retail values. The only mistake I made was paying a premium price for what in reality isn't a premium vehicle.
And as far as I'm concerned the new ROADSTER cheapens the entire line. It looks like a GEO METRO CONVERTIBlE if I squint my eyes. I wouldn't be caught dead in that poorly design knock off. No offense if you bought one, just my two cents.
And as far as I'm concerned the new ROADSTER cheapens the entire line. It looks like a GEO METRO CONVERTIBlE if I squint my eyes. I wouldn't be caught dead in that poorly design knock off. No offense if you bought one, just my two cents.
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: ft lauderdale
I don't know what part of the country you are in, but if the new Mini market is strong, than the used values are strong also.
Unfortunately, the dealers got blindsided with poor JCW market. I owned an 09 R56 JCW and traded it for an 09 R55 JCW.
The R56 was 42K and the R55 was 48K.
I bought the R56 in august of 08, put 30K miles on it and traded it in on the R55 in June of 09. They made me a deal i couldn't refuse.
The JCW VS the base Mini is priced in much the same way the M5 is priced VS the base 5 series.
The problem is, when you pay extra for a factory prepped performance car, you will almost always suffer much bigger losses than the buyer that bought the base car.
Mini did a terrible job hyping the JCW, and as a result after the 09 model year, dealers just stopped ordering the factory JCW for stock.
What you are experiencing is the fallout from scared dealers, because the JCW as they found out in 09, is more of a cult car and not much of a commercial success.
I get more compliments on my R55 JCW than any other car I have ever owned.
As of today I have put 84,000 miles on the JCW Clubman and it has been fantastic. With the money I paid for this car I could have picked from 95% of the total market and gotten more car for the money, but I chose Miles of Smiles VS a practical decision.
I suggest you keep the JCW and Drive it like you stole it, enjoy it, and when your family grows too big for this little car buy a mini van and keep the JCW for you.
That dealer will sell your used JCW for about the same price as a modestly equipped new S.
In 09 there were only about 1100 nuts that bought the R56 JCW, and even fewer R55 JCW nuts (about 230), so we are a very small group with a VERY expensive economy car.
Sorry for being so long winded, but it's not the car's fault, it's our fault for wanting an econobox that will do 0-60 in 6 sec. that can easily hit 150 mph, will outrun almost 95% of the cars on the road, and if driven properly will get 32mpg average in town and almost 40 mpg on the highway.
If everyone knew what we do, this car would be accessible only via a waiting list.
But they don't, so we occasionally have a disenchanted owner when they try to trade in their car.
Stay in the JCW club and enjoy the performance, versatility, and the knowledge that you are one of about 2000 nut jobs in the world that recognized this little powder keg as unique and are lucky enough to have owned one!
40 years from now your grand kids will be looking through the family album and see pictures of the JCW Mini, look at each other and exclaim, "i told you Grandpa was a nut case and here's proof! Hey Grandpa cool car!"
Unfortunately, the dealers got blindsided with poor JCW market. I owned an 09 R56 JCW and traded it for an 09 R55 JCW.
The R56 was 42K and the R55 was 48K.
I bought the R56 in august of 08, put 30K miles on it and traded it in on the R55 in June of 09. They made me a deal i couldn't refuse.
The JCW VS the base Mini is priced in much the same way the M5 is priced VS the base 5 series.
The problem is, when you pay extra for a factory prepped performance car, you will almost always suffer much bigger losses than the buyer that bought the base car.
Mini did a terrible job hyping the JCW, and as a result after the 09 model year, dealers just stopped ordering the factory JCW for stock.
What you are experiencing is the fallout from scared dealers, because the JCW as they found out in 09, is more of a cult car and not much of a commercial success.
I get more compliments on my R55 JCW than any other car I have ever owned.
As of today I have put 84,000 miles on the JCW Clubman and it has been fantastic. With the money I paid for this car I could have picked from 95% of the total market and gotten more car for the money, but I chose Miles of Smiles VS a practical decision.
I suggest you keep the JCW and Drive it like you stole it, enjoy it, and when your family grows too big for this little car buy a mini van and keep the JCW for you.
That dealer will sell your used JCW for about the same price as a modestly equipped new S.
In 09 there were only about 1100 nuts that bought the R56 JCW, and even fewer R55 JCW nuts (about 230), so we are a very small group with a VERY expensive economy car.
Sorry for being so long winded, but it's not the car's fault, it's our fault for wanting an econobox that will do 0-60 in 6 sec. that can easily hit 150 mph, will outrun almost 95% of the cars on the road, and if driven properly will get 32mpg average in town and almost 40 mpg on the highway.
If everyone knew what we do, this car would be accessible only via a waiting list.
But they don't, so we occasionally have a disenchanted owner when they try to trade in their car.
Stay in the JCW club and enjoy the performance, versatility, and the knowledge that you are one of about 2000 nut jobs in the world that recognized this little powder keg as unique and are lucky enough to have owned one!
40 years from now your grand kids will be looking through the family album and see pictures of the JCW Mini, look at each other and exclaim, "i told you Grandpa was a nut case and here's proof! Hey Grandpa cool car!"
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 2
Anybody know if lease residuals for new JCWs are being affected? Might make leasing a JCW rather pricey.
No offense taken. I would not buy the roaster personally if I were in the market for a soft top.
Last edited by walk0080; Nov 12, 2011 at 10:08 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 10
From: Des Moines, Iowa
I don't know what part of the country you are in, but if the new Mini market is strong, than the used values are strong also.
Unfortunately, the dealers got blindsided with poor JCW market. I owned an 09 R56 JCW and traded it for an 09 R55 JCW.
The R56 was 42K and the R55 was 48K.
I bought the R56 in august of 08, put 30K miles on it and traded it in on the R55 in June of 09. They made me a deal i couldn't refuse.
The JCW VS the base Mini is priced in much the same way the M5 is priced VS the base 5 series.
The problem is, when you pay extra for a factory prepped performance car, you will almost always suffer much bigger losses than the buyer that bought the base car.
Mini did a terrible job hyping the JCW, and as a result after the 09 model year, dealers just stopped ordering the factory JCW for stock.
What you are experiencing is the fallout from scared dealers, because the JCW as they found out in 09, is more of a cult car and not much of a commercial success.
I get more compliments on my R55 JCW than any other car I have ever owned.
As of today I have put 84,000 miles on the JCW Clubman and it has been fantastic. With the money I paid for this car I could have picked from 95% of the total market and gotten more car for the money, but I chose Miles of Smiles VS a practical decision.
I suggest you keep the JCW and Drive it like you stole it, enjoy it, and when your family grows too big for this little car buy a mini van and keep the JCW for you.
That dealer will sell your used JCW for about the same price as a modestly equipped new S.
In 09 there were only about 1100 nuts that bought the R56 JCW, and even fewer R55 JCW nuts (about 230), so we are a very small group with a VERY expensive economy car.
Sorry for being so long winded, but it's not the car's fault, it's our fault for wanting an econobox that will do 0-60 in 6 sec. that can easily hit 150 mph, will outrun almost 95% of the cars on the road, and if driven properly will get 32mpg average in town and almost 40 mpg on the highway.
If everyone knew what we do, this car would be accessible only via a waiting list.
But they don't, so we occasionally have a disenchanted owner when they try to trade in their car.
Stay in the JCW club and enjoy the performance, versatility, and the knowledge that you are one of about 2000 nut jobs in the world that recognized this little powder keg as unique and are lucky enough to have owned one!
40 years from now your grand kids will be looking through the family album and see pictures of the JCW Mini, look at each other and exclaim, "i told you Grandpa was a nut case and here's proof! Hey Grandpa cool car!"
Unfortunately, the dealers got blindsided with poor JCW market. I owned an 09 R56 JCW and traded it for an 09 R55 JCW.
The R56 was 42K and the R55 was 48K.
I bought the R56 in august of 08, put 30K miles on it and traded it in on the R55 in June of 09. They made me a deal i couldn't refuse.
The JCW VS the base Mini is priced in much the same way the M5 is priced VS the base 5 series.
The problem is, when you pay extra for a factory prepped performance car, you will almost always suffer much bigger losses than the buyer that bought the base car.
Mini did a terrible job hyping the JCW, and as a result after the 09 model year, dealers just stopped ordering the factory JCW for stock.
What you are experiencing is the fallout from scared dealers, because the JCW as they found out in 09, is more of a cult car and not much of a commercial success.
I get more compliments on my R55 JCW than any other car I have ever owned.
As of today I have put 84,000 miles on the JCW Clubman and it has been fantastic. With the money I paid for this car I could have picked from 95% of the total market and gotten more car for the money, but I chose Miles of Smiles VS a practical decision.
I suggest you keep the JCW and Drive it like you stole it, enjoy it, and when your family grows too big for this little car buy a mini van and keep the JCW for you.
That dealer will sell your used JCW for about the same price as a modestly equipped new S.
In 09 there were only about 1100 nuts that bought the R56 JCW, and even fewer R55 JCW nuts (about 230), so we are a very small group with a VERY expensive economy car.
Sorry for being so long winded, but it's not the car's fault, it's our fault for wanting an econobox that will do 0-60 in 6 sec. that can easily hit 150 mph, will outrun almost 95% of the cars on the road, and if driven properly will get 32mpg average in town and almost 40 mpg on the highway.
If everyone knew what we do, this car would be accessible only via a waiting list.
But they don't, so we occasionally have a disenchanted owner when they try to trade in their car.
Stay in the JCW club and enjoy the performance, versatility, and the knowledge that you are one of about 2000 nut jobs in the world that recognized this little powder keg as unique and are lucky enough to have owned one!
40 years from now your grand kids will be looking through the family album and see pictures of the JCW Mini, look at each other and exclaim, "i told you Grandpa was a nut case and here's proof! Hey Grandpa cool car!"
You hit the nail on the head. My JCW is a 2011 so I don't have the glitsy plastic and the dark gauges, but it is still what many consider, an over priced Mini. It serves just about all my purposes performance and economical on gas. Just got back from a trip to Texas, from Iowa and averaged 38.4 mpg overall. Not even the hybrids get that, so I am very satisfied.
My advice is similar to your with him, if you want your car different, or an different car, do some modifications. Some cat downpipe exchange, a map change, or intake change. Maybe some exterior modifications. These JCW's do have a look all their own, contrary to what many think, and yet still, there's much one can do to personalize them. Keep the car and thumb your nose at the dealer everytime you go by them, and laugh. My opinion,
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,194
Likes: 2
From: Washington
I haven't had the car long, 1300 miles on the clock so far, but my car is cool, unique, has lots of boot space, has a great stereo system in it and it is fast. I plan to keep it a long time and yes I would buy it again.
I think this car will end up being my favorite!!
I think this car will end up being my favorite!!
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 10
From: Des Moines, Iowa
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 277
Likes: 2
From: Slip F-18, Bahia Mar Marina
Good thing most people cars to drive and not sell shortly afterward! Of course you will lose $$$. The second you drove off the lot your wallet got about $5k lighter.
