Looks like I ordered another JCW last night. The GM of the newest MINI dealer in town is a cyclist buddy of mine. We were talking on the phone last night, I was giving him my wish list for a 2011, next thing I know he says "It's ordered." Kind of taken aback as we hadn't even really discussed the parameters of a deal necessary for me to get that in exchange for my '09. He says not to worry, if we can't come to an agreement, he thinks it will make a great car for his showroom. 6 weeks. If it becomes mine, it will be Eclipse Gray/Redroof.

 

MTBScott: Not a bad color choice. One to consider though, that I'd like to see is the White/Silver, that Camden color with the Chili Red Roof. That could be very interesting. What options did you put on the JCW?

Mine hit the port yesterday and now it's just to get it to the dealers. Have no idea when I will pick it up, but do know that it will be next week.

Now the fun begins for you, the build, getting it to the port, then tracking it across the North Atlantic and to the POE. It's been crazy, but something for me, I will always remember. Makes me remember my first new car, except for the price. That's much different. You could almost must move over the decimbal point for the costs.

 

Pretty light this time, for my fourth MINI, I've pretty much decided what I like and need and what I think's a waste. Standard cloth interior, no sunroof, Xenons, sport suspension, HK, bluetooth/Ipod, and Chili Red door and dash trim, I think that's it. Oh, and JCW body kit, I think it's necessary for it to look different than an S. He says he can do that at the dealer for a good price.

 

Sounds pretty familiar to my order. I added the Red leather and cloth seats, mainly, well for two reasons, it brought more of the red and black in, and you get the lumbar support, and oh yes, the leather smell. I wanted a garage door opener, so that meant the auto dimming mirror. No sunroof either, or auto a/c. What many people don't realize that are so concerned with weight is, that sunroof weighs a bit over 250 lbs. That's a bunch of weight, right where you don't want it, on the top. Oh well, I realize that some people love their sunroofs.

 

If you want to see a live Eclipse Gray JCW with the Chili Red roof, here is one: http://www.billjacobsmini.com/VehicleDetails/834660003

That should get your blood a pumping.

 

I've posted on other forums here at NAM, but here are a couple of shots of my Lil Guy, a 2011 John Cooper Works Midnight Black with Chili Red roof and mirrors:

 

Looks great!!! Congrats on your Lil Guy! You've finally got the key, now get out there and enjoy!

Don't you just love the darker dials, and small changes made on the interior. We've been enjoying ours quite a bit. Some day I'll get around to posting pics!

 

Madster: Get your but in gear and take some pictures and post them. They made me do it. I've got to take some this weekend that are a bit more clear too.

One bad thing about a distinctive Mini: I was stopped on a bogus charge this morning, going by the capitol here in Des Moines, by very young Highway Patrolman. Going straight in a turn lane, which was very borderline. I asked him, what was I suppose to do.....stop, boy that would been interesting and more dangerous, but he did say, well you do have an unfamiliar car with more zip, so I give you the benefit of the doubt on that. Then he said, I haven't seen one of these, like this before, guess it's because it's a 2011. Anyway, I did get lucky and get a warning. Not going that way to work anymore.

Love the darkened gauge dials, as well as the plastic surrounds of the radio, a/c ect. Really richens up the interior, in my opinion. Still can't find anything that I don't like.

One mod that I would like to make, and what do the rest of you think: I'd like to put the door, what we use to call kick panel off the JCW Aero Package, below the door, that has that little phoney scoop in it. Also, any place that you can get this without being charged an arm and a leg? Enough, love the JCW.

 

I'm pretty sure you can buy the JCW Aero Kit side skirts separately, check out some of the sponsor dealers/vendors here.

 

Outmotoring.com has them for 700 or 800 bucks.

 

Have to wait until Spring, but I'm definately going to look at them. That's about the price that I had heard too, in the $700 - $800 range. More than I think that they are worth, but what with the Mini name on it isn't. Still love the Lil Guy.

 

I added those to my 2010 MCS. I negotiated it into the deal when I placed my order. They sold it to me for an additional 600 and said that they lost money on the deal when I went to pick the parts up. Something about it costing more to have them painted then they originally estimated. But it really does change the look of the car.

 

Guys anyone heard anything about the new updated JCW Aerodynamic Bodykit?? I asked our Parts & Accessories Manager about it, he doesn't know anything. He sent an email to ask about it, n they replied yes there is a new JCW Bodykit. He asked them to provide pictures of it, but no reply until now

 

My dealer principle is also waiting for an email reply from MINI. Parts guide shows the "kit" then a "add-on kit for 2011+" but doesn't show or say what it is.

 

hii guys my guy has arrived .. the dealer told me by Sunday they will get it out of the port .. so i was waiting .. but my cousin was passing by n made a surprise by sending the pics of my guy sorry they r phone pics.

 

here is another pics .. he saw it b4 me .. i cant wait till tmw

 

Getting exciting, right? I know the feeling. No wonder when I centered in on the dock, both in Southamption and Baltimore that they ha so many white cars, most are covered with white tape.

By the way, those Challenge wheels are a ***** to keep clean, even mine that are black. My Challenge wheels are going to be used with my new Winter tires and Konigs are going to be bought in the Spring, in black, for my all season performance tires. Between brake dust and regular dust, these aren't the most fun.

Other than that, with my Lil Guy, we are having fun. Can't find one thing that dissappoints me, except that I wish that there was a way to mount my carbon fibre outside door handles for less than $400. That is the best price, then the rear hatch handle.

Good luck now, you're almost there.

Bill in Iowa

 

yaa man .. i know what u mean regarding the Challenge wheels but totally worth it .. oh okay, u might find a good deal on them just hang in there .. thx a lot Bill.

Munther in Sultanate of Oman .. my name will be weird to u

 

I replaced the OEM pads with less than 20,000 miles for a set (front and rear) of Carbotech Bobcat ceramic pads. This pic shows the wheels more than 2 weeks and 600 miles after it was detailed.

 

Maybe you misunderstood, I have Challenge Wheels, but mine are black. I agree, they look very nice, but just a terrible to clean, too many nooks and crannies. I like the Konigs, and the Enkei Racing in black, just depends on whether I want to go 17" or 18" in the Spring. Another thing, these things need to be lower. At work here, I am looking at the Lil Guy and he just sits too high. Getting tires with more sidewall heighth, and putting my H&R Sport Springs on him in the Spring, should, just about get it right. Do that, and still have good ground clearance.

And, if I can get those carbon fibre pieces on it, not bad, not bad at all. Really, not right now, to be truthful.

 

MTB: if you can, post some pictures of what this add-on kit is. Might be an answer to us that don't feel that $3500. for the JCW Aero kit and install is worth it. Right now, I rather like the way my JCW looks.

 

Yaa i know what u mean ... it will be very hard cleaning them .. ya true mine in the pics, its set very high .. after programing it will come back to normal .. but the H&R will do the job but do u think we have to put the spacers?

 

Right now, your guy has the shipping spacers in to avoid bouncing and movement in shipping. They say that H&R Sport Springs brings it down about 1.4", which will help. I, really don't want to go much lower than that on account of road conditions and my driveway. By the way, with the Chili Pack option, which we can't get here in the USA, where are you from?

On another thought, wouldn't it be neat to have a get together with nothing but JCW's? Again, just a thought.

 

Yaa i know .. i noticed that when i saw it, its really high but it will go down when they prepare it for delivery and it will go more down after installing the H&R .. ya me too 1.4 inch is enough .. I'm from the middle east from the gulf if u know the country SULTANATE OF OMAN its next to Dubai i'm sure u know Dubai .. nice thought but way far from u guys

 

even the costs of the options r high in here .. for example, if i want to add the adaptive headlight i have to pay almost 400 Euro which i didn't do it when i saw its for 100$ with u guys .. HK 800 Euro .. Visual boost no nav is for almost 960 Euro n i dont get mini connected coze its not approved in our country AGAIN !!! .. if i want the nav i have to pay almost more than double the amount of the visual boost .. I was really shocked to see the price of the package 1750$ for a lot of options my totall car price is almost 40500$