Probably a repost to the highest degree, so I apologize. Been looking at some cars and realized that clean 09 fJCWs are in the low-mid $20Ks now.
GF had a non-S R53, and I really loved the car. So fun and agile. Hers was light on power (and gears), so I presume the fJCW would remedy all those problems. Seems like the car to get.

But, been reading on here about some quirks and issues.
Are these cars very problematic? Hers was flawless, but it's a very different car at the same time.
I would be getting the car near the end of it's warranty. So what should I expect over the next few years? I do like the car, but it's really only being considered for it's savings (entry, gas, - and hopefully - maintenance). Perhaps oddly, the other contestant is a Z4M. They are also in the $20Ks and while they seem like they would be more to maintain, this car is actually pretty bulletproof given that it's the culmination of a generation and nearly everything has been worked out.
Opposite seems true of the fJCW, being the first of it's run. Anything in particular to look for when picking one up other than the usual PPI and title check?

Cheers and happy motoring,
Wyatt

 

You'll absolutely love driving the car, but it will be with its quirks. There are good MINI's out there that go many trouble-free miles and there are MINI's that are constantly in and out of the dealer. Consistency is not their strong suit. You almost certainly have to be vigilant on things like the timing chain tensioner and carbon buildup. I'm sure you've read about these as they are well documented. You will have some rattles here and there from the interior. The 2009 interior feels/looks cheap to me, but I have gotten used to it. Some "chirping" on shutoff (mine is very light and intermittent) is becoming increasingly common and seems to be the water pump. Lots of reports for premature clutch failure; however, we don't know every drivers driving habits. There's also the problem with the HPFP, but this issue has been recognized by MINI and, to my knowledge, the warranty on it has been extended. Heat from the turbo is causing hood scoops to melt. I, personally, have not seen this firsthand and I have been checking often. It does get fairly warm to the touch, though. When priorities align, I'm getting an aftermarket heat shield and also an oil catch can to assist in curbing the carbon buildup issue. One other thing I'd like to share is I find the JCW to be pretty raw. I'm sure you're already familiar with it to an extent, in your GF's non-S, but it's a go-kart like ride and I also find the JCW clutch and transmission to be slightly herky-jerky and unforgiving. Sometimes the actual ride can wear on me, but when test driving other cars in the same class, they all felt too refined and I found myself wanting that rawness and the tame-the-beast feeling I get when I drive the JCW.

These seem to be the most common issues. When you lay it all out, it's not all that bad and these cars have a passionate following so everything gets well documented and there's plenty of support on here. I have had what I would consider an acceptable experience during MINI ownership (05 MCS - 80k miles & 09 fJCW - 18k miles). Not the most reliable car I have ever had, that is for certain, but it has been the most fun (so far) and you will get more compliments, thumbs up, waved at, etc, than you have ever had. Be prepared to explain what a JCW is, because the general public hasn't a clue. You won't regret it if you buy it, I don't think. Regarding your concern about the warranty ending: I have another 11 months on my warranty and I've found you can get aftermarket warranties for about half the price of the factory extended warranty. I have a mechanic from my previous out-of-warranty MINI and he's clued me in on a few that they have had good experiences with and if you do a search on this forum, there are a few lengthy threads on the same. Maybe you can find a local Euro-car mechanic and see what he says about third-party extended warranties if that sort of thing concerns you. I haven't yet decided if I want to go that route, factory warranty, or trade in. I'm more of a 6-7 year (from new) car owner, but owning a MINI out of warranty can be unsettling. Labor costs are very high, even for independent mechanics. Everything is crammed into tight spaces, so nothing is easy. I hope this helps you in any way. I've put down everything that comes to mind. Either car you chose will be a blast, but to me the JCW has a little more soul. Then again, I'm on a MINI forum, so I'm a little biased.

 

great words from Brandon! ^^ didn't want to quote because that'd be too long.

Essentially see how you like driving it. I love driving mine every single time i sit in it and my fJCW brings me constant joy. Just a thought.

 

That was an excellent post, really keying in on the negatives, without trying to scare someone to death.
With me and my JCW, granted I've only had it for one year, October 20, 2010 delivery, I've had absolutely NO problems. Knock on wood. I've put 12,500 on it since new, including a trip from Iowa to Galveston, TX. No problems, except when my daughter lost me in changing interstate highways in Dallas, but that's another story.
I got over mid 30's for mpg and it got much attention, even though most thought that it was must a Mini. Some people talk about rattle issues. I've had none what so ever. Once I thought that I might have had a timing chain rattle, but I just shut the engine off and restarted it. Nothing since, and that was last March. Anything else that I might add would be more 2011 specific. One advice is the turbo heat shield from M7 or others, I highly recommend. Have fun, and I'm a bit biased towards the Mini too. While I didn't have a BMW, I did have a Miata. That's what I got rid of for the JCW.

 

Agree completely. The JCW is definitely more raw and feels like it is always turned up to "11" just waiting for a jab of the throttle. After getting a 2012, I definitely don't like the older interior - but buying used I think you can live with it.

I find the clutch a little heavy at times and I am thinking of getting the NM engine mounts to help smooth out my shifting. Still on the fence about a short shifter, but definitely thinking about an oil catch can. I also check my hood scoop often after driving and I find it just warm to touch with lots of heat coming out of the little vent holes.

One thing that concerns me is I see lots of people buying used MINIs to try and save on fuel costs... while forgetting that maintenance and parts can be expensive out of warranty. Just remember it is not a used <Insert inexpensive reliable econo-box car here>.

 

Thanks for the thorough replies, gentlemen. Speaks volume of the community.

Given that I am cross-shopping a BMW M, I am not terribly concerned with maintenance costs, though they should not be any higher. Z4M is the last of it's generation with bugs worked out, so while they are expensive to service, they don't have many unexpected problems.
I just thought the fJCW would be a worthy consideration given it's practicality, cheaper entry/gas, and the fun I had in a non-S automatic R53.
I've owned two S2000s and started my search for a Z4M, so heavy clutches and go-kart rides are up my ally.

I've never even sat in an R56. I can't imagine the interior/quality is any WORSE than a well-spec'd R53?
Basically comes down what they take to keep running perfectly. I don't mind a few minor modifications to dial them in (bushings or mounts, catch can, heat shield, etc). I enjoy upgrading cars, though I did expect the JCW to be well-sorted from the factory for what it is and wouldn't buy it to redo the exhaust or suspension or wheels. Some upgrades return a great bang-for-the-buck and address shortfalls from the factory, and that's where a forum shines!
But factoring in upgrades encroaches on Z4M territory price-wise pretty quickly.

Will continue to research what's needed to prevent any mishap. Hopefully they can be sorted out and dialed in for under $1,000 or so ..
So far, the parts mentioned sound relatively cheap. So now it's the unexpected that I need to gauge.

Thanks again!

 

Wait till spring and buy mine

 

Waiting until Spring anyway, so maybe! Why are you selling? feel free to email me at wyatthanson at gmail dot com now or when the time comes.
*Clicked signature link. Seen the pictures before but did not realize it was yours. Car is nearly perfect and sorted out so maybe the stars are aligning. Happy motoring.

 

Non S R53=R50....LOL
just made me laugh reading that!!
One tip...
Many people have been using self tuning equipment to up the boost on their gen2 cars...go too far and the pistons/rings can be dammaged...so make sure the car is running in a1 condition when you buy it, or $$ repairs might be in your future.

 

Thanks for the correction, and lookout tip!

 

Thanks! Emailed!