As we head into mid-year, manufacturers may start describing some of the updates for the new year. So, has anybody heard what updates are to be expected or possible for the JCW?

Also, a question that may be considered a stupid one Do you think the JCW will eventually have an automatic transmission? I'm in the process of finalizing my 2012 JCW order and one thing I'm worried about is getting back into the swing of things with a manual transmission. I haven't driven a stick for 10 years and admit I appreciate the "auto-pilot" of automatics, but I suspect I'll get back into the swing of things quickly and then the manual will probably be considered "auto-pilot" for me....eventually. I looked at getting an automatic MCS and doing upgrades to make it close to a JCW, but I was told certain JCW specific items weren't available on a MCS in terms of aesthetics that I really want (eg. Chili red roof/mirrors on a different colored body). Just hoping I don't have buyers remorse with the manual. Anybody else experience these concerns?

 

I hadn't driven a manual in 15 years and don't regret going back from an auto. I live in Los Angeles as well

 

Once you learn a stick it is like riding a bicycle. You never forget. Also, they made some things easier. For example, the brake holds for a second or two when you come off of the pedal to prevent you from rolling back if on an incline. For some that was the hardest part to learning to drive a stick. Letting out just enough clutch to keep the car from rolling back, and not stalling, while you moved your foot to the gas.

I just took delivery on this coupe and it was the first time to drive a stick in 20 years. Got back into the hang of it without any problems.

Mike

 

Whoa, I didn't know my car had that... It's gonna be helpful.

 

Try it on an incline when no one is behind you and make sure it works on yours. I don't know what year they added that feature. I have a 2012 Coupe S.

 

I have tested it on our 2009 Clubman S and it works great.

 

Yep, my '12 has it too. I hate it.

 

I'm not a huge fan of it either. At least in my wife's old 128i, if you let off the brake before hitting the clutch, hill assist wouldn't engage. I would think it's probably the same in MINIs. I didn't do it often, but sometimes I missed rolling backwards...

Edit: Oh I realized this got a bit off topic...

As for the OP, the JCW Countryman is supposedly getting an automatic, so it's not out of the question other JCWs get one eventually. Also, there is a slight chance that the current JCWs will get the new engine that is being put into the JCW CM. The full valvetronic engine has 211 hp and 207 lb ft torque with probably the same or maybe a tad better mpg...

 

I now curious about the downside of this feature. It only holds for a second or two and I don't sense any breaking effect on the take-off from a hill start. What am I missing?

 

it's been reported (rumored?) that all 2013 JCW cars will have an auto option. not sure on the coupe/roadster, but supposedly hatch and countryman.

as has been pointed out, the JCW engine has been or will be updated with valvetronic.

i hope there are other changes, something small like a new color or exclusive color, other than the red roof.

the engine is big news for me, i was happy to hear that change is being made. i'm a manual man, so the auto is of no consequence to me. but i am happy auto drivers can get a JCW now.

 

Maybe you are just a very good shifter

For me it has been helpful -- especially when exiting a steep parking lot driveway, with cars right on my bumper. It works in reverse gear, too, which has, again, been helpful in steep parking spots.

 

Cool, I didn't know about reverse.

 

I can absolutely feel it grab and then release and it annoys the crap out of me because I have to give it a bit more gas and then it lurches. I'd disable it if I could. I'd rather just hold the hill with the clutch. Then again, I also downshift. It seems like manufacturers are all about making it so people really don't have to know how to drive a manual to drive a manual.

 

The hill assist is huge here in SF, I'm stopped on very steep hills daily.

And yeah, it works on reverse. Ever try parallel parking in a high traffic city on a 20+ degree downhill incline on a one way street on the left?! Hill assist removes the hardest element from that... :D

 

I have (and this is going to sounds REALLY snotty) but if you can't, don't buy a manual. It's really not hard. It's all about clutch control. I'll sit on hill all day holding it with the clutch. Is that bad for the clutch? I'm sure it is. Having said that, I've never burned out a clutch so it can't be TOO bad.

But your post illustrates my point. If you're going to learn the drive a manual, LEARN to drive a manual. We shouldn't need electronic gadgets to make it so we can.

Just my $.02. YMMV

 

I shouldn't need a cane or eyeglasses, either. Please be a little tolerant. We are not all as good as you.

 

It's not about tolerance. Manual transmissions have been around almost since the car was invented. People survived just fine without them, even in areas like SF. It's like cars that park themselves. God forbid someone learn how to parallel park... It's the same thing.

 

It's clear that MINI is moving more mainstream as the brand matures so it is not surprising that their focus is moving away from the more pure motoring experience to one that is driven by comfort, convenience and ease of use. We saw the exact same thing happen to the Golf GTI or the BMW M3 as they evolved from one generation to the next. Personally, I am torn as to the which is the better path. Some days I like comfort and convenience of the more refined cars and other days I yearn for a more connected driving experience. Finding the right balance is hard and any compromise is just that a compromise one way or the other.

My bottom-line is that I will try and enjoy each car for what it is and not worry too much about what it is not as I made that choice when I bought the car. For my tastes the MINI is a good balance for this time in my life - ten years from now - its anybodies guess.

 

I agree and I think that MINI is practicing good marketing by segmenting the market as they have with the Cooper, Clubman, CountryMan, Coupe and now Roadster with each having a Justa, S and JWC configuration.

I always look at the Porsche 911 as the quintessential example of market segmentation for a single model - it must have 10 or 12 models for exactly this reason. You can buy a base 911 if you want a kinder gentler car or at one extreme dig deep and buy a GT2RS if you want a fire breathing dragon that will bit your head off if you make the slightest mistake. But if you are good and can drive it well the GT2RS is just about the fastest thing on the road for under a half a million bucks - not that its cheap at ~250K.

Point being there are a number of micro or sub-markets that can be served as a means of expanding the overall market for a brand such as MINI. To that end BMW is doing a remarkable job of expanding the footprint - hopefully there is something for almost everyone who thinks he/she might want a MINI.

 

18, actually

 

Like I said quintessential example :-)

 

I agree, and I can use the ebrake and accomplish the same thing, very easily. But having the car do it for me when I parallel park helps so I can have my right hand on the wheel while I'm turned for a better viewing angle for safety reasons it is not like this 'feature' prevents me from having complete control over my car in normal (99.9%) driving conditions.

my noble doesn't even have a working e-brake! i'd never try to parallel park it anyway, but i KNOW how to drive a manual :P

 

Yes, they did. Shall we return to hand signals for turning and stopping, manual choke with a little **** on the dash, manual spark advance on the steering wheel stalk. As you say, it's the same thing

 

Your right, that does sound snotty. Lighten up and enjoy life!!

 

If the roof colour/mirrors are the only thing you want from a JCW, just get a MCS and paint or vinyl the roof and buy the red mirror caps.

If you are patient, the newer JCW will probably have an auto option and IMO more valuable items like updated engine bits.

I would go and test drive some cars to see if you really want a manual... or maybe borrow the test vehicle for a few hours if the MA is nice about it.