You know the drill...

My lease is ending soon, and although I would have strongly considered buying my Camden back, it was badly injured 2 years ago. Hence, everyone told me not to buy it as the hit on the residual would be too important when I would want to sell it down the line. MINI also changed how it calculates the residual values, so my buyback is quite high compared to what it would be in 3-4 years time (for a 2013 model). And we all know it's not possible to negotiate the buyback amount with BMW/MINI, even when the car was damaged.

Anyway... I cannot make up my mind between the Bayswater (with HK - still trying to convince myself that I don't "need" the Wired Package) and an MCS with the JCW Package (again with HK and maybe the Wired Package). Not mentioning other options as I would include most of them, except for leather seats in the MCS, as they are not a must for me.

Thing is, I really like the JCW wheels. Not sure how I feel about the Bayswater's... But then again, I felt the same way about the Camden's shield wheels initially, and grew to really like them.

Also, I'm receiving conflicting views on the JCW Package. Is it the same suspension as in the Sport Package, or is it stiffer?

Any insight would be most welcome!

 

Bayswater is cool looking but I'd get the MCS with JCW tuning package or a Factory JCW. What other options on the MINI will you get? I'd also get the JCW exterior package, if you can.

 

Thanks RobMuntean! The JCW tuning would probably be too harsh for the road conditions we have here... And I can't afford the factory JCW. The JCW Package is purely esthetic, and includes the exterior kit, but I'm unclear if the suspension is different than the one found in the Sport Package...

This is basically what I would get in a non-Bayswater:
Style Package
JCW Package
JCW Automatic w/ Shift Paddles
Wired Package
Premium Package
Metallic Paint
Black Reflectors
Harman Kardon Sound System

Main difference would be that the Bayswater (with Wired Package and HK) has leather seats, and the MCS as built above wouldn't - and both would come roughly to the same price.

 

I have the Bayswater and for what its worth, I get lots of compliments on the wheels. I happen to think they look great. I think you'll be happy either way

 

In American terms, what is the "wired package" is that like a tech pack?

 

Thanks for your input! It actually helps...

About the stripes on the Bayswater: Do you think they could be removed at some point, without damaging the paint (should they already be installed on the car a dealership finds for me)? I'm assuming the ones on the mirrors are there to stay though.

 

Yes. It's the Nav and MINI Connected. This package replaces the Tech and Navigation Packages of previous years - at least in Canada.

After seeing this option in person, I think it looks good and would probably be a very neat thing to have. However, it increases the monthly payment by $20-$30/month...

 

I really like the Bayswater package with the gradient, different colored bonnet stripes & mirror covers. Very very sharp! If you're only getting the aesthetic JCW package & not performance, I'd go Bayswater.

Keep in mind that wheels are very easy to swap out if you don't like what comes with the car.

Stripes are just vinyl that can be removed in a couple of hours, and the paint should be fine. The mirrors are actual caps (painted plastic vs. a vinyl wrap), but again they can be changed out very easily and for not much money. You can get different mirror caps from MINI or a variety of vendors.

Let us know which way you go!

 

The stripes will come off in seconds. I left the car in the sun all day and went out and just peal at a corner and slowly pull off at an angle.



As far as connected and Nav. I recently had a loaner with it and I missed the big speedo. For me the slider to indicate speed was weird and seemed fake. The interface was pretty looking but the usefulness seemed barely adequate. I personally would not spend the money for it. Here in the US I think it is $1k for the connected and another $750 for the Nav part. It is cheaper to get as part of a package but I would not spend my money on it. It sure does look cool though.

 

I say +1 for the Bayswater (which I am currently motoring in), unless (as stated previously) you want the JCW performance.

The NAV is nice and its GUI takes a little time to get used to... but once you get a handle on the controls its as useful as any NAV you can get. The display is esthetically pleasing, especially in the Night Mode! It does add up, but I don't regret getting it since it has saved me a few times whilst traveling in unfamiliar areas or attempting to find a gas station or nearest ATM.

That's my two cents. Either way, hope you enjoy whichever one you choose!

 

Either a genuine JCW or the Bayswater...I had to do a conference call at the Mini dealership the other day (work related) and they had a comfortable chair in front of a Blue Bayswater, and I kept talking on the phone and drooling over the car, it was really beautiful.

 

IamLili: Follow up question... Which body color were you intending to choose with the Bayswater? And for the JCW?

 

Thanks! Very useful comments and info!

The JCW Package includes:
17" Cross Spoke Challenge Alloy
John Cooper Works Aerodynamic Kit
Anthracite Roofliner
Dynamic Traction Control
Bi-Xenon Headlights
JCW Branded Steering Wheel & Door Sill Finishers
JCW Gearshift ****/Gaiter & Handbrake Gaiter
Includes red stitching
Sport Suspension

Now, to confuse me even more, I was told yesterday that this package does NOT include a sport suspension of any kind - but that it is the stock MCS suspension, only paired with 17" wheels! I was afraid the "sport suspension" in this package would be too harsh for my liking. Maybe I have nothing to worry about then?! But the Mini.ca website says that it has a sport suspension, and it's the same description as the one found in the sport package! Sheesh!

As for swapping the wheels, it wouldn't be ideal for me as I'll be leasing the car...

Good to know about the stripes and mirrors!

 

Not the first time I've heard that the interface is not that strong... But yeah, it has a cool factor! Who doesn't like that?

 

Thanks a lot! I know I wouldn't regret getting the Nav, but my wallet might...

 

It is unique-looking, which I also appreciated with my Camden... Um...

 

Oh boy! That's another dilemma! But I'm leaning toward Eclipse Grey/Black Roof for both, although I wouldn't be opposed to Lightening Blue for an MCS, or even Red?!

 

Here's a thought. Go with the Bayswater and make minor exterior changes. Decals are easy and cheap to change. The bigger difference would be in the exhausts note with the JCW much better.

 

Check the date stamp you'll see its been a while since this was posted. Also take a peek at his signature, I shows he got a Bayswater delivered on 8/1/13

 

Good point. I trust he is happy with the Bayswater.