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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Yes, that's an S. All JCWs start as S cars, then have the goodies added. You can also tell an S from a Justa by the hood scoop.
As for issues, you should read the first gen buyer's guide, found here. I'd also suggest a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done by a good indie shop, or a MINI dealer. $150ish well spent IMO.
I'm no help on price, but you might check one of the various online valuation resources until someone else chimes in on that point.
Re: Gen 2 JCW, the 2011-2012 JCW have the updated styling and tweaks that came with the LCI (life cycle impulse, aka midcycle refresh) but retain the tuned N14 engine whereas the 2011+ MCS got the updated N18 engine. In 2013 the JCW received the tuned N18 engine. I'd suggest one of those for better engine reliability but the 2013 is the last year of the 2nd gen hardtop so they're harder to find and more expensive. Clubman, Roadster, etc go on for a couple more years with the N18 JCW.
Re: Gen 2 JCW, the 2011-2012 JCW have the updated styling and tweaks that came with the LCI (life cycle impulse, aka midcycle refresh) but retain the tuned N14 engine whereas the 2011+ MCS got the updated N18 engine. In 2013 the JCW received the tuned N18 engine. I'd suggest one of those for better engine reliability but the 2013 is the last year of the 2nd gen hardtop so they're harder to find and more expensive. Clubman, Roadster, etc go on for a couple more years with the N18 JCW.
ahh ok I understand now. I will look for a 2013 JCW or perhaps a 2014-15 MCS with the 2.0. When did they start with the 2.0 motor?
Originally Posted by r53coop
Wow that was a steal. Either the guy that had the car did not know what he had or there were past accidents.
It was a steal... I really wanted it! that's exactly what I was looking for! I stayed up all night hoping I wouldn't miss it! and I did... grrr
In the hardtop the 2014 model is the first model year for the newest, 3rd-generation with the bigger 2.0 turbo. The 3rd gen rides differently than the 2nd gen so test drive both to see which chassis you like better. I prefer the 2nd gen because it feels more raw (and the 1st gen even more so). 3rd gen is a more refined driving experience but you still get the go kart handling.
There had to be Major issues be in that i bought a Used Mini myself i purchased a 2005 cobriolet electric Blue maintained by a one time owner and all service records where from BMW The dealer was owned by his family.He was 75 years old and took meticulous care of the car i received it with 215000 and have already put 2000 miles since the purchase of the car It runs like it came off the production line, no accidents ever and garage kept. i paid 4500 the asking price was 5000 with 2 year guarantee on the Top which was redone . either the guy was clueless of the car he had or it had major issues @60,000 miles and asking 3900 that S cooper convertible has a asking price of 6000-7000 n great condition with that low miles I'm just saying oh and the first JCW GP was released in 2006 MINI released the ultimate of the first generation MINIs, the "JCW GP "in 06 prior to that it was just upgrades they were not called JCW as of yet till 2006 .Maybe it was best he sold it before you got it and found the hiiden story behind the price .anyway there are many great mini waiting to be bought and looked after good luck on your journey .And here is my Babe Here is "The rascal" It was Money well spent and she isn't and S Type and i still service her @BMW.
Last edited by savagetone; Jan 11, 2017 at 02:15 PM.
Reason: adding script
There had to be Major issues be in that i bought a Used Mini myself i purchased a 2005 cobriolet electric Blue maintained by a one time owner and all service records where from BMW The dealer was owned by his family.He was 75 years old and took meticulous care of the car i received it with 215000 and have already put 2000 miles since the purchase of the car It runs like it came off the production line, no accidents ever and garage kept. i paid 4500 the asking price was 5000 with 2 year guarantee on the Top which was redone . either the guy was clueless of the car he had or it had major issues @60,000 miles and asking 3900 that S cooper convertible has a asking price of 6000-7000 n great condition with that low miles I'm just saying oh and the first JCW GP was released in 2006 MINI released the ultimate of the first generation MINIs, the "JCW GP "in 06 prior to that it was just upgrades they were not called JCW as of yet till 2006 .Maybe it was best he sold it before you got it and found the hiiden story behind the price .anyway there are many great mini waiting to be bought and looked after good luck on your journey .And here is my Babe Here is "The rascal" It was Money well spent and she isn't and S Type and i still service her @BMW.
Very Nice! wow 215,000 miles... Sometimes I think, well by then all the bugs are worked out! My saab had 238,000 miles and was still very strong boosting @ 21 psi, everyday.... until someone ran a red light.. Okay, I will get over it quickly...
I do like the JCW performance package and the aero package.
I will be modding regardless of what I purchase. I just need a bit more guidance. I've been reading a lot! and leaning a ton. best I wait a week or too let it settle in.
Right now I lean towards 05 06 S or 2013 JCW 2014+ MCS/JCW
This must be a joke... Are you kidding me! It's up for sale again! for $1,200 more..........
I'm looking at it tomorrow, I'm SECOND IN LINE.. what would you pay?
How can I tell if it has JCW heads?
$4800 up $900-1200 depending what he paid.
Ad Says:
"Clean 05 JCW, only 75 k miles, A/C, Cruise , heatedseats, CD , Manual . Top is stuck in the closed position, Theres adent in rear driver side bumper cover. It runs great and is very fast, $4,800 "
when I called he didn't know much about the history and bought it to flip it,,, what should I offer?
I have second dibs on it... The current owner thinks it sat for awhile, the older man that owned it had it covered, in his driveway.
It is the 210hp kit?
I had him text these next pics..
Last edited by djtomy; Nov 18, 2017 at 01:41 PM.
Reason: Unbeliveable! its actully the same car in a week...
This link reflects what a JCW engine bay looks like. Sticker on rear left side of valve cover, lettering on front right side of supercharger cover and the air box has a sticker as well.
Top being stuck could be a broken cable, issues with the motors (there are three, one for the sunroof, and two for the top) or something as simple as a blown fuse. The tops need to well lubricated at the glides and the joints.
You can also run the VIN with this link. Will show all the options
I really doubt this is a real JCW, but the best way to tell would be to run the VIN. I am pretty sure that all of the JCW convertibles were factory build since they started doing factory JCWs in 05 when the 'vests came out. It is theoretically possible that a 05/06 could have had a left over dealer JCW kit added, but unlikely (I only know of one guy who did this and his car was totaled).
Personally, I wouldn't be interested in paying more than $4k for this car if it turns out to be a JCW. If it is just an S then I would walk away. There are better examples out there for "around" $5k.
I just noticed something odd. The JCW rear badge should be on the side that the dent is on, drive side, not the passenger side.
Also if this is the same car as the first picture why are the stock rims shown on the first and then black in the second bunch?
He has the wheels in the first pic (3 of them) and will come with the car, along with a cover.
I'm guessing he intentions was to flip the car, and since last week this same car was on here, maybe he wanted it to look different?
Originally Posted by r53coop
The calipers do not appear to be red as well. This may be a JCW wanna be. If the engine does not have ALL the badges/sticker be very careful.
It like the guy that has a 06 JCW GP for sale but the problem is that the car is white and he says it has a turbo.
I thought factory JCW cars started in 2006. I believe 2005 was dealer installed, that would be the case with the MCS brakes. Also, not sure how to tell If its a stg1 or stg2 car.
Originally Posted by AeroJammin
I really doubt this is a real JCW, but the best way to tell would be to run the VIN. I am pretty sure that all of the JCW convertibles were factory build since they started doing factory JCWs in 05 when the 'vests came out. It is theoretically possible that a 05/06 could have had a left over dealer JCW kit added, but unlikely (I only know of one guy who did this and his car was totaled).
Personally, I wouldn't be interested in paying more than $4k for this car if it turns out to be a JCW. If it is just an S then I would walk away. There are better examples out there for "around" $5k.
AeroJammin I'll run the vin. I think 4K is about right. I will shoot for that, and possibly walk away. Are you in the NW FL which part? I should be able to see the car after he gets off work 3-5pm, and after the other buyer sees it first.
Do I look for this J on the head? should be by the back facing the firewall.
The "J" can be duplicated pretty easy whereas all the stickers are a better proof.
On the top, as the car sat around, it may be as simple as opening and closing the top handles and the making sure the cargo cover is completely closed. If you have not had a Mini Vert, watch the vid. Thinking this is a JCW wanna be but if you can pick up cheap and the top works . . . .
While the misplacement of the JCW badges isn't confirmation that this car is not actually a JCW, I think the fact that both the front and the back ones are in the wrong location should tell you something!
The is no stage 1 or stage 2 first generation JCW. There's dealer installed or factory installed. And you can tell which is which from the VIN report, so get the VIN number!!
While the misplacement of the JCW badges isn't confirmation that this car is not actually a JCW, I think the fact that both the front and the back ones are in the wrong location should tell you something!
The is no stage 1 or stage 2 first generation JCW. There's dealer installed or factory installed. And you can tell which is which from the VIN report, so get the VIN number!!
there are 2 different dealer installed kits, and the factory installed.
first kits did not have 210hp
sticker location wrong is probably just dealer not reading jcw kit install instructions
I think its real.. should be a one owner car, Ill check the title.. The gentlemen was in his 60's-70's. I don't have his name or number but I can check. The only thing that would tell me its not, is the badge in the back, & that's really it. I have never driven a 05-06 MCS to compare, but have only drove a 2010 MCS
Just 210hp . . so if you go to see it you will see the silver JCW intercooler cover, the JCW cold air intake and the blue JCW 380cc injectors (you can see these from the top of the engine, looking over the intercooler and down towards the front / center of the engine).
Welcome, the under hood numbered badge and the JCW parts will tell the story, then the original build list from the dealer it was bought from will tell you if it was a dealership installed or after the fact.
