I am looking at a 2012 JCW clubman and a 2014 cooper S clubman.

Here are my concerns.

How does the ride quality compare on both? Is the JCW much harsher?
does the 2012 JCW clubman come with brembo brakes? or are they "red" painted calipers?
I believe the 2012 JCW has the N14 engine. Will this need the timing chain serviced soon? (60k on it now)
Does the JCW have a LSD diff? If so are these good on the street?
Is the gearing the same?
Any other benefits or drawbacks with the JCW?

price is close enough on both not to matter, 2014 has 47k 2012 JCW has 60k

 

I just went through this myself and landed on the '14 JCW. Reading this forum makes the N14 sounds HORRIBLE. That is surely a bit out of proportion but it still swayed me towards the N18. Neither has an actual LSD but uses brake intervention to keep one wheel from slipping too much. As for the ride, it is certainly firm but very well-judged. I couldn't test drive the car I bought, but the local dealer had a similar one (but manual) so I test drove that one. I never drove an S though.

 

I will add, too, that their prices should be several thousands apart. Either the S is way overpriced, the JCW is a bargain, or a bit of both.

Edit: I mixed them up - I though you were saying the '14 was a JCW. Nevermind!

 

Buy the N18. Or get the price on the N14 down several thousand dollars to compensate for the inevitable engine repairs.

 

If the choice is only between those two cars, I would get the 2014 because it has the much newer engine design. Even though the JCW will be a more fun car, it still has the N14, which doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies.

Now, if you can find an N18 JCW...