No offense to anyone here, by far, but please someone makes me understand why so many buy the Cooper S and then add spending gazillion dollars JCW make up and engine upgrade?

I have never driven a Cooper S. The closest I ever come to, I think, is when driving the JCW on "normal mid mode" which I might for 100 feet and on switch to "sport mode" with open pro exhaust rattling the CAI.

Just curious...

Thanks.

 

If you have a mind to, you can equal or surpass the performance of a JCW with a lot less cash then you make it out to be. That would probably be the reason.

I'd ask why spend all that money for a JCW when you can buy a GTI that will outperform the JCW for less money. Personal preference?

 

If you are talking about the JCW exhaust and tune kit, it's much cheaper than the difference between an S and a JCWs. I see that kit around $1500 and it seems like the difference between S and JCW is about $4-5k, maybe? At the same time, it's doesn't really make up all the difference, but I'd say it bridges the gap between the models.

Another reason could be that they'd prefer to spend the money slowly and on different/custom parts.

For me, it was a very simple reason, I couldn't find a JCWs in my area at a reasonable price with the options that I wanted. When I was shopping, I would have jumped at a JCWs base trim or possibly signature trim. But it was hard enough for me to just find a new JCWs and when I did, it'd be loaded to the brim and I didn't feel it was worth all the extra features that they forced on the car (I'd pay to NOT have driver assist technology). I also bought my MCS right around when MINI stopped importing manual transmissions, so it was difficult just to find a 2 door MCS with manual transmission.

If I bought at the beginning of the year, maybe I would have ended up with a JCWs (especially if I custom ordered a MINI), but I'm happy with my MCS. And I am considering what performance upgrades I'll add to her. =P

 

When I ordered a MINI in FEB 2015, they did not offer a manual JCW. I ordered a manual S with JCW int/ext. Did the tune. Basically, the difference is the engine and front brakes. It was less expensive and I enjoy(ed) the modification process.

 

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate as it was kind of a mystery to me.
I looked into the GTI and I am impressed especially with the new 3 door and 300 or is 400hp which will be on sale soon.
There is just something about the Mini however! You all know what it is. A big grin while driving...
Thanks again.

 

I think it is a mind set... A person that spends the extra 6k on a JCW does not really care that a VW is faster. Same with folks that buy a Harley. It is the sound and so what if a Honda is faster. BMW M3...A Corvette is just as good. The reason I have a JCW is that the MINI people know what it is and it is a blast to drive.

 

Absolutely correct!

Faster than fast does not come in the equation in my opinion anyhow. Limited on these hundreds of miles of mountain roads. 90mph +/- top. Cows, horses, deer... Going in the other direction my thrill does not succeed on straight roads. Not much value and skills into that, for me anyhow.

Again, it is the whole package deal and being mechanically challenged to say the least, on this end the JCW fits the bill.

If personally If would have started with a CS, I would have had to pay someone to install the changes. My ability is installing the AWE COI, NM PM... and that is about it! I envy those who do so much more...

 

Because it's overpriced.

 

3rd gen JCW wasn't out at the time, power is solved with a tune and exhaust for <$2k in the aftermarket, got fancy coilovers so the JCW stuff would've gone in the bin anyway, CS brakes are good with a pad and fluid swap that would've needed to be done on the JCW even though the calipers are prettier. Autox build with an eye for a casual track day.

MCS was under $25k before TTL at the time, today the $5k sticker difference gets you more aggressive power and coilovers and brakes than the JCW offers. No ragrats

 

Thanks again for the feedback... I truly understand.