Keep your JCW Strut bar and CF Mirrors, CF Scoop, CF Boot Handle, the GP does not have them.

 

Speakin of FULL factory JCWs, i'm kinda likin the new one. Haven't driven it yet though.

FYI: Another thing to know about the R53 JCW is resale. They are not easy sells. Only enthusiasts are gonna buy these cars. These cars do NOT do well on the wholesale market at all, which is how a lot of dealers buy their cars including CarMax. If you take your car to Carmax to get appraised, it will be treated as a regular Cooper S. And you will be in for a shock.

Worst part is, the dealer did the same thing to me, which shocked me even more. They told me that if I had come out there a few months earlier, I could have gotten full value for it. They were blaming it on the economy. Stupid economy.

So it looks like I will be holding onto her for a little while longer, and may even keep her.

 

I've driven one. It's crazy fast... so much so that I wasn't paying enough attention and got a ticket on my test drive. I still wouldn't trade mine for one though, I definitely prefer the feel of the R53-based ones. (The R56 one, just like the regular R56s feels too big, sits too high, less connected with the road, IMO. I don't hate them, I just prefer the 1st Gens. Many others feel the opposite way, of course!)

Oh... and the R56 factory JCW isn't a "full" JCW either by the previous definition, because it still doesn't come with the JCW suspension. Personally I think that was a dumb decision by MINI, but oh well.

Sorry to hear you're not having much luck getting a fair price on your JCW... but at least you can appreciate it still.

 

...that's easy, THE DRIVER!

 

A-MEN !!!!!

I'm 20, and have been pleasantly surprised to have all my stereotypes of cars and FAST turned upside down. Been going to BMW CCA driving schools, getting some seat-time, and learning more control, more patience, and hopefully I'm all the while becoming a faster and more precise driver... I've sure got a lot to learn but my dad's awesome and I'm learning from his wealth of car/bmw/track knowledge and the other older guys at the track days.

In regards to this JCW terminology..
..
AAAAHHHHH

Has anything ever been more confusing... ? Maybe besides theology ? Or marriage ?? (haven't gotten married yet but it's on my to-do list)

I had an '05 MC just-a-cooper, I MODDED it into the ground, this of course prior to my learning of many VALUABLE LESSONS... like, don't spend 400 dollars for 4 horsepower... I messed with the tolerances, it became HARSH and rattled everywhere... it was, cool with all the parts, but, not... maybe you know what I mean..
ANyways, after limney snickets unfortunate (fortunate) series of events I have come to this 2007 S which I have the JCW engine works on, and later to come, the JCW suspension. I've learned the value of paying a little bit more for MINI/JCW designed equipment, and even as a college student with a budget I definitely am glad I chose to go the JCW route... That said, my car, I say in full confidence, is JCW. It has some John Cooper Works pedigree and I LOVE the history of minis, John Cooper, and the like, and am glad to have added that to my car. It's faster, and works perfect.

Full, FULL, f.u.l.l., partial, semi-partial, almost-full-still-partial, halfway, almost-FULL-full-still-partial, COMPLETE, mega-super-mega JCW,
Garbonzo-JCW.... lollollol

I think it's just the next guy up on the totem pole wanting to distinguish himself from the other totem people. (or something like that ) Which I am man to admit I am guilty of as well sometimes.. (that doesn't make it 'ok')
Now, my car is not "JCW from the Factory" ... Which DOES have a few more goodies... But, seriously, there is enough of the JCW-pedigree enjoyment to go round.
For those who go a different route, they enjoy the mini pedigree as well, I think that in all this diversity is where we really come together as MINI enthusiasts. For those who have a few more jcw goodies on their car, or even those of you that have a few less jcw goodies, AWESOME! good.for.you. I love hearing/reading about all of everyone's enjoyments of them on nam.

And I'll assume that no one posted related terminology discussions out of mal-intent, or over-pride (some pride is healthy i think), and I don't post this in any way, other than in interesting speculation from another motorer.

Sincerely,
2007 JCW, semi-super-mega-complete-engine-jcw-almost-FULL-but-really-only-"full"-works.


Happy Motoring Guys !