Hi from across the pond,

I just thought I would share some pics and specs of my latest purchase, I'm changing from a ONE D, so I imagine the first few weeks are going to be VERY different indeed.....

The car I've just bought myself is a used R56 JCW Stage 1. I should hopefully be getting it in 3 weeks after I've sorted some bits and bobs out with my current car.

Its a 2007 model, with 12k miles on the clock. I cannot bloody wait!!!

Spec:

Chilli Red
Colour Line Dark Grey
Roof and Mirror Caps in Black
CHILI Pack
Sports Suspension
Anthracite Roof Lining
Auto-Dim Interior Mirror
Automatic Air Conditioning
Black Bonnet Stripes
Bluetooth Telephone Prep
Comfort Access
Panoramic Glass Sunroof
Rain Sensor & Lights On
DAB Digital Radio
Darkened Rear Glass
Dynamic Stability Control
Exterior Mirror Pack
Visibility Pack
Park Distance Control
Front Centre Arm Rest
Front Seat Heating
Heated Mirrors/Washer Jets
HiFi Speaker System
Navigation
Multifunction for S/Wheel
Spot Lamps
John Cooper Works Alcantara Seats
John Cooper Works Stage 1 Kit
John Cooper Works Aero Kit
John Cooper Works R105 Alloys
John Cooper Works Brakes
John Cooper Works Alcantara Steering Wheel
John Cooper Works Carbon Dash
Custom made Alcantara Rear Seats

The following John Cooper Works accessories are also fitted:

Carbon Mirrors
Carbon Intake
Carbon Boot Handle
Carbon Gear ****
Carbon Handbrake
Carbon Rear Valance

(This cost the original owner nearly £33k ($49k) )

Few pics (clickable thumbs):

 

Very nice, wait for all your snow to melt before hitting the sport button.

Good pictures, great set of options. Engine is just getting broken in with 12K.

 

Beautiful car, but $49K for it is just plain CRAZY!!!

 

I couldn't agree more, which is why I snapped it up as a second hand bargain!!!! :D

 

Dude,

That is one beautiful piece of JCW machinery!!!

Now, just how much did that set you back?

Congrats!

Enjoy

mini8

 

Thanks, it is rather nice isn't it!

Well, considering it turns 2yrs old next month I think I got a good deal......

It was listed @ £16.8k and I paid £8.7k after trade in.

 

R99,

what seats are those on the car. They look like they have the racing shoulder harness pass thrus on the seat backs.

 

The are the John Cooper Works Recaro seats, finished in Alcantara. They also do some slightly cheaper ones in Leather, same design though.

Dealer fit option, but from what I understand they are not available to the US market?

The retail for £2,060 in the UK, fitting is extra. They have airbags inside them so I think the car needs recoding after they have been installed.

 

Looks great but too pricey for me. I do not think it is available in the US.

Thanks for the info.

 

Very nice looking car!

 

Thanks.

 

Ok, well I have finally picked it up.... I'll let the pics do the talking. :D




Suffice to say, I'm over the moon with it, it piles on speed very, very quickly. :D

 

Very nice! I'll be adding some JCW carbon fiber items to my car soon. Can't wait.

 

Those seats just look orgasmic!

 

sweet ride, but consider upgrading yr rear sway bar to the stiffer 18.5mm JCW, they're not that much (less than $100 US + install) and the JCW front strut tower brace. both will help that little red torque-beast track MUCH better.

 

Quick update.

I've stuck a couple of crap vids on youtube, but you get the idea.





I've also just bought one of these, not sure what to expect, but not bad for £35 delivered!

 

Second mod:

JCW rigid turbo inlet pipe, as found on the factory JCW cars. Costing £60, so not bad at all, going to the dealers tomorrow for it.

 

OK time for an up-date folks.

Here is a newer picture of the car on the Newcastle upon Tyne quayside:



Since my last post in March I have done a few more bits and bobs to the car.

These include a Factory JCW back box, fitted in conjunction with my JCW Stage 1 tuning kit.





Next up is a set of grille badges and holder from OutMotoring / MotoringFile. I still need to get them fitted, but I think they will look great once they are on.



I have also just won these on E-Bay. My intention is to get them sent off to an automotive upholsterer to get them covered in Alcantara to match my JCW seats and my custom trimmed rear seats.



Then the final mods for now will be the m7 vortex scoop in carbon fibre and a R56 MINI Challenge front splitter which is on its way from Germany now.

Long term plans are to then lower the car.

 

Thoughts on the factory JCW exhaust? I wouldn't imagine that it would make a big difference and it is sort of tough to tell from the video any changes in volume and the like.

 

gorgeous. lookin good

 

The factory JCW exhaust is about twice as loud as the Stage 1 exhaust.

You can see daylight through it which you is something you cant when you look down the Stage 1 exhaust because it has way more baffles inside it - which quietens it down somewhat.

On non-Factory JCW cars the factory back box is louder. No-one seems to know why, but it definatley is! The only suggestion I have read so far is that the engine has a different compression to the Cooper S / Stage 1 cars.

I dont know why you cant tell the difference, but here are a couple of videos of my old JCW stage 1 exhaust for comparison......

JCW Stage 1 exhaust





Factory JCW exhaust





When I had the Stage 1 exhaust on you could very, very rarely hear it from inside the car, you had to have the windows down to hear it.

With the Factory JCW box on you can hear it pop with the windows up and with the windows down it sounds awesome!

 

There's a definite difference based upon the videos but its hard to really judge the difference between two videos based upon a video. Unless the two systems are featured in the same video using the same camera, I don't want to make conclusions on seperate videos with potentially different settings and/or different weather/wind, etc.

But with your comments, it definitely helps to point out the differences. At the very least it is nice to know that if I ever want something a little louder, the factory exhaust should be a good way to go without getting something too loud and annoying.

 

OK, update time.

JCW Rigid intake pipe is now removed following blown up turbo and destroyed I/C!!

Black headlamp and tail lamp rings have been ordered from Mikey @ NewMINIStuff.

Alcantara interior bits turned up today:



Also been out in the Durham Dales to snap a few piictures......
IMG_1171



IMG_1183



IMG_1192




The m7 vortex bonnet scoop in carbon has been fitted to the car.

Pics:




Finally, Blackout mods continue.

Just ordered these from the a company out in the US, not bad for $100.

Door handle blackout & petrol cap. These are moulded parts which 100% cover the exisiting chrome items, so take seconds to fit and can be easily removed come re-sale time.




The pics above show both matt and gloss items. Both the ones I have ordered are matt.

Should have them in the next 6 weeks or so.

They do a range of parts for both the 1st gen and 2nd gen MINI.

Aesthetic Creations Molded Parts

 

Ok, here are some pics (finally!) of my latest mods.

Alcantara lower dash. Covered by RKDE. Fitted by NewMINIStuff:



Painted head & tail lamp rings from NewMINIStuff, fitted my Mike.



Painted Cooper S fuel filler cap, also from NewMINIStuff.

 

looking good! Nice ride!

Need to get her lowered a bit