I am in a market to get an used Mini Cooper S. Here are my 2 choices. A 2006 JCW with than 20K mileage or 2007 R56 with 40K mileage. Eventually I will be modding the car and will be tracking the car 5-8 times per year. Hope you guys can point me the right direction.

1. Is aftermarket suspension better than JCW suspension?
2. Is aftermarket exhaust is better than JCW exhaust?
3. Is a modded (all the possible bolt parts) on R56 will have more HP than JCW?

 

I'd go with the '06 JCW every time and twice on Sunday. Half the mileage, and pretty much everything you need already there. There are very few mods I would make to a JCW, maybe some M7 brackets, a KN type filter, lighter wheels, etc.

The thing about the factory JCW, is that all the bits are designed to work well together. Piecing together go-fast stuff from here and there will get the car up there, but sometimes the parts don't all play well with one another you might say.

Now, '06 SC vs '07 TC. I prefer a supercharger myself. Less heat build up under the hood, which can be important in you live in 100+ summers and very hot tracks. The SC also has a more consistent power band, and is always on. Now everyone agrees, and it is more a matter of preference.

 

I had a similar predicament. Except it was new S vs '06 JCW. I took the JCW. Got them to certify it and extend the maitenance until the CPO warranty expired.

So vote is JCW.

 

hmm...2 votes for JCW!!

 

I had the same choice to make at the end of 2006, whether to go with a new 2006 JCW or new 2007 MCS. I went with the 2006 JCW GP.

However, aftermarket vendors are now getting good power out of the R56 turbo motors and the R56 motor has more torque so it is a good choice. With bolt-ons and ECU tuning the R56 can make more power than a R53 JCW.

The JCW suspension is nice. I had aftermarket suspension pieces on my 2003 MCS and JCW on my 2006 MCS and the JCW is better. However, I wish the JCW springs were a little shorter because I would like to car to be a little lower. However, the JCW spring and shock combo work very well together. I added camber plates to the front and the handling is great.

In my opinion the JCW exhaust is too quiet. I replaced my JCW exhaust with a Milltek exhaust. I also like the Borla Sport exhaust but it droned too much on my GP with no rear seats or rear insulation.

 

Great info!! Thx!

 

I think another main consideration should be which style do you like better. The interiors and exteriors have various differences plus the overall characteristics are a little different. Each model has it pros and cons that make each better suited to different people. I tend to like the R53 style/characteristics a little better but I am probably just bias because I have owned two R53s. I drove an R56 JCW pretty hard at MTTS and it was great but I still like my GP better. The turbo has the advantage of some easy intake/exhaust mods that make good power. I am a little jealous of the muffler-less exhaust mod for the turbo motor.

 

As a JCW owner I'd go for the '06 for two reasons:

Less miles on a relatively bug free model.

The other reason is the R-56, in 2007, had some reliability issues.

Hope this helps...

 

what are the reliability issues on the R-56?

 

I've heard of issues with starting and idle, turbo failure, oil sludging and oil starvation.

I don't frequent the Second Generation Forums so that means I'm repeating rumors, not specifics.
If you check out the Second Generation Forum you'll be able to find out bugs are known and if there is a fix.

The old adage "never buy the first year" has applied to all manufactures for a very long time.

Hope this helps...

 

Oops. iPhoned it in. See below!

 

Another vote for the R53 JCW. It is simply a more special and "sorted" car. The JCW suspension is a much more satisfying cornering partner than the frustratingly soft R56. And the turbo motor may have a lot of low and midrange punch but it is a boring power delivery as it falls flat very early in the rpm range and isn't particularly stirring sonically. The supercharged JCW pulls to redline AND produces smooth strong power from quite low revs too. It is flexible power but anything but boring. I won't mince words here: If you prize driving feel and connection with the car get the R53 JCW. And, as a bonus, the R53's advantages in styling and detailing are evident all over the exterior, dash design, and especially underhood.

 

one more vote for the r53 jcw. i'm assuming it was a factory jcw, which has lsd standard. '05-'06 factory jcw's are like gold to me. if i get another mini, i'm getting one of those

 

i have an r56 and i would eaaaaasily vote for 06 jcw

 

I would avoid the 2007 R56, to many bugs in the first year. The 2006 JCW is a great car!

 

Thx for the info guys!! Another question those who vote for R53. Is it a waste if I get a R53 JCW and mod it out or I should just get regular R53 and mod it our from there? The mods I am talking about is the cam, pulley, intake, exhaust, suspension etc

 

There are some things that would be pricey to mod that are standard on the JCW. Like the different cylinder head. That alone is worth the price of admission.

I have a 2006 JCW Cab with every possible JCW option including all the carbon fiber bits like the hood scoop. I love the car. The engine just screams as you get up into the upper range and it still has more than enough power to smoke the tires off idle. (Disengage DSC.) And the aural music that the engine makes is wonderful. I absolutely love the whine/scream of the supercharger as it winds up. Very visceral. And the burble upon de-accelleration is a treat as well. I love it. Those might seem like small things, but it makes driving the car that much more fun. It seems so much more a high performance car (which it is) than if it didn't have those things. If I were to trade it for a turbo version, I'd sorely miss those things.

 

It's only a waste, dollar wise, if you're taking off JCW parts and replacing them with aftermarket parts
that may not be that much better performance wise.

Suspension wise, the JCW springs and struts compare nicely to some of the lower priced springs and struts sets that are available.

If you're tracking the car, running high rpm's consistently, a pulley larger that 15% may not be in you're best interest.
Some tuners recommend a JCW (11.45%) pulley over the 15% and larger to combat the high intake temps on track driven cars.

Having said that for a daily driver bigger is better.

A modded S will be just as quick, cheaper too, as a JCW but just not a package that works as harmoniously together.
I know I'll be flamed for that statement but it seems to be the consensus of the auto mags and other professional reviewers.

You're in Canada so you may not have to comply with the same laws that us California residents do so that may be a plus for you.
That's one of the reasons I bought my JCW.
If I do any engine mods I'll do a cam and stay with the JCW pulley as I like stealth.
Also passes the bi-annual visual inspection that way.

Hope this helps...

 

sure your info help a lot!! Thanks!

 

Hi Soni,

The value of the JCW is in how it delivers power and how flexible the powerband is. I can personally attest to the JCW suspension being an excellent driving setup and very very liveable day to day (many have said it is actually a bit more comfortable than the standard S sport suspension despite offering better body control).

Here is one review of a JCW car at motoringfile (don't think this car had JCW suspension though):
http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/07/...-up/#more-4981

And here is a Canadian review (Canadian Driver magazine) of a 2005 JCW:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2005/0...i-cooper-s.htm

The weakest point of any MINI in my experience (and many others) is the "performance" Dunlop run flats. Whatever you get, be sure to swap these for a proper set of sticky non-run flat tires - both ride comfort and grip will improve dramatically.

Good luck and enjoy the test drives!

 

Another vote for the 2006 Cooper S JCW. Drive it as is on the track then decide on modifications.

 

I have a 2006 MCS JCW, and had the misfortune of driving a 2009 MCS as a loaner from the dealer for the last couple of weeks (long story-wasn't a problem with my car).

I posted my opinion about the R56 in the 2nd gen forum. Stirred some controversy.

All I can tell you is I was suffering without my '06 JCW Cooper. Much, much nicer car.

 

You will pay a little more for a JCW car but the JCW is a good platform to start your mods. A key component that comes with the factory installed 2006 JCW is the Limited Slip Differential (LSD). It is very expensive to add if your car does not have it installed but makes a big improvement. The JCW head is only a minor improvement (just ported) over stock. You also get larger fuel injectors with the JCW car which will work with future mods.

If you start swapping out JCW parts for aftermarket parts (such as the exhaust) you can sell the JCW parts on NAM Marketplace.

If you do mods such as a cam (and even without additional mods), you will probably want a custom ECU tune so the JCW tune is a waste but most everything else is good to keep or sell at a reasonable price.

As many have stated, the JCW suspension is good but you might want to go lower or switch to coil-overs. The JCW suspension parts sell well on NAM. I would leave the JCW suspension alone for awhile and do other suspension mods such as camber plates, lower front brace, larger/adjustable rear sway bar, lighter wheels, and better tires. If you later decide to go with different springs/shocks, these suspension mods should be compatible with your new springs/shocks (or coil-overs).