I've got a Chili Red 2006 Cooper S that I really like. I'm thinking of placing an order for a 2010 JCW after a recent test drive. The car is wicked fast and I just love the performance. However, like my current "S", the JCW would be a daily driver and my concern is the Chicago winters and those 17 inch tires on the JCW. I'm guessing I could always buy a set of rims with all season tires for the winter. Given these concerns should I forget the JCW and opt for a new "S" or is the "JCW" really just a winter garage queen.

I'd like some feed back, advise from JCW owners.

Scrubbly

 

can't advise on the S vs JCW. But I have 17" snow tires on my JCW Clubman & the recent blizzards in the Mid-Atlantic haven't been a concern.

I do love my JCW it's fast but doesn't eat fuel like my Audi S4 did. The only time I drive in normal mode is in the snow; otherwise sport mode is on & the burble from the exhaust is hard to beat.

 

So, it handles well in the snow? Did you buy new rims too?

 

yes, I put 17" black crown spokes on with Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 (non-RF)
(I've had bad experience w/ non oem wheels, so went w/ MINI 17" Crown Spokes. which are S-Lites)

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...2-post190.html

I was driving on a road today with about 3" of packed ice/snow; the SUV in front kept spinning it's wheels & going sideways; kept the RPMs low & crept through straight w/o issue.

 

Not a JCW owner here but have you considered just doing some upgrades such as pulley/tune etc?

I personally just dont like the way the new generations look but that new JCW is quick, no doubt. It just doesnt have the same character and feel of the R53 that I like.

 

My 2006 jcw is ok in the snow.If I ran a tire other than pirelli run flats it would be a bunch better I'm sure. I have 4x4 truck to drive when roads are real bad so have not spend the funds on snow skins.

 

I do not have a JCW but I did recently purchase a used 07 MCS and the WI winters can be very harsh. I mounted a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on 17" web spokes. I have driven in some pretty heavy snow this winter and so far so good. If its really bad out I sometimeS start in 2nd gear with DSC off and that eliminates any wheel spin. I turn DSC on again when i get going. I say put a dedicated set of winter tires on for the winter nasty months and get a set good high performance summer tires. That way you have the best tire for the conditions and can fully enjoy your JCW.

 

I agree on the looks. The performance is intoxicating but I think I hate the interior and I'd miss the whine of the supercharger.

 

I agree on the looks. The performance is intoxicating but I think I hate the interior and I think I'd miss the whine of the supercharger.

 

Why not get a nice clean 05-06 JCW, throw on set of winters on spare rims (17" webpsokes in my case no probs in the snow, btw Nokian's rock!) and you have the best of both worlds, that's what I did and have no regrets