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

 

I could see a Cooper S with a Jcw tuning kit being used as a winterbeater but not a Factory JCW.Imho a JCW deserves a better enviroment than salt,sand ,snow and ice .

I will not drive my JCW in rain

 

I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I love my JCW but I don't think it deserves any better treatment than my '08 MCS I had last year. If I bought it, I'm gonna drive the crap out of it.

Having said that... don't worry about the 17's. You could easily buy a cheap set of 16" rims, put a set of winter tires on it and drive it.

I keep 17's for the track but switched to 18's for daily driving.

Buy the car, you won't regret it...

Mark

 

OK. I feel fully qualified to answer this as I live just north of NYC and drive in NYC often. I have also driven my JCW recently in Philly and Boston this winter. I have the JCW suspension on my car as well.

The answer... go for it!! Ditch the run flats and get all season tires or get another set of wheels. One for a summer set up and one for a winter setup. Problem solved. Now you are good to go. Let us know when you order it. You will definitely not regret it. The R56 JCW kicks serious ***!!

 

My 09 JCW is a daily driver in Rochester NY. If you are not familiar with the area we get a lot of snow and often. I am running a second set of wheels with blizzaks on them. So far snow is not a problem for me.

ALSO - I don't think you can run anything smaller than a 17'' wheel on the JCW due to the brakes. If someone else has any info please post up.

 

16 inch wheels won't fit over the Brembo huge brake calipers on a 2009 Factory JCW.
Not all 17 inch wheels will fit so your best bet is to get two wheels from the dealer or go to tire rack and see what they have that will fit.
Ronnie948

PS: I live in Florida so I won't ever see that problem.

 

Good point Ronnie, I didn't even catch that..... 16's won't fit with Brembo brakes.

Regardless, you should be able to find a set of 17's to fit....

Mark

 

I just bought a 2009 JCW to use as a daily driver in Germany. It came with a set of winter tires. I have not hit snow yet but cold rain is reality here almost daily. I am resolver to wash it frequently and Hard Pound it on the AutoBahn. When I take it home to the East Coast in a few years it will stay a DD, I am really hoping I can keep it nice Not a great answer but my plan anyhow.