So I had an '03 MCS a while back and loved it. Ended up selling it due to financial trouble, and ended up buying a new sportbike when my money woes were over. Anyays, now I don't have time for my bike anymore with school and work so I am probably going to be selling my bike soon. I need a fun vehicle and I really miss my MINI! So I went out and test drove an '09 MCS JCW and man it was a lot of fun. Seems to have more get up and go than my modified MCS did, and the sounds of the turbo and BOV brought me back to the days of tuning my '96 Eclipse GSX...

With that said, I am already really wanting to get a MCS again. My question to all of you that have the JCW is, was it worth the extra money to go JCW? I love the JCW Aero kit, and the extra power is nice, but how noticable is it over the regular MCS? I havent driven a new MCS yet just the JCW so I wanted to get your oppinions. Also hows the brakes compare? Lastly, what do you think of the optional suspension addon package for it?

Also are there any other differences that I should be aware of from the previous generation (02 - 06)? I know the car got revamped with a new tranny, turbo engine and many other things. But mainly I am looking to find out if there is anything that I should look out for while looking around? It is almost Winter here and will not buy before spring time so trying to see how fast I can save up a down payment and also get educated on the new MINI's.

Thanks,
BE4TNUT

 

Was it the factory JCW, or the MCS with the JCW tuning kit? That would make a big difference on the '09. The MCS with the tuning kit is about half way between the MCS and the factory JCW.

I've driven 3 out of the 4. The MC, the MCS, and the factory JCW. All pre-2011. Huge differences between all of them, the JCW obviously being the most fun

 

The one I drove was a factory JCW... I would only ge tthe factory JCW and not an MCS with the JCW kit installed on it I am leaning towards that one but I will need to save up a long time for the downpayment I think haha. I just wanted to see if there is anything I shoul dknow about the newer ones and if others thought the premium for the factory JCW was worth it.

 

Also, when I go to MINIUSA.com and build an MCS or JCW, why isn't there an option for Navigation on the 2011's?

 

The Factory JCW is well worth it. The Brembo brakes are AWSOME. It's light, fast and a lot of FUN.

The 2011 Navigation, I believe will come out in December because it will have the Mini Connect.

 

Yeah, the new nav "isn't ready yet."

Some will tell you otherwise, but it's well worth the extra cash.

 

the brakes alone are well worth it. They did a good job with the brembo setup.

the note of the factory exhaust is music to my ears
aside from the exhaust tone, the combination of extra power plus mini's already good handling abilities make this a fun car in a small package. i say go for it!

 

If you want a car that is fast and still a good street car and you are not into wanting to modify it I think the JCW is the way to go.

If you are into tinkering with your car and modify the heck out of it as part of the pleasure of owning a car then the "S" is a good choice.

If you decide on the JCW be sure to order the "sport suspension" from the factory. It works excellent and does not beat the car to death.

Both are great cars and more fun then anyone can imagine.