In a global news release earlier this week, MINI announced that as of July 2013 it is going to offer JCW interior and exterior packages for the Countryman and Paceman, so buyers of these cars who don't want a full-on JCW could have the "style" of a JCW vehicle, without the expense of buying a real JCW.

IMHO, the John Cooper Works name has been getting more and more diluted as BMW searches for ways to squeeze more money out of its customers. The company did it by adding an M package to just about every BMW vehicle it produces, and now it's going to do inflict the same attitude on MINIs. It's getting to the point that "JCW" won't mean any more than "SS" did on Chevrolets. (A Tahoe SS? A Cobalt SS? Ewwwww!)

Fortunately, Chevy recently decided that in the future the SS designation only will be applied to the few vehicles that really deserve it. I hope BMW is that smart with the JCW brand and heritage - and maintains it for a limited group of halo vehicles.

 

Couldn't care less and I drive a 2006 JCW.

Big "meh" from me.

 

I like you can get the packages without the tunes. Saves a lot of money in some cases. I mean Audi offers the S package, BMW does offer M package without the tuning. The difference on both anywhere from $10k to $30k for an M series Bimmer. Now saying that I do have two JCW's a 2012 and 2013 and wouldn't trade them for either of the above.

 

It's tough to answer. Almost all car companies offer some sort of performance package without buying the whole performance car. I have a 2013 jcw hardtop and I really hope mini doesn't dilute the jcw brand. But I only think mini can dilute the brand if they stopped offering a full jcw and only made a jcw design package. I hope that doesn't happen.

 

BMW also does it with the M Sport packages for the interior and exterior. You can buy AMG wheels, body kits, and interior accessories from Mercedes as well, without getting the full-on car. Audi has "S-Line" packages for their cars too. Nothing is being "diluted". It's about reaching the largest market possible.

 

What's next, Chili Red roofs on Justas ??

 

Nope, the whole car: If you order one of the JCW packages, you can get the Countryman and Paceman in Chili Red, which used to be exclusive to JCW models.

 

I wonder if MINI will do better in the long run by offering so many models of cars and providing JCW options across the models than when they had a smaller, but perhaps more loyal following when your decision was between a Justa, an S, a JCW or a GP. I suppose the former is a better way to ensure the health of the company long term, but I, for one, miss the "good old days".

 

I think its worse that you purchase a factory JCW and then have to purchase the suspension extra. I did and love the suspension but annoyed that I had to have out installed.

 

I basically did this for the reason you said, It saved me a lot of money. I wanted the JCW exterior/ interior and the extra money I spent I put toward other options that I wanted. I could have had a base JCW for what I payed for my S. I decided to factor in the longevity of me keeping the car and how I wanted extra comfort items with some performance vs having a base JCW and just going for the performance. Its nothing new with BMW either, they have offered packages that sport the M logo for some time now. I look at it as for the brand than against it except for the exception of placing the actual badge on the car (like an M3 badge on the trunk of a regular 3 series) and saying it is what it is not. I didn't place a JCW badge on my front grill and hatch and tell people its a real JCW. I probably wouldn't do that even if I bought the JCW tune (and I believe its part of it), and if I did get the tune I would still tell people its just a JCW tune on a MCS.

 

Quite honestly, I think this should be an additional differentiator. If the JCW's come with everything they already do AND the suspension, then IMHO the JCW's would remain true JCW's. To add to that, the JCW suspension should be more than just springs, shocks, and roll bars but high adjustability, forged aluminum parts as well.

This way, those that purchase a MCS could get close with power and handling (with OEM parts), but there will always be a core differentiator; just like with the M cars.

$.02

Aaron

 

I find it mildly annoying. But I got a JCW for function, not to show off, so it doesn't really matter.

 

+1. It could be poop brown for all I care

 

Dear NAM Members - where is your sense of outrage? Oh the HORROR!

When I had the "trunk kit" JCW on my R53 it defined me! I was set apart from the mewling plethora of run-of-the-mill Minis and ascended to the throne of John Cooper's Legacy! Oh breathless pride!

How DARE they!

Kind regards,

Charlie

 

Feel better ?

 

You can smoke an S at a stop light - isn't that definition enough :D

 

If that question was directed here, MUCH better thank you very much...

(then I bought a Justa - sic transit gloria)

Cheers,

Charlie

 

It was, yes. Quite a dramatic little one man skit you put on there.

 

I do very much hope you enjoy your Works car when it arrives (still On Order?). Mine was a tickle and a laugh, and also an encouragement to merge with traffic in 2nd gear just to feel the acceleration.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Thanks. Hard to imagine not loving every moment in this one.

 

There's a lot that MINI has done recently that kinda detracts from the original idea/theme and I have felt that they were possibly diluting the brand. But I guess that if these other models/changes help to keep the brand alive, then I'm all for it.

 

When I hear JCW I think performance. . .
I dont think exterior trim
I dont think interior trim

 

IMO its not diluting it at all... Its just giving people more options and giving them what they want.. In a business sense I can see why they did it.. I think you will see more of this in the future to come.. Just remember its only packages.. Its not like they are getting the real deal.. Its just widening the options for others who just aren't looking for the whole performance JCW..lol

 

not a big deal to me, doesn't appear that they have the JCW badge just the styling

 

Couldn't care less.

To the 99% of the population, these are all MINI's.
To the 1% that know the difference between a JCW, an MCS, and a Justa - color schemes are irrelevant, or a matter of personal preference.

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