Hello everybody!
I have the opportunity to choose between two MC40 cars and I am hoping for some insight. I am looking to drive this car as a daily drive to save gas. Eventually I would like to retire it and have it be a fun car to maybe track, or just be a weekend fun car.

One car has the aero kit and 2009+ JCW wheels for $9,500 with 75k miles and the other has no aero kit with 79,xxx miles but the correct MC40 wheels for $8,5000. They are both red with white roofs (I'm not sure if that is how all of them are). The

I am trying to determine what would be the best value, I am also wondering if since the MC40 is not a relatively new car if I would be better getting an S version with maybe an upgraded Nav system and add on my own performance items if I felt they were needed.

This first picture is the one for $9,500


The second is the one for $8,500

 

I say top one, if one of those 2 are my options. Better wheels, and the areo package is rad. Do both have projector headlights? Take the that does if they both do not. Do you know the top is a JCW or does it just have added looks? I mean does have the JCW tune, and various different engine parts? And no they are not all red with white roofs.

 

Thank you for the reply, it's funny... I actually considered the wheels on the top picture to be a negative as oppose to the bottom wheels. I am viewing the bottom car tomorrow afternoon whereas the top car is about 200 miles away.
According to both ads, they are both JCW cars. Neither went into detail about if they had the JCW engine package as well.

From my KBB research it looks like these cars could both be worth around $11,500 if they are both MC40 and JCW... Does that sound correct?

 

Oh ok I didnt see that they are both JCWs. My knowledge lies in the 2nd gen MINIs but a few things I know you want to look for when you check out the car are: Check the strut mounts under the hood for "mushrooming", ask them what fuel they have been using. The older even non-s have higher compression so they run premium octane only! And make note if the car is on Run flats or not. I'll try to think of more things to look at, but you might find better answers if you post in the "General MINI's" forum on here.

 

Just noticed, the top one has the Carbon Fiber Mirror caps, those run anywhere from at low $105-$250 on the high end.

 

I will look into the mushrooming, I haven't heard of that yet. Is there anything else substantial I should be looking or listening for? I am just now reading how superchargers regularly go out around 100k :0

 

CARBON BUILD UP! Mushrooming is for sure a popular thing on the older MINIs, but as far as all the reading I have done, and from my gf owning an R50. Carbon Build up is the major issue. Small injectors get clogged up.

And I don't know if you saw it or not, but someone on our LXM FB group was saying that MINI has stopped making the supercharger, now I don't know the year or any specs, but they also mentioned that Eaton does not sell/make parts for them anymore either. You should look up that convo and comment/like it so you can get everyones updates on the matter!

 

I will look up that thread right now. Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the carbon build up a problem with the second generation and not the first? I recall using that as a reason to choose a first gen.

 

Actually you are right on that. Sorry I was having a convo about MINI's, while typing about different MINI's on here and the LXM Group and in person haha. Too many MINIs, got a lil mixed up for a moment. Don't worry its the Turbo's from '07-'11 that have that Carbon issues. But for sure check the mushrooming! That I am not mistaking, and since you are in Nevada, and temps can rise there just like here in AZ. Check to see if the hood scoop is sagging at all, I know some people that had replaced theirs many times on the older models.

 

Lots of Info out there about the MC40 (2004) don't be fooled by someone telliny you that it is a JCW because of the carbon Fiber Dash with the JCW decal on it, this Dash is standard equipment for the MC40.

Look at the Engine, if the car has been given the JCW treatment the Air Filter Cover will be Labeled, the Supercharger Intercooler Cover will be labeled and if you pull one of the Fuel Injector Electrical Connections the plastic part that it connects to should be blue.

For More information about the MC40 Here on the Forum Search MC40 Owners Club, there is a lot of information about it. Also at: http://mc40.com/

As for which one to buy... well...since I have two MC40's, I would most likely go with the JCW with the Aero Package. I see it has the JCW Brakes so I would guess it has the Full JCW package installed. Plus the MC40 is really only collectible as a MC40 if the Commemorative Plaque is with the car, telling you the number out of 1000 made (XXX/1000)

From the photo I have no idea of the year of the JCW, maybe a 2006? Last year of the R53 Supercharged cars.

Drive both, Pick the one you like the most... no matter what, they are both the right color...

Motor on!

 

Thank you for the reply! I am going to look over the one with the flag on top this afternoon. I will certainly look and make sure it is in fact a JCW which should be fairly easy by popping the hood. The plaque is located somewhere near the center console correct? I haven't been able to find many MC40 for sale to see what a good example looks like.

 

{This is not one of the cars I am considering, just a video I found online for a reference}
This one seems to be a pretty good overview of an MC40. I did notice however that it said JCW on the carbon fiber dash but did not have the plaque or valve cover under the hood. Does that mean it is not in fact JCW tuned?
I am assuming that this is exactly what you mentioned earlier.

 

I like ones with the JCW Tuning kit and JCW extra packages. But with any MC40 I dont think you could go wrong. JCW CF dash and Plaque still there are a plus. As well as the outside graphics. R90 wheels we carry, easy change.

For MC40 parts , we have a nice list going here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...s-club-11.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...n-my-mini.html


For Strut tower plates , after the mushrooming is fixed, look here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-toy-ever.html



Good luck and congrats whatever you decide

 

The MC40 Edition was an appearance trim package with no performance upgrades over a regular S model. You should ignore the MC40 moniker and base your choice on what you like about the individual cars.

MINI separately sold a JCW carbon fiber dash trim kit, which are essentially aftermarket cosmetic pieces. They have nothing to do with the engine.

 

+1 Yep it just says JCW on the CF piece ( not making the Car a JCW Tuning kit ), its linked above in the parts list and whats left.

 

^
This

For more details ...

MINI Cooper S MC40 - The MINI Wiki

1st Gen MCS JCW Tuning Kits & Factory Models - The MINI Wiki

 

Just watched the Video on the MC40, it does not have the JCW add ons. And yes, the Commemorative Plaque should be mounted between the hand brake and the shifter, but in most cases it is loose and has been shoved into the document folder in the glove compartment. (See Below) The JCW Engine Performance package will look like this. (See Below)

Car looks pretty good. But I would most likely still steer towards the other... But the test drives will really tell you.

No matter what, I recommend you get the RED one.

Motor on!

 

This was a lot of good info that I had not ran across yet. I guess I will first confirm both models are true JCW models and also what kit they have on them. I am trying to stick with the JCW version mainly because I can have more power with the same mpg. The MC40 package to me isn't necessarily a plus but these are the only two advertised JCW cars I have found locally.

I'll keep you guys updated and probably add some more photos.

 

It wasn't a plus when it was released in 2004. At the time, MINIs were in very short supply and a custom order could take 6 months. Yet MC40's stayed sitting unsold on dealer lots. Buyers didn't want a bright red interior and garish decals.

 

I did not know until now that they all had the red and black interior. I don't think that will work for me. Looks like I may have to keep an eye out for an MCS or JCW instead.

 

Passing note...

2014 is the 50 year anniversary of MINI winning the Monte Carlo Rallye (2004 = 40 years)
The MINI is 55 years old

And BTW, if I didn't like the MC40 I wouldn't have 2 of them.

Motor on!

 

" MINIs were in very short supply and a custom order could take 6 months. "
I remember those days. The MC40 at the time was an expensive MINI , with no sunroof and wheel steering controls. I think the options based on the price made it sit in the showroom. I remember these new and people complained about how expensive it was.

 

Hello everyone, I decided to not go with an MC40 and instead bought a 2005 MCS that is fully loaded with 60k miles for $8,800.
Thanks for all the help.

 

Nice R99 Wheels.

Sorry you did not get the MC40, but the Aero kit and R99 wheels look like great combo.

 

They clearly don’t all have white roofs as the bottom one itself has a Union Jack liveried roof lol
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