Hey all. I need some opinions, feedback, or what ever to help me make a decision. I currently have a MCS with the JCW tune. I am playing with the idea of getting a JCW, but keep going back and forth. For those of you that have gone from a MCS to a JCW what are your impressions stepping up to the works? Any comments would be appreciated.

 

Would it be a hatch ... Countryman... clubman?
This is a key factor

 

I've had six MINI's and three of the last four have been JCW's. I'd say if you can afford it I'd always go for the top of the line car. In addition to the extra factory horsepower it's also got some unique and optional features standard over the S. My build was function over frills and stickered for $34200.

 

I've got my build on the upcoming "minor tweek" 2017/2018 JCW up to $42K. Darn near every single option. Reading about guys retrofitting this and that, is seems if you think you might want it, get it...rear fog lights for example. And the roof rack.

 

Agree with bhmini ... I started with a minimal build and realized very quickly that there would be many regrets. If you want JCW performance, you should go for the JCW. if you hope to save money with the JCW Tuning option, I think you will be disappointed in that the cost will be very close in the end. Also, you have to consider that there are significant reliability upgrades on the JCW that do not exist on the S with the kit.

 

I wanted what was inherently not feasible, on a MCS. The engine and internal components is not something you can change (feasibly anyways), the Larger calipers, and the much more agressive bodywork.

Compounding the fact that the car is much more exclusive than a MCS, and that there is that M like lineage you get with a BMW, only for a Mini. I thought it was a no brainer.

I don't see the point of dressing up a MCS to be like a JCW, for the day will come when you (like most people will eventually do) will be selling / trading in and no matter what the car has, it will always be a MCS.

Now, if the panache, the inherent engine internals and what not do not light your fire, than by all means the MCS is an out of the box pretty tight and sweet ride. So save your bread, and get that.

Cheers,

 

Dude, all I can say is GO FOR IT! It's so worth $6500 for the brakes, turbo, tune, and body kit. Plus you F series get cooler seats and sport suspension too. My car's a freaking rocket ship, and I'm gonna even tune it soon!

 

If you can refrain from adding too many options the JCW is the best way to go hands down! You get into trouble cost wise very quickly as you add to your option list! If I wanted a JCW for the suspension, brakes & that wonderful engine I wouldn't hesitate going with a bottom build with very few options...you will smile just as wide as if you ordered tons of options! In the end, it really depends on what you want in a car. If you are hooked on all the gizmos & can't live without any, assuming your pockets aren't deep, then you are likely better off going for the MCS.

 

My R58 JCW sticker was about $41k. I got a few grand off, mostly dealer installed options. But the big option on mine were the Recaro seats ($2700 heated, excellent seats), and you get the (fabric) JCW seats for free. So you can probably get a nicely equipped car for maybe $36k if you don't get leather seats. I think the JCW is about $30k without options. The average new car in the US costs $33k.

 

 

Very nice!

 

Nice indeed!

 

Man that's an attention getting color. Nice!

 

SOOO000ooo jealous... I could NOT get mine without the sunroof...

No two ways about it....

Congrats

 

Rite me a ticket Red! Gotta love it!

 

Ha! My thought exactly (ticket me red)...not very stealth looking! But, gorgeous it is! I love it!

 

I ran into those problems with my bright yellow Vette. You have to live on cruise control.
The Tennessee Troopers zeroed in on me right quick the first time I took it to the Dragon. Oops! My bad. Thread drift.

 

Didn't your Armed Forces plate get you out of trouble? ha! Lots of rubber meeting the road on that rocket ship!

 

Yep. 285's on the front and 335's on the rear. Not fun going to the tire store for that puppy.

 

I fully agree, also with that statement of reselling it.

As I personally re-think my MINI anyhow, a MCS is a cheaper basis for me. So if you not plan to go for 9.4 instead of 10 or 11 compression, the MINI Tuning version the JCW offers for 5000 more a good deal.

On the other hand if you are free of infantile vibrations a Cooper S with KW Clubsport and tune box humiliates all regular JCW`s.

 

I have a 2017 Mini Cooper S instead of my JCW today while they are doing service and it is a night and day difference. Breaks/drives/steers differently. Well worth the cost difference. I get a lot of people stop me on the street and ask me about it because it's a JCW. I didn't get that with my S.

 

In the "S" lineup you can get a really, really red "red". It is "Blazing Red" and burns your retinas.

Too bad you can't get it in the JCW. Wonder why?

It, being my color of choice of the moment, is tilting me towards a "S".

 

I have the chili red on my JCW and would not go back. And so far I had a Cooper, then I had a Cooper S then I bought a JCW I am glad I had all three at once but also glad I worked up the model range.