Hi guys,
I am new to this forum. I currently drive a 335 that is the wife's. I have always loved the Mini! It really started from the modern version of the Italian Job, oh and my wife is British

We recently moved to the burbs from the city so I am looking for a fun second vehicle. Initially I was looking at a SUV but then after getting back to driving to work everyday I realized that I do like the handling of sports vehicle in rush hour so you can maneuver in and out of traffic.

A little while ago I test drove a Mini as I was trying to get my wife to trade in the 335. I was really impressed how the Mini handled...as I have been seeing "like a go cart..."needless to say she didn't want trade in her 335

So this comes to crux of my question..the Mini will be a second car, something I will drive throughout the winter as I am planning to buy a sports car for summers, however that will be a good 5 years out!

The JCW is impressive but when you add in all the features and the packages they "make" you buy (typical BMW) it's get's up to $40k Cdn..quite pricey for a boot around car. Oh, I do plan on doing some cosmetic things if I get the MCS IE JCW body kit. I am looking for something fun/sporty and not crazy $$$

PS I am not crazy about the JCW's front spoiler..I think I like the MCS JCW kit better!

Opinions?

thanks for taking the time to read my long post...

 

I'd buy an ALL4 Countryman or Clubman for winter in Canada. 3 Cylinder with a Dinan or similar chip tuning device. Lots of fun peppy driving and the traction for ice/snow.

 

Hmmmm that is an option..I was thinking it did not handle as well. Guess I will need to try it.

 

Bump

 

I would think that the 1.5 liter in either of the "big" Mini's would be downright underwhelming. From the reports and reviews I've seen the 2.0 is marginal at best. That's why they're talking about 300 HP in the works for the Clubman. Gotta have the power to haul all that extra weight around, especially in All4 trim.

 

Thanks @vetsvette! Yes that was exactly my point..

Any thoughts on MCS vs JCW? Or anyone else on that matter?

thank you!

 

Okay, I've got a 2017 Clubman S All4 with the Dinan sport tuning box and the 8 speed automatic, and a spare tire and no run flats.

Having had Jags and Range Rovers and BMW's, I would say we are having more fun with our Clubman than we have had with high performance sports coupes, V8 lux saloons, and even our V12 XJS convertible.

As I have stated on other threads, MINI wasn't even on our list -- I was at a BMW Center looking at X1's and X3's as a replacement for our Range Rover Evoque when I saw a Clubman. Wife was dead against a MINI... until she drove the Clubman S ALL4. She never hit the brakes, just tossed it around and said, "I think this is our next car." And we are old folks.

We just returned from a 650 mile round trip from Southern California up into the mountains to Yosemite. Great fuel mileage, zipped along on the winding roads, flew over the pass on Interstsate 5 into the central valley. Comfortable ride and arrived refreshed.

Yes, properly kitted, you get up over $40K real fast (before wheeling and dealing gets the price down where it needs to be).

No, these cars are not wheel-smoking torque monsters that pin you back into your seat as you scream from 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds. But our Clubby does 0 to 60 in about 6 ticks, and handles like a 1960's era Porsche, only quicker, smoother, and, frankly, better through the twisties. And a hoot in traffic. They 'feel' fast.

And, how often does one really use 350~400 hp? I've had that many ponies, and, other than smoking the tires and fishtailing, because I could, most of the time all the high performance horsepower in my hot, fancy sports cars just sat under the hood doing nothing for me (well, maybe for my ego, at first, but that wears off fast).

These are quirky cars, for sure. And new, they aren't 'cheap,' in price or quality. But my wife and I are still grinning and the MINI is the car we seem to choose most of the time, whether it's a grocery run or a road trip. What can I say?

If unique is what you seek, with lots of go kart zip and a ton of practicality, and weather is a factor, take a long look, and a test drive, in a Clubman S All4. And, with a sport tuning chip for $300, enjoy an entire new level of acceleration and zip.

These cars aren't for everyone, but we're lovin' ours way more than we imagined we would.

 

Performance wise it's a tossup between a JCW and S, if the S is equipped with a NM or Dinan Tuning module. You can no longer specify the "Sport" suspension in a non JCW car so the JCW will handle better. For $500 you can order the DDC which is almost as good. YMMV

 

on Dynamic Dampers on the Clubman S for sure.

Oh, and we ordered ours with a JCW sport steering wheel, which makes the car go so much faster every time I glance at that little JCW logo on the steering wheel

 

Thanks for that detail @ 2017All4! I can definitely appreciate what you are saying..my 335 (with a BMW Dinan Stage 1) is 330bhp. It's super quick but you can never use that power except in the quick burst of acceleration In Canada if you are over 50km anywhere they charge you with street racing, take your car and fine you up to $10k! We all know in a bimmer it's very easy!

I really like the aggressive look of the 3 Door JCW. Not to sure about the All4 Countryman..the front lights are a bit large - sorry no offense meant

thanks for your input!

Thanks @ vetsvette! I also really like the sports interior of the JCW IE steering wheel and Brembo brakes. I am dropping into Mini tonight BC I am not clear what the MCS has in the interior vs the MCS JCW. I know I can buy the brakes from ECS tuning.

thanks for your input!

 

I agree on the Countryman. Didn't even consider it myself, though I understand the new one's are quite an improvement.

The Clubman, on the other hand, can look pretty darned sporty -- either in S or JCW trim. And the front of the Clubman S has many features, including the headlights, found on the 3 door JCW.

But, if the JCW 3 door is what speaks to you, then a Clubman probably will not do it.

I just think the all wheel drive really enhances and refines the driving dynamics, and while the Clubman is heavier and has a longer wheelbase than the 3 door... well, drive them all and see what does it for you. Happy hunting.

 

With your input I visited the dealership and the Countryman wasnt bad..plus all the video with the MODS you can do I might seriously considering it

Here is an example from a member on this board
]
I was looking for a SUV type but gave up..have to do some more research now

 

Yeah in Canada you might want an All4. But if you mainly use it in the city in traffic if it were me I'd buy a used Mini JCW, just a hatchback if you don't need the back seat. They're a gas to drive. And that way you won't mind as much when it gets dinged up in the city. Right?

 

Yeah, the Countryman when spec'ed out is coming very close to $50K. That's alot of $$$ for an occasional vehicle

The idea is to keep the Mini and use it as an "all-arounder" along with as yet unknown summer car (think Mustang or 911) so I want to keep the costs as low as possible and still have some fun while I save.

Now I am stuck between MCS with JCW package vs JCW like alot folks. I saw a few at the dealer yest that were well spec'ed and pretty close to what I would order. I was told I could get 4 to 6 points off..

Decisions Decisions..

 

The deal is, of course, important. But you will be driving the car, not the deal, so the most important is to anguish for awhile, drive them all, and the one that speaks to your heart and soul gets to come home with you, after the dealer gives you the right deal. Best of luck if you decide to join MINIworld.

 

Yep, that is so true! I guess these are great first world problems to have

In the meantime I will be reading as many threads as I can and ask some questions..

thanks everyone for the input! I am sure this is not the first or last time someone asks the same question..the detailed answer ( I saw it by someone on the board..) should be made into a FAQ/Sticky

 

I have had the F56 JCW since November 0f 2016 and it is definitely the most fun car I have ever owned. It is equipped with the 18' OEM wheels and I am running Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+s on it and I am working on set #3 now, lot's of twisties. It is equipped with the dynamic damper control which I like, but still run in sport mode most of the time. Also, the JCW PRO exhaust. I would still like more power (grunt, grunt) but it truly is a remarkable performing car. The only car I would consider replacing it with might be the GP when it is offered in the F56 series, but I do like the back seat and I am not particularly enamored with the GP color scheme. The runcraps left the car after the first hard runs on the TOD with a sidewall tear. I carry a VIAR compressor and the Dynaplug kit along with a small assortment of tools in the VIAR case. It rides better, handles better, and is less noisy. Well, road noise the exhaust is open most of the time. IF you enjoy tweaking and add ons go for the S, but if you want a great performer out of the box, get the JCW and you can chip it or have it tuned although the tune may void your warranty. I have the NM module which can be uninstalled and reinstalled in less than twenty minutes. With the exhaust open and the NM module it is producing 271 HP. The B48 boxer engine is capable and sturdy. It may be the B46 now, I am not for sure.

 

Not a boxer engine Dan. I concur with everything else. If I could have found a good CPO JCW when I bought my car that's probably the route I would have taken.

 

I thought I read in the brochure that it was a boxer, oh well. Thanks for the info! Yeah, and we have our like buttons back, too!