To ask the obvious question - is that $46,500 in US Dollars?

 

So I was curious, having sat in a JCW Clubman that MINI USA says will do 0 - 60 in 4.9 sec, as to how that will compared to the GP3. Setting aside that the Clubman is the All4 and the the GP is FWD and the relative difference in traction, then it comes down to power to weight ratio. I was blown away when I saw that the Clubman All4 is about 4500 lbs. Almost 2000 lbs more than what the GP3 is likely to be. Or about 2/3rds more weight. This would say that the GP3 0 - 60 acceleration would be in the range of 3.8 sec (ideally). Factoring in traction differences... then, maybe, the GP will be in the low 4 sec range. If it is in that range, that would put the GP in very fast company with the likes of the WRX STI, Ford RS and the Honda. A very quick car, in deed...

 

The 2020 Clubman JCW is around 3600 lbs, for reference the X4M is about 4600 lbs, if the Clubman weighed almost as much as the X4M, there would be some serious issues with it. The GP is going to be traction limited in it's 0-60 runs and I'd be very surprised if it could match the CTRs 4.9 second time.

 

3600# makes more sense. But I pulled the 4500# off the MINI web page. Their 0-60 time is also wrong. Boy, their web is messed up.

The lighter weight for the Clubman would put the GP at about 4.3 sec (ideal). Even being traction limited, I would think the GP would still be quicker than the Clubman. Still, it will be a quick car.

 

So there is a rumor that the F40 1er is going to get a detuned FWD variant to compete with the GTI and will have around 260 hp. If it does happen, it sounds like it will probably use the same drivetrain as the GP. The F40 M135i does 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and weighs 3355 lbs for reference. The detuned fwd variant won't put up that type of acceleration times and I doubt the GP will be more than a tenth or two faster.

 

If the GP3 weighs in at 600# less than the F40 m135i and has the same HP (300+), I would think it would have the same or faster 0 - 60 time, I guess it all depends on how well the GP can get the power down...

 

When (if) I get one I think I will switch out the OEM tires for Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I have the A/S 3+s on the JCW and they are a great all purpose tire, but the GP will be for the track and some special roads only.

 

Does anyone know what size tire the GP will come with? Sorry if has been posted already, I just don’t remember seeing it.

Tires for my JCW is something that I have been pondering for a while as they will be for both the track and street. For me, Michelin has priced themselves out of my garage. The sport cup 2 (a track tire) is a 180 wear tire and it is $280 a pop for the 225-45x17. Michelin’s other tires are Max Performance summer tires and are at best are 300 wear tires. The Sport 4S is $200 in that size, which puts it at the upper end, price wise, of best top Extreme Performance tires (RE71 and Yokohama 050), both of which should (?) out perform the Sport 4S. Tire wear isn’t a big concern for me, given the few miles I drive, and the stickier tires appeal to me. Just my thoughts...

 

I will come with 8x18 225/40, I will use my Michelin connection for 245 for sure with that tire its as quick as the Megane and its 20.000 Euro Carbon wheels )))))

 

I went for the Michelin A/S 3+ on the JCW 18 215/40 and the are a decent compromise tire, but sure won't hold like the super sports, but they are an all season tire and work pretty good in an area where it may be 75F one day and 35F the next! I have gone through 5 sets in just shy of 5 years. I will most likely when/if I get the GP it will get the Michelin Pilot Super Sports and will be a warm weather car only.

 

I love my mini, but I am really frustrated with corporate mini. Mini of Cincinnati originally advised me that I was #2 on their list, but they seem to be backing away from that position and really have no information on how many they will be able to get. This is really frustrating and there is silence about the U.S. availability and there has been no additional releases about the availability of the GP3s in the U. S. I have been contemplating about the 2 series BMW and their special track/sport model which is really an impressive performer. There is a video about it on Motor Week and they raved about it. It really isn't that much more than the GP3 and is a whole lot more car. I may just stick with my JCW and go for the BMW!

 

MINI dealers are really hurting. MINI's reputation is so bad because of the lack of reliability of the first two generations.And, in my area, enthusiasm for MINIs has dropped significantly.
If history repeats, and you're patient, you'll be able to buy a GP3 for a discount. The sales history of the first two GPs was very poor and that was during times when dealers were selling all the MINIs they could get.

 

I will tolerate them for a little longer, but the 2 really has caught my eye and I can take European delivery for a reasonable cost and drive the Alps and Nuburgring while there!

 

Dan,

I think most of us would react similarly as you to what you are seeing with the GP3 and the MINI dealers. But, I'd recommend that you just stay patient and watch what happens with the GP3, and at the same time really look hard at the BMW 2 Series track car, and see which way things go. You probably won't go wrong either way. But, anybody as loyal to MINI as you have been "should be 1st on the GP3 List, without question!" Stay the course! You know, dealers couldn't unload the E30 M3's back in the day either...LOL! You know the rest of that story. I'm glad I bought mine in 2009 before prices went "bolistic"! True enthusiast's cars/acknowledged homologated street cars will always bring a premium over time. Look at the 1M....hard to touch a good one for under $60k these days still. Good luck with things!

 

Thanks, I am more than frustrated at this point with Mini. I do love them and they are a unique blast to drive, but the more I have studied the M2 track version the more it fascinates me. This is a really good automobile for driving enthusiasts track or street, but the mini camaraderie is somewhat unique. I am in other car clubs, but the mini crowd is more into driving than showing them off at events and that does suit me better. I am not familiar with any of the BMW clubs in the area, but they would be hard pressed to be more fun than the mini clubs.

 

The M2 CS is being released in Q1 2020, it will be sold along side the current M2 Competition but is going to have the CS S55 tune of 450 hp and have the rest of the M Performance catalog standard. But it's going to be priced like a CS.

 

Thanks, I was not aware of that. Maybe mini can clean up its act in the mean time! I was really impressed with Motor Weeks review of the M2 from earlier this year.

 

Such a quandary...
But is part of your frustration fueled by the fact the M2 is currently available (in various forms) and the MINI GP3 is not? What would be your decision today if you were able to walk into both dealership, test drive both cars and then buy one?

 

Hard to say, Mini of Cincinnati and BMW of Cincinnati are adjacent and basically owned by the same company. It would be a fun comparison, but most likely the mini since it is FWD and the BMW is RWD. However, the final version of the GP3 is ugly and that is a factor as well. I had planned to have it wrapped, but I don't like the grill either. But, it is, well, a mini and that maybe be the wild card factor and the 2 JCWs I have had are my all time favorites! What a revolting development!

 

Revolting?

I see the process as being half the fun...
Sounds like you are having lots of fun....

It also sounds like either way your ultimate decision will fill in the other half of the “fun” part of all of this...
Enjoy the process...

 

225/35-18"

 

Thanks!

 

Not many tires in the 225/35-18 size. TR only lists 5 and only 2 are worth putting on the car. Michelin Super Sports or the Yokohama A052. There are no track tires listed. If it comes with a special, one-off track tire like the GP2 came with, what does one do for a street tire in the OEM size? Now, 245/35-18 there are a bunch of tires and that size would be better for the road given the added sidewall height. But what is the chance they would fit in the wheel wells with the stock wheels? MINI seems to go with odd tire sizes where it is hard to find anything other than what they put on the car. Clearly, by what they put on my JCW, their choice of tire can leave a lot to be desired.

 

A052 is basically a track tire, complete with no treadlife warranty. What it does have going for it is that it's DOT approved so you can drive it to the track.

 

And it is 200 wear rated so it can be run in autocross street classes. It is interesting that TR testing rates the A052 right up there with the Bridgestone RE71R, including performance in the wet. I actually think it would be a great tire for the GP to come with as its OEM tire. I think the Michelin SS would be a step down for track performance, but would be a really good street tire.