So true. A late friend of mine was a collector. Lots of Ferraris. He also had a gull wing Benz, that he bought from an airline pilot and drove it to grad school as a daily driver and then sold it for the same $25,000 he had bought it for and felt guilty for getting 25 grand.

My mother drove a 1968 BMW 2800 for over 20 years, purchased new from the very first batch of 6 cylinder BMW sedans imported into the USA. People used to come up to us in parking lots and ask, "I know that's not a Mercedes, but what the heck is it?" Mom finally sold that Bimmer to her mechanic -- he may still be driving that beast. Yes, we old farts remember when nobody knew what a BMW was!!

And then there was my dad's 1957 VW beetle, traded in for a 1966 Volvo -- I think they gave him $300 credit for the VW on the trade-in. Car was all original except for a new headliner. About 32,000 miles on it... If we had just stuck it in the garage, put it on blocks and covered it and forgotten about it for the last 50 years....

Meanwhile, my V12 Jag convert sits seeping oil in the garage while I have the most fun I've ever had with these MINIs. No 'splainin' it. Just grinning ear-to-ear.

 

I have a friend in Northern VT who ice races a MINI with “super-studs”. 1/4-20 bolts with sharpened ends. Loves it!

 

I like that Clubman All4. MotoringFile just got ahold of one to drive, I'm watching for their impressions. They said their is loaded except for the 20" wheels, about $47k. I couldn't handle a GT myself. I want more room and a little more comfy ride now. I've done the bare bones hot Mini thing since 2014 lol.

 

I have some trepidation about the ride as well. I have the dynamic damper system on the JCW and it is great. If it is too harsh I will get one of the blow up cushions or foam pad things to put in the seats for the to and from trip to whatever destination. We do backroads with good twisties from our home to the Tail and those wonderful roads in North Carolina and Tennessee. The Devil's Triangle has some incredible switchbacks and some good curves, but is not on the same level as the Tail.

 

Just got a call from my dealership with some new information:

For lack of a better term, "official signups" will be in 3 phases. Current GP owners get first crak, then current Mini owners, and last the general public. My sign-up period is next week, Nov 22-25. From what I'm told, I will be given a URL to go to during my sign-up period, fill out the application, and put a $1k deposit down. This doesn't guarantee me a GP3, though, even if I get there first. My application will be reviewed by Mini, and if approved, only then I get a car.

After I put my deposit down, if I change my mind, the car goes back in the pool (I doubt I'll change my mind)

Also, from what I'm told, we should know all the actual specs by then. I'm a bit doubtful on that bit, heh.

Again, just to make sure everyone understands: This is what I was told by my dealership today. I don't know if it's specific to my dealer, or if it's regional, national or anything else.

Anyway, news is news. I have an HDPE day to get ready for

 

Thanks for the update, hopefully I will get a call soon!

 

🎬 The jcw damper system is another gimmick which to my oppinion is as useless as the soundgenerator

 

I suppose that is what makes the world go around. I like it as it works for me.

 

I'll be at the LA Auto Show during the press day this Wed. I think the GP will be on display- maybe someone here knows for sure?

Let me know any ideas for questions I can ask a rep, or pics of parts you're curious about.

 

Ask them what options are on it. Rumor has it there are 5 available.

 

Lucky you...

And nice of you to ask...

Pictures? Or video? Not sure if you’ll get close enough to be worthwhile.

I am a bit of a gear head and would love to know what they are doing different with the suspension vs the JCW... height adjustable coilovers like the GP 2? What did they do differently for camber up front? New parts for it? Stiffer springs and/or sway bars from what is in the JCW?

What can they say sets it apart from the JCW Clubman (other than looks), because it looks like with the All4 drive, the Clubman will be hard to beat...

I suspect they will say that the GP3 has a better suspension and aero stuff, is lighter and is, therefore, better around the track.

On the plus side for all of the nay-sayers of having an AT in the GP3, the guys in this video really like the transmission and the paddle shifters. I would think the GP3 will do quite nicely with them, given that it will use the same setup.

 

MotoringFile posted a couple official pix. I gotta say I'm not a fan of those super wide "carbon fiber" fenders. Maybe they'll look better in person but to my eyes they look like the black plastic fenders on regular Minis, only huge. I've always wanted to paint mine body color, I just never pursued doing it. Those things look terrible to me sorry. And the wing is "OK" I guess. Probably be a huge hit in Nogales or Tijuana. I think I'll stick with the JCW Clubman thank you, even though it costs a little more (and why is that?).

 

Any info around the new digital dash would be interesting

 

Mini is still playing it pretty close to the chest, but there will definitely be some options available and they are communicating with the U.S. dealers about the process. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

My dealer just called me. As I stated they promised me theirs and they said it is still mine but Mini has changed some of the " rules" for ordering/getting one. She said the owner said I could still have it if I want it at MSRP. I will see it next week at the auto show and they ( Mini) is having a special meeting with the gP people for those getting one and she said she will get me the information in the next day or so. KYDAN, if I pass on it I will gladly pass the information to you but the car is in OC, California.

 

Thanks, I received a call from my dealer and I have the #2 slot with them for sure, and so far the #1 slot holder has not responded. If he/she does not, then I have the #1 slot with them. I really appreciate your offer. But, hopefully my dealer will get back with me in a few days. Fingers crossed!

 

Mini has certainly put some effort in making the GP3 something that is hard to want.

 

Welcome to NAM JKo of Finland...

I thinks the GP3 is going to be one of those cars that no one will take the middle ground with their opinion of it. Either they will like it or not. It is definitely not going to be a “Toyota Camry“ . I also wonder about their marketing strategy where the Clubman JCW will out perform the 2 door Hardtop JCW, which will kill hardtop sales. Ugh...

 

Mini, like all automobile companies is is business to make money, capitalism at its finest, but that is what makes great cars. The clubman JCW will be for younger couples that want a practical vehicle with some punch and can't afford a dedicated speedster, but can get a semi practical family vehicle that is a great driving car. We did that for some years and it worked pretty good for us. The hatch is special, but alas a dying breed as are all gasoline powered vehicles. I dearly love our JCW and we drive it a lot even though we have other sports cars in the garages, the JCW has been our favorite.

 

https://www.facebook.com/f56.shiva/photos/a.1569909749893124/2362801443937280/?type=3&theater&notif_t=page_post_reaction&notif_id=1574183629882594

 

Forget the aero kit. I’d like to have a Challenge kit that has all of the suspension bits the GP3 has. It would be nice to dial in the front camber I am sure that car has, without me voiding out at least part of my warranty. The factory front camber on the JCW is all but useless on the track or for spirited driving. BMW puts quite a bit of camber into their M cars, why not the JCW?

 

You don't have even seen it! The new part list will give many improvements for all F56 ) which can use it. A crashed JCW/LCI on search, maybe they slaughter sorry recycle some test cars soon ;-) the 4th engine swap, interesting with the transmission, not necessary MINI.

Should I get one, I will test it, decide to sell or convert into... let`s see

 

The MotoringFile article on the first drive of the new JCW Clubman says that "it has revised swivel bearings that allow for improved camber values on the front wheels". Other aspects of the suspension/chassis have been improved too. And of course it has a totally new 8 speed tranny for Mini as well. Sounds like a very different car from the 2019 JCW (engine, tranny, suspension, chassis). I'm interested in hearing from new JCW Clubman owners but there's not much if anything in the Clubman forum.

 

I am thinking that the new JCW Clubman is MINI’s play at getting interest developed in fielding MINIs in the TCR race ranks. It is the only car in the MINI line up that could compete in it. The current thinking around here is that BMW has squashed the idea of MINI competing in TCR as it would compete against the 1 series BMW. But if MINI pushes the idea in the UK where the interest in racing MINIs is really strong, then maybe this idea would take off. This still leaves the MINI hot hatch (eg: GP3) out in nowhere land...

 

I guess I am true nowhere man, as I really want one, warts and all!