Yup, thats what im thinking as well, just have to wait and see, but have nothing to loose preordering and rather have the abilty to choose to get one then not. Im sure I could pick up a used F56 JCW and throw a few mods and a tune for less then that and get similar performance but its a GP, I always wanted an orignal GP but we shall see what happens with this one!

 

I have a deposit on mine and they have been told 46k with "most" options. I figure 50k.

 

I have on mine as well, wonder what kind of options? I wasnt old enough to look into buying any other gp mini but i thought there were really no options. Hopefully its not gonna be $50k just cause one, thats gonna be probably to much for me. and second its not really competitive with stuff in this class and horse power price wise if its $50k. but there could be dealer markup and all that jazz.

Just have to wait and see. At that point id almost rather buy a new JCW and trick it out for a few more grand and be way under.

 

If you have a deposit down you should not have to pay ADM. When I ordered my GT3 I put down 20k and said I will wait for a PTS build for as long as it takes to not pay a dollar over sticker. Funny, I waited, 3 years! But I got a .2 and I paid exactly for what I ordered, no discount but no ADM. Since I got my JCW as a daily and had remembered reading about the GP I did the same, surprisingly they said no one was ahead of me with a real deposit. I said so if I leave one I get the first one and I want to configure it, they agreed and we wrote it up.

They have emailed me and texted me a couple of times when they have learned something, not much is verifiable and they admit as much. They said HP may vary upwards and there is supposed to be a wild color that will be an option as well as possibly a new CF wheel package. Again, nothing concrete.

I will get one regardless but I hope its fun! My JCW makes me feel like I'm in HS without all the drama of my GT3 and even smaller than my RS3 which I love as well. Good luck to us all!

 

Ok with mine the guy was awesome and wanted 1k deposit which was totally fine, then after we talked he all the sudden changed to $500, I told him either way to get on the list. I kinda asked to if there were others on the list and he said I would be the first on the official list. I wonder if I should offer more money to put down on it or not as everything is refundable if it doesnt work out he said. But there really isnt much info yet but glad that I probably will have the opperitunity to purchase one if I can afford it. I have and old R53 from 2002 with March build and I am pretty positive it was a first to come to the states. I also have a 16 Focus ST3 that I will be selling when we get closer to release. Im not old but have a decent job so hopefully can swing it as I dont think I could loose a ton of money on a rare model. And its for me and have been wanting the new gp sense I learned about the 2006 GP and saw the concept in 2017!

 

To all of the GP3 depositors, all the best. Respect them and they will take care of you. Congrats.

 

But Mini hasn't yet disclosed when they are going to start building this GP have they? Next year? 2021? Anybody know?

 

production line validation units are on the road already. That means all the tooling is done and automation is being finalized as well as work instructions. Once those are complete the production validation cars are handed off to magazines and tv shows for reviews.

I am sure they will be in full production within the next couple months.

 

I know this is odd, but for me the later the better, I want to be able to save for this thing.

And if it does turn out that its too much for me, anyone with a newer JCW? I know a bit off topic but what do people think of them coming from a 2016 Focus ST and a 2002 R53

 

I have a friend who went from a 2007 R56 S to a brand new Focus ST (might have been a 2016 at the time). She autocrosses and ice races. Hated the Focus. Didn’t like the torque vectoring or whatever it is called. She said it was always doing something different from what she wanted and at times it scared her. After a year, she went from there to a R52 S and loves it. We have an R50, a 2012 S (with mods, see sig), had a 2007 S and I just picked up a 2019 JCW. The JCW is a world above any of those previous models. My 2012 was bought with the base R56 JCW suspension and with the mods I have I would say it about matches my JCW in handling. That would be to say the JCW handles better than the R56 JCW or a R53 JCW (which is basically the same as the R56), has more power and is more refined. With a Dinan Elite the HP goes to 285 and it doesn’t affect the MINI warranty. For the money the JCW is hard to beat and I have no regrets buying over a nice R53 or R56 JCW or GP. Other than its uniqueness and track worthiness of the GP, I’ll pass on it. Don’t get me wrong. I love the idea of the car and kudos to anyone who gets one. You will have a one-off car that will be exciting and I am sure will put a huge smile on your face.

 

You put an excellent point to what I was asking. I would love to have a one off "the GP" but if it ends up being a bad investment of my money at this time i might have to pass. I really like the new 2 door Minis and a completly differnt car from my R53. I like the Focus ST, and I bought it knowing it was going to be a "filler" car while I am waiting for this. So I really hope I can get one and seems so far that sense Ive got my down payment and am the first at a nearby dealer should be able to get my hands on it. But if not im going to look into a JCW and maybe throw on some extra stuff. And if I got a year two older model save me a lot.

But plans are on the GP, hopefully we can see some more official pics and specs soon!!

 

Here is an article about MINI suspending production of Manual transmission cars. Not sure for how long.

But the article does talk about a 300+ Hp engine in the Countryman and Clubman. It also talks about adding a DCT options.

Could the DCT be in the GP?

http://www.motoringfile.com/2019/05/...and+Podcast%29

 

Im going to guess that the GP is going to have that same engine in the clubman and Countryman. It makes sense from a manufacturer stand point. I dont know how I would feel with an automatic GP, sure it might be faster but.... I dont know im fine with it either way if its fast shifting. Im interested to see the price on this thing if it will stay competitive with what is out there in the 300 horsepower range or just go crazy.

 

I have no problem with an auto because honestly, in my opinion I felt that the auto fit the drivetrain and overall this generation of mini more than the manual.

 

you do make a good point, if it doesnt work out and is to expensive for me im looking at getting a year or two old JCW and would like an auto cause they are quick shifting and i already have a manual r53

 

Yes, most likely it will be for multiple reasons.

 

Someone asked earlier when the expected build period will start. I was told by my SA that this is a "true 2020 build". So he is saying January or February of 2020. Not December of 2019 like it was previously reported. I'm still number 1 on the list, but haven't been asked for a deposit yet. After seeing bits and pieces being dropped seemingly every month, I may just stick with my JCW since I'm 90% done with my mods.

 

I too have a number 1 slot. I also have a 2019 JCW and did a 30 month lease, I have been told based on what they are hearing I will be at about 26 months when they actually arrive and I can hand in early. I still need more details like everyone else, like colors, options etc. I know that Frankfurt auto show is when it debuts so we will learn more then.

 

According to Mini of Cincinnati I am number 2 on their list for the GP!

 

Thats sound reasonable, a deposit ;-) obvious not needed. I think my present Cooper, at least eaquals the GP3, but the factory setup and the potential is far beyond.

Renault with its new Megane Sportivo undercut the record time of the Civic R by 7 sec, if the GP3 is serious, where i have no doubt, it will be faster. Should it hit the under 1100 kg level I exspect a 7.2X

 

I’m confused, would that be a State side street legal version of the GP? That is, a car as it comes off the show room floor? At 1100 kg, or 2420 lbs that would be a 400 lb reduction. That seem like a lot of weigh to remove from a Gen III JCW.

 

This thread and others are riddled with theoretical numbers, lap times, and weights by Clutch Wotan. These are the types of threads automotive engineers make fun of because of the insane rumors.

The most reliable leaked info is on the german mini forums. There is a 67 page thread over there about the GP3 alone.

 

That seems reasonable to look for info where the car is being developed. Any chance of having a link to post to that forum or some words I can Google to find that?

I did ask at my dealer and they didn’t have any info on the GP. I think they are too busy trying to keep their head above water to be able to worry about one of a kind MINs. My JCW was only 2nd JCW they sold in this model year (2019); one to me and one to a sales person there. So, clearly no demand for these cars.

 

Hmmmm -
Need to brush up on my German...