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I am chasing a well equipped 2019 JCW , NAV , sport exhaust and it has sport suspension . I used to own a R56 Mini S . How does the JCW sport suspension compare ?
I went from a R56 S to a 2019 JCW. There was a section of road that I traveled everyday and it had a series of bumps the left tires would hit. The R56 would skitter sideways every single time. The 2019 JCW hasn't done it once. I guess the point is, I think it's way better engineered geometry wise. But you're probably asking about stiffness and cornering.
The 2019 isn't as flat cornering, but it's sophistication is a great trade off. I'll say this, and I know people disagree, but this car needs a stiffer front bar, not the rear, the rear-only makes the car stiffer, but it drives worse. I hated it with the rear-only bar. So I did the eibach kit and love it. I think the springs and shocks are perfect (sport, which I have) for the weight of the vehicle. I tried stiffer. lowering springs and went back to the stock. Good luck.
I went from an r56 to a 2019 MCS with DDC. I hated the DDC. Hated. I swapped it out for a track tuned suspension. My girlfriend and dogs didn't like it nearly as much as I did So I swapped it out for the JCW Pro Sport suspension. I added a rear sway bar and it pretty much feels like my R56 now. Just lower and better. This was the point where I fell in love with it again, lol!
So I know people complain about the DDC, but I really like mine. If I only drove the car on the track or only on twisites, then non DDC would be great. My JCW is a daily driver and the roads around here are not great, so DDC helps soften the blow. It also is nice when driving 5 hours to a mini event. I have mine lowered with new springs and 17x 8 wheels and now the car will handles as good as anything I have driven. The only car I think would give the JCW a run for its money is the Focus RS. That car handles great but I dare anyone to drive it for 5 hours. You feel every bump and pebble. The DDC has really helped tone down the care without making it feel like a touring car.
I also like the DDC for real world use. I have the NM 25mm rear sway bar and my impression is that it improved handling significantly while keeping the ride decent. I will say that DDC is pretty harsh, more so than the standard sport suspension, when in sport mode. Since I really prefer the engine response in sport mode, I have configured sport mode to only include drivetrain, but not chassis. That also keeps steering input at normal levels, which I much prefer to the very stiff sport setting. Just because I'm lazy, I used Bimmercode to default to sport mode, so it's always the way I like it.
I am approaching 55,000 US miles on our 2016 JCW. The only modifications that I have added are the NM power module, a nice power boost for relatively little money. We ordered it with the DDC and it has been stellar and we drive it most of the time in sport mode. It has been reliable, fast, and fun to drive and I whole heartedly recommend it. Like anything mechanical it can fail, but the maintenance on it has been less than any other sporty vehicle I have owned. We have ordered the GP3, to add to the stable, but minis marketing has been so frustratingly bad that we are considering cancelling it and buying a different little speedster.
The GP3 looks like it will be fun. 300hp in sub 3000 pound car = Thanks to all for answering the questions and giving feedback . My R56 was really fun but the drive could get old on our California freeways with potholes etc. I purchased an ultra low mile 2019 JCW knights edition with sport suspension. I believe an NM module is in my future .
I am approaching 55,000 US miles on our 2016 JCW. The only modifications that I have added are the NM power module, a nice power boost for relatively little money. We ordered it with the DDC and it has been stellar and we drive it most of the time in sport mode. It has been reliable, fast, and fun to drive and I whole heartedly recommend it. Like anything mechanical it can fail, but the maintenance on it has been less than any other sporty vehicle I have owned. We have ordered the GP3, to add to the stable, but minis marketing has been so frustratingly bad that we are considering cancelling it and buying a different little speedster.
Take a look at the Civic R, that car is crazy fun, and unfortunately faster than the mini GP3
Take a look at the Civic R, that car is crazy fun, and unfortunately faster than the mini GP3
Are you sure about that? The 2019 Type R goes 0-60 in 5.7s. The best I can find for the 2020 Type R is 5.4s. The GP3 does it in 5.0s. A bit faster.
The top speed of the 2019 Type R is 169 (giggity!). I can't find one for the 2020. The GP3 is 165. So...4 mph faster. But the GP3 will still get there faster
I have owned 4 MINIs. I sold my last, a F56 JCW. I just have no faith in the company. Also, when I bought my first MINI,an '08S with a sports suspension, manual, and mechanical LSD, the car felt like a real sports car, and there was this incredible community of real car enthusiasts (MINI). I belonged to this great club, REME, and we had these great runs. That has changed and I just lost interest.
I bought a Porsche Cayman, but I have found that PCA has also changed to a show up and talk about my garage queen. I guess at 68yo, I just do not fit into today's car scene.
I just enjoy my car ( a daily driver ) and just could care less about the current scene. Sorry for the rant.
Are you sure about that? The 2019 Type R goes 0-60 in 5.7s. The best I can find for the 2020 Type R is 5.4s. The GP3 does it in 5.0s. A bit faster.
The top speed of the 2019 Type R is 169 (giggity!). I can't find one for the 2020. The GP3 is 165. So...4 mph faster. But the GP3 will still get there faster
Why, yes. I *am* a GP3 fanboy. Why do you ask?
Check out Nürburgring times. They will be older numbers for civic type R. no doubt that GP3 is fast but price for performance value is not there. Don’t get me wrong I am a Mini guy but the Civic R is just as much fun for less money.
I initially thought that the GP3 was fugly, but after seeing all the actual images of it it has grown on me, and I love the front wheel drive pulling me through the twisties on the wonderfully twisty roads in our area. The Civic is even fuglier for me than the GP3 was initially. Hondas are a great car I had one and it was a dependable, decent car, but it never lit my fire, the same for the Toyota Supra an altogether different car and a solid one, but it also left me flat. Each to their own and I am looking forward to the GP3 and taking it to the Tail of the Dragon as soon as i have it broken in! My current F56 JCW has become my all time favorite daily driver as well as being a true fun mobile. I plan on keeping it as well for DD duties and making the GP the master of the Tail.
Yah civic is not a great looking car. My tuned JCW is my daily driver and I love it. I would not have a Civic instead of a Mini, but would consider in addition to a mini plus I would use the extra 10k to some some tuning.
Check out Nürburgring times. They will be older numbers for civic type R. no doubt that GP3 is fast but price for performance value is not there. Don’t get me wrong I am a Mini guy but the Civic R is just as much fun for less money.
Show. me some officially posted numbers for the GP3 on the Ring . Not the speculative ones, the official ones
Anyway, this thread wasn't about the GP3, so I'll stop thread-jacking, lol!
the F/R swaybars, although I've been getting an itch for an Alfa 
So I swapped it out for the JCW Pro Sport suspension. I added a rear sway bar and it pretty much feels like my R56 now. Just lower and better. This was the point where I fell in love with it again, lol!
Thanks to all for answering the questions and giving feedback . My R56 was really fun but the drive could get old on our California freeways with potholes etc. I purchased an ultra low mile 2019 JCW knights edition with sport suspension. I believe an NM module is in my future . 
