I had been looking around at dealers' inventory of both new and late model used and just saw nothing that fit my taste. So, I ordered a 2020 Iconic JCW with Automatic. Delivery is supposed to happen in September. I will be 70 in November and this is probably my last MINI. I ordered it loaded. My Audis have good stereos and CarPlay and Bose with a really good screen for CarPlay. I made sure I got the equivalent in my new MINI. Also, I really liked the engine in my last F56 JCW. One of my Audis( an RS5 Coupe) has a lot of power and handles impeccably, but I really miss the road feel, the on center steering feel, and just the overall fun factor in a JCW Hardtop. I am going with the DD suspension. Now the wait.

 

Welcome to the club. I'm waiting too. Just waiting now for my vessel assignment so I can track that. Hopefully, I'll get it by end of June/Early July?

 

I cancelled my order. I am spooked by this chip problem. No Harman and Kardon, what's next?

 

What do you mean no HK? Did they stop offering that as an option due to the chip shortage?

 

Yes, no HK, $500 credit. The chip problem is a mess. I have owned 4 MINIs( including a F56 JCW Hardtop). I was really in finally ordering a MINI built for me. And no credit for sunroof delete. OH WELL

 

I wonder if my car will have it or not now? Mine just finished production last week. I guess time will tell.

 

Well that's a drag for sure. They're not gonna sell ANY Minis with no HK sound in them I'll tell you what. I know I wouldn't buy one like that. Maybe without a sunroof but not without the premium sound system.

 

I wonder what parts are deficient and can’t get chips for? The Head Unit, or the Amp? What a crappy situation.

 

Well, I broke down and placed an order. JCW Hardtop, Iconic, Auto, enigmatic black with white roof, sunroof delete, and 17" wheels. Harmon and Kardon is 50 50. And now, the long wait.

 

I just ordered my JCW Hardtop yesterday. Dealer told me that they are putting the HK systems back into the JCW starting September 1st. I was able to get it ordered with the Iconic trim package. My 2016 Mini Cooper S had the HK system in it, but the amber/red lettering, not like the nice faces they put on them now, but the sound was incredible. I listened to one with HK, and one without yesterday, and I won't buy the car unless it has the HK. Dealer told me to expect the car in 2-3 months. If they get the HK in it and I have it before Christmas, I'll honestly be thrilled.

Hope this helps, more importantly, I hope the dealer was right!

 

I have not bee on this forum... since luke was racing land speeders in the desert.

I am considering going from a beautiful 2019 MX-5 RF to a mini again. last one was 11 years strong bought new in 2006. Was a Cooper S hardtop

now I am looking at a JCW hardtop. And yes, i would never without a HK. HK was the best sound system back then and im sure it's awesome now. I might order one! Excited. Dont know the trim yet though hm

 

I am starting to hear ramblings that my Iconic JCW will be delivered with H and K. Again , fingers crossed. Hate the wait. Oh, and I do have a production number, for what that's worth.

 

My dealer told me that they are starting to put the HK's back in Sept 1. I hope so, I've just ordered one as well.

 

What don't you like about the MX-5?

 

Good question!

nothing actually. I just wonder if I should go something sort of different, back to my original first fun car. I am debating BRZ, a new mx-5 RF, or JCW hardtop 2022.

Is it common to modify one of these to go full 300 hp, like the motor is supposed to be designed for? or is some aspect like the gear box or clutch really not designed for that?

 

My new '22 has been scheduled for production. No date, but at least it's in the Q. I have owned 4 in the past and only one was an ordered car and I really liked it. I hate sunroofs, but I really enjoy a good stereo and CarPlay with all the mapping. And one of my past 4 MINIs was a F56 JCW. I really like that engine.Some of you might think I am nuts, but I am unloading my Audi RS5 Coupe. We also have an Audi S5 4 door which is a wonderful car, plenty fast and handles great. I just miss the MINI handling and feel. I also miss the MINI group drives. Living in Northern CA, we have so many great roads. The Audi handles exceptionally, but it's numb in terms of road feel and I find myself hitting some insanely high speeds, but not really enjoying the experience. I have gone on 3 different 3000+ mile road trips in 3 different MINIs and thoroughly enjoyed every mile.

 

Now on the build site:
HARMAN/KARDON CREDIT
-$999

I personally would never do that.

 

I'm glad they did that. It's a win win for me. I hope it discourages some from ordering H and K. Maybe I'll have better chance getting it.👍🏻

 

I just went to the minis.com site and the $999 discount for H and K delete is deleted. Also, when I click on my production status, a blank page. Washington D.C. version of transparency. Oh well, just have to wait.

 

No you are not nuts, I understand exactly where you are coming from. Before my Mini I had a APR Stage 2 dual pulley B8 Audi S4 (the supercharged one) and loved it. My wife and I went on cross Country trip in it for our honeymoon, NY-LA-SF-NY in 16 days, 8500 miles total and loved every minute of it. But I completely agree with what your observations are, the car is extremely fast and while I enjoyed the acceleration and handling I was getting into some extremely dangerous speeds very quickly and didn't enjoy that all that much. First drive of the Mini and first couple of corners I took a little faster - I was sold! Now I wouldn't sell our 19' JCW for nothing, it's here to stay for foreseeable future. I got DervTech Stage 1 tune, feels great, much faster than stock. I also bought Felix clutch upgrade and Wavetrac LSD and I'm thinking about KW V3's and I'll be all set. Good luck with you Mini and send some pics when you get it!

 

I used to be a " manual only guy", but today's autos are so good. My last JCW had an auto and I always drove it in manual. I like how fast today's autos can shift in turns without upsetting the car.l drove a Clubman S ( courtesy car) that had the 8sp tranny and really liked it. Close ratios in 2-6, and economy gears in 7 and 8. It was perfect for me. I can't wait for my '22 with the 8sp.

 

I agree. Heck, the new JCWs with the 305hp engines (like mine) only come with ATs now. My 8 speed is great in the Sport mode. Can hardly tell when it upshifts and it downshifts with just a touch of the throttle.

 

My last JCW Hardtop (International Edition) had the 6sp auto. 99% of the time I drove in "d" manual. I enjoyed the JCW engine a lot. It didn't flatten out when it hit 4000 rpms and was always very smooth. And I don't where they get these EPA mileage ratings. On long trips ( 75-85 mph on the freeways) I always got around 35+ mpg. The 8sp should be better.

 

I picked my '22 JCW Hardtop December 1st. I lucked out getting the HK stereo. The 8sp auto is really a really good tranny. It shifts very smoothly at under 3000 rpms and shifts really fast at higher rpms. And with the higher 7th and 8th gears the car gets great fuel economy.( 37.9 on my last trip with 75-85 freeway speeds and a little city driving mixed in). And the new suspension (DDC) is a dramatic improvement in ride compliance with no loss in handling. It's amazing the evolution from my '08 R56S to this '22 JCW.

 

My new 2022 JCW Hardtop should be in my hands sometime in the next couple of weeks. I’m moving up from a 2016 Cooper S. I am very happy to read your review of the car, confirms a lot of what I was hoping to get, better handling, gas mileage, and overall drivability. And yes, mine made it through with the H/K radio as well. Only casualty mine had was Active Cruise Control, had to drop it due to a parts shortage.