I have an MCS on order, good spec around $30K. I have the chance to buy a 2006 JCW GP with 500 miles. What would you buy and why?.......

• Is the supercharger engine better/more reliable/more tuneable etc.. than the latest turbo engine....
• Is the build quality of the R53 as good/better/worse than the R56.....
• FUN FACTOR!!!....anyone owned both?....
• Difference in insurance costs?....similar or big difference...
• any other factors to decide one way or the other?

 

If you track the car i'd go with the GP if the price is similar. what do they want for the GP?

 

Never mind...

How in the world do you delete an unwanted post on this site???

 

It all depends on YOU...... if you really want our thoughts... keep in mind we range from teenagers to retired folks.... not to avoid your question but it really all depends on what 'floats your boat'

Only thing I would say,,, Life is short... Do what you can afford with out going hungry, If you settle, you will ALWAYS be looking back and saying "Should of"....

 

if your looking for a daily driver, the r56 gets better gas mileage.

 

As Harley mentioned above, none of us can make this decision for you. Me especially since I have no real knowledge of the R53 (never sat in, let alone driven one). However another factor I'd add to that list is styling. Although many magazine articles claim that it takes a 'keen eye' to see the external differences between the '06 and '07, they're pretty clear to me. Not to mention there's been much discussion here on NAM as to if the R56 killed a good thing. Also the interiors of the two differ quite a bit. I know it's 'just looks', but you want something you can proudly live with. Finally, I don't know if you plan to mod your MINI at all, but there are a lot more mods out there for the R53 then for the R56. With time the R56 will undoubtedly catch up, but that's another thing to think of in the short run. Personally I prefer the looks of my R56 and the gas mileage on it is significantly better. Are you looking at an auto or manual?

 

IMO I would go with the r56. To me knowing that you are the only person that has owned the car is a big deal. I really like the looks of the GP but I LOVE my r56. I say make your decision and be happy either way you go. Don't look back and it won't matter You're going to get a fantastic car either way.

 

ps. I got insurance on my r56 for cheaper than on my 98 honda civic.

 

I think if he's looking at a GP, he's going manual right?

Like many have said here, it's a personal choice. I would have gone for the GP if I didn't need rear seats. The chance to order a solid, last model year (hopefully translating into little problems), rare (1 of 2000, or 415 US) w/ unique styling is hard to beat.

I ended up getting a R56 b/c it was more accessible, within my price range, and better on gas mileage. I also love the new turbo-powered engine, and although the R53 has much more aftermarket support, I think the R56 will catch up very quickly w/ lots of power potential. I also loved that I could customize it to my own specs, where there's only 1 (or very few) like mine.

I'm sure many would say here that a chance to own a GP is hard to pass up. If you can afford it, I say go for it, else I'm sure you'd be happy w/ your nicely spec'd R56 as well.

 

If you don't need a rear seat then you should definitely... get a used Elise!

Seriously, if you only need two seats and are ready to drop $30k then I would really look at the amazing used RWD options out there - Boxster, S2K, Elise, etc. If you need to seat four, then go for the R56.

 

if you have the means and opportunity, go for the gp in a heart beat!

 

The GP isn't really a daily driver so if that's an issue go R56.
The GP will likely retain it's value better because of the limited edition nature of it so if that's a consideration I'd go GP.

Build quality is basically the same, I prefer the features in the R56 to the R50/53 but some people don't.

Engines are going to end up being basically the same mod wise, remember the R56 engine is at the start of the development cycle while the Tritec in the GP is basically at the end.

 

R56 + Works tuning kit and you'll have much better gas mileage, a lower cost and a better performing car. Best of both worlds, no?

 

I used to think this too... but I know of three GP's for sale in the area right now... all UNDER $30K!!! So from my point of view, they're holding there value like any other MINI JCW (limited edition or not).

GP looks better, but is less practical (two seater ONLY).

R56S makes a killer bottom-end (more torque down low) and is more fun to drive (IMO). Particularly if you can swing the JCW engine kit for the R56S.

 

For less than $30K you can make a R56 untouchable to GP. $22K base r56 + about $5K=$27K.

 

I was thinking more about if the OP intends to keep the car for 10+ years. People seem to be selling some cheap GP's right now but the ones that are maintained as original and don't have the mileage run up to high will be more valuable.

 

It is all about your needs, lifestyle and opinions - do you need back seats? Have a preference based on driving or appearance? Perhaps a test drive of an 05/06 JCW MCS and an 07 MCS would at least give you a sense of the driving characteristics and general feel of the cars - check your area dealers to see what they have on hand. Once you do that I think it is safe to assume the GP would feel even keener then the JCW (if you can't drive it) - and you can peer around here for some comparo opinions of people who have driven both.

Good luck with your decision

 

If you want to play around with modding the car, don't go with the GP. The additional money you pay for the GP over a standard R53 would be lost by any modding, and you can get much more bang for the buck with well matched aftermarket parts. For example: for $1000 you can add a 15% pulley and an LDG tune to an R53 and get alot more whp than a stock GP.

As far as the R56, not as many mods available yet, but the longterm potential for the R56 is much greater than the R53 as the turbo is less parasitic and offers superior torque potential. I'm guessing once LDG gets their development refined on the turbo, a tune alone is going to make the car a real screamer.

 

I would make the decision based on your personality.

R56 - More sedate, better fuel economy, but plenty of power. Lots more option choices.

JCW GP - More unique, nastier attitude, better sound, collectible, no sunroof, no back seat.

I waited for the R56, mostly because of the new engine and the sunroof. But the JCW sure was tempting.

 

If you don't need a back seat, get the GP. If you keep low miles on it, you should be able to get what you paid for it if you change your mind.

 

And he means untouchable folks, due to the plastic-melting, flesh-burning temparature that the bonnet of a modified R56 will attain.

I still say used Elise. Just saw one asking $32k and under 20k miles. If I didn't need to haul kids and windsurf gear, that is what I would be looking for.

 

funny


I dunno about an Elise, but I agree in the sense that if high HP is what was important to me I'd go rear wheel drive in the first place. I'm also more of the mind of buying something that doesn't really need tweeking for various reasons. The Mini isn't about the 'I'm faster then you' thing to me - for any car actually its all about the whole package and feel/handling, which is entirely subjective and is why I always advocate the first hand experience.

 

GP is prev gen car no matter how you put it. old technology. r56 GP will come out in a few years. It will be putting out over 250 whp. why pay more for old GP unless you have too much money burning a hole in your pocket?

 

I would bet that another GP style car will not be released. The Challenge Car is its replacement.

 

No it's not. There'll be an R56 GP when they come out with a Gen III MINI.