Hello All,

I am told by my MA that they will not be placing my order for my BRG Clubman S with just about every option except sunroof, until July for September delivery. This raises two questions in my mind.

Will my car be an '09 build, which according to this article on Motoringfile http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/04/...ils/#more-6626 would indicate some changes to the options menu for all 09 minis (cheaper). If the prices are going down, I would like to lock in the cheaper packages, assuming the base price does not increase.

Secondly, I ordered a nearly loaded Clubman S with NAV. The only thing it doesn't have is leather and a sunroof as I think the money is better spent on the NAV versus leather. My car comes in at $32,000.

The JCW Clubman is priced at $31.5. If I put the convenience, premium, and cold weather packages on, I am at $34,450 (no NAV).

I am wondering if the JCW is worth the premium considering it is more powerful (which will keep it HP competitive for a few years). Has better brakes, LSD/w EDLC is standard, different seats, transmission, and some exclusivity.

Now, $34.5k is a lot for such a little car, but is no more than what I would pay for a comparably equipped G35 or BMW 125i. As I have not read an actual review of the JCW Clubman, I don't know if all the tuning leads to any material real world performance gains. Zero to 60 times don't matter when I am stuck in traffic, but if the torque curve is lower or broader, that would be nice.

 

Go with the JCW if you have to wait. Get a Garmin Nuvi. The HP will be worth any other compromise.

 

That was my issue when I first ordered last October. I stopped the order to hold out for the JCW. I reinstated my order in December because it was going to be too long a wait. I have my HC/S Clubman S and it is fine. For street use the sport button works just right. After I have 1200 miles on the odo and on excceding 4000 RPM I need more ,there is Alta. A fully equipped Clubman S plus Alta toys will give me an appro $38,000.00 + vehicle. Equipping a JCW will be close to the same thing. Your choice--DO YOU WANT IT ALL AND WANT IT NOW or are yOu patient and young enough to wait?

 

I have heard of Altra. Does anyone know how much HP and torque you gain by installing a CAI and aftermarket exhaust? If that gets me close to the figures of the JCW then that would be easier on my wallet and I can take my time with the upgrades. However, the JCW will give me the power and warranty from the get go.

I will be interested in reading a review of the JCW Clubman when available to see what the changes all add up to.

 

I would go for the fully loaded Clubman S and then tune it a little.

 

I have since learned that the '09 JCW Clubman will have e-diff and not a mechanical LSD. As a mechanical LSD was a big selling point, I may just get the S and mod it up a bit.

 

yeah i've since become a bit disillusioned about the lack of lsd. i'd go for the standard s w/ lsd and maybe tack on the stage 1 jcw kit later when it becomes available if you're so inclined

 

Do you really need a fully loaded $35K Clubman S? I am in the camp that "Less is more". If I were you I would get a lightly optioned Clubman S or Clubman JCW. Get cruise control, a nice stereo, LSD, rear fog and you are good to go. Hate to break this to you, but those high priced factory options have very little resale value. To me what is truly important about the car is the suspension, engine, transmission, handling and the car itself. Neither the NAV or the leather seats are going to make the car any faster. Try a plain MINI. You'll thank me for it.

 

That's what I would do as well. To me the factory JCW cars are turning out to be a dissapointment.

 

To some a car is purely an appliance, transportation to and from work. To others, they are an expression of their personality, success, and personal tastes. I have the money to spend (not waste) and having owned other premium brands like Acura and Volvo, have become accustomed to certain things like xenons and other bells and whistles.

Although a lightly outfitted Clubman S or regular Clubman would be a better "buy" from a cost perspective, value is ultimately in the eye of the beholder. From my perspective, I would get more enjoyment from a heavily optioned Clubman S configured to my personal tastes. Plus, I am not too concerned with resale as they are supposed to have a high residual. I doubt the addition of options markedly changes that number, granted the market is smaller for a loaded car.

Having said that, a JCW may be a bit excessive, but in a world full of compromises, it would be nice to say that I did not have to compromise on this one issue.

 

Could not agree more! Different strokes for different folks!

 

I'm starting to think the same. I began by thinking I was going to order a MC S, then thought about the JCW stage I addition. When I went to order last month, I found out about the new JCW and have a option on ordering one. While I don't have the numbers, it seems pretty expensive and I am considering going back to the MCS with stage I to get LSD and more reasonable cost.

Does anyone regret getting the JCW aero kit? I thought that I wanted it but wonder if it really is worth it.

Keeping it simple is good advice...that I hope I can follow.

 

I spoke to my MA yesterday. He has a pricing sheet for the 2009 JCW Clubman. Here is the configuration I would most likely get, which represents some compromises on my part, but more on that later.

Base price $30,800
Destination $650
Convenience Pkg (lacks MFSW, which is in Premium Pkg. now) $1,250
MFSW $250
Cold Weather Pkg $500
Xenon headlights (not in any pkg.) $500
Armrest $250
Fluid silver trim $250
Metallic paint $500
Rear fog light $100
Set up fee $500 (waived)*
Grand Total $35,050
*I got the set up fee waived on my current configuration but was told that they would impose it on the JCW. Not sure why as its still an order like everything else and they shouldn't have to pull strings to get one. I hate artificial costs. Lets assume this is waived and I get the car for MSRP.

Anyway, my current configuration, as outlined in my sig is $31,950. So for the extra $3,100 I get the following (excerpt from motoringfile);

• 211 bhp (207 hp) & 192 ft lbs or torque (207 ft lbs with overboost) (+30 over stock Clubman S)
• Upgraded/Optimized Turbo Pistons and four piston brakes (adapted from the MINI Challenge race car.
• Upgraded Air Intake (same as dealer installed kit)
• Revised 6 speed Manual Transmission
• Upgraded Clutch
• Upgraded Full Cat-back JCW Exhaust
• Fully Optimized ECU
• JCW “Challenge Spoke” light weight alloy wheels (21 lbs)
• Electronic Differential Lock Control
• New speedometer to allow for higher maximum speed (148 mph)

I also should not feel compelled to spend about $1,000 on aftermarket upgrades that will mess with the warranty. Some other items that I was paying for now come standard like Piano Black trim, but now I want fluid silver as gotham gray is now offered.

However, I loose the NAV system, which was a nicety vs. necessity, the Auto AC (was required with NAV) and the HI-FI system. I think that is the only difference but without a configurator, I cannot be sure.

So what is the additional cost per month? Assuming a $5,000 down payment, 5.5% rate, and 60 months term, my current S configuration comes out to be $514. The JCW Clubman comes out to be $574. So for an extra $60 per month I get the pinnacle of the MINI line (IMHO). It's still a lot of money for only 207 hp, but what the hell.

One last point, if I decide to lease, all of the above mods are included in the lease payment, which is not the case should I desire to add mods to a leased S.

Thoughts or opinions?

 

I have an 07 Cabio JCW/Sidewalk. I love the extra horsepower, sportier handling and beefier brakes. However, there is quite a hit to mileage (average about 21MPG which is not "bad" for a fast car) and I don't imagine you will recover the JCW cost on resale though not many being sold or traded so too early to know. I suggest test driving a JCW and determine for yourself if you need that much fun. My side-by-side test drive of the S and JCW sold me hands down. However, it does now present one problem...I have to try really hard not to spin the tires when leaving a stoplight or upon shifting into 2d or even third gear on a fast "get-away". The car flat-out flies!

.

 

I'm currently debating what to purchase, a clubman s of clubman JCW.

Have you anything to add since your post in May? I like acceration but I'm not sure its worth the MPG hit. And since I have set my limit to spend around 32k I can get a loaded S or the basic JCW. The dealer does not have a JCW to test drive. So........ I'm leaning toward the S.

S pros: MPG, Price, perhaps resale, can always tune later.

j

 

If you plan to LEASE go for the JCW ...I WOULD NOT MOD A LEASED CAR!

 

I will second this, all the performance of the JCW all under factory warranty. it does not get any better then that. And the Nav system is OK at best, there are plenty of aftermarket systems that will work even better.

 

If you plan to LEASE go for the JCW ...I WOULD NOT MOD A LEASED CAR!

We like the Nav...

 

No Nav for me I have a Garmin......

Also no lease for me too many miles per year (20K to 24K), however I will turn it over in 3 years...

so S vs JCW?

26 mpg vs 21 mpg

0-60: 6.7 sec vs 6.5 sec

more goodies vs base model JCW (asuume the same out the door price)

or

$30k Vs $37k (dealer is asking $995 over MSRP)


I'm thinking the S....

 

Its a done deal. Clubman S Chili Red with Black roof, Black leather, Chrome int and ext, Convenience Pkg, Cold weather pkg, sport suspension, LSD, Xenon, Rear fog lamps, white turn-signals.

 

Nice, one more JCW allocation out there people!

Flytime-Seriously tho, good luck with the new car.

 

"Hate to break this to you, but those high priced factory options have very little resale value."

Ja, maybe so, but it really comes down to what a person wants. For example, I have in dash navigator. I like the look, screen size, and integration. Others prefer to spend less to have some flexibility with a mobile unit that may be easier to upgrade. Me? I don't like the clutter associated with that.

 

On that note, does anyone know what the rated mileage is on the JCW Clubman? The site still says "Not yet rated".

 

I read someone's post claiming 21 mpg. I forget where is was posted. If I find it again I'll post the link.

see my post #19 above. 21 mpg is one reason I went for the S.

 

Wow. If true, that's a huge hit. I was toying with the idea of a JCW in the back of my mind. If true, I'll do another S for sure.