Hey there good people of NAM,

So, I have an order for a Canadian-spec 2009 JCW Clubman. Apparently I have the first hold for allotments in my province, and the vehicle will now be updated as per my spec.

My problem is that MINI Canada is bundling the (in my opinion) horrendous factory (read: non-JCW) aero kit with all JCW cars. I've made a special-order request for a factory delete of this kit; asking for the "regular" Cooper S Clubman bumpers instead. This has been denied without any real explanation.

I'm thinking of walking away from the deal. Mechanically, I love the car, and I can basically specify it as I want. I just keep having this sinking feeling that I'm gonna walk into my garage every morning, hating the way the car looks. For a $45K (CAD) fun/niche car, I think I deserve to get it the way I want.

Am I nuts?

Your guidance is appreciated...

BenTYYC

 

I have to plead ignorant on the JCW, but perhaps you might order it from the US? http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/05/...ing-guide-pdf/

I'm sure others who are knowledgeable will chime in as the day wears into night - or visa versa.

You surely don't want to be unhappy for the amount of money that you're considering spending.

 

No, you're not nuts. I totally agree with you, however the Canadian market is not the same as the US market and we Canadians don't get nearly the amount of flexibility that our US cousins get. Unfortunately, reading NAM can only get you more frustrated.

My advice is to make sure you can live with what you get. If you can't, then think twice. After all, it's a lot of money to spend (much more than a similar US car) and you should feel satisfied with your purchase.

 

I sent some comments regarding my displeasure (regarding the inclusion of the factory aero kit) to the MINI.ca contact Email address. Here is their response:

"Your comments on our vehicle's conception and equipment are important to us. We have forwarded a copy of your letter to our research and development department for their review."

For reference, attached is the pic from the Canadian ordering catalog.

BenTYYC

 

did you get pricing?

 

Yes...

Base price for the JCW Clubman (in Canada) is $39,990. All other options/packages are the same as the Cooper S Clubman with the exception of the JCW Comfort Package which is a blending of the Cooper S Comfort and Convenience Packages.

BenTYYC

 

thanks. I thought you could only get 2 packages, comfort and travel. anyways, so its about 5k more than a comparable spec cooper S (37k). When where you told to expect delivery? I would have to get it in 2-3 months time tops.

 

Just a thought...are you after the JCW for the JCW name and not able to add additional JCW stuff later?

I'm sure you are aware you can add the stage kits to the car after the fact without purchasing the JCW out the door? I'm not sure how it works as far as aftermarket, I am speaking to the American side, but it might save you some money up front and it will still be covered by a warranty.

 

Canadians get completely ripped off on new car prices. We have a lot of folks who come over to Maine to buy cars just for that reason. Any chance you can get one from the US?

 

I was told "end of July delivery", if I go ahead with the order...

BenTYYC

 

You can add the "Stage 1" JCW kit in Canada as well - about $2300 CAD I believe. I'm after the factory JCW model, because I like the integration of the upgrades - which is more/different/better than what I can piecemeal through the dealer on a Cooper S.

BenTYYC

 

BMW is notorious for their attitude on cross-boarder car shopping. My understanding is that they don't participate readily with Transport Canada and the Registrar for Imported Vehicles (www.riv.ca). There have been reports of denial of warranties, etc.

There is also a campaign on the BMW Canada site (www.bmw.ca) on the benefits of a "Canadian-specificaion" BMW.

So, I'm guessing that getting a JCW Clubman from the states would be expensive and/or difficult. Admittedly, I haven't checked into this greatly...

BenTYYC

 

Have you looked at buying a regular S and adding your own mods or the JCW kit afterward?

 

Yes, but as I stated above, too my sensibilities, the JCW car is more than the sum of the aftermarket parts (JCW or others).

My Email thread with MINI Canada Customer Service continued throughout the day, and they told me that the aero kit cannot be deleted because they feel it is there to visually distinguish the JCW cars, from their lesser stable mates.

Agreed - they have distinguished the car to look like crap. Take a look at the new American configurator. You can build a JCW car and see what it looks like with and without this "factory" aero kit.

If they really wanted to visually play up the JCW Clubman, they should have held it back like the UK and South African markets are doing, to wait for the "real" R55 JCW aero kit.

My 2 cents.

BenTYYC

 

do you have pricing for the regular JCW kit?

 

If I understand you correctly, the JCW upgrade available thru your dealer is a little over $2300 CAD. This price may change for the R55 (clubman) as the length of the exhaust is not the same as the hardtop models.

Everything I've read so far is that this kit will be available around the September/October timeframe.

BenTYYC