I'm a new member and looking to purchase a mini cooper. I'm wondering if the following configuration is available:

* Mini Cooper S - Convertible
* John Cooper Works Edition
* Automatic Transmission
* GPS

Specifically, can I get the John Cooper Works Edition in a Convertible Cooper S with Automatic Transmission? If not, what tuning options are available for that kind of car (Auto/Convertible)??

Thanks!!

Mike

 

Just a follow-up - I could be totally wrong - but is it not possible to buy a Mini Cooper S Convertible with Automatic Transmission and then get the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit afterwards?

Is there a better tuning kit for this configuration than the JCW?

Also - what is the difference between the JCW tuning kit (added to a Cooper S) or ordering a car with the JCW from the factory?

This might be a silly question - but how the heck can I get those white racing stripes? is that an after market option as well?

Last question - if I'm looking for a used Cooper S Convertible with Automatic - any recommendations on year? 2007? 2008? 2009? For example, is one year better than the others? Was there issues with the 2007 or 2008 for example?

Mike

 

My guess is, since you will be buying a used car, the challange will be finding what you want, gently used, and well matained in your price range.
IMO the factory gps in the gen1 cars is easy to live without...the guage package is nicer to have, then add a gps on a nice mount!!
As for the years....newer is always better, but with the SC mini's, that is the gen1 cars, any 06+ car has all the latest and greatest...every car had the options of soo many different options, you are unlikely to see two cars that are the same.
I cannot answer your jcw questions....but go to Motoringfile.com
this is a great site to read up...they have a buyers guide, and other assorted goodies....just remember the cabrio's were a couple years behind on the refresh....so the they were still gen1 cars with a SC...and did not switch to the turbo till recently....

 

Stripes are a factory option...but an aftermarket item to add in various styles!!

 

Not for 2005-2008 (1st generation convertible). JCW upgrade was not available for the automatic transmission (not factory JCW nor tuning kit) during the 1st generation.

In the 2nd generation convertible (2009+) the JCW tuning kit should be available for automatic transmission. Oddly, the MINIUSA configurator still shows the kit as unavailable for automatics of any model, but it's been out for a while already.

Your other tuning options are aftermarket, available for all years... intake, exhaust, ECU tuning and more.

 

to answer your question about other tuning kits, if you are unable to locate a convertable JCW, you could always consider doing a pulley (assuming you get a SC MCS and not a turbo one)

 

If you have a factory JCW I'm pretty sure you can only get it in manual transmission

 

Thanks for all your posts. I'm looking at a 2007 S with 19,000 miles going for around $20K ish. Automatic. Convertible. Black stripes. Red. This all makes my wife - very happy. However, I'm wondering if there is a difference between the 2007 S convertible and the 2009 S Convertible. Can't seem to find any....just a gut feeling that there might be. If so - is the 2009 worth the extra $7-8k??

Now, for me - I want a little more hp. I've done some digging and there is a Mini tuning place in my city --> http://www.rennhausautorepair.com/
I have no idea what to spend on tuning....but I would like to top the 200hp range and perhaps improve the brakes.

Did the 2007 sport package include the limited slip diff? Can't seem to find that information...

So much to learn on these wonderful cars.

Last but not least - I'm quite a serious golfer - so I assume getting a tour bag in the back is completely out of the question? Best to use the front or push both seats down?

Thanks again!

Mike

 

They are superficially similar in appearance but everything changed... engine, steering, suspension, electronics, interior, and more. MINI updated their hardtop cars from 1st to 2nd generation in 2007. The changeover for convertibles lagged a couple of years and happened in 2009. The '07 convertible has the older supercharged engine and the '09 has a completely different turbocharged engine.

I see that they are an RMW dealer. They should be able to put you over 200hp in either a 2007 or 2009.

MINI does not offer limited slip for automatic transmissions.

The luggage compartment is out of the question (my daughter can't even fit her guitar) but the rear seat should work. If you want to load through the tailgate, you might be able to slide in a bag with the rear seat folded down, but there is some vertical restriction and I don't know how much clearance (girth) a tour bag requires.

 

Frankly, if you just must have an automatic, don't bother with the JCW options, even if available. And if you really want more power later, just overdrive the supercharger a bit. Of course, that assumes that you have a supercharged cabriolet.

In my opinion, there's not much of a point in getting the extra power and performance from the JCW options if you're just going to weaken it with an automatic. And if you can't get a limited slip in some form with the automatic, that's even more reason not to get the JCW package. You really need limited slip to put the extra power to the road.

Note: Even with the rear seats down, finding room for a long golf bag may not be possible. You'd best try before you buy.