Hey All, Im new to the Mini realm and new to the forum. I sold my 2010 shelby GT500 with 610 horsies and lots of go fast goodies and after driving a Mini one in Europe while on vacation, I've decided that I want one!
I am looking to get a 2012 JCW Hatchback and Im thinking about Black with red top.
One question I have is: Do i need to get the "sport Suspension" if i am getting a JCW?
I am planning to get it loaded with leather, nav, Harmon Kardon, etc, but I dont want a sun roof or satelite radio. What are some of your favorite options and some of your least favorite that you would avoid? I live in Canada, so heated seats are a must.
Thanks for any input ahead of time!

 

You can do more with $500 in the aftermarket so I would skip the sport suspension. For me, must have options are Xenons (with adaptive for only $100 more!), cold weather, and the JCW interior doodads. Everything else are just nice-to-haves.

 

If you don't your JCW will accelerate faster than other MINIs that are not JCW. But the handling will be the same as everyone else. So I guess the question is, how fast do you want to go through the turns?

 

minisix,
While I didn't go from 600hp, I did step out of a couple SRT-8s so I know where you are coming from. I enjoy driving my Mini at its limits more than the 'I could if I wanted to' power of the big V-8s. Never had much chance to really open them up.

I just upgraded from a MCS normal suspension to a JCW with the sport setup. The JCW doesn't come with any addition suspension upgrades.

I did the sport upgrade and plan on switch out springs eventually. Many JCW owners like the sport shocks with upgraded springs. If you know you want the lower the car right away, then save $500 and do a full shock/spring upgrade. The Mini's have large gaps between wheels and fender regardless of factory suspensions.

When you say hatchback to you mean the new coupe?

 

I'm pretty sure he means an R56. I'd order without the sport suspension, and I did exactly that. I knew I'd replace it anyway so why start $500 in the hole?

 

The satellite radio is standard. You have to get it, you just don't have to turn it on. The first year is free.

 

Update!
Walked into the dealer today and there was a gleaming black jcw with red top waiting for me ( it seemed to be calling me)! It has every bell and whistle, even the Ricaro seats!
I am having them switch the black wheels for chrome and adding a red John Cooper Works stripe on the sides. I should be getting it tomorrow afternoon!!!!
So, suspension upgrades will be down the road, after I get used to it and learn what I want to do with the car.
I will post pics over the weekend, if im not out driving it!

 

I almost did the recaro seats, but they listed as a $3000 option... had to draw the line somewhere
Sounds like a beauty. Cant wait for pics. Welcome to the club!

 

I love my Recaros, they look and feel great.

 

Well, I have to say...this is a cool car! I haven't been able to really boot around in it yet, because I want to break it in properly, but I can tell its a riot to drive!
Sorry the photo may not be magazine quality, but you get the idea.
Only 9kms on the odo when I picked it up, too!
Window tint will be scheduled for this coming week. Limo tint for the rears, back, and sunroofs.

 

Sorry, i was wrong. It had 13 kms on it. I was reading the wrong line.

 

Sweet ride man. Enjoy the heck out of it.......

 

Looks awesome and I LOVE the side decal. I need that for mine.

 

Yes, the side stripes are needed, I feel, to fill the black doors in a bit and offset the red mirrors.
I just wish I could change the color of the display screen text from pink/purple to something else!

 

Having owned many mustangs and supercharged muscle cars putting down well North of 530rwhp I am familiar with fast cars, yet there is something about this Mini that's a new kind of fun, and the Bonus is that parking spot you didn't dare take with the full size car cause of door dings and whatnot the Mini fits right in the smallest of spots!!!
Looking forward to hearing how well you enjoy that new ride, and as you already may feel get that 1st oil change done early, myself I'd never go over 3000 miles cause I drive the wheels off this little thing, 10k seems kinda high to me and if doing it yourself use the Euro 0w-40 mobile 1 it's approved without any issues from BMW, or take it to the dealer, just a suggestion, coming out a higher HP car it's what many of us do, change oil a lot, it's the life blood of a motor....

Most of all enjoy and have fun in the curves!!!!!

3m has some killer Tint, I did the same Limo in rear but went 20% top and back glass so I could see at night, heat inside is noticeably reduced and looks great!! Also 3m is lifetime labor and tint!!!

 

3000 miles will do NOTHING but lighten your wallet. Even 5K is early according to my report from Blackstone. Granted, my M3 holds 9 liters but that was regularly in the 16K range according to the computer and Blackstone said even that was acceptable.

The point I'm trying to make is that the manufacturers know these cars inside and out. Their recommendations are not put in place to damage the car so you have to buy a new one sooner. If you want to shorten the OCI go for it, I do it. Don't cut it down THAT far. We aren't using DINO anymore. With synthetics 10K is not a problem. I do 5K in my MINI and even abusing it on the Ring isn't an issue other than it burns more oil. The quality of the oil is still fantastic after 5K of that abuse.

If you want to keep everything clean but think MINI's recommendation is wrong, cut it in half and do 7500 miles. Your MINI will be happy and so will your wallet.

 

I agree with Quality sound on the oil changes.
Speaking of sound, I'm finding the Harmon Kardon to be lacking. Its thin and cheap sounding. What are some good improvements that you guys have done to make it more robust? Sub? speakers? Entire new kit?

 

its just like mine so pretty enjoy it

 

Change the oil at 5000 miles. The 10-15k oil changes are part of MINI/BMW free service programs so that free oil changes at low mileage intervals are not filling up their service bays.
OLD burned oil is killer on engines, these little engines burn oil quickly and burned oil speeds up the carbon deposit on valves, which is a known issue with the MINI engine.

I love my MINI and am more than meticulous with it. I personally change my oil every 5k. Am I wasting my money? Some will say yes, for me, it's peace of mind.

Welcome to the MINI community! Good to see you're enjoying the new ride!

 

OMG. I must have that side strip. Where did you get it?!

 

got it from the dealer. I saw it on a new coupe and asked if i could get it put on my hatch.