Custom ordered my MCS and due to arrive next week.
I know it's too late change models, but just curious if anyone would've spent the extra $$ for the JCW.
If you could go back, would you change? Any regrets?

I plan on moderate mods w/ my MCS and enjoy "spirited" driving.

Thanks for your input.

 

i custom ordered mine as well, but I'm not as fortunate as you to take delivery next week! Mine's probably coming in 8-10 weeks at this point, but in response to your question, yes, at times, I do wish I bought the JCW because adding mods to the MCS to make it like the JCW will be a never ending battle between myself and my wallet....but the way I justify it is, this is my DD, I need decent gas mileage, and even though the JCW is better than most cars, it would put it kind of in the ballpark of my current DD and if that were the case, I wouldn't need to buy a new car!

 

Not to burst your bubble or anything, you will surely enjoy your MCS, but I had regrets and traded mine in a few years back on a lightly used JCW. However, I think you will be better off with the newer MCS engine unless you were willing to wait for the JCW with the new engine. It should (hopefully) be more reliable and less maintenance for you. I guess time will tell as more miles get put on them. Plus, you're only talking a half second in the 0-60 time. On another note, if you plan to run a lot of boost with a tune, you might have been better off with the stronger internals of the JCW.

 

What did you spec. out? I think that the JCW is a nice step up in performance but the gap is small. MCS to GP, that's a gap worth jumping if you can afford it.

 

what are the GP's supposedly going for?

 

Meh sometimes I think about it. The factory JCW makes some great power/torque from the factory and is a beast when properly modded/tuned. Not that the MCS is rubbish compared to the JCW, but to get a MCS up to the power levels of a tuned JCW requires a lot of time and cost for new turbo, pistons, clutch..etc. Resale value on the factory JCW is GREAT too!

 

I woulda been tempted. My MCS + JCW Tuning Kit + many comfort/convenience options wasn't that far off from a JCW price-wise, and I might have left off a few of the "extras" had I ordered one.

But: I wanted Ice Blue. MINI won't build an Ice Blue JCW. Case closed.

 

The only reason I would want a JCW for is because it can put up with mods better. Other then that it is no different then ordering an S or a Cooper.

 

My personal opinion is that the MC works best as a nimble, well-sorted, very good handling runabout and the further you stray up the performance scale, the more its FWD econobox roots work against it. If you want more power than the basic MC, the MCS seems to me like the right place - power wise - between the basic Cooper and the JCW. More power just overwhelms the front wheels and makes the car less balanced.

And all the options on MC's are overpriced. The interior bits are where they really ream you ($250 for an armrest?, $300 for a different color headliner?), but the performance options are relatively expensive too.

Option up a MC with JCW and all the bits, and you're talking Golf R or 128i money and I don't see the value in a souped-up Mini compared to these cars.

Just my opinion - some don't think other cars exist unless its a Mini. I don't drink the kool-aid.

- Mark

 

I went with the JCW cause I knew I would regret it. Way back when I bought my first 'fun' car I went with the Integra GS-R and modded it with the money I saved from not going with the Type-R. And then spent the next few years wishing I just bought the Type-R in the first place. So I wasn't going to let that happen again this time around and just waited an extra 6months to save more before placing the order for my JCW.

Just like how I think the Mini is one of those cars you should order and get it exactly how you want to be specced and look, I'm glad I waited longer so I could get the exact model I really wanted too.

 

A Cooper S with JCW suspension and a tune is far faster than a (stock) factory JCW on the track/autoX/canyon. Of course if money was no object, and the JCW had been available (2008) I'd have gotten the JCW for the uprated internals/clutch/tranny/brakes as I'm sure they would have paired better with my aggressive tuning.

 

I'll take an MCS any day over the JCWs. I test drove both last night (we're looking at upgrading my wife's MCS) and personally, I like the MCS better. Put on the aero body, the JCW suspension, the JCW engine tune and you're close to if not better than the JCW as bananamini said.

Of course, the MCS has a better compression rating than the JCW so if you put the JCW turbo on the MCS with an additional tune, you'll end up with higher HP and torque (as other's have noted, no personal experience here yet).

 

You might wish you had the JCW internals, tranny and clutch with that much more torque....

 

What internals are you referencing? The transmissions are the same between the two. The standard clutch can handle up to 300 hp so you're well in the clear since the upgraded turbo and tunes only fetch out around 250-260hp. You might want to switch out the pressure plate, but I doubt that is really necessary.

 

Elect. Blue, Sport Package, Moonroof, Anthracite Headliner, BT/iPod, HK Audio, Arm rest.

Didn't hear about the GP until a few days ago while reading through NAM posts. From a performance standpoint, the GP looks legit. Not a fan of the graphics.


I certainly factored in price when evaluating my purchase. As I started creeping into the $30k range, the vehicle options certainly opened up (ie 128i). Part of the reason I didn't opt directly for the JCW to start with.

 

with the larger JCW turbo, a tune to 250-260hp, what kind of boost pressures would it net?

 

Forged pistons, strengthened rods, crank and a stronger block, right? Just seems like most of the horror stories on here are S's with aggressive tunes.

 

I knew I would regret not getting a JCW and as luck would have it I was able to easily afford the JCW when the time came to order - especially since I didn't pay MSRP. I am very happy with my decision but to the OP, if you couldn't realistically afford the JCW or needed the funds for other important life stuff, don't sweat it. All versions of the MINI are great fun to drive, particularly since you have the MCS.

 

I also considered a 128/135i but I just couldn't get over the pudgy odd looks of the car despite the lusty inline 6 in the 135i. Then the 1M came out right before I ordered the JCW and it just seemed like what I expect from an "M" car without being too large like the M3... but it was SO expensive and so limited in production it was just not an option.

 

First let me say I love my MCS. I think it is the perfect car when you look at the combination of cost, handling performance, power to weight, fuel economy, small size, cargo capacity and of course "fun factor". There are days I wish I had the ordered a JCW, but there were a couple reasons I chose my MCS over a JCW. I wanted the upgraded N18 version of the Prince engine vs the JCW version of the N14, also I had trouble spending the extra $6K for the JCW. At the time I was also torn between a Hardtop with the panoramic sunroof and a convertible, and again, cost was a factor in choosing the Hardtop. That said, I think my next MINI will be a JCW convertible. I think by then the JCW will utilize a version of the N18 engine. In the meantime, I plan to upgrade my suspension with a stiffer rear sway bar and improved shocks and springs. It is often said "it is more fun driving a slower car fast than a fast car slow", not that an MCS is slow by any means, but there is truth to the saying.

 

Can't complain on my car but I wanted the JCW exhaust system. It's okay, I love my MCS!!! Especially when it comes to modding it. But I will trade in three years from now for the JCW Coupe:-D.

 

I'm sure I could find ways to drive a 414HP M3 fast, but very limited (ie. midnight runs, track days, abandoned highways ).

Definately eager to get motoring around w/ my new MCS and see what it's capable of.


Second that on the appearance of standard 1-series.

When I entered the market for a new car, the 1-series M topped my list as well, but no longer available. .
M3 WAY out of my budget

 

That part I don't remember the exacts. The system won't allow over 22psi so I am thinking it was around 20, but should be able to exceed that with a fix to the sensors.

While I see your point, it's not necessary to do. The stock block is able to handle the extra power but not an overly aggressive tune (goes to your point). Yes, if I was going to be overly aggressive on it and get every ounce of power, I would certainly upgrade every part you've mentioned.

 

I wish that I would have spent the extra cash and orderd a jcw, but at the time u could not drive a stick. The mcsa on the lot did hav almost all the options that I wanted and I could not wait. I guess ill have to wait a few more years to gey my dream jcw, but thats ok.

 

for my current needs i dont regret it. im just using my mcs as a daily driver and wanted more power for freeway overtakes and for the once in a blue moon romp through the canyons. spending more money for which i personally think the mcs is adequate enough didnt make sense.