So, I have a 2012 MCS on order from the dealer but ever since those "Do you S owners wish you got a JCW" or the "JCW engine vs S engine" threads have started to pop up, I've started to debate whether or not I should've sprung for the JCW. Don't get me wrong, I really wanted the 2012 JCW, but at the price point, it just wasn't practical....

That is, until I hit up craigslist today and saw this 2007 JCW for what I thought to be a steal. (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3040572270.html)

It seems like it has every option available on it and if I could knock a few thousand off the price, it'd be even sweeter, but my question is, if I ordered a 2012 MCS with the JCW package, xenon lights, center armrest, anthracite liner, and black stripes as its only package (MSRP of 27.4k) and you saw that craigslist ad, which would you pick?

As for list of mods I wanted to do, I wanted to add the DoS CAI, akra dp, intercooler, a slew of suspension mods, NM hard charge pipes on both hot and cold side and a supporting engine tune. I know that the JCWs will handle that a lot better and hearing people blow rods and pistons on S models isn't comforting, nor is modding under warranty so if you had to account for that, which would you pick? I wouldn't mind waiting the 4 years to get out of warrnaty before modding, but I just wanna hear what the NAM community has to say about these 2 models!

thanks in advance!

 

See if you can get the warranty history on the car. There are more knowlegeble guys than me on this, but I believe that the factory JCW's were not built until 2009, the others were kits that were installed at the dealer. I dont know what parts were installed at the dealer, compared to the factory built cars. Search the forums and see what is there.

The CL car looks good, but I think you need to do a test drive to see what you like.

Have fun,
Mike

 

No factory JCW's until 2009 so it's an S with some dealer and owner mods. So five year old S with someone else's mods, or starting from scratch with a brand new one yourself. I'd go new but that's just me.

 

sounds good, i didn't know the factory JCWs didn't start until 2009. Thanks again, guys!

 

And I got my '09 JCW with less miles (factory warranty still in effect) for the same money. Certainly a nice '07 but I'd pass at that price and go for the new S.

 

so just to confirm, the JCWs, specifically this one, doesn't come with beefed up internals like the factory JCW's right?

 

Correct. I, however, recall reading a few threads that despite MINI advertising that the JCW's internals are the same as the S verified by part numbers once engines were broken down. I hope this was bad info but......

 

Also 2nd Gen did NOT have HK audio Till 2010... I would go for the new one... it seems as the dealer is trying to pull one over on unsuspecting buyers.

 

Go test drive it , it is way fast ! Then work the guy down on the price, It will be a lot less than a new one. Remember after negotiating price when you go register car , they want tax money on sale price.