I'm new to Mini's, having picked up an '09 last Saturday and thinking I was getting a JCW. After looking at various pics in the forums here, now I'm not sure what I have. It's got a JCW badge on the front and rear, as well as on the sill plates, and has JCW Challenge wheels. I'm assuming it has the BMW engine rather than the Peugeot version and associated suspension parts. It sure seems more taught and peppier than the S that I also tested.

However, every picture that I have since seen, shows a JCW with a body color rockers with an air inlet. Mine is flat black and blends in with the wheel wells and has no inlet.

Can anyone tell me what I bought?

Thanks.

Jeff

 

Congratz...Do you have pics of the car for us to inspect? Sounds like a JCW but no dealer installed aero kit.

 

Based on that information, it sounds like you bought a real JCW that does not have the optional JCW body kit. The body kit is now standard on JCW models but was not back in '09. It was a dealer installed option for '09.

 

Sounds to me like you did buy a '09 JCW. They did not come standard with the Aero Kit in '09.

 

Phew, that sounds better. Also, I forgot (crazy week; not much left upstairs) it has the Brembo brakes too. I was thinking that maybe it was an S with a few JCW parts added.

Here's a pic (I hope).



Is there something in the VIN to establish this for a certainty?

Jeff

 

yeah that's a JCW. don't worry. you could search vin but i can tell you that you're good.
congrats! i have a white one = a blast

 

I did not know BMW made a different engine than Peugeot for the MINI? Oh wait, it is the same engine. Yeah you got a JCW. Congrats!

 

Yeah, that's what the local Mini dealer told me when I was considering a new one. Is that the accepted distinction between the base/S and the JCW, or is the difference something else?

 

you can tell its a legit JCW, when it has the red calipers.

 

I don't know about the red Brembos identifying a JCW because when I was considering a new S, the Mini website lets you add the JCW brakes as an extra to an S as a starting point, but you're still dealing with an S. It's a different build to start with a JCW. I understood the difference to be in the engine itself and the suspension, both of which are different from an S. Am I correct?

Jeff

 

yeah, I suppose, though it may be rare. one other thing is to look for is where the bags is on the front grill, there is a difference in placement to tell between a factory JCW and a tuned cooper s. I don't remember which is which. yes both the engine and suspension are different.

 

Just google the vin and you'll find out instantly.

It sounds like a factory JCW. One option for the brakes upgrade when spec'ing a S is the cross drilled rotors. To get the JCW brakes you actually have new brembo calipers and rotors, which is over $2k from factory.

In terms of power:
Base Cooper: No turbo, natrually aspirated engine
Cooper S: N14 Turbo Engine
Cooper S with JCW Tuning Package: Cooper S + a Software flash and a jcw stage "1" exhaust and intake(?)
Cooper S factory JCW: Same Engine but with slightly lower compression, slightly larger turbo, and different ECU programing software from factory.

All the parts you've pointed out can be added as options, pricey ones, but still options. Theres no real one way to tell if you have a JCW or S from just those parts unfortunately. I'd bet its a factory JCW though.

 

The suspension is NOT different on a factory JCW. They come with the same one as a stock S, but you can add the sport suspension for $500 when it's built, or add the JCW suspension as a dealer add-on. [Building a Factory JCW on the configurator confirms this.]

The difference between Factory and Tuned S is:

-Factory JCW will have a JCW badge on the right of the boot, as well as a badge on the front lower grill on the drivers's side. This is what the OP has.

-Tuned S will still have the standard Cooper S badge on the rear right of the boot, plus a JCW badge on the rear left of the boot, and a badge on the front upper grill on the passenger side. The tuned S will also have the slick JCW engraved tailpipe tips which, strangely, you don't get on a Factory JCW.

Here are Tuned S pics for reference:

 

-

 

Nice MY JCW. That's what I have, but I have a white roof w/ black mirror caps, black center stripes and black Challenge wheels. At first I wasn't sure I liked the color after seeing it in person, but it has grown on me.

 

I'm kind of shocked/confused that someone (dealer or individual) sold you a factory JCW and didn't harp on that fact. They command a premium when new, are relatively rare, and get at least a little better resale. Checking the VIN will tell you for sure, but I'm doubting someone spent all that money to make an S appear to be a factory JCW.

 

Love that color. Congrats!

 

The dash should also have a checkered badge on the hidden compartment cover.


And I live in Snohomish too so I’ll probably be seeing you around.

 

If you have the last seven digits of the vin number I can tell you for sure if it is or is not.

 

+1!!!

 

Sweet color, enjoy!

 

Regarding the dealer that didn't go on and on about it being a JCW; it was a specialty used car "dealer" that had mostly BMW, Benz, and Porsche. I think they consider the Mini their "entry level" car and don't gush too much over them.

Here are a couple of other indicators that I think only came on a factory JCW.





The checkered patch on the upper glove box, the same pattern on the seats and floor mats may be indicative of factory. Though the mats and seats may have been available in '09 on an S.

The last seven digits of the VIN are TF96028

 

it's a jcw. look at the scuttles and hidden badge. no need to even worry about vin.