I have been a lurker here for years, happily enjoying my 2005 JCW and keeping up to date now and then. Even though my car has only 60K, I am thinking that in the next year or so I would like to get a newer MINI.

The new MINI GP caught my eye, and I put down a deposit on one. I have read most everything I can on the Internet, so am not completely uninformed. Seeing as how I will have to put up or shut up in about a month, I am asking this community for some help; and I know that many here like to provide opinions!

Pluses for the GP: 1) It's fast; 2) LE so it keeps its value; 3) Cost is in line with a tricked out JCW; 4) I like the color scheme; 5) Technology seems pretty advanced (e.g. brakes, Na-filled pistons, aero); 6) Interior has what I need (good seats, attractive trim).

Minuses for the GP: 1) Large calipers make winter wheels expensive; 2) I am not planning on using it for the track; 3) A bit of a "boy-racer" graphics theme (I am 50 ); 4)Even with only 420 or so coming to the US, not quite as unique as your own configuration. 5)Will be delivered in Feb/March (still snow on the ground); 6)Cannot purchase lightly used, where someone else has taken the depreciation.

Anyway, since there wasn't a thread exactly along this vein so far, I thought I would ask for opinions and for other pluses and minues, as I would guess that perhaps others are in the same situation and have some of the same questions.

Thank you!
David

 

Not really; finding a 17" wheel combo should be simple.
Especially IF (yet to be checked) the OEM JCW wheels fit without any problems.
Otherwise, a high offset 17x7 wheel should clear with ease...

This shouldn't be a worry as most will covet the fact you'll have a GPII.

Wasn't last season dry as bone, because that's how I remember.
My ski-pass count can prove that; there was little Denver precipitation all year.

- Erik

 

Thanks for the reply, Erik.

I agree that the winter performance tires are not impossible, but more expensive than I have for 16" tires. Say $200 each + the wheels. JCW wheels would be very nice for the car, but at $3K+ for a set... Anyone know if you can get these from another source than the dealer?

Regarding the winter, I agree about the ski resorts last year, but near the foothills, we actually got quite a bit of snow that stayed. Anyone that has ever tried to get through any snow on summer tires knows that it is not a good option.

Any other opinions? On the comments section for articles on the new GP, it seems to bifurcate the audience - some love it, some hate it.

David

 

There is about 3 or 4 parts of the new GP that I like and would love to have but, the rest of the car just doesn't do it for me. I think it is way over priced and I think you can get a way better car for that money.

 

Thanks for the replies.

Erik, the JCW wheels would look nice and $200 ea for the tires isn't crazy, but the wheels are around $3K. Any place to get them other than the dealer?

In the foothills last year, we had snow stay for awile; longer than up at the ski resorts which, I agree, did not have the best of years.

Porthos: Which parts are which? Regarding the price, I have heard less than $40K most recently, and before that, around $37-38K. AFAIK, the final pricing hasn't been released yet. I think of getting a JCW with the Recaro seats and right there, you are almost $36K. I am very interested in hearing what the experts think are the pluses and minuses.

Thank you!
David

 

Classifieds and Craigslist; there's been several sets available.
Also, the Bullet Star (R111's) fit over the JCW calipers; you can cross-check those for fitment too.

Areo components, mainly including the rear diffuser.
Also the 6-pot calipers, and factory adjustable suspension are some other points of interest.

Honestly though, outside of the aero components, I you can spend better earned money on a factory JCW with aftermarket parts to mimic the GPII.

- Erik

 

The people saying that the GP is not worth it and is overpriced are probably the same crowd that thinks the BMW 1M is just an overpriced 135i and that they can build a better car than BMW if they just buy a 135i. Anyone who has driven or owns a 1M knows this is not the case and there is much more to the car than it just being an "overpriced, slightly quicker 135"

The same will hold true for the GP. If the first gen GP is any idication, the GP is more than just the sum of its parts. First off, it will hold its value better than any JCW ever will. The clean R53 GP's are still only $5k-6k off their original MSRP....almost 7 years later. I think the R53 will still hold its value better than the R56 GP will, but the 56 will still be strong. Also, for the amount of GP specific components you get for what we think will be around ~$38k...it really is a steal. Working at a MINI dealer, I have seen people order JCW's with options that reach MSRP's around $50k. When you take this into account, the GP is a bargain.

MINI spent a lot of time and development on this iteration of the GP and I really think it is going to show when driving the car. A big point is the suspension...it is fully adjustable and you have around -1.55deg front/-2.55 rear camber vs -0.3front/-1.45rear on the normal JCW. People will say oh well I can just buy better aftermarket coilovers on a JCW...which is fine and all but the factory coils were developed specifically for the new GP and I'm betting MINI hit out of the park with them. The brakes will be great as well....6 piston, 330mm rotors (~13in). And as we all know, they spent a lot of time in BMW's wind tunnel...I have read, around a 30% reduction in front end lift and almost a 90% reduction in rear end lift over a normal JCW...this is huge folks.

Sure you can build a JCW that will blow away a GP, but at the end of the day, every component on the GP was designed to work in harmony with each other, with the whole package in mind.

Anyone whos read my posts knows I'm much more of an R53 fan over the R56, and I LOVE my R53 GP....but I am really looking forward to the release of the 56 GP, it should be a fantastic vehicle.

 

Bluefox: I agree that you can make a faster car for the same amount of money, but the fact that everything is designed as a package is appealing.

ThumperMCS: Thank you for the holistic perspective. I am leaning in that direction, because the way I price out the JCW, I get to way more than $38k anyway. To me, if MINI really spent the time to tweak the aero as much as it looks like they did, this GP is meant to be even more of a performance statement for the manufacturer.

Are you going to buy one even thought you have a 2006 GP?

 

The under pan tray. You know the goosld stuff.

 

If you aren't going to track it, the aero parts are probably moot. You can't (probably shouldn't) sanely go fast enough on public road where they have any effect.

By sanely, I mean never ever crossing the yellow line of death... (if you ride a bike, you know what I mean...)

 

How bout don't judge and there are plenty of curvy roads in California that I can go the speed limit and still need those aero parts.

 

The thought is in the back of my mind....
We'll see how I feel when we starting getting them in the dealer though

If I do, I probably won't keep it more than a few thousand miles. Keeping the R53 GP forever though...

 

Absolutely on board with this. You need to be pushing +100MPH to start needing aero upgrades. For a street car it is 100% looks.

 

That I will agree with; it's a great package as a whole without a doubt.
Good luck on your decision making! If you decide to grab a GPII, I would love to see it in person!

- Erik

 

Edmunds came out with a semi-accurate sticker price:
* http://www.edmunds.com/auto-shows/pa...auto-show.html

- Erik

 

I wouldn't place too much faith in an article which says the car has "twin turbos" and says it weighs 209lbs more than a stock JCW.

I have a bulletin straight from MINI USA and this is word for word what they say: "The GP will also start production this November but pricing is not announced yet. It will be more than the 2006 GP, but will not be as much as the 2010 WC50 Edition. We expect it to be under $40,000."

In addition, the car does not weigh more than a JCW.

 

Ugh... you're right. I too quickly glanced over such and missed obvious key points.
Another proof of the failing truths that can be found on the internet.
Thanks for the clear up Thumper!

- Erik

 

Here is a text of an email I received today from a dealer:

[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]I wanted to send you more info on the GP. I just received this late last night. Please let me know if you should have any questions…..[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]MINI GP Engine [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]The engine is a high-power version of the regular JCW [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]engine. It features the familiar turbocharged and direct-[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]injected N18 technology, but is tuned to produce more [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]power with horsepower increasing to 211 and torque [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]registering in at 192 lb-ft or 207 lb-ft with the overboost [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]function. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]So, you are probably wondering why this is less than the [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]2006 GP … great question! This is due to the newer [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]emissions standards and how the 2013 car will need a [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]unique exhaust system for the US. Luckily, the sound is still [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]there, but even more fascinating is the MPG. If all goes well, [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]we expect the new GP to achieve 26 city and 35 MPG on the highway. If you compare that to the current 20 city and 27 hwy ratings of the 2006 car, that’s a drastic 30% increase in fuel economy! To top the engine compartment off is a polished aluminum strut tower brace that ties the front strut towers together for improved handling and structural consistency, especially in the turns. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]MINI GP Interior [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]The interior will be hot! The front seats will be the Recaros that we all know love with heated seating surfaces and red stitching. To secure you neatly behind this guided missile are bright red seatbelts and to row those six speeds, the GP will feature a unique shift **** with a red insert on top. The three-spoke leather steering wheel is also specific to the GP as it features a very thick rim with red stitching and the JCW logo on the lower spoke. The instrument panel is covered in leather with red stitching and matches the piano black interior surfaces perfectly. (European model shown.) [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]All US GPs will have 534 Automatic climate control and 655 Sirius satellite radio standard. In addition, SA302 (Alarm) is also included. The radio will be the standard Boost CD system with Bluetooth (MINI Connected is blocked for the GP.) Check out the floormats. Hey, I told you it was hot, didn’t I? [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]In back, the deletion of the rear seats allows for a flat floor. To further demonstrate the GP’s intentions, a rear brace is added to tie both sides of the rear unibody together for improved stiffness and as a result, improved and more predictable handling. The tubular brace is bright red and offsets the interior incredibly. Silver end caps finish this brace off appropriately[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]MINI GP Suspension [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]The GP will feature the most aggressive suspension ever offered by MINI. From the factory, each corner of the new GP will have a fully adjustable coilover suspension that allows one to raise or lower ride height and adjust corner weighting. In the trunk will be a wrench set to allow owners to adjust as they go. For rolling stock, we went with the widest wheels we’ve ever put on an R56 and they measure 17 x 7.5. Wrapping them are aggressive Kumho V70A tires that are also the widest offerings ever bestowed upon a MINI, measuring 215/40/17. Be aware that these tires are indeed street legal, but they are designed for optimum track performance so the treadwear is 50. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]The brakes, like our other JCW models, are supplied by Brembo. But here, we take the larger brake calipers right off of the BMW 1 Series M and that means we’ve got six pistons of love on clamping down on each of the 12.4 inch front rotors. In back, we still use the proven 11.2-inch brake setup from the JCWs. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]MINI GP Allocation [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]There are 500 cars coming to the US and the plan is to allocate one MINI GP to each dealer (115.) All remaining cars (385) will be managed through a reservation system with an 800# (like the one used to allocate the Neiman Marcus Edition BMWs.) This 800# will first open in mid November exclusively for owners of the original 2006 MINI GP for a period of 1-2 weeks. We expect 100 of them to purchase the new GP. Then, in late November, all remaining cars (~285) are up for grabs via the 800#.All customers who have a deposit or strong interest must call this number. The ultimate goal is to have all cars allocated and sold prior to the GPs arriving at dealers in Q1 2013. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]Pricing [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]The GP’s MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) is $39,950 (including the $700 D&H.) Considering all the suspension hardware, unique interior appointments and the limited nature of this car, it’s a screaming deal. Heck, I’m trying to sell my left kidney to get one! [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman] [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman]GP Numbers [/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]We are currently working with the MINI Design house to have numbers added that would perfectly match the red decals on the GP. These numbers will be exclusive to the US market.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]I do not know the 1-800 # they speak of in the red bold text. Once I know then I will forward it to you. [/SIZE][/FONT]