Hello all, glad I came across this site. Lots of useful info..


I'm looking at a 2010 JCW hatchback, price is 23,000 and has 24K miles. I've read about some less then great reliable reviews on these cars.. The warranty is gone, so I would be without one.


What major issues should I be concerned about? Carbon buildup? Timing built tensioner? I love the car, but I was hoping for 2010, I could save some money, but I guess the low miles keeps the price high..


All opinions welcome, thanks

 

both are valid concerns. Get an ext warranty. I got one through my lender for 1/2 of the dealer cost and have put it to good use fixing little things that have popped up. Hasn't diminished my love for Pepe

 

I would keep shopping unless you specifically want low miles. Are you set on the JCW? A used Cooper S is 90% the same but half the price.

 

Ya, last year I bought a '12 MCS with 16k miles for $24k out the door. Still have a year and half warranty left. Unless you have to have the JCW, I'd keep looking..

 

I don't HAVE to have the JCW, I just like some of the bells and whistles. but performance wise it's almost the same as the S model just higher boost right? I'll look for newer S models, that are cheaper. Thanks for the advice

 

i'd look at 2011+ btw, and i think u could find a better deal

 

I'm having some troubles on google finding what's different with the "S" and the JCW. The JCW gets more boost, bigger brakes, and the bodykit right? But does the JCW get a larger turbo or just the boost turned up? Or could someone link me, or show me what exactly the differences are between the two?


Thanks

 

JCW turbo is not the same as the S cars.
Bigger brakes
Body kit
Interior trims (red stitching and other goodies)
Suspension
JCW badges

 

Oh and I think the JCW cars had the older n14 engine until.. 2013? The n14 is not a great head design.. Carbon issues plague it.

 

so the jcw has a larger turbo? That's good. Thanks for the info danjreed. I was wrong its 21,995 and has 22,900 miles.. Its below blue book but higher then neda.. So should I snag it.. It seems not so bad of a deal, exp the fact it has no warranty and a scare of carbon buildup

 

I've not seen any reliable source claiming a different suspension on the JCW. There is a JCW suspension available for most R5X models but it does NOT come from the factory on the JCW models.

 

JCW comes standard with the same sport suspension that is an option on the S model. The JCW suspension is a dealer installed option.

 

Is a 2010, with 22,500 miles worth 22k? KBB says yes, neda says no.. I was wrong in my OP about price and miles.. Well, make it 24K because I'd need to get a 2K warranty..


Also the N14 engine, how bad is it? It seems to be either ONLY the people with problems post so it appears the problems are much more common. Or, 80% of these turbo engines are problems left and right..


I will be on a tight budget for the next 12 months, so should I just forget about the 2007-2011's, or is the problem either not all cars, or easily fixable?

 

Source? And what is the $500 optional sport suspension on the R56 JCW? Thanks.

 

The real question is, are you in love with the JCW? You are paying a lot of money extra for the JCW vs a S hatch. I would look for an S in great condition with minimal or no mods.

 

Focus on getting a Mini S with an N18 engine. N14's drink more oil and have more carbon deposits on the intake valves, the N18's not so much.