I picked up my first mini about 8 months ago and know I will never own a car other then mini. I currently own a 2006 factory JCW with lsd, 31,000 miles on the clock, xenons etc. LOVE my car! However the gp II's can be found used now and that car seems awesome in every way. I drive my mini on weekends approximately 6k per year so I would be able to keep the miles down and I would keep it forever. My current JCW has 17% reduction pulley, 0% crank pulley, ngk's and a jan rmw tune. My next step would be w/m (only to fight the az heat) and st coilovers + rear control arms/front adjustable camber plate of course. Should I pick up a gpII while there are some available with low miles or will I regret it? I would leave the gp stock. I know I would miss the whine!

 

I love the thought of that GP but, it is just too harsh for me because I use my 06 jcw as a daily driver. In your scenario, it might be pretty cool.

 

I love my 04 JCW. I really like the super charger! The turbo is better than nothing. I know I would miss my R53 if I traded it for an R56 (nothing against them, don't boo me, just my preference). I just had a client of my wife's want to trade me a BMW 3M for it. I politely told him no thank you. I REALLY like my MINI.

 

I simply won't. On the other hand, if it were a GP1, that's a whole different ball game.

 

I love the way the r53 gp looks as well but not much differint then the jcw i have now. Plus i couldnt give up the xenons/hk for one and my car is faster ;-)

 

As long as you're willing & able to handle the repair costs of an out-of-warranty car, I'd keep the R53 JCW. I have an '06 S, just approaching 57K (and that's after 1700 miles to & from MOTD and drives there). Before I left I had to replace a bunch of gaskets, plus my water pump...total bill was $1K. Plastic & rubber bits dry out over time, regardless of miles driven.

If that stuff doesn't faze you, then absolutely keep the JCW. Interior & exterior styling are superior, and the SC whine...well, I can't live without it hahaha. But if you feel better with a car under warranty, then maybe the GP2 makes sense.

 

I say stick with your R53 jcw.... just on paper and known problems in my mind i think the R53 is better than the R56.

also mechanical LSD is 8 billion times better than an E-Diff

 

Warranties only last so long. For as often as you drive it, sounds like the time will run out before mileage. I love my 06 JCW. Not that it makes difference to GP owners, but I also enjoy having a back seat and quieter ride, since I drive it daily.

 

Yep... stay with the R53, I have both… The R56/Gen 2 Has way to many "finicky problems" that cost a fortune to fix (Hourly Rate, not the parts).. The "carbon build up" sucks the life out of the engine. The R53 is so much easier to work on… I won't, work on the R56.. i get someone else to do it…

 

I don't have anything to add except that Mini of Southampton has a GP with a few hundred miles on it sitting in their showroom.

 

I think it would be a mistake. The R53 is the better engine and the better chassis IMO. The SC is more reliable long term, again, my opinion. I would never buy a car based on possible long term value or investment purposes. The only reason I could see going for the GP would be the performance difference. However, for the amount of money you would pay for the GP, you could build the R53 to be a real monster.