R60 Driving Impressions?? All Wheel S vs AW JCW
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 22
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From: MN USA
Driving Impressions?? All Wheel S vs AW JCW
Hi -
I'm a couple months out until I can test drive a CM All Wheel JCW (none in inventory for now)....
Anyone here driven CM AW S vs the JCW?? If so, can you share your driving impressions of the two?
What I think will appeal to me regarding the JCW is the sharper driving responses, + hp/torque, sport exhaust and a ride that seems compliant but not harsh? Or, maybe the driving experience between the S and JCW is minimally different and one might save some $ and go with the JCW exterior package on the S instead?
Been reading some good reviews on the internet, but wondering if anyone here has had the chance to own or drive the two and have an opinion to share?
Much Thx!
I'm a couple months out until I can test drive a CM All Wheel JCW (none in inventory for now)....
Anyone here driven CM AW S vs the JCW?? If so, can you share your driving impressions of the two?
What I think will appeal to me regarding the JCW is the sharper driving responses, + hp/torque, sport exhaust and a ride that seems compliant but not harsh? Or, maybe the driving experience between the S and JCW is minimally different and one might save some $ and go with the JCW exterior package on the S instead?
Been reading some good reviews on the internet, but wondering if anyone here has had the chance to own or drive the two and have an opinion to share?
Much Thx!
Last edited by love me some mini; Jun 17, 2014 at 06:52 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 810
Likes: 63
From: South Central Pennsylvania
For me it was the cornering. The All4 just seems glued to road in corners. I am running 19's with run flats. some say they are harsh, but still softer ride than my Clubbie was.
Other big thing for me is tire wear, I ate the tires off with FWD on my Clubbie. On My All4 I will have 4th rotation at ~19k In a couple of weeks. They look almost new, I have ony chirped twice, downshifting into corner lead ins. I didn't try on my CMS test drive, but I bet I would spin tires allot like on my clubbie. The All4 puts all of the power on the ground.
Big thing is you will enjoy whichever you buy, since both options are Mini!
Other big thing for me is tire wear, I ate the tires off with FWD on my Clubbie. On My All4 I will have 4th rotation at ~19k In a couple of weeks. They look almost new, I have ony chirped twice, downshifting into corner lead ins. I didn't try on my CMS test drive, but I bet I would spin tires allot like on my clubbie. The All4 puts all of the power on the ground.
Big thing is you will enjoy whichever you buy, since both options are Mini!
Hi -
I'm a couple months out until I can test drive a CM All Wheel JCW (none in inventory for now)....
Anyone here driven CM AW S vs the JCW?? If so, can you share your driving impressions of the two?
What I think will appeal to me regarding the JCW is the sharper driving responses, + hp/torque, sport exhaust and a ride that seems compliant but not harsh? Or, maybe the driving experience between the S and JCW is minimally different and one might save some $ and go with the JCW exterior package on the S instead?
Been reading some good reviews on the internet, but wondering if anyone
here has had the chance to own or drive the two and have an opinion to share?
Much Thx!
I'm a couple months out until I can test drive a CM All Wheel JCW (none in inventory for now)....
Anyone here driven CM AW S vs the JCW?? If so, can you share your driving impressions of the two?
What I think will appeal to me regarding the JCW is the sharper driving responses, + hp/torque, sport exhaust and a ride that seems compliant but not harsh? Or, maybe the driving experience between the S and JCW is minimally different and one might save some $ and go with the JCW exterior package on the S instead?
Been reading some good reviews on the internet, but wondering if anyone
here has had the chance to own or drive the two and have an opinion to share?
Much Thx!
MsBrit
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 615
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, OH
The motor and response in the JCW is quite a bit different from the S. I see posts that only talk about the higher HP, but there is a good deal more there: HP peak reached at a higher point than the S, and the over boost feature in the JCW is a big help when you are pulling around that much weight (as small cars go, the CM JCW with All4 is a pig weight-wise).
The power delivery in the JCW is also different from the S in my experience (we drove two S models, one of them over a 3 day period before ordering our JCW). the JCW power comes on in a more linear fashion-almost feels like a normally aspirated engine in that regard-and I prefer it. Add in more robust engine internals and a heavy duty clutch, and the $7k upgrade to the JCW was well worth it to us.
The front Brembo binders on the JCW are very nice as well. You have to get used to the braking, as a moderate touch will nose it down very quickly !
Now, a word of caution. I don't know if you have or have owned more traditional MINI S models in the past, but the CM JCW does NOT have the pop and gurgling exhaust over run sound of the traditional Mini when in SPORT mode. While the sport exhaust is more "present" on the JCW compared to the S Countryman, that's about it. On the odd occasion, we will hear a slight burp, maybe. My wife is very jealous of my R56 JCW because it has the traditional snap/crackle/pop in spades.
The engineers tuned it out of the US-bound CM JCW's, although the European models have it.
As for suspension, ours came with the sport suspension and I would recommend it. As you said, the ride is firm but not harsh. There was still a little too much body roll in the turns for my taste though, so I added a front strut brace/bar and a 22mm rear anti-sway bar. Now the handling is much improved
either way you go, it appears you are looking at getting the ALL4 system, and that is an absolute MUST! Folks talk a lot about how great it is in the winter, and true, having a 50/50 balance of power front to rear when taking off from a dead stop on snow or ice is fantastic. But that All4, while not technically a performance system like in the Subaru STI, does a great job in the twisties. REally keeps the rear end of the car planted and it rotates very nicely through turns. Try as I might, I find it difficult to get the rear end to step out on me as FWD cars can do.
Finally, unless you have a physical limitation, get the M6 transmission to get the full MINI driving experience. I know you can get an auto with paddle shifters, but we are not talking about a Ferrari or Audi transmission here that shifts in the low milliseconds with the paddles-shifts are sluggish IMO. You will save about $1200, and experience a huge leap in fun factor. The shifter/transmission combo in manual Minis is silky smooth and the 3 pedal configuration layout is perfect for heel/toe downshifting...It's a blast rowing through the gears in a Mini.
The power delivery in the JCW is also different from the S in my experience (we drove two S models, one of them over a 3 day period before ordering our JCW). the JCW power comes on in a more linear fashion-almost feels like a normally aspirated engine in that regard-and I prefer it. Add in more robust engine internals and a heavy duty clutch, and the $7k upgrade to the JCW was well worth it to us.
The front Brembo binders on the JCW are very nice as well. You have to get used to the braking, as a moderate touch will nose it down very quickly !
Now, a word of caution. I don't know if you have or have owned more traditional MINI S models in the past, but the CM JCW does NOT have the pop and gurgling exhaust over run sound of the traditional Mini when in SPORT mode. While the sport exhaust is more "present" on the JCW compared to the S Countryman, that's about it. On the odd occasion, we will hear a slight burp, maybe. My wife is very jealous of my R56 JCW because it has the traditional snap/crackle/pop in spades.
The engineers tuned it out of the US-bound CM JCW's, although the European models have it.
As for suspension, ours came with the sport suspension and I would recommend it. As you said, the ride is firm but not harsh. There was still a little too much body roll in the turns for my taste though, so I added a front strut brace/bar and a 22mm rear anti-sway bar. Now the handling is much improved
either way you go, it appears you are looking at getting the ALL4 system, and that is an absolute MUST! Folks talk a lot about how great it is in the winter, and true, having a 50/50 balance of power front to rear when taking off from a dead stop on snow or ice is fantastic. But that All4, while not technically a performance system like in the Subaru STI, does a great job in the twisties. REally keeps the rear end of the car planted and it rotates very nicely through turns. Try as I might, I find it difficult to get the rear end to step out on me as FWD cars can do.
Finally, unless you have a physical limitation, get the M6 transmission to get the full MINI driving experience. I know you can get an auto with paddle shifters, but we are not talking about a Ferrari or Audi transmission here that shifts in the low milliseconds with the paddles-shifts are sluggish IMO. You will save about $1200, and experience a huge leap in fun factor. The shifter/transmission combo in manual Minis is silky smooth and the 3 pedal configuration layout is perfect for heel/toe downshifting...It's a blast rowing through the gears in a Mini.
Last edited by Z06_Pilot; Jun 18, 2014 at 05:41 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
The motor and response in the JCW is quite a bit different from the S. I see posts that only talk about the higher HP, but there is a good deal more there: HP peak reached at a higher point than the S, and the over boost feature in the JCW is a big help when you are pulling around that much weight (as small cars go, the CM JCW with All4 is a pig weight-wise).
The power delivery in the JCW is also different from the S in my experience (we drove two S models, one of them over a 3 day period before ordering our JCW). the JCW power comes on in a more linear fashion-almost feels like a normally aspirated engine in that regard-and I prefer it. Add in more robust engine internals and a heavy duty clutch, and the $7k upgrade to the JCW was well worth it to us.
The front Brembo binders on the JCW are very nice as well. You have to get used to the braking, as a moderate touch will nose it down very quickly !
Now, a word of caution. I don't know if you have or have owned more traditional MINI S models in the past, but the CM JCW does NOT have the pop and gurgling exhaust over run sound of the traditional Mini when in SPORT mode. While the sport exhaust is more "present" on the JCW compared to the S Countryman, that's about it. On the odd occasion, we will hear a slight burp, maybe. My wife is very jealous of my R56 JCW because it has the traditional snap/crackle/pop in spades.
The engineers tuned it out of the US-bound CM JCW's, although the European models have it.
As for suspension, ours came with the sport suspension and I would recommend it. As you said, the ride is firm but not harsh. There was still a little too much body roll in the turns for my taste though, so I added a front strut brace/bar and a 22mm rear anti-sway bar. Now the handling is much improved
either way you go, it appears you are looking at getting the ALL4 system, and that is an absolute MUST! Folks talk a lot about how great it is in the winter, and true, having a 50/50 balance of power front to rear when taking off from a dead stop on snow or ice is fantastic. But that All4, while not technically a performance system like in the Subaru STI, does a great job in the twisties. REally keeps the rear end of the car planted and it rotates very nicely through turns. Try as I might, I find it difficult to get the rear end to step out on me as FWD cars can do.
Finally, unless you have a physical limitation, get the M6 transmission to get the full MINI driving experience. I know you can get an auto with paddle shifters, but we are not talking about a Ferrari or Audi transmission here that shifts in the low milliseconds with the paddles-shifts are sluggish IMO. You will save about $1200, and experience a huge leap in fun factor. The shifter/transmission combo in manual Minis is silky smooth and the 3 pedal configuration layout is perfect for heel/toe downshifting...It's a blast rowing through the gears in a Mini.
The power delivery in the JCW is also different from the S in my experience (we drove two S models, one of them over a 3 day period before ordering our JCW). the JCW power comes on in a more linear fashion-almost feels like a normally aspirated engine in that regard-and I prefer it. Add in more robust engine internals and a heavy duty clutch, and the $7k upgrade to the JCW was well worth it to us.
The front Brembo binders on the JCW are very nice as well. You have to get used to the braking, as a moderate touch will nose it down very quickly !
Now, a word of caution. I don't know if you have or have owned more traditional MINI S models in the past, but the CM JCW does NOT have the pop and gurgling exhaust over run sound of the traditional Mini when in SPORT mode. While the sport exhaust is more "present" on the JCW compared to the S Countryman, that's about it. On the odd occasion, we will hear a slight burp, maybe. My wife is very jealous of my R56 JCW because it has the traditional snap/crackle/pop in spades.
The engineers tuned it out of the US-bound CM JCW's, although the European models have it.
As for suspension, ours came with the sport suspension and I would recommend it. As you said, the ride is firm but not harsh. There was still a little too much body roll in the turns for my taste though, so I added a front strut brace/bar and a 22mm rear anti-sway bar. Now the handling is much improved
either way you go, it appears you are looking at getting the ALL4 system, and that is an absolute MUST! Folks talk a lot about how great it is in the winter, and true, having a 50/50 balance of power front to rear when taking off from a dead stop on snow or ice is fantastic. But that All4, while not technically a performance system like in the Subaru STI, does a great job in the twisties. REally keeps the rear end of the car planted and it rotates very nicely through turns. Try as I might, I find it difficult to get the rear end to step out on me as FWD cars can do.
Finally, unless you have a physical limitation, get the M6 transmission to get the full MINI driving experience. I know you can get an auto with paddle shifters, but we are not talking about a Ferrari or Audi transmission here that shifts in the low milliseconds with the paddles-shifts are sluggish IMO. You will save about $1200, and experience a huge leap in fun factor. The shifter/transmission combo in manual Minis is silky smooth and the 3 pedal configuration layout is perfect for heel/toe downshifting...It's a blast rowing through the gears in a Mini.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 22
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From: MN USA
Thanks Z...
Better than I've been able to find on any car rag review
Glad to hear about the linear power delivery - hate a torque lag and then whoosh!
Not happy with your report regarding the Sport Exhaust on CM JCW....I love me some snap/crackle/pop
The JCW package is definitely something I'll have to compare for myself vs the S given the significant differences you depicted so well.
Regarding the stick vs auto? I'm in too much traffic Mon-Fri to take-on rowing through the gears myself..IF this wasn't my EDD I might reconsider that.
What makes me nervous about the JCW? Sniffing BMW/Audi pricing once it's got Nav, Xenon's etc..If that's the case? I might just go the German lux route again. I've been driving BMW's the last 15 years.
Lots to consider - great post much appreciate (and appreciate the other responses on here too)
Better than I've been able to find on any car rag review
Glad to hear about the linear power delivery - hate a torque lag and then whoosh!
Not happy with your report regarding the Sport Exhaust on CM JCW....I love me some snap/crackle/pop
The JCW package is definitely something I'll have to compare for myself vs the S given the significant differences you depicted so well.
Regarding the stick vs auto? I'm in too much traffic Mon-Fri to take-on rowing through the gears myself..IF this wasn't my EDD I might reconsider that.
What makes me nervous about the JCW? Sniffing BMW/Audi pricing once it's got Nav, Xenon's etc..If that's the case? I might just go the German lux route again. I've been driving BMW's the last 15 years.
Lots to consider - great post much appreciate (and appreciate the other responses on here too)
The motor and response in the JCW is quite a bit different from the S. I see posts that only talk about the higher HP, but there is a good deal more there: HP peak reached at a higher point than the S, and the over boost feature in the JCW is a big help when you are pulling around that much weight (as small cars go, the CM JCW with All4 is a pig weight-wise).
The power delivery in the JCW is also different from the S in my experience (we drove two S models, one of them over a 3 day period before ordering our JCW). the JCW power comes on in a more linear fashion-almost feels like a normally aspirated engine in that regard-and I prefer it. Add in more robust engine internals and a heavy duty clutch, and the $7k upgrade to the JCW was well worth it to us.
The front Brembo binders on the JCW are very nice as well. You have to get used to the braking, as a moderate touch will nose it down very quickly !
Now, a word of caution. I don't know if you have or have owned more traditional MINI S models in the past, but the CM JCW does NOT have the pop and gurgling exhaust over run sound of the traditional Mini when in SPORT mode. While the sport exhaust is more "present" on the JCW compared to the S Countryman, that's about it. On the odd occasion, we will hear a slight burp, maybe. My wife is very jealous of my R56 JCW because it has the traditional snap/crackle/pop in spades.
The engineers tuned it out of the US-bound CM JCW's, although the European models have it.
As for suspension, ours came with the sport suspension and I would recommend it. As you said, the ride is firm but not harsh. There was still a little too much body roll in the turns for my taste though, so I added a front strut brace/bar and a 22mm rear anti-sway bar. Now the handling is much improved
either way you go, it appears you are looking at getting the ALL4 system, and that is an absolute MUST! Folks talk a lot about how great it is in the winter, and true, having a 50/50 balance of power front to rear when taking off from a dead stop on snow or ice is fantastic. But that All4, while not technically a performance system like in the Subaru STI, does a great job in the twisties. REally keeps the rear end of the car planted and it rotates very nicely through turns. Try as I might, I find it difficult to get the rear end to step out on me as FWD cars can do.
Finally, unless you have a physical limitation, get the M6 transmission to get the full MINI driving experience. I know you can get an auto with paddle shifters, but we are not talking about a Ferrari or Audi transmission here that shifts in the low milliseconds with the paddles-shifts are sluggish IMO. You will save about $1200, and experience a huge leap in fun factor. The shifter/transmission combo in manual Minis is silky smooth and the 3 pedal configuration layout is perfect for heel/toe downshifting...It's a blast rowing through the gears in a Mini.
The power delivery in the JCW is also different from the S in my experience (we drove two S models, one of them over a 3 day period before ordering our JCW). the JCW power comes on in a more linear fashion-almost feels like a normally aspirated engine in that regard-and I prefer it. Add in more robust engine internals and a heavy duty clutch, and the $7k upgrade to the JCW was well worth it to us.
The front Brembo binders on the JCW are very nice as well. You have to get used to the braking, as a moderate touch will nose it down very quickly !
Now, a word of caution. I don't know if you have or have owned more traditional MINI S models in the past, but the CM JCW does NOT have the pop and gurgling exhaust over run sound of the traditional Mini when in SPORT mode. While the sport exhaust is more "present" on the JCW compared to the S Countryman, that's about it. On the odd occasion, we will hear a slight burp, maybe. My wife is very jealous of my R56 JCW because it has the traditional snap/crackle/pop in spades.
The engineers tuned it out of the US-bound CM JCW's, although the European models have it.
As for suspension, ours came with the sport suspension and I would recommend it. As you said, the ride is firm but not harsh. There was still a little too much body roll in the turns for my taste though, so I added a front strut brace/bar and a 22mm rear anti-sway bar. Now the handling is much improved
either way you go, it appears you are looking at getting the ALL4 system, and that is an absolute MUST! Folks talk a lot about how great it is in the winter, and true, having a 50/50 balance of power front to rear when taking off from a dead stop on snow or ice is fantastic. But that All4, while not technically a performance system like in the Subaru STI, does a great job in the twisties. REally keeps the rear end of the car planted and it rotates very nicely through turns. Try as I might, I find it difficult to get the rear end to step out on me as FWD cars can do.
Finally, unless you have a physical limitation, get the M6 transmission to get the full MINI driving experience. I know you can get an auto with paddle shifters, but we are not talking about a Ferrari or Audi transmission here that shifts in the low milliseconds with the paddles-shifts are sluggish IMO. You will save about $1200, and experience a huge leap in fun factor. The shifter/transmission combo in manual Minis is silky smooth and the 3 pedal configuration layout is perfect for heel/toe downshifting...It's a blast rowing through the gears in a Mini.
Last edited by love me some mini; Jun 18, 2014 at 07:33 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 615
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, OH
Thanks Z...
Better than I've been able to find on any car rag review
Glad to hear about the linear power delivery - hate a torque lag and then whoosh!
Not happy with your report regarding the Sport Exhaust on CM JCW....I love me some snap/crackle/pop
The JCW package is definitely something I'll have to compare for myself vs the S given the significant differences you depicted so well.
Regarding the stick vs auto? I'm in too much traffic Mon-Fri to take-on rowing through the gears myself..IF this wasn't my EDD I might reconsider that.
What makes me nervous about the JCW? Sniffing BMW/Audi pricing once it's got Nav, Xenon's etc..If that's the case? I might just go the German lux route again. I've been driving BMW's the last 15 years.
Lots to consider - great post much appreciate (and appreciate the other responses on here too)
Better than I've been able to find on any car rag review
Glad to hear about the linear power delivery - hate a torque lag and then whoosh!
Not happy with your report regarding the Sport Exhaust on CM JCW....I love me some snap/crackle/pop
The JCW package is definitely something I'll have to compare for myself vs the S given the significant differences you depicted so well.
Regarding the stick vs auto? I'm in too much traffic Mon-Fri to take-on rowing through the gears myself..IF this wasn't my EDD I might reconsider that.
What makes me nervous about the JCW? Sniffing BMW/Audi pricing once it's got Nav, Xenon's etc..If that's the case? I might just go the German lux route again. I've been driving BMW's the last 15 years.
Lots to consider - great post much appreciate (and appreciate the other responses on here too)
Pricing-oh no doubt you are buying a BMW product-holy moly they are costly! My wife and I checked virtually every option box when we ordered ours, and the bottom line was eye-popping. Numerous other cars we could have bought in that price range.
Problem is, they were all so boring. I have never really liked BMW's. They all have a sterile, clinical feel to me. It's like the engineers spent way too much time in front of super computers and not enough time in the seat on the road-just from my driving several of them over the years (the exception, IMO, was the M5 with the F1-derived V10-that car seriously moved me in many ways; wow what a ride).
The CM is just such a quirky, unique, and very driver engaging car-nothing else like it anywhere, and that was worth a lot to us.
BTW, the only aftermarket exhaust I have found for the CM JCW is from VIP engineering in Phoenix. They designed it to line up perfectly with the rear valence and external exhaust tips on the JCW. I called and talked to them at length. The bottom line is, they tell me the sound is really no different from stock JCW, but you get a slight bump in power....$1299 for that? Nah.
good luck in your search!
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Hey, just to comment on a couple of things you mention....
Pricing-oh no doubt you are buying a BMW product-holy moly they are costly! My wife and I checked virtually every option box when we ordered ours, and the bottom line was eye-popping. Numerous other cars we could have bought in that price range.
Problem is, they were all so boring. I have never really liked BMW's. They all have a sterile, clinical feel to me. It's like the engineers spent way too much time in front of super computers and not enough time in the seat on the road-just from my driving several of them over the years (the exception, IMO, was the M5 with the F1-derived V10-that car seriously moved me in many ways; wow what a ride).
The CM is just such a quirky, unique, and very driver engaging car-nothing else like it anywhere, and that was worth a lot to us.
BTW, the only aftermarket exhaust I have found for the CM JCW is from VIP engineering in Phoenix. They designed it to line up perfectly with the rear valence and external exhaust tips on the JCW. I called and talked to them at length. The bottom line is, they tell me the sound is really no different from stock JCW, but you get a slight bump in power....$1299 for that? Nah.
good luck in your search!
Pricing-oh no doubt you are buying a BMW product-holy moly they are costly! My wife and I checked virtually every option box when we ordered ours, and the bottom line was eye-popping. Numerous other cars we could have bought in that price range.
Problem is, they were all so boring. I have never really liked BMW's. They all have a sterile, clinical feel to me. It's like the engineers spent way too much time in front of super computers and not enough time in the seat on the road-just from my driving several of them over the years (the exception, IMO, was the M5 with the F1-derived V10-that car seriously moved me in many ways; wow what a ride).
The CM is just such a quirky, unique, and very driver engaging car-nothing else like it anywhere, and that was worth a lot to us.
BTW, the only aftermarket exhaust I have found for the CM JCW is from VIP engineering in Phoenix. They designed it to line up perfectly with the rear valence and external exhaust tips on the JCW. I called and talked to them at length. The bottom line is, they tell me the sound is really no different from stock JCW, but you get a slight bump in power....$1299 for that? Nah.
good luck in your search!
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 615
Likes: 1
From: Columbus, OH
Quicksilver out of the UK makes an aftermarket exhaust as well for the JCW, but it's a bit pricy at $1600.00. Someone linked a video somewhere on the forums of what it sounds like, and it really brings the gurgle and pop. I have one on the way, should get here the first week of July.
thanks.
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