Anyone go from the R58 JCW to the F56 JCW? My R58 has the factory JCW suspension. Just looking for opinions. I love my coupe but I like the look of the new JCW.

I test drove the F56 on the freeway. While it was nice obviously I didn't have a chance to really try it out and understand the car. Plus it had an automatic while nice it isn't what I would buy.

The main thing was I felt it was quiet but I know the R58 exhaust got better after some miles.

I wish I could rent one for a week before committing to an order and purchase.

 

Muffler on the F56 is triple the size of the 2nd gens, it stays quite. Are you a hevy modded or keep them mainly oem ?

 

I think it's an old argument now. The F 56 went too far to BMW. I enjoy the slight roughness of the R5x.
No doubt some durability issues may have been resolved but no matter. I have a awesome set of tools.

And totally a subjective thing. Some people just don't like the looks either way.

OP when did u get your R58. What was the production date. As we have the last of what hopefully will turn out to be a classic someday

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To answer questions:

Modded a bit. I have the factory JCW suspension, and an LSD.

My car is a '15 model produced late last year.

I've been using it as a track/fun car. I also have a Golf R and for some reason that car is a snoozefest. I really despise VW after my experience with a denied warranty claim and a poorly fixed manufacturing defect. The car is refined (read boring). It's fast, carves corners but has no soul.

So my thought was that I could get the F56 JCW HT still have room to tote the kid around in a pinch. If I sell the R and keep only the R58 it's not a good second car for a family.

I have grown quite attached to the R58 though. I bought that car because I missed my '07 R56.

Does anyone fee the F5X has lost that intangible "MINI" character? Test drives are hard to gauge that. I didn't really start to fall in love with the R58 until I ditched the RFTs and stock sport suspension. I would assume with the F56 I likely would be a customer for the JCW pro suspension.

I know most R53 people would disagree but subjectively I felt the R53 and R56 both had that raw character in different ways of course.

 

[QUOTE=fjork_duf;4103460]To answer questions:

Modded a bit. I have the factory JCW suspension, and an LSD.

My car is a '15 model produced late last year.

I've been using it as a track/fun car. I also have a Golf R and for some reason that car is a snoozefest. I really despise VW after my experience with a denied warranty claim and a poorly fixed manufacturing defect. The car is refined (read boring). It's fast, carves corners but has no soul.

So my thought was that I could get the F56 JCW HT still have room to tote the kid around in a pinch. If I sell the R and keep only the R58 it's not a good second car for a family.

I have grown quite attached to the R58 though. I bought that car because I missed my '07 R56.

Does anyone fee the F5X has lost that intangible "MINI" character? Test drives are hard to gauge that.

I had an extended test drive of the JCW and came away very impressed. I went into the test expecting to not like it at all. The sound was the first thing that got me, then the throttle response. And, of course the acceleration. Still don't like the automatic, don't care if it is suppose to be quicker, you still lose the fun and control factor.

Back to your original question: no, it hasn't lost any of its MINI character. If anything, MINI has enhanced it. Just my opinion, of course.

 

Started with an 07 MCS (rear ASB, MT), now a 2014 R58 fJCW with sport suspension, AT. Drove friend's 2015 F56 MCS standard suspension AT on about 30 miles of twisties and high speed turns recently. My exhaust is better. Hers is very quiet. Her engine and mine are pretty close in acceleration. Hers wants to be one gear higher at any speed but it kicks down fast. Twisty handling not even close. Mine's like a go cart hers floats. I'm sure part of that is the more rigid, stiffer frame and body of the Coupe, but hers rides softer over bumps too. You'll want the JCW suspension if you get that car. I bet it's really quick though. Just don't expect it to handle like your R58 on the track, not gonna happen. With that JCW suspension you've probably got the best handling Mini ever made. you might wanna hang on to that baby!

 

They are two different cars and they don't compare in my opinion.

Overall the coupe is far better about handling, body stiffness, driving position, feeling of the engine and exhaust note and it is true that it gets better with time.

As for engine performance, I have a JB+ and I don't see any difference driving the F56 JCW.

 

I'd go with the R58 as I never recommend buying the first year of a new model. Let someone else sort out the bugs.

 

Haha trust me I know. I had an '07 R56 I was definitely a beta tester.

 

The F56 JCW is not bad but as far as I am concerned it is a disappointment.

I hope there will be a new design of the front end coming soon. As for the interior, I would live with most of it if Mini would also review the seats options. They are very narrow and uncomfortable but I supposed you get accustomed to them.

I now have 2 years to make a decision and see improvements. I need to be convinced Mini will produce something better for the 2 seater drivers.

In the meantime, I am really tempted by the new Mustang. The seats and interior design is simply awesome with Premium package and about the same price.

 

The lifecycle refresh for the F56 should be good. I bet they fix the bumper. We will see the center stripes and black headlight housings then too I bet. Just like the R56 series did. I suppose they were around for a few before refresh.

 

The black head and taillight time are available right now, I believe thru a company that is a sponsor her.

 

ECS tuning has them for sale. I bought a set for front and back. Will put on the car when it arrives...hopefully this week.

 

Right, it's ECS that has the black rings. I'll probably get those, then paint them Rally Green to match the paint. I keep going back and forth between Chili Red and Rally Green. Are these headlight/taillight rings paintable? I've considered, when I get my next JCW, of body color on these rings, but if I go Pepper White, black would look better maybe.

 

+1 right here: They fit the F55 also.


http://www.ecstuning.com/News/MINI_F56_Cooper_Base_S_Black_Trim_Rings_2014/

 

I'm really surprised that some aftermarket company has't jumped in with a modified front lower grille piece. For a company that makes modified race accessories for MINI's and others, it shouldn't be all that difficult. Could be a legal issue with the pedestrian thing, but just tuck in it, non thought. Another is duplicating the F54 Clubman style, and probably section it. I like just about all the rest, yes even the tail lights, but that bullhead lower grille does suck. Maybe with the refresh, one could take that off and replace the earlier f56 piece. Just some thoughts.

 

Im going from a R58 jcw to a F56 jcw. Havent got delivery of the new jcw yet so i dont know how didferent these car would be. I did test drove the f56 auto, but its not enough info and time to give a great comparson. The initial feeling was pretty promising. I love the R58, but with my lil girl i could never go out with the family on my car so i need something i can take my family. I hate driving my wifes car lol.

 

Let us know how the F56 JCW compares to the R58. Did you trade in or sell the R58 JCW ? Somebody might be looking for one.

 

I sold it already.

 

Ok, just wanted to know if you posted for sale on the classifieds section here. People are looking for R58 JCWs.

 

Really? I've been thinking of selling mine. '15 JCW suspension and OSGiken LSD. If anyone is interested.

The 911 call is starting to become quite strong so I think I will get one of those or maybe an M2.