Since there isn't a dedicated section for the new 3rd generation convertibles (yet), I will post here.

I just traded in my 2015 S convertible with the sport suspension and picked up a new JCW 2017 convertible with the dynamic damper control (as most of you know, 2015 convertibles were still the old 2nd generation Mini).

The new 2017 JCW convertible is a nice car and has a quieter and much more refined driving feel (and isn't a rattle trap like the other one was) but it seems to lack some of the sporty feel of the old car. Yes I can put the new one in sport mode, and it does make a difference, but I somewhat miss the old, less refined, ride of the other car. I don't know if it's because the new one has the dynamic damper suspension instead of the dedicated sport suspension, or something else, but it doesn't feel quite as sporty (but I'm sure my wife will like the, YUCK, Green Mode though).

I expected a huge performance difference with the new car but it just doesn't feel that much faster or sporty. Is it because it is now a quieter more refined ride? I don't know.

However, maybe after driving it a few more miles, and possibly adding a few suspension tweeks, I may actually like the new ride better…….. I guess I will have to wait and see.

BUT, please don't get me wrong, I still love the new car, and don't want the old car back, but the fun factor just isn't as noticeable as I expected.

 

It is much faster with the 2.0 engine and the handling is different as well. I miss the darty feel of our R56 JCW, but the F is a better machine with a lot more torque and power. Handling at high speed 110 mph + is much better with the F and the difference in torque is impressive as well. It is a better mouse trap, but I do miss the R though as it felt more nimble, but after 7,000 miles I am much happier with the F. Give it time and really get down into it to feel the power, the over boost is amazing!

 

Congratulations on the new car, I had the same thought about trading my 8 month old 2015 s convertible with 4,000 miles on it went to the dealer and he offered me 13,000 less than I paid. Needless to say I left without a new car.
Would you share what you got for a trade on your 2015? I'm in Connecticut and there are only 2 mini dealers in the state.
Thank you

 

Congrats on the new car! The exhaust sounds in sport mode must be pretty nice with the top down.

I drove the F56 JCW at a race track back to back with my slightly modded R53 JCW... the F56 felt heavy and sluggish and less direct in comparison, both in straight line and in the corners. But it's certainly a nicer car to be in, and pretty quick too.

 

Looks great.

 

Consider a rear swaybar. They are available for the F56 with the DDC option some have already added one. When I drove my friend's F56 MCS I did notice quite a bit of understeer and body lean compared to my R58 with Sport Suspension.

 

Thanks for the advise, that is one of the tweeks I was considering. Along with that I also thought about asking who might have done it and what their opinion was of the change. Thanks again, now I have at least one positive opinion..

 

My trade had about 7500 mi on it and they gave me $22,000 in trade. I probably could have got a little more if I had sold it myself or tried other wholesale dealers, but obviously I didn't. Oh well.

 

Yes I am beginning to like the feel of the new model better because it certainly has a tighter feel than the old car. However, I did take the old car to 136 mph (it wouldn't go any faster) shortly before I traded it in and to its credit it felt very smooth and steady............ Who knows, maybe someday I'll get the opportunity to run the new one to its rated top speed.

 

It's solid at 140, that's the fastest I have it to-date. It still had ample throttle left at that point as well, I think it will top 150 easily. I thought it was much steadier at speed than my R.

 

Do you know what size rear sway bar is recommended for street use? I just measured mine and it already has a 22mm bar (although I couldn't tell if it is a solid or hollow bar, but it seemed like a solid bar). I have seen 25mm bars offered but thought the 22mm was what is normally recommended for the street.

 

The old 2015, 1.6L convertible was all done at 136 mph, but to be fair it was at about 3500' elevation and a slight uphill grade. If it was on a flat road at sea level it may have gone to its governed 140 mph rating.

 

The fastest I had the R was 131 at the track at Kershaw, N. C. The F56 reaching 140 was at the Indianapolis Speedway.

 

Give it at least 5k then if it's not scary enough....BM or NM tune. Rear sb first. ...and ditch the run flats...
Fun!!!!

 

Yes, the Michelin Pilot Super Sports are a great track tire and the Pilot
Sport A/S 3+ are a great street tire that is a decent compromise for general driving and occasional track use. The difference in comfort, handling, and noise is amazing.

 

Interesting. Hard you mention this before. I have run the SS for 2 years (in summer). They are great on the corners but are a bit noisy...

 

That sound like good advise but I may do the NM tune sooner than 5K. The $400 cost isn't going to kill me and from what I have read it is a "no problem" upgrade. I'm not sure about the rear sway bar though; mine already has a 22mm rear bar from the factory.


As for the tires I think you guys are correct there as well. I had a set of Michelin Pilot Sports on a 5.0 Mustang and I really liked them but I need to wait a while before I make that change.


I love the Mini's (obviously, I've now bought two of them) but after owning several high performance Corvette's and Mustangs I don't think my Mini will ever be scary fast. It will be (actually is) more OVERALL fun but it will never be as fast.


I have friends with their hot rods & big V8 cars who laugh at my Mini (let them laugh), but they can laugh all they want because they don't know what they are missing!

 

The mini is our favorite performance driving car and we love the twisties. There is just something about the mini, perhaps it is just a driver's car. We love the corvette (C7) and it is a hoot as well, but we generally pick the mini to get our kicks. But, there is something to be said for 190 mph as well, but at my age that will only be a straight line speed, something like the Texas Mile. The new F seems more stable at speeds over 110-115 to me than the R was, less darty, but I still miss the R56 JCW that we had sometimes, but the power of the F soon compensates for that. With the NM module and the performance exhaust the power and particularly the torque are exceptional.

 

It's a hollow bar. I think the stock solid bar was 17mm on my car. I upgraded to 19mm middle setting on my 2007 MCS. I think the sport suspension on my car is 18mm. So what I remember is people get a 25mm hollow bar for your car and liked it, didn't think it oversteered the car. Check NM and see if they sell them, or another 3rd party vendor that hangs out here might chime in with advice. People love that $400 NM tune gadget. I'm afraid to buy one for my car, I go pretty fast as it is lol.

 

Yes its a hollow 22mm bar the NM bar is 22mm solid. No comparison after the install. Centres the car much more predicable and less "bouncy" (for what of a better word).
Best money you can spend and you can install it yourself and really bond with your car!

 

You won't go any faster, you just get there (top speed) faster!