I have always wanted one of two cars...A Mini Cooper JCW and an Audi RS3. The 2019 Mini JCW I have is great...but I have a chance to get a 2019 Audi RS3 (which are very hard to come by) at this time. I am really having a hard time thinking about giving up my JCW ...AND... having the same hard time not going for the Audi RS3. It is killing me. If there is a way to keep both I would/will be happy!!! The good part is the Audi in a DCT and other half could drive it...she doesn't like the small Mini or manual Tranny.

The dealership only gets 2-3 a year so it could be gone in a flash...Dazed and Confused

 

Wow, that's a hard decision. I was trying to keep up with an RS3 the other day through the canyon and nope, that extra cylinder and all-wheel drive can make a huge difference. For me it would come down to the payments, then the fun factor. Kind of made me miss my S4 a little, then I was like naw, I love my JCW.

 

Buy the RS and then find you a GOOD used older 2013 and up JCW. Once again the best of both worlds IMO. Good luck on whatever you choose, you decide.

 

Well...pricing wise I have just told the dealership I am shopping around and thinking about pricing. Tonight they have sent me an email and offered $15000 OFF.

Now with everything but taxes the price is $48500 Total. That is Great. Deal is good until Oct 31st

 

An RS3 for S48.5k is a sweet deal. Did you test drive it yet? Test it then decide and post results.
I was considering an RS3 (or Gulia) but decided to keep my 2017 Accord V6 and the JCW instead- sometimes two cars are better than one.
My guess is it'll sacrifice some fun "being heavier- no manual" for more HP and practicality.

 

Price makes it very DOABLE.
Performance makes it WANTED.
DCT makes it DRIVEABLE for My Better Half.

All the Above makes it POSSIBLE to keep the Mini JCW!!!

Audi RS3:394 HP/354 Torque...…………………….. MINI JCW: ~290+HP/~280+Torque w/ Tune & Parts
................3593 #'s...………………………………………………...…….2740 #'s as it sits
................0-60 in 3.9 seconds...……………………………………..~0-60 in 5.4
...............Quattro...…………………………………………………….…... Front Wheel Drive w/ WaveTrac LSD
...............SCCA BS AutoX…………………………………………........SCCA STU AutoX

 

So you could keep both? ? I'm curious what you think about it after a test ride, might love it or not be impressed.

 

Go for it! I was debating about getting the BMW 2 series hot coupe instead of the GP, but decided to wait for the GP3. Minis are special and have more personality than other cars. My current JCW, is my favorite car of all times, not the fastest, by far, but the most fun by far. I plan on keeping it as a daily and getting the GP for great twisty roads and the track.

 

So the next important deciding factor, what's the RS3 color? Hope it's an exclusive one, then definitely get it.

 

Black Metallic...

 

I own a RS3 and a JCW. Totally different cars. You will love the RS3.

 

Unfortunately you cannot get exclusive colors anymore but better for my resale value

 

The one thing that might push me over the edge to get the RS3 is that I can pull the Mini JCW out of the SCCA STU Class which limits my mods. I would race the RS3 in SCCA BS and then add some stuff to the Mini...a long list including Intercooler, Carbon Hood Vents, Working Carbon Hood Scoop. maybe pull the rea seats and add the cover...and more...

 

RS3. No brainer.

 

 

 

Nice! Definitely a sweet ride.

 

I love my mini but the RS3 is an amazing car. I would get the RS3 and try for a nice used JCW if possible.

 

*edit*
didn't see your other thread

 

So did you get it. We love ours.

 

Maybe I can help. My current car is a 2017 Audi S3 (that's been modded) and the car I had before my S3 was a 2012 Mini Clubman S (That was modded). I'm back on the mini forum because honestly, I'm not satisfied with my S3 and I'm thinking about buying another Mini, this time possibly a JCW Clubman. You're going to sorely miss your JCW- let me explain:

I bought my S3 new. My mini was costing roughly $1300 a month in just repairs every month. The harsh suspension would crash over bumps making everyday commuting a pain. And the car sucked even with snow tires in the winter. Winter traction in the mini was attrocious. The S3 gave me more power, AWD, Toyota Reliability, a comfy enough suspension and would still be fun to drive all for around the same price my mini cost. So, I've had the S3 for almost 3 years, and the suspension leans so bad in the curves. In tight curves it sux, but even driving sweeping turns in Vermont on the way up to a ski mountian, the car sways back and fourth and feels the opposite of tight. Even in its sportiest mode, the steering feel is way off...... In the tightest mode (Dynamic) it feels anything but tight. I drove the Type-R recently too and that car has a great steering feel. My S3... Not so much . Now, maybe you're saying to yourself... "Well I'm not looking at the S3, I'm looking at the RS3". The biggest difference between the S3 and RS3 is the power. RS3 makes about 100 more. Well, I have an APR Stage 2 Tune on my Audi. It makes like 370 hp and 383 tq (which I think is slightly less power and slightly more tq than the RS3). My S3 is faster than ANY JCW. I've raced v8 muscle cars and accelerated faster than them. So yeah- if straight line speed is your thing, than the RS3 might be your cup of tea. But I SOOOOOOOOOOOO miss the dynamics I had in my mini. And if you're the rare type of driver who can appreciate dynamics (like me), than you're going to hate the RS3. its about as dynamic as a brick.

I had just test driven an Alfa Giulia QV (500hp ferrari derived V6) and is was SWEET! Totally blew the doors off my S3 is just about every way. I loved it but the hefty price kept me away. Plus being a skier, that much power and rwd would make an awful winter car. So, I went over to mini to drive the new 2020 JCW clubman just for a laugh, and I really loved. It has all those dynamics I've been missing in my audi. It is a little slower than my audi, but so much more fun. I'm still looking for a new car, there are a few things I haven't driven yet, a Ford Raptor is one of them ironically. And eventually I'll decide what to do. But currently occuping the top spot as the car I've liked the most is the new 2020 300 hp AWD mini Clubman JCW. YEs, I like it more than the Type R.

FWIW, If you want something similar but different to your JCW, I'd recommend trying to find the Ford Focus RS. Ford never should have cancelled production. It's a hoot of a car to drive.

 

Let me explain: I kept my 2019 Mini Cooper JCW that is "modded" for AutoX Street Touring Ultra...won STU yesterday running in the first heat (colder asphalt/dusty) of three and won by 1.804 seconds to a 5.0 Mustang, AudiS3, Nissan 370...ect...I also beat STH, STR, STX, STS, SSC that ran in heats 2 and 3 on a cleaner course. I finished in 30th place on raw time out of 149 vehicles. The JCW is going nowhere but in my garage! One more AutoX this year and then three more planned mods...1) MarioKart Tune to just under 300hp 2) 2.75" Catted Downpipe after I get it ThermalCeramic Coated 3) New Springs (differently rated) and tire size (not too much bigger) for 2020.

As for the 2019 Audi RS3, it is a blast to drive daily although I do drive my 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD (Common Rail Diesel) on many days especially when the weather sucks. I ...might... set up the Audi for SCCA B Street for Nationals in 2020 but not sure. I might do the smart thing and just keep it like it is...

 

Our 2016 loaded F56 JCW is our favorite car of all times! It has been flawless with 51,000 miles on it now. I did install the NM module and it made a huge difference in power. But, for a a daily driver and multiple trips to eastern Tennessee and North Carolina as well as local backroads it is a hoot, and true joy to drive. It did dyno at 269 horsepower and change and it is fast. However, the Subaru WRXs have really put me to shame on the Tail of the Dragon, however, personally speaking they are extraordinarily fugly! I hope the F56 GP will be competitive with the Subarus and help me rectify this situation!

 

Keep the Mini. Much cooler looking car.