Hello,

I am looking at two MCSs. One has a factory aero kit and beautiful leather seats with colored piping, but no JCW package. The other one has the JCW package installed at the dealer, but with very minimal option and no aero kit. Same year, similar mileage and similar condition.

I guess that it comes down to show vs. go. What would cost more if I were to have both down the road? Should I go for the one with the aero kit and then add the JCW performance goodies or the other way?

I have seen ones that have both, but they are out of my budget.

 

Do you like people on the sidewalk staring at your car as you zoom by?

or

Do you like people in their cars stare at you *** when you drive by?

Test drive both of them and you will have your answer.

 

I had a similar dilemma when I bought mine as the but the aero kit was the only thing missing I wanted. I'm personally much more of a "go" person than a "show" person so I opted for the JCW and every day I'm glad I did. It provides me many more grins than the aero kit would have.

 

If you want both eventually, I would say go for the show one now. The cost of replacing the seats with the nice leather package (my father's cooper has them and they are spectacular) would be very high. Also the aero kit would be costly to have installed and painted. Many performance upgrades you can do yourself and can get JCW or aftermarket and just do it yourself as you can afford.

Also is it a factory JCW meaning it does not say CooperS on it anywhere, or is it a CooperS with the stage 1 JCW kit?

If it is the factory JCW that is a little more tempting because that includes engine upgrades that would be more difficult to do aftermarket. If it is the stage 1 that is easily added at anytime and like I said before can be done with non JCW parts a lot cheaper.

 

Personally, I would go with the one with the JCW bits already bolted in. It is a lot harder and costlier to add the stuff later down the road. Performance is better over looks. Besides you are already getting a gorgeous looking car.

The Aero kit trim can always be added at a later time and nowhere near the cost and downtime of adding the JCW engine bits.

Just my $.03

 

He is looking at used R53s, not R56s. JCW kit stage I only applies to the new MINIs.

 

What years are you looking at? Factory JCW cars (R53 era) did not were offered until the 2006MY. Any R53 with a JCW kit before that was likely dealer installed.

 

+1

 

It "was" 2005 with the JCW kit installed at the dealer. When I arrived at the dealer, they were already signing the paper with the new buyers. What a timing.

I also went to see the one with the aero kit. Oh, boy...., the paint job on the aero kit was not good at all. There was overspray everywhere. It must have been done at a cheap body shop. Too bad.., I really loved the interior of the car with beautiful leather seats.

My search continues...

 

Is the paint job something that could be fixed? It would be a good point to use to talk down the price.