I'm wondering what would be better a JCW or S that I can add engine performance mods to to make it a real performer. I already own a 04 Cooper and love the sweet smooth little engine and I'm going to keep it as a daily driver. I want something that's a real screamer for weekends/warm days driving in the country twisties around where we live. When I was riding motorcycles I rode a new Goldwing and for kicks a unrestricted Hayabusa. Need to replace the Hayabusa with a hot Mini Cooper since I quit riding 4 years ago. Suggestions/help.

 

My Vote would be just a S because you can take that money you saved by not buying a JCW and add it in to your mod list.

 

Hey putttn, I just sent you a pm about a local car that just might fit the bill. I'm in Spokane as well - south hill- and you mention some good twisties around here. As I pick up my MCS tomorrow, would you please let me know where these twisties are so that I can go play on them?

I'd shore 'perciate it!!!

 

Thats sorta a catch 22 question, meaning most would say JCW (208hp) would be the performer from start over MCS (163hp) But as soon as you put stuff like a pulley accompanied by headers, cam, head, exhaust your gonna surpass the JCWs capabilities and make the JCW go fast parts obsolete. You could have started with an MCS (if your gonna just junk all JCW parts) and get to the same level of perfomance of the modded "JCW" car. If ya gonna do just a few simple bolt-on mods like pulley, header, tune and suspension upgrades then the JCW will be the top performer, but if you will be going all out it does not matter what you'll begin with.

 

Bottomfeeder. The "twisties" are the backroads down through the Palouse. Best ones I used to ride on my motorcycles were the Cheney-Plaza road which you can easily get to off 195 & Paradise Rd. You can follow that road clear down to Dusty and beyond. All paved and good .. watch out for wheat trucks/deer.
Howsoonisnow...thanks for the input. I didn't know what the JCW used for go fast goodies but I imagined it might be somewhat tame compared to aftermarket addons. I do want something reliable so it will be a bit of a fine line to not cross over. With bikes you could easily cross into the "lots of hp but just won't run" situation.

 

JCW:"tame" head, tame 12% pulley, cai, 380 injectors, exhaust.
With R53 alll the go fast parts pretty reliable except the turbo kits.

 

Just go for the standard S, like everyone else. The money you save you can buy several mods to make it better than the JCW.