When ordering a new MCS the $30k price point can easily be reached without any JCW parts.

 

Exactly, which is why I tend to chuckle on the inside when you see folks talking about getting a new Mini fully optioned out when there are used examples with just about every option available for those who look.

I'd certainly never spend that much on a Mini Cooper, Cooper S, or JCW Cooper. The car just doesn't perform well enough to warrant that kind of money.

 

Exactly, CARB Certification costs money. In California engine mods that are not CARB Certified will have to be removed before a car is sold or smog tested.

Edit: I lost a lot of money on a nice Porsche 914 because of aftermarket mods. It would have taken a lot of cash and labor to return to stock so I sold it for non-street use only. This car was modded before anual smog tests were required. Once the laws changed in California I could no longer register it.:impatient

 

I think there are just a lot of people on car forums with the 'mine' syndrome. They think: "The best car in the world is [whatever I am driving]!"

 

If you don't like it, don't buy it.

 

Well everyone can keep debating who is right and who is wrong, I am not going to sit here and tell people what they should or should not do to there cars, I am not going to critize people for going after market mod's or JCW, Why cant we all just get alone. : )

 

Ever since Gabe Bridger (AKA:MINI SHILL) proclaimed the the JCW to be 'refined', the word has become a mantra.

Riddle me this: if JCW represents the pinnacle of refined MINI performance; why don't they offer real wheel & brake upgrades?... and why no IC upgrade?

 

Seriously. For the price of the JCW upgrade, you could have all the things the kit offers in aftermarket form, PLUS things like wheels, tires, better IC, etc.

 

If money was not a factor, I would have got the JCW. However, money was a factor. But the clincher for me was when the MA told me behind closed doors that it was not worth it. He told me I was better off going after market....and that was coming from a MINI sales-rep

 

You buy either buy cheap cologne or expensive cologne. both do the same but one smells different than the other. Take ur pic

 

Or you search, search, search and search, and find the perfect used JCW.

...and save thousands. I did.

 

Wonder how many mustang buyers in the 60's said forget the shelby package. Etc.


The works package says your welcome without hassle at any mini dealership across the country. The modders have to talk big about government acts and fight the man.

Modders have to be close to a good garage or be skilled enough to do it theirselves. Works people have to be able to sign alease/loan/purchase agreement.

WHen I drive I don't want to worry about anything. And thats money well spent in my book.

But after all its about priorities and desires and they are all personal.


Paul

 

I'll wager a gentlemans bet that;
1. MOST people w/ after market mods, will loose money in trade/ resale value by not removing mods.
2. This is not true of a JCW car.
3. If you keep your car for 10 yrs, you will be looking for all the stock stuff you sold or gave away as these cars start to become collectible.
4. In 15-20 years, all you JCW bashers will be VERY embarrased by what you Know very little about.
5. The most sought after of all the MINIs will be the 04-06 JCW,MCS, W/stock everything, including , wheels and runflats!

ANY TAKERS???:smile:
Joe D.

 

Somehow I doubt the Mini will be 'collectible' for quite a long time...if ever. And I certainly won't be hanging on to it that long. There haven't been 'collectible' cars produced since the early 70's, death of the muscle car era.

 

why all the family fighting and bashing of JCW parts??? Having been around the block many times modifying cars, and putting lots of money into older bmw's, I know that you rarely get back much of the cash you spent on aftermarket parts, and sometimes they work well for 50,000 miles, and well sometimes the parts work for 10k, and then give you grief, etc.....

by the way, i got my 2005 cooper s with rear fog light, metallic paint, limited slip diff, xenons, jcw suspension and jcw kit for under 30k....

if you want to be negative, lets start a post for all those folks who paid $26 or 27k or even 28k for a car with 20+ pound wheels, without lsd and paying for a 50lb sunroof achor decreasing performance etc...... just joking, that would be silly to criticize.. one can criticize anything.... no need to rationalize.... buy or finance what you want or can... that's it....

 

My sentiments exactly. I'm buying my car to impress no one but myself.

 

I'm sorry, but if you think a car as mass produced as the MINI has become is going to be "collectible"...well, sorry, but that's nonsense.

 

And those that are, are things like, oh I dunno...the Ferrari Enzo. There were roughly 400 or so made, and all were sold before the first one had been built. Now, that's a collectible.

Mini Coopers, Cooper S's, or JCW Cooper S's being highly sought after collectibles?

Sounds to me like another pipedream that JCW folks keep telling themselves to remove some of that $6000 sting in the ***.

 

like a few said already, The MINI cooper will not be a collectible, too many have been produced. Now the MC40's, maybe, but thats about it. Not the JCW kit, thats only a kit that can be added to any MCS. If it's gonna make my car a collector item, then in 40 yrs, before i sell mine, I'll buy a JCW kit to add value

 

What you anti-JCW people fail to remember is that it's not a sting in the *** because we chose it. Get off the high horse. It's different strokes for different folks, plain and simple.

While I never claimed that the JCW MINIs will become collectible, they will always have that extra "cache" that aftermarket parts can't deliver. Just like a Ford Mustang Cobra over the Mustang GT, or any of the Chrysler/Dodge SRT cars, or the BMW M cars. Maybe you don't CARE about the "cache", but it's still a fact.

I really don't care about the image aspect either, I did it for peace of mind - full warranty coverage at ANY MINI dealer nationwide, not just the dealer that sold you the upgrades.

Konky, if you think the JCW kit will still be readily available in 40 years, you must be smoking something. 40 years will make ANY car a "classic/vintage" car, and OEM parts are very hard to come by by that point.

 

my post was a joke to the ridiculious comment about the JCW MINI's being collector items. Thats what the rolleyes were for.

 

I'm not anti-JCW...I just think it's hillarious how some people will justify things to themselves - the arguments are rediculous and very comical!

The facts are:

JCW parts give good performance...so do the equivalent aftermarekt kits/parts.

JCW parts are very reliable and well tested...so are the aftermerket kits and parts (more so, since MANY MANY more people have miles on the aftermarket parts).

JCW parts cost up to 4x as much for the same or less performance as aftermarket kits/parts.

Warranty concerns are valid, but the chances of having a warranty problem directly related to JCW equivalent aftermarkets parts is almost nothing, proved by the countless miles and thousands of users on the road right now, with a handfull of reported problems worldwide.

 

(to Kaelaria) ...which is why you didn't buy JCW. Totally understandable, your reasons are valid, and you're happy. Good!

The point I was trying to make is that everyone has their own reasons for making their own decision on this issue. Many "anti-JCWers" talk about how the JCW fans are trying to "justify their expense", but what they fail to realize is that by railing against it so much, they are only trying to justify THEIR own choices too.

It looks ridiculous! If you don't like the JCW stuff, or don't think it's worth the money, then FINE, don't buy it! And if you want to say that you don't think it's worth it, hey, that's cool too... but don't trash other people or their sensibility, because to THEM it might be worth it.

I think very few JCW owners are unaware of the aftermarket's options (and cheaper prices). Besides, you're wasting your breath, we've already spent the money, it's DONE. Everybody should just motor on.

 

this anti jcw stuff makes me think of the people who complain about whats on the TV......

Just shut the TV off, if it offends you, or you don't get it or want it, and let others watch what they want, even if they pay a ridiculous amount for pay per view programming......

I think that the issue is now that people are trying justify their choice to go aftermarket... and that by bashing the JCW choice they somehow feel better about their choices....

for the record, go aftermarket, enjoy it, its ok, your car will be fine, your warranty ok with aftermarket choices... just stop criticizing.... your opinion is a valid one, but not the only one in the world, the world doesn't revolve around your mindset... wait.. I better stop here...

 

Ever hear of a 1990 ZR-1 Corvette, Grand National, Turbo Trans Am, Cobra Mustangs, Dodge Vipers ? Last time I checked these cars were pulling big bucks at auctions. If they are well maintained.