Hi All -

First and foremost this is a great community you have here. I've been lurking for awhile in the different parts and everyone seems friendly and willing to help. I'm hoping I'll be able to join those ranks soon!

Some background, my wife and I are planning to start a family soon and I'd like to purchase a car that is safe and can carry a rear facing child seat in the back on occasion. The car also must be fun to drive and exhibit "tossable" characteristics, must have a combined MPG rating of around 30, must be a hatch or wagon and must be stick. My wife has a new(er) S60 T6 AWD that we're planning on using for the main vehicle. I currently own a 2004 M3, a 2001 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS Sedan and a 1978 MGB Roadster. There is no way the M3 will fit a child seat in the back and the Subaru has 180k on it and I wouldnt' feel safe transporting my child in it. I'll probably be selling off both of those.

I have narrowed my choices down to a 4-door Golf / GTI (TDI fits MPG requirements), Ford Focus ST (MPG hasn't been released) and the Mini Clubman S (possible JCW?). Which brings me to this thread...

I have been looking at a factory JCW Clubman and was wondering if it's worth it. I love the idea of the bigger brakes and "better" engine internals. I am one to modify my cars rather heavily and it seems like it's a better package for that. However I haven't been able to find anything that really quantifies the higher performance potential. Can anyone give me realistic numbers of typical bolt-on performance numbers of the Clubman S vs. factory JCW?

Also, as for the sport package, it looks like its the eLSD, wheels, springs and "dynamic traction control". What is the "dynamic" peice? Is it just a less intrusive software? Are the swaybars on this package diffeernt as well?

I've seen pictures of the "Hampton" edition. Is that color available in a standard Clubman S?

I read someplace that 2012 allowed the color matching of the tailight housings and top part of the bumper but I don't see that on the website. Is that not true?

Lastly I'd like to know how you guys optioned out your cars and what was worth it and what wasn't. I ended up building a 34k Clubman S and was sticker shocked.

Thanks for all the info and help!

-S

 

Are you sure the M3 can't fit a child seat in the back? Because that would be what I would try.

 

Hi SicklyScott,

We have a 2011 Clubman S and it works really well for the occasional usage of the rearward facing baby seat (Chico KeyFit 30). For this to work, the passenger seat is needs to be moved forward about 3 notches - that works for my wife who is 5'3".

As for options, as you can see from my sig, mine is well optioned with the inclusion of the red rooster leather/cloth seats, anthracite headliner, chrome line interior and bluetooth/ipod integration.

There are two things that I wish I had bough:
- auto dimming mirrors - mainly for the side mirrors, the proliferation of SUV's and higher cars really make nighttime driving less than ideal
- rear fog light - having a blank place in the row of switches annoys me

I have not modded at all, so I cannot address those questions.

My 14 months old daughter likes to sleep when we hit the mountain roads. The challenge is being smooth enough for the wife and sleeping baby and yet have my fun.

The configurator at MINIUSA does allow setting the "C-pillar color" on the first page. Not all colors are able to be set to match the car color.

I love my Clubman and it is worth any space compromises when traveling for our family.

 

Tried it with my niece, didn't quite work out. The M was my dream car but after 2 years of ownership I realize I'd rather have an auto-x car than a track car.

 

I see. You will like the Clubman then. It's lots of fun to drive without having to obliterate the speed limit. Coming from an E36 M3 and C5 Z06, I appreciate the fun factor of the MINI and only long for more power every once in a while!

 

And the clubdoor on the Clubman makes putting our two year old in her car-seat very easy!! Didn't have the MINI when she was still in a rear-facing seat, so I can't speak to that.

 

We have both a Clubman S and a Clubman JWC. I can say with some confidence that the JWC is worth the difference if only for the brakes alone - which are as good as I have experienced in any car. When you jam the accelerator in 1st gear all I can say is hold on with both hands as the car also has a good amount of torque steer.

Both the S and JWC are a blast to drive by any standard not to mention they are incredibly stable on the highway - I often look down and I'm doing 90mph plus so size doesn't matter in this case.

 

You said you love to modify your vehicle...
Coming from three different VW's before my R55 JCW, I'd go back to a VW in a heartbeat because of the excellent aftermarket support.

I believe the factory JCW's are worth the price of the admission, because there's more to the JCW than the standard 'S'-model. Beyond the brakes, the engine is revised with a different cylinder head for thermal cooling with strengthen intake valves. The pistons have strengthened side faces and the compression ratio is dropped to 10.0 (down from 10.5 in the 'S'). The air intake, the charge air piping, and turbocharger / exhaust manifold are tailored specifically for the JCW. Plus the JCW still uses the N14 engine which has more aftermarket support than the new N18's found in the 2011+ 'S'-models.

The standard 'S'-models in 2007 through early 2009 had the paid optional mechanical limited-slip differentials from MINI. The factory JCW's didn't have that offer and were given the Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) which is an electro-mechanical version of a limited slip differential. It works by electronically slows down the inside spinning wheel to enhance grip without reducing or lifting on engine output power; driver has full control on throttle.

There are three main levels of the 'traction control':
* DSC = corrective for little mistakes, actives brakes and reduces engine power if vehicle path is off
* DTC = traction control optimized (via engine power) without stability; typically used in snowing / adverse weather conditions that ensure maximum forward traction
* EDLC = stability & traction control off (no reduction of power if wheel spins); only differential lock is used


The factory JCW does have different front & rear swaybars than from the 'S'-model.

I'm assuming you're refering to the Reef Blue (dark blue / purple) color? That's an available color choice.
But you can get a Hampton in other colors too.

It's only limited to certain color combinations; however, it does exist.

Only $34K? Weaksauce, the used JCW I picked up was sitcker'd at $43K from the dealer showroom...
But since it was lightly used, I picked it up significantly less than that.

Options are a subjective argument as I could say that Bluetooth and Navigation aren't necessary, but you could deem it as a requirement.
Personally, I don't like leather and would rather have heated cloth seats in the winter, than headed leather.
Build for yourself, choice of options and such are totally your call.

- Erik

 

Thanks Erik, I appreciate the feedback. I started the modding bug with an '01 GTI and every car since has been compared to it. I loved that car. I have my eye on a 2012 Autobahn GTI and with 0 percent financing it gets very appealing.

As for the JCW, the Clubman I priced out at 34 was the S. The JCW I built was around 37k, and I used a lot of restraint on that one. I've been looking at used JCWs which fall around 25k. The only problem is they aren't optioned the way I'd like. I'll have to be patient and do some test driving to figure out if the JCW is right for me.

 

Sicklyscott, used JWC Clubman's are a mixed bag as there are only a few hundred sold in the US every year but at the sometime there aren't that many buyers for the JWC so the pricing is all over the map. I bought my 09 Clubman JWC in excellent condition and fairly well equipped (including Nav which I love) with 29K miles for $20.5K. In my case - because we already had a Clubman S - I knew exactly what I wanted plus I was patient so I was able to find an acceptable car at a very reasonable price.

I also agree that bluefox280's data above is great as I learned several things that I was not aware of about the extent of the JWC option.

Again, I for one am very happy with both the Clubman and the JWC option.

Good luck in making a decision whichever way you decide to go.

 

You're welcome. I did the same with my 1997 Jetta VR6, and 2003 Jetta 1.8T.
But the MINI, although awesome out of the box, doesn't have the aftermarket support I think it should.

Yes, do so. Also, if it comes down to wanting a JCW, expand your search.
We found our in Los Angeles, yet we live in Denver, and had it trucked home.

- Erik

 

Erik -

What shipping company did you use? And if you dont mind me asking how much was it?

 

Waggoners Trucking: http://www.waggonerstrucking.com/
Mine was shipped inside a fully enclosed trailer.

PM sent.

- Erik

 

"electronically slows down the inside spinning wheel...

"* EDLC = stability & traction control off (no reduction of power if wheel spins); only differential lock is used"

Are you saying it no longer applies the brake of the spinning wheel? I have it and it definitely retards forward motion in autocrossing

I believe it was R&T that reported it caused the brakes to fade within one lap on a track. Others have reported wearing out the pads in a single track day.

 

No, it does use the pulsating brake to provide traction.

- Erik