Hey All-
looks like I might finally pull the trigger on a JCW tuning kit equipped Clubman S. Its horizon blue/black with the following options:
-cold weather pack
-premium pack
-anthracite headliner
-center arm rest
-Bluetooth/USB
-steptronic auto
61K miles

Its at a dealer which has provided the full service records to me. The car was enthusiast owned and fully serviced at the dealer. I took it for a test drive and it seemed to be very tight, no rattles, squeaks, or other funny noises. The rear barn doors open well, and there is no hang-up with the side door. Overall, its very clean besides some curb rash. HPFP has been replaced at 48.5K and it has a service contract until 04/17. Clean carfax. Seems like a good deal at $13.5K.

I'd like to get some opinions please.
-Is this a good price?
-Anything I should look out for? or anything that should concern me?

I'm VERY close to pulling the trigger so any help will be GREATLY appreciated!
This will be my first MINI since falling in love back in 2001!

 

If it has the N18 engine...go for it! Avoid the N14 engine.

Note: The factory JCW used the N14 engine thru 2012.

 

Check the VIN here: http://bimmer.work/

 

Hey Mini_Wisconsin-
Thanks for the info and your help! She has an N18 which is good. The JCW kit was installed after the car was purchased.
I hope to get it by the end of the week... #fingerscrossed...

 

My 2010 with the N14 engine has been trouble free and burns no oil between 5000 mile oil changes.

 

Ok good to know. Let's keep it relevant to the topic please!

 

I'm just pointing out inaccurate information. Don't pass over a car just because it has an N14 engine.

 

I have a JCW N14 2012 and it also has been fine. Some early 2007-2009 N14 seem to have most issues.

Nice find with the JCW Tuning Kit, thats very rare on a Clubman , good luck . I would go for it.

 

ECSTuning - You're 100 percent correct, the probs were mainly with the earlier models.
Here is the "Class Action Settlement" that I received in the mail:

 

Thanks, yes i just got that letter also for my old 07'

 

I appreciate all the help! All of the Clubbys I've been looking at have the N18. There have simply not been any factory JCW cars in my price range. Gonna take my wife over to see it tomorrow. Hopefully she will bite!
#fingerscrossed

 

If you can, I'd suggest that you buy an extended 100k warranty. My car, basically the same as yours, has had about $3,200 worth of warranty work (ac hose, water pump and thermostat).

 

ok, good to know. Did you get an aftermaket warranty? Or did you get it through Mini?
I've heard good things about the Route 66 warranty.

 

Do I need to be concerned about carbon build-up on the valves with this N18 motor?

 

Yes, I believe that you do....although I think they made some improvements so it is less of a problem.

 

IIRC, I have the Fidelity Warranty. The previous owner bought it at the time of purchase. I'm not sure if the Mini dealer sold it to him, but he bought the top tier policy (Platinum IIRC). I transferred it for $50 when I purchased the car from him. Not a ton of good things said on Google, but in my personal experience, they've covered the cost on my car. If not, I'd be driving a Acura/Lexus right now.

 

Its not that bad from what I have seen but still pops up on short trip, city MINIs with higher mileage N18 MINIs.

 

SO I've tentatively decided to pass on this one. Too much stuff I'd want to change out aesthetically to get it to where I'd want it and the dealer isn't budging much on price.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...1314/overview/

Basically, all the Union Jack crap and much of the chrome on the interior would need to go. Maybe I'm being too picky.... hmmm

 

The Union Jack stuff is really a love/hate thing. Good luck with your search.

 

I wouldn't mind it so much if it were one of those elements but on this car it's way overdone. I haven't ruled it out yet, it's just a bit down on the list.

 

I found a couple of other cars within the region that interest me. I'm still gonna purchase one its just a matter of finding the right one for me.

 

FYI, Valvoline stopped by us a few days ago with their own carbon removal chemical that they're trying out on lots of Direct Injection Engines before releasing for sale. They're taking a cautious approach with this chemical so it doesn't loosen up the carbon in large chunks that can stuck under a valve's edge at the seat. So, it's a slower process from a Shop's standpoint[ figure 2 hours]. They have documented before and after pictures via a 3rd party that is supposed to independent of them or any other oil company.
Don't know the release date of the kit. So far, it will use two large bottles of cleaner to be introduced into the intake system as close to the valves as possible via a fogger system under pressure from compressed shop air to prevent droplet or puddling of the chemical[ avoiding Hydrolock of an engine with liquid].
Then you have two more bottles that get poured into the gas tank for injector internal cleaning.
They claim that they didn't want to go the solvent route to remove the carbon build up on the valves like BG and other companies that have similar fogging kits out there due to the possible chunk or large particles coming loose off the valve. Might be better than blasting valves with Walnut shells or other media if you can prevent having to take an intake off to do the usual blasting like in the past or even presently.
Stay tuned...

 

welp, it sold. oh well.

 

Interesting

 

quite....