S owners: wish you bought a Justa? Or JCW?

 

I am absolutely in LOVE with my S. I didn't know much about MINI in general when I bought her, but I've drove a Justa while mine was at the dealer for new clutch and tranny. I liked the Justa, but it doesn't even compare to my R53! My S has been modified well past the "factory" JCW, and in fact they had no JCW when they built mine! 2002.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't turn my nose up to any MINI, if I was without mine.
MINI's are all awesome to me!!

 

Had an 03 S, 07 S and now a 2012 Justa. I love my Justa.

 

I'm four days into my second Justa and happy with my choice. Test driving the justa and an S back to back solidified my preference. My MINI is a daily driver, so the greater ride comfort and better mpg were deciding factors. In 6 years with my previous justa, I never really felt like it needed more power or lacked anything. But I don't track or do anything like that.

 

I drove a few S's after I bought my R50, thinking about trading up. After modding my Cooper it feels as quick around town as a stock S, and I like the "driving feel" better. I'm sure I'd love a modded R53 but I'm not about to start modding another car ($$!) and I love getting behind the wheel of my Justa every day.

 

I love my Justa. However, with the A/C on it could use more power. But that is normal I guess. Throttle response is slow when not in sport mode. Better in sport mode but not stunning. I am heavy footed and like to take off quickly always. Quicker throttle response would be nice too.

Otherwise I love it and I am reasonably sure I won't have S problems.

 

Nope...Nope...Nope and still NOPE!! 4yrs. later!!

 

The only time I've wished I had the "S" power bump is accelerating down a long straight at Sebring Raceway or Roebling Road Raceway. Compared to a Porsche 911 Turbo (and most of the other cars out there), it's lacking in straight-line acceleration. Then again, the lack of power makes it THAT much more satisfying when a 300-400hp Mustang or a 500hp BMW M5 points me by, indicating that I'm lapping the track faster, overall, despite the straight-line power deficit.

 

I wish I would have bought the JCW

 

I am thinking of going down from 2011 Cooper S to 2012 Roadster Justa. Dont take me wrong.. I love the power of Cooper S.. but I am in love with roadster and simply cant afford buying Roadster S !!!

I drove Roadster S last monday and love it but also drove Cooper hardtop Justa just to feel it.. and I can get by with less HP. It was manual too.

Now I just have to find out how to sell my Cooper S quickly and get Roadster Justa, quickly TOO

 

Went from a Justa 08' and realize I am SO much more happy with my Cooper S 11':-D. But eventually I will want to try the JCW.

 

No

 

Once you try the JCW you'll never go back.

 

Yes, we bought both. We had a justa, added and S. Now we're swapping the S for a JCW. Still have the justa, and drive it the most.

 

i love my mini to death, however, in the beginning i wanted an S and still do. i would never trade what i have now for an S, i guess i'll just have to have 2 MINIs

 

Great question!

I test drove two "S" hardtops during my "evaluation" phase. I didn't try a Justa, and would still like to do so just to know the difference in performance level.

Once I saw an Ice Blue MINI, that was "the color", and that ruled out a JCW...MINI won't build an Ice Blue JCW for you. I would have loved the additional capabilities of a JCW, however I'm not a huge fan of the aero kit on them (or aero kits on most cars, I like simpler lines) so I wasn't that torn up about it.

I chose the JCW Tuning Kit mostly to get a "soundtrack" that would go with the S performance. But I've been surprised by how much it transformed the car overall...very different (faster) than either of my MCS demo rides, more torque than I would have guessed. You don't have to wring its neck to use the additional thrust. Along with the sport suspension, it's more capable that I am at this point, until I learn to use all its abilities (under controlled conditions, of course!).

I'm sure most MINIs are lovable...just read the forum posts by folks who love all manner of MINIs...I'm very happy with my choice!

So...no regrets.

 

I love way my 2009 Justa drives, I never really wish it had more poser, I put about 100 miles a day on her so I love the mpg too, unfortunately the S just looks way cooler. I didn't know the JCW existed when I bought my Justa. I believe that will be my next mini (based mostly on looks).

 

I sometimes regret missing out on the extra zippiness and the ability to fry eggs on the bonnet.

 

No regrets from me about having a Justa! I didn't buy the car for going fast in a straight line... :D

 

No regrets here either. I have 4 other cars over 300 hp and not once have I regretted my purchase. I love my simpler loaded Cooper!

 

Don't regret my justa brit one little bit. They're all wonderful regardless: Justa, S, JCW, or GP! Cary's both part of our family and a member of a wonderful breed of cars with a glorious heritage. Simply made to motor!

 

Just went from an S to a Justa. No regrets whatsoever. The Justa has more than enough oomph for my foot. Reliability and longetivity also favor the Justa. Win win in my case.

 

I never even test drove the S. I needed this thing to be a normal car (which
it has been 5 years no problems). I also didn't need the added attention from
the police you get with the S.

 

I drove a Justa for years before I switched to an S. That little S badge makes a world of a difference for the fun factor, as I am a spirited driver. It's nice to have the Jekyll/Hyde characteristics of the car: one day you can drive it nice and easy to achieve high MPGs and the next day you can take it in the twisties and really enjoy the pulling power and tight suspension of an S.

It always comes down to what's best for you.

 

The S does have more power, but the suspension is effectively the same.