Any idea about the torque curves with the JCW kits on the supercharged engines? How do they compare to the current turbos?

 

Remember that although the $ delta from the S to the JCW is $7000, there's a lot of things to factor in such as the Big Brake Kit, the exhaust system and wheels and tires that fit over the brakes. OutMotoring.com has the JCW Big Brake Kit at $2000 and an upgraded exhaust at $1000. From TireRack.com, a low end set of 17" wheels and tires go for around $1000.

So, we're at $4000 and haven't touched the engine yet or added labor for installation. The factory JCW also has an uprated cylinder head, pistons and gearbox; things that are not included in the JCW upgrade kit for the S.

 

I don't know if this all holds true for Gen 1 convertibles.

Due to money and spouse constraints, I will go for a 2006 to 2008 instead. Maybe a used 2009 S if I can get it for close to $25k.

 

One of the main mods for the superchargers is to put a smaller pulley on it so that it spins faster than stock. This raises boost but I doubt it would bring in the low end torque of the R57S with the turbo. BMW went to great pains to eliminate/minimize turbo lag and did everything they could do to get full torque at only 1400 RPM on the R56 and R57 MCS. I love the way the turbo pulls right off idle.

You will find two trains of thought and many prefer the more linear application of torque of the supercharger to the twitcher torque of the turbo. I am a torque junkie and I prefer the turbo but others feel differently.

The fuel efficiency of the turbos is notably better than the superchargers.

 

No, actually Gen 2 vs. Factory JCW...

 

Man oh man... Some people go through vehicles like underwear!

My advice: unless you own everything and have absolutely no debt, get an older vehicle you can purchase outright.

I learned the hard way...

 

Well I ended up getting a 2008 MINI Convertible, Sparkling Silver, Sidewalk Package, Cold Weather Package, Nav on the steering column, alarm system. Looks nice with the Malt English Leather seats! Under 16k miles!

I could not pick it up yet. They are still going through the CPO process. I will probably get it by Tuesday next week.

So the search is over. Thanks everyone!

PS - I usually hold on to my vehicles for a long time past warranty, uRabbit. My X3 is the first one I may let go before warranty runs out due to issues to date on the vehicle. It seems to be calming doen, so maybe I will keep it longer!

 

Congrats Dave.

Sounds like a pretty neat little car. Hopefully it will see you through many seasons of fun. Sparkling silver always looks great on a Mini (but then, most colors look really good on a Mini -- face it, I just like Minis -- but there was this metal flake pink on in North Carolina, oops, 'nother story altogether).

 

Congrats on the car! The sidewalk package is very nice and I love the sparkling silver. Post some pics after you pick it up.

 

Congrats!! You will love those heated seats. I have only seen one Sidewalk pkg and it was really nice. Sparking silver is a cool color too!! I bought a CPO 2006 530 with only 9k miles a couple of years ago. Love that warranty coverage!!

Is it an S?

Hope you enjoy the MINI as much as I have enjoyed mine. Happy Motoring!!

 

Yup, it is a S - 167 hp.

The dealer is STILL working on it to get it CPO ready. There were a number of issues I pointed out to him that they are fixing (to the tune of almost $2k!).

Anyway, I should have it at the end of the week but it could be early next week. I need to see how they did on the repairs/replacements and how it drives before I sign on the dotted line.

I missed out on ordering a 2010 which I could have gotten by the 3rd week in June. However, my wife didn't want to have such a high car payment for a 3rd vehicle, so the thought of new became quickly squashed. This 2008 is about $8k less that the best price I could get on a similar new. I agreed with her since we live in a very rural part of NH and I would probably cry driving a new car over dirt roads! So new comes in a few years when we move back to AZ. Then a JCW!

So I have been waiting on picking up the car. So close, yet so far!