Just saw the Coupe and want one. Ive been back and forth for awhile but I think the redesign did me in! So, not knowing much about these cars I am looking for some experienced answers.

1. I like speed. Should I just buy the JCW or are there upgrades that I can make to the S that can make it as fast or faster?

2. Is the JCW package worth it? I can afford either but to be honest, there is a black s coupe on the lot that looks sick just the way it is.

Mainly I am looking for handling differences between the two. I already have a dedicated track car so this will be mostly for street fun and Im sure a few track days! These cars just look like they would be fun to drive every day and might give that track or race like edge to just getting around town.

Thanks!

 

I own a MINI Coupe'r S in black. The car is a blast to drive.

There are plenty of aftermarket items to make your S as good as, if not better than a JCW. I think what it comes down to is how you feel in the car. Drive both, then make your decision.

 

I got the JCW after declaring I would get the S; once I saw price comparisons/features it was a no brainer. My first MINI; it is a sick fun toy that has way more to give than what I can throw at it. It's a daily driver for me (RT 80m commute, mix hwy/2ndary). I am into speed, technology, functionality and appearance. This will be my main form of entertainment; no regrets on ANY front. The sound coming out of the pipe is enough to commit to JCW. The mini connected is like WTF, cool looking with ability to grow (apps/iphone connection). MOG is awesome. My upgrade will be to add the Integral Audio Sub + Soundstage (on top of the HK, which is okay but lacks the bass/oomph). My heart is racing just thinking about my next time behind the wheel, it's an endorphin juicer.
Oh yeah the Brembo brakes, um, nuff said.

 

Yeah, I think the new coupe looks insane. Im not sure I will like front wheel drive but will find out soon. There is a JCW and S on the lot so hopefully I can just go back to back and make up my mind. Most of my sports cars have been so fast that you break every speed limit there is in 2nd gear! Thats great but really no where to really drive the cars except the track legally. Im looking for a car that will give that race feel all around town and at higher speeds. Cant wait to see one on the track!

 

Seems like a Just Can't Wait is the right one for you.

 

N18 vs. N14. Nuff said!

If you really want a JCW, I'd strongly recommend that you wait until the 2013 MY when its engine receives the same updates as the current N18 engine in the S did (and receives a fairly significant HP boost as well - est. 220 HP to 225 HP). Sorry, but I've owned a MINI with a problematic N14 engine in it and I sure wouldn't want another one. The 2012 JCW is awesome, but I'd take the significantly better engine in the 2012 S over it hands down (or simply wait for a 2013 JCW). Just my $0.02.

 

So the 2012S has a different engine? I think they have a base s on the lot around 22k? Or nicer ones up towards 30k. Are there any hp mods out for the 2012s?

 

Yes, starting in MY 2011, all "S" MINIs have a completely updated and much more efficient N18 Prince engine which uses BMW's Valvetronic/VANOS system. Whereas all of the JCW MINIs (through MY 2012 anyway) still use the older N14 Prince engine which first appeared back in MY 2007 (although the JCW version of the N14 engine has modifications which make it more powerful than the S version of the same N14 engine - like a larger turbo, different exhaust system, etc., etc.).

The old MY 2007 through MY 2010 N14 "S" engine made 172 HP. Whereas, the newer MY 2011+ N18 "S" engine makes 181 HP.

The old MY 2009 through MY 2012 N14 "JCW" factory engine makes 208 HP. Whereas, the newer 2013+ (N18/N20???) "JCW" engine is estimated to make 220 to 225 HP.

 

Justwant1,

I understand the problem you face, but some key items that are only on the JCW as standard are the Brembo brakes,Aero package, dark gauge faces and the challenge rims. The rims, aero kit and brakes alone make up the difference in price. As far as the engine goes we most likely won't see the N18 for the JCW till late 2012 to 2013. Also at this point the N18 can not be tuned through the OBD II like the N14.

 

http://www.motoringfile.com/2011/11/...#disqus_thread

 

Seeing all of those mini's lined up makes me want to get to the track. We have had one of the race prepped Mini's running with us at VIR and that thing flys around the track! I was really surprised!

 

Going tomorrow to drive 2 S's and a JCW!

 

I struggled deciding which one to go with too. For me it came down to how often would I really be able to use the difference in power and handling between an S and a JCW. My Coupe is a daily driver on crappy roads with occasional trips into the mountains on the weekends. But truthfully you just gotta drive them and decide

 

If it's handling that you favor (over power/torque) then the S and the JCW are the same (assuming same wheels/tires). And you can tweak the suspension in various ways depending on your preferences and how much you want to spend. The one thing the JCW has that you can't get aftermarket is the bigger turbocharger. The one thing you can get in the S that you can't have in the JCW is the autotransmission.

 

Ok, so I drove both back to back to back today. A JCW coupe and a Coupe S. Both cars only driven with sport on and tc off. Conditions were cloudy, dry, 40 degrees. There is a definite difference in the two. So much so, I had to go back and drive the JCW a second time. Both cars were a blast but comming from a race car background I preferred the JCW much more. The ride is stiffer and you feel the bumps, but I like that. The shifting and clutch felt better in the JCW. I dont know why? Thought they were the same but the clutch pressure was greater in the JCW and the shifting was more direct. Seat of the pants feel for connection with the road was much better in the JCW. The S just felt too soft for my likes. Acceleration was better in the JCW by about 20 percent in my estimation which made for a much more impressive upshift in the corners. Wheel spin was present when accelerating and cornering but did not upset the car in anyway (actually it made it more fun!). A pleasant surprise was that the torque steer has been practically erased with this edition of the Cooper. Braking seemed ok at normal road speed and use. I did not really test the brakes at hard stops and did not want to since the cars were still new and not mine. Inside fit and finish was really cool looking but felt cheaply constructed compared to Audis, BMWs and Porsches. I know its not fair to really compare these groups but at the JCWs price your are in lower end Audi and BMW territory. Overall, I would love to own one. I know that these could be really fun to drive at 10/10ths. They seem to beg for the twisties....

From those of you that have driven the Coupe and the Hardtop and you please give some comparison there. Also, If I did not buy new and wanted a JCW hardtop are there years that are better than others? And how about a comparison between Gen1 and Gen2. The reason I ask is that this is a 4th car for us and if I could pick up an 04-06 version that was close in driving experience then why not do it and save 10-15k?

Thanks everyone and enjoy your cars. They are an absolute blast!

 

Good writeup. Sometimes a seat of the pants review is telling. The stock suspensions are the same. You didn't comment on which wheels/tires they had. The JCW clutch is different, as are the brakes and of course turbo. As for used cars the 07 model year was the latest complete update of the car. The factory JCW came out for the 2009 model year (I think). As a general rule of thumb, a 5 year old Mini will sell for roughly half of what it sold for new. When you get back to the 04-06 cars that's a different era of motor.