Please help me with your thoughts on a potential purchase

2011 built Jcw

I'm based in the uk,
The car left the factory went straight to Germany did 2500 miles between 2011-13
When it was serviced including brake pads....
hardly moved since this, when it recently came back to BMW uk and is now for sale with a dealer, has been serviced 3 times, all fluids upto date, current mot, but no history in the uk

It has every option apart from the heated seats and powered roof

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT ON THIS MINI.
17" Cross Spoke Challenge Light Alloy WhAdditional Decor RingsAlarm system (Thatcham 1)Armrest - front. centreAutomatic Air ConditioningBlack headlights

... ...Camouflage for non-standard vehicles...

CHILI PackChrome Line interiorDAB digital radioElec Fold Exterior MirrorsEnhanced Bluetooth with USB audioExtended Interior Light PackageExtended storageFoglights. frontHarman Kardon - Hi-FiHeadlight washHeated Mirrors/Washer JetsInterior Trim Piano BlackInterior World Carbon BlackJCW leather dashboard black/anthraciteJohn Cooper Works Aerodynamic KitMedia PackMINI ConnectedMINI Navigation SystemMirror Caps in Chili RedMulti-function controls for s'wheelPark Distance Control (PDC). rearRear Fog LightRun-flat tyresSport seatsSport Steering WheelSport Stripes RedTelephone USB audio interfaceVisual Boost RadioVoice ControlWhite Indicator LensesWind deflectorXenon Headlights

I'm guessing it's spent a lot of those miles on a famous ring road in Germany!

 

The link to the advert with lots of pictures

https://www.approvedusedminis.co.uk/...9802754567!14#

In the uk this is cheaper by £3000 than most dealer N18 jcw cars
I'm not interested in keeping it standard, wrapping it up and hiding in a barn, as a museum piece
It's a car to be modified to stage 3 + manic level and driven for fun for the next ten years and 60,000 miles (second car )

The real question is would I be best advised to walk away and buy a "better N18 car" as a base for modification which was my original plan, be that either an S or jcw
(I already have many parts stockpiled, k04 turbo from Rcz-r, bilstiens b16, etc)

Would you buy an ex-development mule, as I have nothing to prove it wasn't one.

I cannot think it was a demo or a press car with the steering wheel on the wrong side.
So I'm guessing it's a shakedown car fresh 1st batch from the line, sent to Germany to clock up some quick miles to see if everything is ok before ramping up full production .

 

Its low mileage and the JCW engines of the N14 that I have seen have been the strongest of the N14's (thats the last year). I have one R58 JCW 2012(last year for the JCW n14 here) and its fine. Its the early N14 from UK 2006 or US 2007 you have to watch.

With all those extra options I would jump on it. Most of the time over here its a press car like that or a corporate car.

 

Going to look at it this weekend

It's about 3 hours away

But have already placed a holding deposit

 

Ok, let us know. Good luck.

 

I'd jump on that like ants on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. The N14 JCW is a stout little motor. 2012 N14 JCW here with 291 whp and just over 60,000 miles. Over 20k miles on Stage 2 meth and over 10k miles on Stage 3 meth tune. Change your oil every 5k miles, plugs at 20k. Give it a little loving (it is an English car ) and it will treat you right. Hmm... Sounds a bit like a relationship me thinks.

 

Yes, mine is almost at 81K. Still good.

 

September 2011 build date,

A busy fall and spring, then an early retirement,
its hardly moved since 2014, when it left Germany and came back to the uk

I asked if I could have a fuel service but got stonewalled by the selling dealer, as the tech guys say it's not required

So I will ignore that advice and flush the system with whatever you guys recommend
It's a long drive home, so may as well take that opportunity

 

I'd be all over it like a cheap suit in a downpour. I had a 2007 N14 MCS for 7 years and it never gave me a bit of trouble. That's a great looking Mini.

 

Congratulations. I add a half a can of Seafoam to a full tank of gas every other oil change to keep the injectors, pumps and all their persnickety parts happy. Enjoy the drive!

 

I see a few reasons to go for it......... a factory JCW is rare among roadster and coupe production and even with so low mileage and this one is a manual which in my book adds a lot more value.


Just have an independent shop perform a complete maintenance because it is a 6YO car.

 

Looking forward to the pics.

 

Collecting Wednesday @ noon

It will change both superficially, and under the skin
Getting the red trim, mirrors and stripes removed over Xmas are the 1st baby steps
A years dealer warranty will make things slow to begin with, then expect some more "interesting posts"

But here we are on day one

 

So an opportunity has arrived for some "taster" track time at Silverstone 2 April

Still on the oem runflats and stock pads, not planning on changing these in 2018,

But in the spirt of the occasion bilstiens B16 PSS10 and a super pro rear adjustable arb and droplinks are being fitted

 

Yes, those new pads and getting rid of the stock runflats are huge.

I think it needs the camo back

 

Car performed well

Corner speed as good or better than most out on track in these conditions
We need to look at some tuning work next year to keep better company on the straights

Looks like a keeper

 

I would definitely say it is a keeper.
Enjoy and make MINI friends.
Should be hopefully picking mine up on Tuesday.

 

Its good to hear that the 2012 N14's are a strong engine, as mine will have the same engine. It is a February 2012 build date.

 

Good news, I think I have the very 1st roadster...
My tech feels the chassis numbers might be significant

Ends 001

Can anyone else read bmw/mini code numbers ?
The code reader shows September 26, 2011 as build date, but not sure of the significance of S991A Pre-production management

Car is in the shop today for a precautionary tensioner chain change
Anything else I should be doing to protect my "investment"

 

Yes that has a weird number plate, has to be pre production. And then used for press, and it was number one by my guess and see Vins all the time for MINI. But was it the very first? They usually at BMW group take #1 pre-pre production and the prototype to the Welt or it will go to the showroom in Oxford at the little museum in the front. So my guess is pre production #1.

 

That would be cool to have. And I think the late N14 engines were fine. Heck I had an N14 2007 MCS and it never had any problems I drove it for 7 years. I sometimes wish I'd bought the 2015 JCW Roadster that was on the lot at Scottsdale Mini when I bought my 2014 JCW Coupe. That was the last year for the Coupe/Roadster and it wasn't any different from 2014. But it was a cool convertible, I just like my colors better, and the Recaro seats.

 

While on the subject, what's the chain tensioner change recommended mileage?

I have to have the accessory belt changed and was thinking about wether or not it would be good to have the chain tensioner changed as well... (?)

 

On the n18 engine, it will not need it like the n14 engine. Most what i have seen its on 100K up on the n18.

 

ECSTuning what about the timing chain for the N14 Engine? I have 50K miles now.

 

The early 2007-2010 N14 i would check for the chain rattle noise or the measurable amount of stretch, like at 50-60K if it has not been done before. The later N14 and JCW years like my R58 seem to have the updated chain part number and newer tensioner, those, of course, listen for a chain rattle. If none and your change your oil all the time at 5-7K then I would have it measured at 100K. Most people when they change there valve cover gasket or cover check the top T guide and the bottom guides to make sure they did not split or crack. The older N14 2007-2010 seem to have the older parts, the newer N14 seem to hold up much longer, then the n18 has been the best out of the PSA sourced engines.