Disclaimer: I am a TOTAL newb to the R61 but have had two '06 R53 JCWs (still have one now) and a 2021 F56 JCW daily, custom ordered. I usually don't look at any 2nd gen MINIs, just per the usual N18 'issues', and my wife has an N20 powered X1 which is bad enough! (just came back out of the shop again yesterday). That said, I'm kinda looking to sell my R53 as we're in-between houses right now, and prefer to rat-hole the 2021 away, get something a little more practical for daily driving that has a bit more hauling capacity, but still have some exclusivity, rarity, and is fun to drive. I hate piling on the miles on my new 2021, and my R53 project car only has 65K too.

I recently came across a local Paceman FWD/6 spd. on C.L. in brown (appears to be the same as BMW's Marrakesh brown), and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were made with a manual transmission. So I started researching and found out they made them in ALL4 configuration with a 6 speed! The next discovery was that they had a rare JCW version (Are you kidding me? a sport-tuned, two-door, 4 wheel drive, turbo, stick-shift??? How did I miss these Pacemans all these years?). Then as a cherry on top, I soon realized they had Oxford Green for at least the 2014 model year (which is my favorite BMW color).

So dear R61 experts: I'm assuming it will be nearly impossible to find a decent condition, relatively low mile JCW ALL4 Paceman manual in green? I have no idea what the production numbers are on the Paceman, let alone the certain spec I'm looking for... Here is an example of what would be my 'dream' Paceman, when it had 5000 miles on the clock (no HID, but otherwise perfect):

http://gtcarlot.com/colors/car/97296148.html



So should I just scuttle the idea of finding an unmolested JCW ALL4 6 speed Paceman in any color, let alone Oxford Green? I see only one for sale online, but wrong color, wrong coast and 120K miles racked up. Also not really looking for one that has been modified, tracked, beat-on etc... It looks like lowering is a pretty popular mod though, and really helps the profile/looks of the car greatly.

Again, I know I'm behind the curve here being 5 years late to the game, but are you guys thinking like me, that a well preserved JCW ALL4 manual transmission Paceman unicorn will be an investment car? (obviously not the level of Acura Type R, Ford GT, Porsche GT2, or even a MINI GP1, but at least a break-even car for say 3 year ownership?)

Here are some photos of the same car as above, but years later, with 96K miles and apparently sold in New Jersey for around $12K back in 2019:




Oh, and as another cherry on top, the Paceman has a 5x120 wheel bolt pattern with a 72.56mm hub bore!!! That means a gazillion BMW wheel options (with the usual offset caveats). Amazing.

 

I doubt you'll find one specced exactly as you want it, and I don't think it would appreciate in value even if you were able to track one down. Great car to drive, for sure, but not a collector model like the GP imho. Good luck with the search!

 

Thanks much for your honest input! I wouldn't be basing my purchase on value appreciation, but I just figured (as a thought exercise), that these particular unicorn MINIs would have a much more solid footing when it comes to retaining value vs. other 2nd gen MINIs. I could even see a nicely kept one do well on Bring a Trailer.

That said, I'm going to keep an eye out for a green 6 speed JCW Paceman and see if anything materializes over the next few months. It's crazy to think that there's little to zero hope of finding the car in my desired spec, when they were built by a high volume car company just 5-8 years ago! I'd really love to find the info on how many JCW Pacemans were shipped to North America year by year, spec by spec... For example, if there were only 5 Oxford Green JCWs built, only 2 of those are manual transmission, and one of them is the high mileage New Jersey car shown above, I might as well give up all hope now LOL. But I'm guessing that type of production information isn't available anywhere like it is for some older low production BMWs (e.g. Z3 M Coupe, E31 8 series, 1M, etc...)

 

You're welcome! Keep in mind that MINI really isn't a high volume car company. I think of it as more of a niche company. On top of that the Paceman model sold quite poorly, that's why they killed it pretty quickly. On the other hand, all you need is to find ONE! I remember seeing production stats on www.motoringfile.com a while back on the first generation models...haven't kept up with them since MINI expanded their line, figuratively and literally...😉

 

I did a quick search but couldn't come up with any production numbers. There was an AutoTrader article about how few of them get put up for sale...but.....



they have a 2013 JCW ALL 4 in Chili Red for sale with 130k on the odometer, and asking 13k. MANUAL! Located in Naples, Florida 😁

 

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

 

LOL that was the one I was referring to in my initial message above: "I see only one for sale online, but wrong color, wrong coast and 120K miles racked up.". Thanks for your continued support regardless!

BTW, I revisited that car today as a matter of fact, as I've paid that amount for a red R53 JCW before! Sure seems like a lot of car for $9k! (plus $2k shipping, taxes etc...)... There's always green wrap, right? Hahaha

 

JCW Paceman are just hard to find period. That one does have the rare cloth seats.

 

We stumbled on a black JCW 6-speed a couple of years ago. Were in Minneapolis to take our youngest son to the airport. We're both Miniacs so we stopped by the Mini dealer there. They had a 2013 on the lot for an attractive price. Mileage was a little high but the turbo had been replaced. The Paceman JCW in black was his dream car. I went back a couple of days later and bought it. We surprised him with it when he returned from his trip. Had it parked in the airport lot and as we were walking by I clicked the key to unlock it. He was speechless. One of the best moments of my life. I spent the next day teaching him to drive stick.

Don't give up the search.

 

Oh I definitely saw your post from 2019!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4480653

Tell your son there's a middle-aged man jealous of his ride! Helluva father you are!

I will not give up the search anytime soon, thank you for your support!

 

Thanks for this link @krawzdogg .... Too bad it is only 2WD, lots of miles, accident history and too much money to boot. I hate buying from dealers too.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ngId=616596256

 

Turns out all JCW Pacemans are ALL4- The car that was listed above is now mine! 8 month search paid off. Thanks @krawzdogg ! Details on the purchase to follow in a month or so, after the car arrives and I've had a chance to write up the story. Thanks all, never give up the search! @dmath

 

Needs a good paint correction and some other cosmetic fixes, but all in all, I'm happy with my Paceman JCW! Can't believe I found one!

 

WOW! Looks like you found exactly what you wanted, right down to the seats! Nicely done...enjoy 👍