Anyone got a GP1.....

Anyone got a GP1.....

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Discussion

Mako V12V

Original Poster:

3,135 posts

213 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
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Hi all. I have a R53 Cooper S Checkmate, 06 plate, third owner with 53800 miles. Third car so not a daily drive. Apart from an extra 40bhp, will it be worth spending probably an additional £6-7k on acquiring a GP1 to replace the Checkmate?

I know there's only around 350 UK GP1 so quite rare and contributing to stable prices.....but are these cars worth the extra?


mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
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In a way no, as you can mod your car to make it match/better a GP in terms of power, suspension, brakes etc cheaper than buying a GP.

But the GP is a limited edition, that will hold its value better. Depends what you want really.

Also, mind the GP doesn't have xenons or climate, if that matters to you

Pip1968

1,346 posts

203 months

Thursday 14th July 2016
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Xenons, ... maybe as they are good for night driving but 'climate' - just open the window. The GP I does have heated seats though which I would hold above 'climate'.

Obviously the GP is special but remember it only has two seats so limits your options. Not a problem if you are single or ideally have another car with four seats.

Take one on a test drive and see what you think. Unless you like tinkering why change your car into a GP 'looky likey' and lose money doing that when you can buy one and it will hold its value, hopefully.

Pip

Mako V12V

Original Poster:

3,135 posts

213 months

Thursday 14th July 2016
quotequote all
Thanks for replies. I have first refusal on one if the independent gets his hands on it. Will view and drive and a decision made. At this stage its 50/50, as my Checkmate is a cool car!

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Friday 15th July 2016
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If it's power that you want, a pulley, intake and an exhaust will give you GP power for under £1k.

Get brakes from an R56 S for £500 or whatever - same as GP brakes.

If you want a GP get a GP, but if it's just more power etc you're after you can do it cheaper on your current car

kayzee

2,781 posts

180 months

Friday 15th July 2016
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mon the fish said:
If it's power that you want, a pulley, intake and an exhaust will give you GP power for under £1k.

Get brakes from an R56 S for £500 or whatever - same as GP brakes.

If you want a GP get a GP, but if it's just more power etc you're after you can do it cheaper on your current car
You're absolutely right that it's cheaper to mod an S smile however I think some of your figures are wrong. You'd probably want an upgraded FMIC and injectors for GP power... overall more like £1.5k

Also, R56 S brakes are the same as R53 JCW. Although I'm not 100% on this, I'd presume the GP had a further upgrade? Might be wrong there mind! Also, I've seen some sets going for £250 secondhand, and in fact recently (apparently) prices brand new have come way down for some reason!

mon the fish

1,412 posts

147 months

Saturday 16th July 2016
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R53 JCW brakes are defo the same as R56 S - you need different brake lines though.

The Checkmate is 170bhp on the stock pulley, a 17% will see easily over 200. Plus intake/exhaust will give more still.

An upgraded FMIC is wise for a 17% pulley, but it won't give you more power - it just allows you to keep what you've got for longer

Leins

9,418 posts

147 months

Monday 18th July 2016
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I have the optional grooved JCW discs on my GP, and combined with steel brake lines and better fluid, they provide all the stopping power on the road that I could ask for

GPs come with aircon, so no need to open a window. Unless you want to better hear the exhaust pops and crackles!

Xenons are a bit of a loss I'll admit, although I'm going to investigate some uprated bulbs soon (Osram Nightbreakers?), and there's no rear wiper or speakers either

For me the GP was the MINI I wanted, as I quite like the bit of madness to it. Is it worth the extra? If you consider that the extra outlay has a fair-to-good chance of being retained come resale time, then IMO yes

Waitey

869 posts

221 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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I made £1500 on my GP after owning it for 6 months. Free motoring!