Just bought a JCW. Wow.

Just bought a JCW. Wow.

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Clivey

Original Poster:

5,108 posts

203 months

Sunday 14th September 2014
quotequote all
As per the title, I've just bought an R56 JCW (picked it up on Friday after work). If you knew me, that would say a lot in itself as normally FWD performance cars irritate me...after a good blast in it today all I can say is "Wow". What a ridiculously fun little beast. thumbup

I was originally looking for a BMW 130i LE or Z4 3.0Si but it will be my fiancée that drives it most of the time and she's always wanted a Mini after learning to drive in one (my Dad's!). I agreed as long as I could pick the spec. and so this is what we've ended-up with:

(Dealer photo - I haven't stopped grinning like a loon for long enough to take my own!)


It's got, amongst other things, full leather (black), heated seats, climate control, cruise, xenons and upgraded audio...which I've not even used yet as the exhaust pops and bangs are entertaining enough. woohoo

A question for those in the know: What are the differences between the N14 and N18 JCWs in terms of specification?

Also, since the R56 JCW's gone out of production, is there anywhere apart from the Mini site where I can download a copy of the brochure, or is that one for eBay?

sad61t

1,100 posts

209 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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This article on Total Mini sums up the differences. I believe the N18 has fewer coking and timing chain issues, though the cars are younger so time will tell.

Yours looks absolutely lovely. Glad you are having fun in it, now you just need to work out how to ensure your fiancé leaves you with the keys. Some suggestions:
- leave the other car in the way (if she leaves first)
- put the keys somewhere safe (i.e. obscure)
- always arrive home short of fuel (so she'd have to go and fill up)

I'm sure some other PHers could add to the list...

Regarding the brochure, try ringing a few dealers or Mini customer service. The MINI USA catalog number is 2010 AG JCW MY11 5.5K-0910.

Maracus

4,229 posts

167 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
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Great choice. We have an N18 Cooper S auto.

I know it sounds wrong to have an auto MINI, but it's great fun. And 45MPG on a run.


Clivey

Original Poster:

5,108 posts

203 months

Tuesday 16th September 2014
quotequote all
sad61t said:
This article on Total Mini sums up the differences. I believe the N18 has fewer coking and timing chain issues, though the cars are younger so time will tell.
Thanks! thumbup

Ours is pretty well-specced but I'm also interested in specification in terms of interior, trim, options etc. changes. Any idea where I'd find that info? I'm wondering what goodies I might be able to retrofit!

sad61t said:
Yours looks absolutely lovely. Glad you are having fun in it, now you just need to work out how to ensure your fiancé leaves you with the keys. Some suggestions:
- leave the other car in the way (if she leaves first)
- put the keys somewhere safe (i.e. obscure)
- always arrive home short of fuel (so she'd have to go and fill up)

I'm sure some other PHers could add to the list...
hehe To be honest, she loves driving my Discovery as well so it's usually just a case of picking the best tool for the job. We're off to a Land Rover show (Peterborough) at the weekend so the JCW won't actually get much use / attention until after we're back. Will have to get some better photos ASAP though!

sad61t said:
Regarding the brochure, try ringing a few dealers or Mini customer service. The MINI USA catalog number is 2010 AG JCW MY11 5.5K-0910.
Hmmm, might give that a try. - Nothing ventured, nothing gained... smile

oedo

99 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
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I'm sure this link was posted here just the other week. Haven't tried it myself yet but I understand it should provide you with a list of all options on your car when it left the factory.

http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html

Clivey

Original Poster:

5,108 posts

203 months

Wednesday 17th September 2014
quotequote all
oedo said:
I'm sure this link was posted here just the other week. Haven't tried it myself yet but I understand it should provide you with a list of all options on your car when it left the factory.

http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
Thanks very much for that. - It gave me the complete build specification of our car. thumbup

Whilst that's undoubtedly going to prove useful, what I'm after is a list of the possible options for the N14 and N18 versions to compare it to. smile

kevs

33 posts

118 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
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Welcome to the JCW world, not the fastest thing on 4 wheels but as you have discovered the do make you smile!!

Try here if you want to sort out differences.

For a good place to browse parts try here you may find the challenge or GP parts of interest wink

Most parts are retrofittable, well dependant of depth of your pockets!

If you are new to the R56 and MINI's in general take a look at mini2.com, total mini.com, mini torque.com all three a great resource.

Enjoy the car, if you can get it out of here hands for long enough, oh and look after them wheels!! the paint is soft, wheel woolies are a must!!

Clivey

Original Poster:

5,108 posts

203 months

Thursday 18th September 2014
quotequote all
kevs said:
Welcome to the JCW world, not the fastest thing on 4 wheels but as you have discovered the do make you smile!!

Try here if you want to sort out differences.

For a good place to browse parts try here you may find the challenge or GP parts of interest wink

Most parts are retrofittable, well dependant of depth of your pockets!

If you are new to the R56 and MINI's in general take a look at mini2.com, total mini.com, mini torque.com all three a great resource.

Enjoy the car, if you can get it out of here hands for long enough, oh and look after them wheels!! the paint is soft, wheel woolies are a must!!
Thanks very much for the post, I appreciate it. - I'm just preparing my Discovery for a show this weekend at the moment but will check those links out next week. thumbup