R56 JCW Noob Q's
Discussion
I'm rather taken with the idea of an R56 JCW and I have a few noob questions if I may. Part of my reasoning is that my commute is a 90 mile round trip on very rural A and B roads so I'm warming to the idea of FWD security and also a bit better economy than provided by the 993. So, with a budget of £15k, I'm looking at circa 2008 models.
Bearing in mind it's nearly all NSL driving with no town traffic and only a few complete stops in the odd village is 35+mpg really achieveable? I'm not buying it for "economy" per se, but if 35-40mpg is really on the cards with a lot of chuckable fun then that will make my decision for me.
What's the difference between a factory JCW and a dealer upgraded one, bar the obvious of where the bits were put together? Do the upgraded ones still have the forged internals, LSD, full 211bhp, etc? Anything at all missing or different from a mechanical point of view?
I hate run-flats so would be changing them for some quality pneumatic rubber. Whilst a can of Tyre Weld can help in some situations it obviously can't help a full blowout. Are spacesavers available to keep in the boot and fit if necessary?
Lastly, is there anything obvious failure-wise to be looking out for. I've read about clutches going early in their lives and something about a death rattle?
I'm sure there was something else, but it's not coming to mind right now.
Thanks in advance,
Brewster.
Bearing in mind it's nearly all NSL driving with no town traffic and only a few complete stops in the odd village is 35+mpg really achieveable? I'm not buying it for "economy" per se, but if 35-40mpg is really on the cards with a lot of chuckable fun then that will make my decision for me.
What's the difference between a factory JCW and a dealer upgraded one, bar the obvious of where the bits were put together? Do the upgraded ones still have the forged internals, LSD, full 211bhp, etc? Anything at all missing or different from a mechanical point of view?
I hate run-flats so would be changing them for some quality pneumatic rubber. Whilst a can of Tyre Weld can help in some situations it obviously can't help a full blowout. Are spacesavers available to keep in the boot and fit if necessary?
Lastly, is there anything obvious failure-wise to be looking out for. I've read about clutches going early in their lives and something about a death rattle?
I'm sure there was something else, but it's not coming to mind right now.
Thanks in advance,
Brewster.
The factory has the uprated internals the conversion does not I think there is a power difference too, factory has more.
No such thing as a death rattle its just a chain tensioner that needs to be replaced.
Some clutches go early if it is over a short distance the dealer will most likely change it, this only effects some.
If you can, get a factory JCW as the stock engine has been known not to be as strong should you wish to tune it later in life you will have a good basis
No such thing as a death rattle its just a chain tensioner that needs to be replaced.
Some clutches go early if it is over a short distance the dealer will most likely change it, this only effects some.
If you can, get a factory JCW as the stock engine has been known not to be as strong should you wish to tune it later in life you will have a good basis
RKDE said:
The factory has the uprated internals the conversion does not I think there is a power difference too, factory has more.
I had a feeling it would be something like this. I'm in no hurry to buy so factory JCW it is then.RKDE said:
No such thing as a death rattle its just a chain tensioner that needs to be replaced.
Some clutches go early if it is over a short distance the dealer will most likely change it, this only effects some.
So nothing to really worry about. Trying to find one that hasn't had "one lady owner" might be a good thing with regards to the clutch Some clutches go early if it is over a short distance the dealer will most likely change it, this only effects some.
RKDE said:
If you can, get a factory JCW as the stock engine has been known not to be as strong should you wish to tune it later in life you will have a good basis
I'm not into tuning or modding so a standard factory car will be fine. I don't mind some JCW body mods if genuine and factory fitted, but I'm not buying it as a fashion statement so not worried either way.Anybody know about the spacesaver issue at all?
Cheers.
As for the RFTs, I've been running one for 45k with no issues although having said that I'm asking for problems! Factory fit is the better option, having a much stronger bottom end; mine reliably puts out 230bhp (admittedly properly run in - not the factory way) but I can't get anywhere near 35mpg. 28mpg is my average although I have an extremely heavy right foot.
Economy-wise the JCW's returns depend very much on how the car is treated. With a heavy right foot you won't better 26-28mpg. If you're just tootling along at ~NSL with the occasional full-bore overtake then it'll be more like 37mpg. And if you spend any amount of time cooped up behind the 43mph brigade you might crack 40mpg.
And I don't think it's worth swapping the runflats - the ride is very hard anyway!
And I don't think it's worth swapping the runflats - the ride is very hard anyway!
BrewsterBear said:
Nobody know about the Stop-Start tech on a JCW?
Another question if I may. If I buy a Cherished Mini from a dealer is the warranty valid at any official dealership? Same with the TLC pack. Cheers.
I bought my 08 JCW in Jan 10 and the TLC came with it and can be used at any dealership as can the warranty (I've used 2 dealers).Another question if I may. If I buy a Cherished Mini from a dealer is the warranty valid at any official dealership? Same with the TLC pack. Cheers.
Mine had 6000 miles on it when I got it and now has 17000 on. At 13000 it had to have a new turbo fitted!
Top car though, love it to bits and wont part with it.
BrewsterBear said:
Nobody know about the Stop-Start tech on a JCW?
Another question if I may. If I buy a Cherished Mini from a dealer is the warranty valid at any official dealership? Same with the TLC pack. Cheers.
the "proper" JCW does not have the stop/start function. If you went for a Cooper S with the JCW pack it would, but the system can be disabled by pushing a button by the gear lever. Another question if I may. If I buy a Cherished Mini from a dealer is the warranty valid at any official dealership? Same with the TLC pack. Cheers.
See if you can find one with the Recaro seat upgrade, they are superb and a £3000 upgrade, the wife has a JCW from the factory and it is a cracking car the only other car I would throw into the mix would be a clio rs. Lovely exhaust tone with pops and crackles when in sport mode and it really does pull well, very well in fact it feels like a very strong 211 hp to me.
I think the wife averages 25mpg in hers with mostly b road journeys.
I think the wife averages 25mpg in hers with mostly b road journeys.
BrewsterBear said:
I hate run-flats so would be changing them for some quality pneumatic rubber. Whilst a can of Tyre Weld can help in some situations it obviously can't help a full blowout. Are spacesavers available to keep in the boot and fit if necessary?
Brewster.
I had a R53 CooperS and swapped out the runflats with a set of Federal 595's. Very good tyre which didn't let me down. The only issue was road noise, but grip and durability was excellent. I stuck a can of tyre weld in the boot and worked on the assumption that my AA card and the BMW get you home service would do just fine.Brewster.
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