F56 JCW - What spec to go for?

[trowelhead]

I'm looking for a small fun car for city driving so an Auto JCW seems perfect.

Can any of you who own a JCW help me out with the spec i should be looking for?

I am looking at buying used, 18-25k range. I would also consider speccing a new one if the deal was good.

So far, i'm looking at black, thunder grey, BRG or silver white - with black stripes, chilli pack.

Must haves:
Heated Seats

What are the other must have options?
Adaptive dampers? HK?

I will add the JCW Pro exhaust 100% to any car (ideal if has it already)

If anyone is selling also please let me know about your car - cheers

[trowelhead]

creepy coupe said:

I've just picked up a used 2016 JCW with every option ticked. I test drove a few before buying. Adaptive Dampers are a must if you don't intend going down the modding route. Also The chilli pack add some nice optiond. HUD works really well but it's not strictly necessary.

Thanks, ok adaptive dampers and heated seats are a must then!

HUD would be nice too...

I keep changing my mind on which colour i like best...

[trowelhead]

Boogs said:

Ensure someone hasn't opted for lounge leather as you lose the JCW seats, which leads me on to the question - as the seats are alcantara, why the obsession with heated seats? IMHO, Heated seats only really required on leather.

Agree go for the adaptive suspension. Anything else I really see as a personal preference.

Good point actually!

[trowelhead]

Shuks76 said:

I just bought a high spec thunder grey with every option other than the heated windscreen. Epic little car, my second F56 mini (previous was Cooper S 5 door). Picked up a 7 month old car with 8k miles for £24k from a BMW dealer.

When searching I wanted: HUD, Sunroof, Adaptive Dampers, 18" wheels, Pro Nav as must have items. I would never have gone for adaptive cruise as an option but having just used it the other day driving on the M4 into London it was fantastic.

Will be getting a JCW Pro exhaust fitted on Tuesday.

Very nice indeed, love TG - and love the pro exhaust

[trowelhead]

flying scotsman said:

I am considering changing my Challenge 210. Time for mid life 911 crisis!
Mini demo then me, 2015, just been serviced but has tlc pack. 15000 miles, downside for you may be that it is a manual?

Cheers, i do like the 210s.

My gf has an auto licence only so i was going to look for an auto so she can (occasionally) use it.

This might go out the window however as i was blown away by a test drive of a GP2 today...

[trowelhead]

flying scotsman said:

I am considering changing my Challenge 210. Time for mid life 911 crisis!
Mini demo then me, 2015, just been serviced but has tlc pack. 15000 miles, downside for you may be that it is a manual?

Can you tell me about how you got on with the change from your C63 to the mini?

I currently daily drive my C63 and have added over 20,000 miles to it this year (at great expense). Alot of that has been fun driving, but most of it boring commuting etc in traffic that would suit the mini better.

I was looking for a F56 JCW to run alongside the C63, but if i like the mini i might sell the C63 and use the money for something else! Just don't want to sell the C63 then regret it.

[trowelhead]

flying scotsman said:

I miss the noise!
The mini is fun, it is about 1/3 of the cost and for my relatively short journeys, circa 15 miles, it does the job. I quite fancy a convertible again so considering 911/boxster to replace the Challenge.

For me, I quite like my cars to be lower power/lower weight - something that I had not realised until I bought the C63. Great car, but I found myself at silly speeds at inappropriate places. It did make me smile each time I started it but for my purposes, just the wrong car.

If you want a V8 coupe/saloon it is still one of the best!

Yeah the cost is a big factor, i'm spending hundreds a month on fuel, 35mpg seems like a dream after a C63 ha ha

I think i'll run both for a bit and see how i get on! I too would like a 911 or a cayman at some point too...

[trowelhead]

Shuks76 said:

I might be able to comment here. I have the W204 C63 and recently bought my JCW. The Mercedes is special on start up and you don't need to thrash it to feel like your driving something epic. On the other hand the JCW makes more sense for my mainly shorter journeys on country lanes. You get to stretch the JCW, whilst with the AMG you are just teasing the engine.

I have my C63 for sale in the classifieds, but have decided I will only sell if a decent offer comes along. In the long run I would probably want something like a Cayman S/GTS for weekend blasts, keep the JCW for daily chores and have my 535d for longer runs. If I did more miles (like having a daily commute to work) I think the C63 would defo stay a little longer.

That's interesting - thanks for the reply and i fully agree with you

I feel like 90% of the time i'm not using the C63 anywhere near it's potential, where i think the JCW would be more fun day to day as i'd be able to really chuck it about. Also i do alot of city driving and it's frankly a waste of money doing that in a C63...

I may take the same approach as you, advertise the C63 and see what happens - in no rush to sell and i will miss it greatly. On the right roads it's epic, best car i've had so far.

And yes, with the JCW taking over daily duties a Cayman would be perfect. GT4 would be nice

[trowelhead]

Boogs said:

Do what I did, get the JCW for the wife and keep your own car (see profile).

@ flying Scotsman, given your stated preference of light weight could I just suggest you at least test drive an Evora before you make your mind up on a Porsche. The test drive to purchase conversion rate is massive.

Funny you should say this, my gf feels like this would be an excellent idea

[trowelhead]

jayxx83 said:

Got a 16 plate JCW last December. Exdemo with 3k miles for £21250. All options apart from parking sensors, hud and pano roof. Had roof before and just added weight in the wrong place. Got them to put in the factory JCW akrapovicexhaust and JCW pro (kw) coilovers.

Car is so epic I sold my boxster spyder as its more fun n more of the time. The spyder was epically balanced etc but you couldn't really get into the zone in the road as for real excitement it's 5k plus needed.

The rft as ever are pony so just ordered some 17" TD pro race 1.2 with Michelin cup 2 tyres. Looks like that will save 20kg off the standard set up.

The stock suspension is good but not great. Minis always need dialing in to get the true go kart out of it.

You will Love it. Avg showing 33mpg with it being hammered a lot and cruising. Very refined compared to the last r53 JCW I had.

Sounds like a great deal you got there. Car must be great to get rid of a Spyder!

What are the JCW pro coilovers like? Would you recommend? The exhaust is a must for me.

My major decision now is to either go with the F56 or get an R56 GP...

Does anyone know if there are any competitive lease deals on the F56 JCW?

[trowelhead]

jayxx83 said:

just ordered some 17" TD pro race 1.2 with Michelin cup 2 tyres. Looks like that will save 20kg off the standard set up.

Forgot to say, they will look awesome great choice.

[trowelhead]

Thanks all,

Put a deposit down today on the following:

2016 Mini JCW Auto
Black with red roof
Chilli pack
Adaptive LED Headlights
Harmon Kardon Hifi
Media Pack XL
HUD
Mini yours fibre alloy interior (adds some fancy disco lights to the interior)
PDC front + rear
Seat heating
Variable Dampers

• * And the all important JCW pro exhaust has been ordered and will be fitted to the car prior to collection

Chuffed to bits, can't wait to pick it up. Pretty much the perfect spec for me.
Going to be a long week or so until pickup

I would be interested in the JCW pro coilovers too perhaps in future...

[trowelhead]

And for those who have the JCW Pro exhaust - does it need to be declared to insurance as a modification? (As it is almost like a factory fit item?)

[trowelhead]

Boogs said:

Yes. If it wasn't on the build sheet it's a modification. Made more obvious because it was never a factory option.

Cheers, will do!

[trowelhead]

Patch1875 said:

My budget means either a new cooper s or used JCW.

I'm guessing the consensus would go JCW?

I would go with the used JCW all the way. Lightly used ones with low miles look great value at about £10k off new prices after speccing them up!!
They are a riot - can't wait to pick mine up. Roll on Friday!!!!!!!

[trowelhead]

SlowStig said:

Excellent choice on the Pro Exhaust, its great fun and still makes me laugh after 12 months(part of my drive to work is down country lanes through a forest so sounds like a rally stage when I turn up for work )

We test drove one with a standard exhaust (sounds good) then the pro exhaust (sounds awesome!). Can't wait to hear what it's like through a tunnel

It completely transforms the car!

Good choice on the carbon tips too - i've gone for the same.

[trowelhead]

Patch1875 said:

Remember the pics of yours when you get it.

Certainly will share some pics!

[trowelhead]

I must admit - having not driven a M135i - i would imagine the Mini JCW to be more fun.

M135i is a great all rounder though.

[trowelhead]

Mine is apparently now all ready for pickup, exhaust fitted, just awaiting carbon tips and i can go and collect!!!