JCW GP Supercharged or Turbo
Discussion
Hi there, I've currently got a lotus elise, which I've had for 4 years and I'm getting itchy feet. I fancy something different and although I don't need the cash, it would be nice if I sold the elise in exchange for a mini GP and some cash! I've been looking in the classifieds and I could get a nice Mk1 and have a chunk if cash in the bank, or I would have to blow all my budget to get a mk2. Question is, is the mk2 vastly better? I would like to do a few trackdays in the car as well
Thoughts appreciated
Thoughts appreciated
Not as clear cut as that unfortunately,modern turbos are much better in the lower rev range than years back ,lag is pretty much eradicated with hybrid builds ,although there is still not the immediate full urge from a turbo from zero revs upwards ,superchargers also don't tend to work well at the top end of the rev range ,hence some cars come with both turbo and supercharger to get the best of both worlds.
Try both and see which you prefer.
Try both and see which you prefer.
Silent1 said:
The first GP they did a lot of work to, the following ones are really not all that special
The R56 GP also had a lot of bespoke work, probably more so than the R53 (certainly in performance and handling).I agree that on the whole the 2nd Gen isn't as special as the 1st Gen (I never really got on with my R56 S, but enjoy my 1st Gens), but the R56 GP is pretty spectacular, and definitely quite a jump up even from the fJCW.
You need to drive them both, but I don't think the R56 is worth the premium over the R53, not forgetting the R53 won't really depreciate anymore, either.
NormanD said:
mikeulster500 said:
Surely the mk2 can't be 10k's worth of more fun!
Personally I would spend just a 10% of that and get over 200 horses out of the Mk1Personally though, I'd look at getting a JCW one, with 210bhp already with scope to improve, it's a fun car to drive, and it's a lot less money.
illmonkey said:
NormanD said:
mikeulster500 said:
Surely the mk2 can't be 10k's worth of more fun!
Personally I would spend just a 10% of that and get over 200 horses out of the Mk1Personally though, I'd look at getting a JCW one, with 210bhp already with scope to improve, it's a fun car to drive, and it's a lot less money.
ks to a JCW, they're not really worth it either, mine makes 240bhp at the wheels and it's a pre facelift (although a Teflon coated s/c) the JCW head isn't that special, all the really good parts were the john cooper motorsports parts from the old john cooper garage.Check the history carefully; I've heard that the GP56 release acted as a meme for the 53 and quite a few were imported to satisfy demand. (Not been inclined to confirm this, but someone on the forum may have more evidence. I assume the main source would have to be Japan.)
Nearly pulled the trigger on a 53 myself, except the dealer had sold the one on MINI's website but "could source one for me". I found it difficult to be polite to the young lady from Mini UK who 'phoned me a week later to see how I'd got on. Especially as the dealer still had it listed on Mini Cherished.
Nearly pulled the trigger on a 53 myself, except the dealer had sold the one on MINI's website but "could source one for me". I found it difficult to be polite to the young lady from Mini UK who 'phoned me a week later to see how I'd got on. Especially as the dealer still had it listed on Mini Cherished.
Had a GP1 great car quick , poor lights and clunky gearbox . Great looks and handling .
Now own the GP2 very quick much more power than the GP1 , great lights can now drive fast at night ,
Gearbox much better , handles like it's on rails . Still has great looks .
If you can get a low miles GP1 for 11k then buy that . If you can afford 21k get a low miles GP2
Now own the GP2 very quick much more power than the GP1 , great lights can now drive fast at night ,
Gearbox much better , handles like it's on rails . Still has great looks .
If you can get a low miles GP1 for 11k then buy that . If you can afford 21k get a low miles GP2
nwates said:
Had a GP1 great car quick , poor lights and clunky gearbox . Great looks and handling .
Now own the GP2 very quick much more power than the GP1 , great lights can now drive fast at night ,
Gearbox much better , handles like it's on rails . Still has great looks .
If you can get a low miles GP1 for 11k then buy that . If you can afford 21k get a low miles GP2
Other than the lights and gearbox what do you find are the differences between them? Especially handling and compliance on the road. It's often said that the 1 is the better handling car, sharper with more compliant suspension?Now own the GP2 very quick much more power than the GP1 , great lights can now drive fast at night ,
Gearbox much better , handles like it's on rails . Still has great looks .
If you can get a low miles GP1 for 11k then buy that . If you can afford 21k get a low miles GP2
The 2 sounds like it's a better car. Which is more fun though?
As an example, I have a DC2 and also had an R26r. The latter was the quicker car, but so boring in comparison to the DC2 which is an amazing entertainer. Sold the R26r for that reason.
As an example, I have a DC2 and also had an R26r. The latter was the quicker car, but so boring in comparison to the DC2 which is an amazing entertainer. Sold the R26r for that reason.
Edited by Alpinestars on Thursday 22 May 22:35
LaurasOtherHalf said:
My GP2 is way more lively in the handling department than my R26.R ever was, the thing just loves to go sideways!
Google "LOH mini adventure" for my readers cars thread
Interesting read. I had the R26R from new and owned it for 4 years. But in the end I hardly drove it as it was a pretty boring drive. Very competent might be less provocative. I've got a mini JCW and DC2 as fwd comparisons and both those are much more fun if not quite as quick ad the Megane. I'd like the fun to remain, and can't see the GP1 being that different to my JCW (R53)? I love the looks of the GP2, and if it is as much/more fun than an R53, I'd love to get one. Google "LOH mini adventure" for my readers cars thread
EVO did a review to compare Gen1 GP to the Gen2...the Gen1 won hands down.
Much more the better looking, better drivers car, more special and unique in my opinion. It's all too easy to make an R56 look like a GP.
Get the Gen1, fit better lights and get it to 1320 MINI for some extra oomph.
Much more the better looking, better drivers car, more special and unique in my opinion. It's all too easy to make an R56 look like a GP.
Get the Gen1, fit better lights and get it to 1320 MINI for some extra oomph.
Had Gp1 now have GP2 . Would disagree as I think the GP2 wins hands down .
Only thing evo couldn't handle was the price .
Now the GP 2 price is around 20k it's such value .
The new car is quicker , better handling and has great lights for fast night driving .
The brakes are amazing compared to the old one .
Sound better ,drives better , gearbox and clutch are much smoother.
Don't get me wrong GP1 was a grea and still is agree car but the GP2 puts it to shame ..
Only thing evo couldn't handle was the price .
Now the GP 2 price is around 20k it's such value .
The new car is quicker , better handling and has great lights for fast night driving .
The brakes are amazing compared to the old one .
Sound better ,drives better , gearbox and clutch are much smoother.
Don't get me wrong GP1 was a grea and still is agree car but the GP2 puts it to shame ..
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff