F54 Clubman JCW Questions
Discussion
Morning all.
Serial Mini owner but don't have one on the drive currently but thinking about getting another. Had been half looking for a unicorn spec R55 JCW (had an R55 before and we loved it) but the prices of F54 JCWs is now dropping down into similar ballparks for top spec R55s so I've been looking at those. Looks aside (although I am warming to the gen 3 cars), the interiors look superb and 5 doors + a bigger boot is useful but are there any gotchas I need to know about on the F cars? All4 systems reliable? What about the engines? The gen 1 and gen 2 cars I know inside out but this is new ground for me!
Serial Mini owner but don't have one on the drive currently but thinking about getting another. Had been half looking for a unicorn spec R55 JCW (had an R55 before and we loved it) but the prices of F54 JCWs is now dropping down into similar ballparks for top spec R55s so I've been looking at those. Looks aside (although I am warming to the gen 3 cars), the interiors look superb and 5 doors + a bigger boot is useful but are there any gotchas I need to know about on the F cars? All4 systems reliable? What about the engines? The gen 1 and gen 2 cars I know inside out but this is new ground for me!
un1eash said:
The F series platform is pretty reliable on the whole. There were some issues with wiring harnesses on early cars, door paint rubbing on 3dr etc.
The JCW uses the B48, All4 will be the 306hp engine, earlier F54 JCW were FWD 231hp
Not strictly correct there.The JCW uses the B48, All4 will be the 306hp engine, earlier F54 JCW were FWD 231hp
MY 2017 F54 JCW All4 is the 231 bhp model. The JCW models didn’t get 306 bhp until the 2020 model.
nessiemac said:
Not strictly correct there.
MY 2017 F54 JCW All4 is the 231 bhp model. The JCW models didn t get 306 bhp until the 2020 model.
Yeh its been the older 231 bhp ones I've been looking at. MY 2017 F54 JCW All4 is the 231 bhp model. The JCW models didn t get 306 bhp until the 2020 model.
Thanks for the comments everyone - sounds promising... Might need to go and have a sit in one.
DaveyBoyWonder said:
nessiemac said:
Not strictly correct there.
MY 2017 F54 JCW All4 is the 231 bhp model. The JCW models didn t get 306 bhp until the 2020 model.
Yeh its been the older 231 bhp ones I've been looking at. MY 2017 F54 JCW All4 is the 231 bhp model. The JCW models didn t get 306 bhp until the 2020 model.
Thanks for the comments everyone - sounds promising... Might need to go and have a sit in one.
Fairly brisk, great quality and drive very nice.
Favourite Mini I have owned and I have had a couple..
New 18" wheels and non run flat tyres transformed the car.
I’d go with 18s over 19s and look for the adaptive
suspension as the ride is firm. Sunroof blinds can rattle and I found the leather seats more comfortable than the Recaros. In later cars the digital dash was an option but it’s not really configurable and is mostly an analogue display - just disguised as a digital one. I wouldn’t therefore worry about it.
Go for the 306 bhp model if you can.
Still regret selling mine.
suspension as the ride is firm. Sunroof blinds can rattle and I found the leather seats more comfortable than the Recaros. In later cars the digital dash was an option but it’s not really configurable and is mostly an analogue display - just disguised as a digital one. I wouldn’t therefore worry about it.
Go for the 306 bhp model if you can.
Still regret selling mine.
I've currently got a 2018 F54 All4 JCW so the 231bhp version.
The good - great car, decent room, enough power to end up in trouble fairly quickly and fun in the snow.
The bad - all the doors are rubbing at the paint, I'm around £180/tyre for PS4s, the brakes all round can be quite expensive if you're going brembo drilled and grooved, but servicing isn't bad if you DIY.
The ugly - When we first bought it in 2020, it was jumping out of gear intermittently, they replaced the gearbox but caused a leak in a seal between the gearbox and the transfer box, they replaced the transfer box, but again, managed to rupture the seal, causing the gearbox oil to drop low enough, it started jumping out of gear again. They eventually replaced both the transfer box and gearbox at the same time and although, it's no longer leaking, it's started jumping out of second gear every time you lift off the throttle.
The bad and ugly aside, I'd absolutely recommend them. It's not been the cheapest as I drive like a hooligan and had they kept selling them, I'd probably have bought another, although automatic this time!
The good - great car, decent room, enough power to end up in trouble fairly quickly and fun in the snow.
The bad - all the doors are rubbing at the paint, I'm around £180/tyre for PS4s, the brakes all round can be quite expensive if you're going brembo drilled and grooved, but servicing isn't bad if you DIY.
The ugly - When we first bought it in 2020, it was jumping out of gear intermittently, they replaced the gearbox but caused a leak in a seal between the gearbox and the transfer box, they replaced the transfer box, but again, managed to rupture the seal, causing the gearbox oil to drop low enough, it started jumping out of gear again. They eventually replaced both the transfer box and gearbox at the same time and although, it's no longer leaking, it's started jumping out of second gear every time you lift off the throttle.
The bad and ugly aside, I'd absolutely recommend them. It's not been the cheapest as I drive like a hooligan and had they kept selling them, I'd probably have bought another, although automatic this time!
Gassing Station | New MINIs | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff