R56 JCW Noob Q's

[BrewsterBear]

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.

[BrewsterBear]

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

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.

[BrewsterBear]

How do you tell if the car is a factory build or dealer upgrade? Is it a case of getting the VIN and calling BMW?

[BrewsterBear]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm just awaiting selling one of my cars.

I remembered one of the questions that escaped me earlier. I read that R56s have start-stop technology. I really won't like this. Do the JCWs do this? If so, can it be turned off?

[BrewsterBear]

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.