Mini Cooper S JCW (supercharged) MPG + Engine reliability?

[Prof Prolapse]

I was looking at these Mini Cooper S JCWs last night and they seem fairly decent on paper. It also seems the first car the Mrs has genuine interest in owning.

Two things concern me though... How solid is the engine and what's the real world MPG?

Parkers reckons 32, but it also does with the Impreza WRX so what's more realistic? 26mpg on 98RON?

The engine isn't some Brazilian special is it?

[NeilAndHisMini]

The first gen MINI engines were built by Chrysler in Brazil, but are generally very solid and reliable.

As for fuel consumption, 26 mpg on 98 RON is about right, I only see 30 mpg plus on long motorway cruises.

[Raify]

I owned one for about 3/4 years. Averaged about 23-26mpg on 98RON and didn't see any engine issues.

[Prof Prolapse]

Alarm bells ring at "Chrysler" and "Brazil" but I guess it's quite a straight forward unit. Mass produced as well so I guess parts aren't an issue.

26 mpg... Could potentially live with that assuming the performance and ride justifies it.

I'm after something a bit less, "crashy" than a Clio/Type R.

Thanks chaps.

[Nige_GTI]

It won't be less crashy than a type R, especially on run flats!

I used to get 300 miles to a tank or around 30 - 33mpg of A road driving, with a verified 209BHP

Good cars though

[hyperblue]

Prof Prolapse said:

Alarm bells ring at "Chrysler" and "Brazil" but I guess it's quite a straight forward unit. Mass produced as well so I guess parts aren't an issue.

Ricardo developed the S engine, they are solid and take well to increased supercharger boost There's hundreds of them in the UK that have done serious mileage with more than standard power with few issues.

Standard ride on runflats will be crashy though. Replacing them with some decent tyres is a must.

Edited by hyperblue on Friday 15th April 15:39