Thursday 21st November 2013

Mini JCW GP Mk1: Spotted

Now down below five figures, surely this is the time for a mega Mini?

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Funny how appreciation of certain cars changes, isn't it? Reading through the 2006 Mini JCW GP first drive, the comments aren't exactly universally complimentary. Oh sure, a few liked it, but they were overwhelmed by responses such 'it does look cack', 'what a pile of anorax infested monkey sh***' and 'it's just another Mini'.

Spoiler did actually improve aero

Now, with the unveiling of the rather bulbous Mini Mk3 and the £25K plus needed for Mk2 GP, an original GP for around £10K is mighty tempting. It almost looks cute now when compared with the F56, all the features seemingly in miniature. Given the fundamentals of the first new Mini are now twelve years old, the styling has aged really well. Bar the red mirrors, I think the GP add-ons are fantastic.

Furthermore, with hot hatches now apparently having to cater for all, a small, fast and uncompromising Mini is even more covetable. There's a proper LSD, lighter wheels and a pair of excellent Recaros. All this stuff, plus the fact it was assembled by Bertone, further ballooned the JCW's new price beyond £22K but further enhance its enthusiast credentials secondhand.

You'll struggle to buy a hot hatch without some kind of forced induction in 2013. With the JCW GP, any notions of a supercharger being used on the grounds of efficiency and driveability are quashed by looking at the power and torque stats. The 218hp is made at 7,100rpm and 184lb ft arrives at 4,600rpm. It'll need thrashing to exploit its full potential, in the best Mini tradition. And all accompanied by that shrill, screaming supercharger whine.

Not pretty, but it's effective

The next batch of Cooper S models will undoubtedly be a giggle, but they'll struggle to match the original as refinement continues to be prioritised. Hang on, hasn't that been said before? Again, the benefit of hindsight makes the initial reception to the GP look perhaps a little harsh.

They are still pricey little things though. There are reputedly only 437 in Britain, of which six are for sale on PH. The most expensive of these is still £15K, having covered just 17,000 miles. This JCW GP looks fantastic at £10K though, being sold privately with an extended BMW warranty. The same money buys a Mk2 Cooper S JCW with fewer miles but, personally, there would be no contest.

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MINI COOPER S WITH JOHN COOPER WORKS GP KIT
Engine: 1,598cc supercharged four cylinder
Transmission: 6-speed manual, front-wheel drive with mechanical LSD
Power (hp): 218@7,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 184@4,600rpm
MPG: 32.8 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 207g/km
Recorded mileage: 52,142
First registered: 2006
Price new: £22,000
Yours for: £9,999

See the original advert here

 

[R66STU]

I pass one of these every day on my commute along the A303.. the guy really uses the car and must do a lot of miles as I have seen him at quite far points on my journey. had a very fun back lane chase with it across Salisbury plains in my wifes 09 smart brabus in the summer

[R66STU]

LivLifetotheMax said:

I tend to like cars I've had, and appreciate their abilities. I had a (non GP) supercharged JCW and I LOVED it. The noise of the supercharger did it for me along with the pops and bangs from the exhaust on the over run. I had it for 2 years and did 60,000 miles in it, the only thing that was a concern was the cost to run... expensive run flats, exhaust systems and then the clutch/flywheel package that costs £1,000 in parts alone. I now have an Audi TTS which is actually a 'cheaper' alternative.

exhaust systems? if the exhaust rots out replace with stainless steel and never replace again. other than that im glad to hear you loved it as im thinking of getting one.