MK7 Fiesta ST3 vs R56 JCW GP

[DUBS73P]

Think I have decided I wan't some small car thrills while I wait for another Megane 265/275 to come on the market

I don't know if I've missed any obvious options but seems to come down to these two for ultimate fun;

I haven't really been able to find out much about what you give up in the GP vs the regular JCW (Do you get any creature comforts like Auto Wipers and Lights?) but the GP is a fair chunk cheaper to insure than the regular JCW for some reason so I'm leaning that way.

Then there's the ST, I'm not a huge fan of the looks or it's overall 'Image', however, having been in one, I can now see what the fuss is about at least.
I guess the ST3 is still the pick of the bunch if looking for some interior niceties as they're pretty sparse.


Don't really have any budget to work with, just don't like cars with huge depreciation potential, so I'd only look to spend around 7-8K on the Fiesta but obviously the GP is nearer to double that.

Car will be a daily and weekend fun, but only a very short commute

[pb8g09]

You wouldn’t go wrong with either (assuming the Mini isn’t a lemon) so it depends on which you prefer to drive.

Is this the question though?- or is the question what other cars can people suggest instead?

If it’s depreciation resistance whilst you’re waiting for Meganes, Audi S1s seem to have stopped dropping in price since Audi said they wouldn’t make another. They’re also bloody quick, and manual only- just not as much fun as your other options above.

[stevemcs]

If you are prepared to spend 16k on the GP then try a F56 Cooper S, The other option is a N18 Cooper S with a fruity exhaust.

I had the same decision 7 years ago when it was a choice between a Fiesta ST and a Clubman Cooper S, I chose the Mini and still have it.

[BBS-LM]

Hi

I would stay away from any R56 mini, they're plagued with engine problems, and that is just the start of things, I should know, I had a R56 JCW, the engines are from peugeot and it a complete lemon. Shame really because the car was great to drive, when it worked

I also have a Fiesta ST and it been fantastic, in all areas, good on petrol, will out drive most car which cost twice the price, and cheap to run. I would do some research on R56 engine problem on google before you go anywhere near one. Good luck.

[stevemcs]

Mines been as good as gold, a fuel pump an intake solenoid for vanos and the FRM module rebuilt. Buy the N18 engine car and you should avoid most problems, well not the HPFP.

Does the Fiesta ST engine still lunch itself from coolant issues ?

[DUBS73P]

BBS-LM said:

Hi

I would stay away from any R56 mini, they're plagued with engine problems, and that is just the start of things, I should know, I had a R56 JCW, the engines are from peugeot and it a complete lemon. Shame really because the car was great to drive, when it worked

I also have a Fiesta ST and it been fantastic, in all areas, good on petrol, will out drive most car which cost twice the price, and cheap to run. I would do some research on R56 engine problem on google before you go anywhere near one. Good luck.

I thought the N18 was pretty solid? It’s a 2013 GP that I’m looking at so assuming that guarantees the N18 motor?

[stevemcs]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Have a read, also look in the Mini section (the GP2 above is also forsale)

[CrouchingWayne]

I bought a ‘13 GP last year and I’m still really pleased with it. Compared to previous cars the interior quality and ride/damping in particular are fantastic. I love the look of it as well, but appreciate that’s subjective. Happy to discuss via PM/on here if you want help with any specific queries. Lack of rear seats is obviously the major downside.

Similar to yourself I was looking for something with low depreciation, I’m hopeful the GP will do well. The GP uses the later engine so doesn’t suffer the R56 issues that you’ll pull up on Google.

I’ve not driven the Fiesta ST (albeit the other half had the prior gen Zetec S) so can’t comment directly.

[Warcloud36]

DUBS73P said:

I thought the N18 was pretty solid? It’s a 2013 GP that I’m looking at so assuming that guarantees the N18 motor?

They are Prince engine, PSA, French, Used in 208 gti, ds3 etc
All the R56 even diesel used PSA stuff, a lot of issues with both.


The N18 are known for timing chain failure, oil consumption can be high, oil pump issues, carbon build up on the values etc

[stevemcs]

Warcloud36 said:

DUBS73P said:

I thought the N18 was pretty solid? It’s a 2013 GP that I’m looking at so assuming that guarantees the N18 motor?

They are Prince engine, PSA, French, Used in 208 gti, ds3 etc
All the R56 even diesel used PSA stuff, a lot of issues with both.


The N18 are known for timing chain failure, oil consumption can be high, oil pump issues, carbon build up on the values etc

That’s the N14, mini developed the engine a little bit more for the LCi and it cut out all of those issues.