My new Mini Cooper JCW GP Mk2
Discussion
I just got my first book published and Spring is just around the corner so I thought I might just spoil myself. Out goes the much unloved Golf R Mk6 and in comes this lil' beauty. Much has been written about it so I won't go into technical details and will instead post some thoughts after a week of ownership.
Much has been made of the high price. I can tell you right away, nothing, NOTHING can replace the smug feeling you have of owning the ultimate Mini. I race a Porsche GT3 RS from time to time and it's the same feeling at the lights. You are the top dog in the model range.
All the small additions over the JCW add up to more then the sum of its parts. It looks and feels special. In fact, here in Switzerland, the price difference between a regular JCW and a GP is quiet negligible and once you factor in the extra goodies - nonexistant. Once you factor in depriciation, it's the regular JCW that is frankly the worse buy.
The roads here in Cheese-land are very smooth so you can't complain much about the suspension. The lack of the rear wiper is a pain in the behind though, if it rains you have zero rear visibility and can't see if the cops are behind you.
The tires are quiet good. I've driven in rain and sub-zero temperatures and they are fine. If you need less focused tires... maybe you shouldn't be driving a GP in the first place. The only thing to watch out for is standing water.
Some reviewers have made bad noise about the lack of power. Now I'm the first one to want a little extra pep (I find the GT3 RS 3.8 is a little lacking in torque) however in this car the power matches the grip and chassis I think. Unless you crawl out of corners, you can cover ground at a ballistic speed and at any rate, the whole point of this car is not blasting down the autobahn, but carve up small mountain roads (of which we have plenty). Heck I have a few mini-N'Rings within 5 minutes drive.
The steering does lack a little feel... but you get the missing information from the chassis which is excellent.
I am thinking of a few possible mods. 18 inch OZ superleggeras with Kumho V70a (same as original), maybe a Quaife... IF it adds anything. There's so much grip in the dry it's not really needed and I'm concerned an slippy diff might actually spoil handling. Roll cage and 5 point harness if I can find an unobstrusive one. Ram Air intake if I can find a decent one. Grouppe-M? Bucket seat.
Nikolai Petroff said:
My next car is to be a mint E46 M3 CSL in a year or two.
Now that's more like it!Personally i think spending that much on a mini (even if it's top of the range) is daft as there are better driving cars out there for the price.
However it is interesting to see how much you can improve the car by actually paying attention to how it drives and even though it is FWD and has an electronic system instead of an LSD it does get some good reviews.
On another note did you write edens ark?
GokTweed said:
Now that's more like it!
Personally i think spending that much on a mini (even if it's top of the range) is daft as there are better driving cars out there for the price.
However it is interesting to see how much you can improve the car by actually paying attention to how it drives and even though it is FWD and has an electronic system instead of an LSD it does get some good reviews.
On another note did you write edens ark?
Well, I got a lot of discount including a 2500CHF for my Golf as a bonus, so the final price was quiet cheap. 2500GBP difference with a Megane 265 but keeps it's value better and is more special.Personally i think spending that much on a mini (even if it's top of the range) is daft as there are better driving cars out there for the price.
However it is interesting to see how much you can improve the car by actually paying attention to how it drives and even though it is FWD and has an electronic system instead of an LSD it does get some good reviews.
On another note did you write edens ark?
Yes on Eden's Ark :-)
Nikolai Petroff said:
Well, I got a lot of discount including a 2500CHF for my Golf as a bonus, so the final price was quiet cheap. 2500GBP difference with a Megane 265 but keeps it's value better and is more special.
Yes on Eden's Ark :-)
I think I would have this over the Megane, as you say just a bit more special being limited edition, plus probably better built, even if not quite as focused a driving experience. Enjoy Yes on Eden's Ark :-)
Ashley1987 said:
I think it is nice. I agree the CSL will be awesome however I do have a soft spot for the Mini, you are 100% right about the blasts on the mountain roads.
I think I will buy your book too after looking inside on Amazon.
Thanks :-) That's a few bucks towards the CSL ;-)I think I will buy your book too after looking inside on Amazon.
I think the Mini thing is you either like/love Minis and then you will LOVE the GP. Or they leave you cold and then you may not like the GP. It's not the most effective sports car (a bit short) but it is fun and at reasonable speeds. Can't argue with that. I think it defines the term "toy" :-)
Chunkychucky said:
I think I would have this over the Megane, as you say just a bit more special being limited edition, plus probably better built, even if not quite as focused a driving experience. Enjoy
It is quiet focused, it just has some inherent limitations (narrower, shorter). I think if you REALLY need the rear seats I would choose the Megane over the regular JCW, if not then the GP is as special car as you can get for less then LaFerrari money :-)Ah, a fine choice my good man 
the car is a true sign of the connoisseur 
Don't stress to much about the CSL, take it from a former owner the GP is a much more fun car out of the box. Take some time to read through all of my thread there are some very interesting videos throughout it for fellow owners-my favourite is the tiff/evo track battle.
Should the weather in Europe clear up we'll be at the ring & spa over Easter if you fancy a run out.
the car is a true sign of the connoisseur Don't stress to much about the CSL, take it from a former owner the GP is a much more fun car out of the box. Take some time to read through all of my thread there are some very interesting videos throughout it for fellow owners-my favourite is the tiff/evo track battle.
Should the weather in Europe clear up we'll be at the ring & spa over Easter if you fancy a run out.
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Ah, a fine choice my good man the car is a true sign of the connoisseur
Don't stress to much about the CSL, take it from a former owner the GP is a much more fun car out of the box. Take some time to read through all of my thread there are some very interesting videos throughout it for fellow owners-my favourite is the tiff/evo track battle.
Should the weather in Europe clear up we'll be at the ring & spa over Easter if you fancy a run out.
Spa is a must. However I'm off to Paul Ricard for Porsche Cup during that time frame. Do you know if there is a dedicated Europe-wide Mini club that does track days and such? the car is a true sign of the connoisseur Don't stress to much about the CSL, take it from a former owner the GP is a much more fun car out of the box. Take some time to read through all of my thread there are some very interesting videos throughout it for fellow owners-my favourite is the tiff/evo track battle.
Should the weather in Europe clear up we'll be at the ring & spa over Easter if you fancy a run out.
Nikolai Petroff said:
Spa is a must. However I'm off to Paul Ricard for Porsche Cup during that time frame. Do you know if there is a dedicated Europe-wide Mini club that does track days and such?
not that i know of but then where's the fun in that? nothing beats passing much more expensive premium cars on track in your little mini cooper 
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