My R56 Factory John Cooper Works

[zainster]

Hi All,

Ever since I was given a Mini Cooper Hatchback way back in 2005 by BMW for the weekend I knew I had to have a Mini Cooper!

Over the following years as I chopped and changed cars (serial car changer I'm afraid :-) ) I always somehow kept missing out and ended up with something else!

I went through the Evo phase, an R32 (VW), an S2000, a Mk 1 TT QS 240, a 330d sport, and 2 more M3's but it wasn't until I ran a Ford Puma 1.7 Thunder Edition for a few months a year ago that it reminded me how much fun small FWD cars could be!

So last summer I decided to sell my beloved M3 CS to finance a new bathroom and kitchen and the master plan to scratch the itch was finally going to be put into place no matter what and to start saving for a Mini ...

Fast forward to January 2014 and I almost missed out again as a lovely Audi TTS almost tempted me away but it sold so quickly (inside a couple hours of coming onto Autotrader) that I was able to stay on course!

Well, three weeks ago I saw the 'One'! it was advertised at 'The Car Specialists'. It immediately made me jump up and take note! I could feel this was it and the journey was about to come to an end!

I was the first to phone up about the car and left a deposit. Arrived to see the car and it was absolutely stunning inside and out!

All credit to 'The Car Specialists'. The whole pre and after sales support has been the icing on the cake because the car is so much fun and goes as good as it looks!

So the rest as they say is history, finally got to scratch that itch! ...

At 'The Car Specialists' ...





Back home and after a quick wash ...

[rigga]

Very nice .....what's the spec?

[AndyT77]

Not my favourite colour, but I like the car very much indeed, have a R56 MCS myself. Have you got any warranty on it, as there quite a few recognised issues with these cars.

[aspirated]

That is very very nice indeed

[GregK2]

Very nice, i love the colour, impressive car history too! only thing i would change would be making the white bits black, like the headlight surrounds are.

[zainster]

rigga said:

Very nice .....what's the spec?

Thanks Rigga!

Its an 09, 35k with FSH and was still under the Mini extended warranty which I have continued with.
Spec wise, its got the obligatory Chilli Pack, Full leather interior with heated sports seats, centre arm rest, SAT NAV, visibility pack, Privacy glass, USB and Bluetooth setup, MFSW with cruise control. Basically everything I was looking for as a minimum.

Edited by zainster on Tuesday 18th February 16:41

Edited by zainster on Tuesday 18th February 17:45

Edited by zainster on Tuesday 18th February 18:25

[zainster]

AndyT77 said:

Not my favourite colour, but I like the car very much indeed, have a R56 MCS myself. Have you got any warranty on it, as there quite a few recognised issues with these cars.

Thanks mate. Laser blue was a colour I never actually considered until I saw it! After seeing it in the metal I loved it and I wouldn't want the JCW in any other colour now! (I love Estoril blue on the M3's so surprised I didn't consider this!)

Yeah I did my research before buying and was lucky to pick this up while it was still under the Mini extended warranty.

[zainster]

aspirated said:

That is very very nice indeed

Thank you kind sir!

[zainster]

GregK2 said:

Very nice, i love the colour, impressive car history too! only thing i would change would be making the white bits black, like the headlight surrounds are.

Thanks Greg!

Funny you should mention that about the colour, I had given that serious thought about getting the door mirrors and roof pained in gloss black as I think that might look a better match.

Ideally would like to see a JCW in that colour combo in the metal before making any decisons. I have to say though that the current combo has grown on me alot since I bought it but I may change that if I hold onto the car long enough!

I'm really hoping it sticks around and I don't end up developing another automobile itch 6 months down the line! Although initial feelings are positive, I won't make predictions about this being 'the one', not with my track record anyhow!

[tbc]

Really like these

just wish they would make the flared wheel arches the same colour as the body

[zainster]

tbc said:

Really like these

just wish they would make the flared wheel arches the same colour as the body

I've seen some with colour coded arches but I don't know if thats something Mini offer or aftermarket/Bodyshop?

Brilliant little cars although not sure about the runflats when going along on our pot holed riddled and camber filled roads in wet/damp conditions mind!

[pimpchez]

Came across one of these the other week , and i didnt take her seriously while trying to "get away" short shifting etc .

All im gonna say is that thing gave me a fright , new found respect for the next time i come against one .

Nice colour to. Are you modding it ?

[SlowStig]

Welcome to FJCW ownership!

I realy like the colour of yours, it is a really nice colour when it catches the light! Have you any mods planned or are you keeping it standard?

Make sure you keep a warranty on it, they have a known issue with High pressure fuel pumps as well as camchain tensioners. The warranty is very good though, I have had mine less than 2 months and had a new clutch, brakes rebuilt all round and some general rattles. All been sorted without any questions, queries or complaints(except by me).


There is loads of owners clubs and events around the country which you can go to and meet fellow mini owners!

[zainster]

pimpchez said:

Came across one of these the other week , and i didnt take her seriously while trying to "get away" short shifting etc .

All im gonna say is that thing gave me a fright , new found respect for the next time i come against one .

Nice colour to. Are you modding it ?

Thanks Pimpchez!

Yes, I had heard they are proper pocket rockets while doing my research before buying and I can confirm that this is definitely the case!
When I have on the rare occasion hit the sport button and taken first stage of traction off, the car feels like it just wants to take off!

I have been tempted to mod but nothing serious if I do as it's still under the Mini extended warranty. I may go FMIC if anything.

[zainster]

SlowStig said:

Welcome to FJCW ownership!

I realy like the colour of yours, it is a really nice colour when it catches the light! Have you any mods planned or are you keeping it standard?

Make sure you keep a warranty on it, they have a known issue with High pressure fuel pumps as well as camchain tensioners. The warranty is very good though, I have had mine less than 2 months and had a new clutch, brakes rebuilt all round and some general rattles. All been sorted without any questions, queries or complaints(except by me).


There is loads of owners clubs and events around the country which you can go to and meet fellow mini owners!

Hey Slowstig!
Thanks for the kind words!

Yeah I heard about the issues and will definitely be keeping the Mini warranty running during my ownership.

I've no real plans to mod mainy due to having the warranty in place.

Its reassuring to know Mini dont make a song and dance and try getting around fixing things under warranty then!

How you finding your JCW?

I'm on Total Mini, you on there too by anychance? I'll definitely be making sure I go on a meet this comng spring/summer so I'll take a look at whats coming up. Thanks!

[SlowStig]

zainster said:

Hey Slowstig!
Thanks for the kind words!

Yeah I heard about the issues and will definitely be keeping the Mini warranty running during my ownership.

I've no real plans to mod mainy due to having the warranty in place.

Its reassuring to know Mini dont make a song and dance and try getting around fixing things under warranty then!

How you finding your JCW?

I'm on Total Mini, you on there too by anychance? I'll definitely be making sure I go on a meet this comng spring/summer so I'll take a look at whats coming up. Thanks!

When it is working, I love mine! Was one of the last N14 engine cars so has every option ticked other than a sunroof!

I am currently on Mersey Mini Club, there is so many forums I have no idea which is the most popular etc!

This is mine:

[zainster]

SlowStig said:

When it is working, I love mine! Was one of the last N14 engine cars so has every option ticked other than a sunroof!

I am currently on Mersey Mini Club, there is so many forums I have no idea which is the most popular etc!

This is mine:

Black with red roof, Thats a lovely combo! It was in fact one of my top 3 choice along with dark silver/black and chilli red/black (I hadnt considered a laser blue JCW until I saw mine pop up for sale).

I got all the extras I wanted but I wouldn't worry abt the Pan roof - I didnt want it because it adds an extra 23kg of weight on the worst place to put it on a car? (I've been obviously spending too much time on PH!)

I guess too early for me, it will be 4 weeks of ownership this Saturday and touch wood no issues so far and I've already driven it 700 miles!

You're right, so many Mini forums to choose from! I looked at the members count and opted for Total Mini which has currently a tad under 38k memebers!

[frg530]

zainster said:

So last summer I decided to sell my beloved M3 CS to finance a new bathroom and kitchen and the master plan to scratch the itch was finally going to be put into place no matter what and to start saving for a Mini ...

I thought the amount of hard earned cash I handed over for the CS was a bit much just for a bathroom! You got a kitchen with it too I see

Nice new motor mate, I've kept an eye out to see what you'd buy and it's been a while. I'm in the market for a quick little fwd at the moment, 197 I reckon but that'll probably change tomorrow, and then the day after and the day after that...!

[zainster]

frg530 said:

I thought the amount of hard earned cash I handed over for the CS was a bit much just for a bathroom! You got a kitchen with it too I see

Nice new motor mate, I've kept an eye out to see what you'd buy and it's been a while. I'm in the market for a quick little fwd at the moment, 197 I reckon but that'll probably change tomorrow, and then the day after and the day after that...!

Haha!!!
Oh mate! Long time! Well the original plan was a fancy bathroom with a hot tub and all mod cons like tv etc but then I woke up from dreamland and just got a standard bathroom which left enough to get a whole new kitchen too!

Last we spoke you were on the hunt for a B5 RS4? Don't tell me you bought and sold one and now on the lookout for a hot hatch?!

I like the 197 and it was part of my consideration along with a mk5 Golf gti edition 30. In the end though for what I wanted and needed, I found that the JCW would be the best fit for me.

They're infectious little beast!

I reckon you should start a what hot hatch thread to help you decide

[frg530]

zainster said:

Haha!!!
Oh mate! Long time! Well the original plan was a fancy bathroom with a hot tub and all mod cons like tv etc but then I woke up from dreamland and just got a standard bathroom which left enough to get a whole new kitchen too!

Last we spoke you were on the hunt for a B5 RS4? Don't tell me you bought and sold one and now on the lookout for a hot hatch?!

I like the 197 and it was part of my consideration along with a mk5 Golf gti edition 30. In the end though for what I wanted and needed, I found that the JCW would be the best fit for me.

They're infectious little beast!

I reckon you should start a what hot hatch thread to help you decide

I do still love the B5 RS4 but after looking at/driving a couple I decided that it was too dated for me to warrant spending £12k+ for a good one. I ended up getting shut of the 325d and buying a new shape 530d Msport. It's a superb car but I just want a little weekend/odd week day 'go hooning' car. I even seriously thought about the Panda 100hp! I don't think it'd be fast enough though.

I've not looked at the Mini's but will do now.

Cheers