Mini F56 Advice - Is LCI worth worrying about?

[GT4P]

Not sure how you can tell without getting underneath, but our car is a June 18 and is without , and as mentioned legislation allowed a few cars to be registered post 01/09/2018.
I think JCW production actually stopped for a while until March 2019 because of GPF but not 100% but I do definitely remember production stopping for a while maybe 6 months plus

[Alex Z]

Later Cooper S models have less power. I think it’s 178 instead of 192.
No change on the JCW.

[Chicken Chaser]

So the LCI has less power? Do they retune so there's little difference in the on the road performance or is it noticeable?

[Alex Z]

Chicken Chaser said:

So the LCI has less power? Do they retune so there's little difference in the on the road performance or is it noticeable?

I’m not sure exactly when the engine changed. I *think* it might have been a while after the LCI, but can’t be certain.
My F57 is a 2017 with 194 and I’ve not driven a newer one so don’t know if it feels different.

[nickfrog]

_Rob said:

If I do end up buying a Mini I suspect that'll ultimately be my choice - buy a post-LCI JCW, or an earlier (15-17 plate) Cooper S with as many toys as I can get, but save as much as possible.

This whole thing is basically because no other car I can think of buying interests or excites me. The Mini will be perfect for 95% of my journeys and a pain in the backside for the other 5%, but few other modern cars mix creature comforts, performance you can actually use, and character.

We've had a 67 plate JCW for a couple of weeks and it's a giggle. I paid top money as one owner 21k miles approved (I value the warranty).

Spec is low though, just climate, reversing sensors, LED, cruise and upgraded screen. No rain sensors or heated seats. The things I am starting to like are the non-tinted rear window (I forgot how this helped visibility) and the lack of arm rest (which gets in the way up or down).

I am not bothered about the lack of Android Auto as my phone screen is better positioned and similar size than the screen.

The JCW seats are superb as well as the Brembo brakes.

The car needs a mechanical LSD, particularly this time of year. £1,400 fitted for a Quaife.

I can fit my bike in it though

Edited by nickfrog on Thursday 15th December 09:12

[un1eash]

I've been really surprised at how much front end grip the JCW has even in this weather on P7 Runflats. Sure if the tyres are cold I can brake traction and even get some wheel hop but I wouldn't say it's crying out for a LSD.
When I had my F40 M135i the F54 Clubman JCW on the same 4wd chassis always felt more planted, had better turn in and overall just more connected and fun to driven.
Now I've got the F56 JCW my thoughts on the Clubman are different as it feels lighter on the front end, turn in isn't as quick as the F56 but that could be because of the longer wheel base.
Kind of hard to explain but you feel the torque more in the F56 as it pulls you along where the Clubman with another 70hp is effortless, you know your doing 60mph in the F56 where the Clubman gets there so fast you don't realise your doing 60mph.
I let/challenge any of my friends to drive the F56 JCW and no one comes away without a smile on their face.

Edited by un1eash on Thursday 15th December 08:49

[nickfrog]

un1eash said:

I've been really surprised at how much front end grip the JCW has even in this weather on P7 Runflats. Sure if the tyres are cold I can brake traction and even get some wheel hop but I wouldn't say it's crying out for a LSD.

Good to hear. There certainly is plenty of front end grip and turn in but traction is quite limited for me on PZeros* non-RFT. Perhaps I just need to wait for the spring before going ahead with the LSD.

Agree with you though, it is a smile inducing car.

It scores well because of its format too, I know it had grown but it remains narrow by modern standards which makes roads a little wider and gives you options.

[un1eash]

nickfrog said:

Good to hear. There certainly is plenty of front end grip and turn in but traction is quite limited for me on PZeros* non-RFT. Perhaps I just need to wait for the spring before going ahead with the LSD.

Agree with you though, it is a smile inducing car.

It scores well because of its format too, I know it had grown but it remains narrow by modern standards which makes roads a little wider and gives you options.

Was planning to switch to PZeros as that's what the Clubman has. I've just replaced the fronts on the Clubman at 3mm though as they were struggling in this cold weather and seem much better now. Was hoping to get through winter but on its first service BMW noticed a cut in one front tyre. The F56 tyres are all pretty new.

The F56 is 3 inches narrower the the Clubman but it feels a much smaller car not just in length. Parked next to each other the F56 looks tiny.

[WayOutWest]

I was walking past a dealership the other day and wondering why the Clubman looked noticeably wider than the hatch next to it. It's because it is wider
I'd just assumed it was a stretched F56 before.

[GT4P]

Have the Dunlop run flats and not brilliant, even got stuck/had difficulty getting traction reversing into drive on icy (compacted snow) flat surface no traction so lsd might have been handy! The nanny electrics kick in far too much I feel also!

[un1eash]

GT4P said:

Have the Dunlop run flats and not brilliant, even got stuck/had difficulty getting traction reversing into drive on icy (compacted snow) flat surface no traction so lsd might have been handy! The nanny electrics kick in far too much I feel also!

Your meant to active DTC when on snow/ice to aid traction at slow speeds, it will allow for more wheel spin and less electrics kicking in. It automatically turns off again once a set speed is reached, something like 30mph.

[Alex Z]

WayOutWest said:

I was walking past a dealership the other day and wondering why the Clubman looked noticeably wider than the hatch next to it. It's because it is wider
I'd just assumed it was a stretched F56 before.

Nope, that and the Countryman are on the same platform as the 2 series mpv thing.

[Chicken Chaser]

A Cooper S I'd found locally with really good spec took my eye. Once I'd done a bit of digging on it's high mileage I've found its an ex driving school car. Don't think I'll be bothering with that one.

[WayOutWest]

GT4P said:

LCI is roughly March 2018 onwards, but if registered before September 2018 is pre GPF although some slipped through as 68 plates.
Due to European noise regs the factory extra Bluetooth farty exhaust stopped late 2017.
Also beware early cars up to 2017 I believe, search wiring loom near the wiper blades can be expensive!
Personally I would always recommend a pre gpf lci

Edited by GT4P on Wednesday 14th December 14:38

Thanks, I had been searching for that info. I think that will be the one I'm after - a manual JCW with the 2018 facelift but no GPF. If there is enough choice given that narrow window!

[Alex Z]

I’m half considering a JCW convertible to replace my 66 plate Cooper S, and it’s definitely tricky to find a couple of year old car with the right spec. Due to the chip shortage, the heads up display and Harmon Kardon audio were unavailable or heavily restricted and I wouldn’t want to lose those.

[gary-tznge]

Reading these posts is very interesting as someone who as owned four JCW hatch in a row and taken delivery of the updated car end of 23 there are a few subtle differences between the LCiI and previous JCW hatch.

Surprisingly this LCI seems quicker and more responsive which I didn’t expect , the cabin has improved as is a nicer place to be largely due to the new screen which is very practical on the move and the JCW Alacantara steering wheel.

Lane departure is a pain and I think completely unnecessary in this model JCW, perhaps in the Countryman .

Overall I think it’s worth going for the LCI the styling is lovely with the updated front and new rear diffuser
this LCI also feels more BMW ish than ever if that makes sense.

As a package and given the price I think it’s unbeatable my preference has always been the manual which in my humble opinion is the correct choice and suits the 3 door hatch.

Having owned different various M cars RS fords,V6 clio and Williams clio Renault sport etc in the past amongst others I am more excited to have another JCW than anything else it’s just a perfect car and every trip is enjoyable.


I have supported the UK Oxford plant as much as possible over the years and always feel positive about that.