RE: Mini JCW back in production after six months off
Discussion
They are the basic wheels that come with the JCW, the 17 inch track spokes.
If you option the chili pack you get the 18 inch cup spokes, well you used to anyway (unsure now as the packs change all the time, and who knows what you can spec now with the new WLTP regulations).
Can't say I'm that keen on either tbh, and wish they'd offer a few different styles but you're quite limited with what you can put on a JCW thanks to the massive Brembo brakes.
If you option the chili pack you get the 18 inch cup spokes, well you used to anyway (unsure now as the packs change all the time, and who knows what you can spec now with the new WLTP regulations).
Can't say I'm that keen on either tbh, and wish they'd offer a few different styles but you're quite limited with what you can put on a JCW thanks to the massive Brembo brakes.
Avalyn said:
I've got one, I'm a 46 year old male and work in oil and gas. Maybe because I'm almost a pensioner I have zero interest in anyone else's opinion of what I look like in my wee (ok not so wee) JCW. I know it's the not the most cohesive of designs with the big chin stuff going on but I have grown to like it.
To put things in perspective, I've had what PH would describe as 'better' cars before, 2016 Mustang v8, Boxster S, various Subaru's including a Foz STi, remapped 335i, S3's ..
I love the wee JCW. It's fun with a capital F. It's not about whether it's only got 231 BHP, or does 0-60 in 6.whatever. Who cares, since when did driving fun become around some numbers on a page. The wee car already struggles to get the power down in the first 3 gears if it's wet so doesn't need any more. I'm pretty sure it feels limited torque wise in 1/2 gear. It's 100% not slow especially in 3rd from 40 upwards. In fact on a Scottish B-road it's an absolute hoot.
I have the JCW pro exhaust system on mine too, and even for a 4 banger it sounds decent, it's bit of a hooligan really. Whack it into sport, turn the traction control off, double click the pro-exhaust noodle and it's just huge fun. Turn all the stuff back off, and it's quiet-ish and you can get almost 50 mpg on a motorway run.
If it's all about number top trumps, then my S3 with revo had about 380 BHP and would probably do 0-60 in @4 seconds and never lost traction, however it was as boring a car as you're likely to get. If I had the S3 and the JCW parked side by side and had to choose which one to drive I'm taking the Mini every time.
Not sure if the post about what other people think is referenced to my post but I totally agree with you. I'm quite the opposite I don't care what others think to the extent me wanting quirky cars that no fTo put things in perspective, I've had what PH would describe as 'better' cars before, 2016 Mustang v8, Boxster S, various Subaru's including a Foz STi, remapped 335i, S3's ..
I love the wee JCW. It's fun with a capital F. It's not about whether it's only got 231 BHP, or does 0-60 in 6.whatever. Who cares, since when did driving fun become around some numbers on a page. The wee car already struggles to get the power down in the first 3 gears if it's wet so doesn't need any more. I'm pretty sure it feels limited torque wise in 1/2 gear. It's 100% not slow especially in 3rd from 40 upwards. In fact on a Scottish B-road it's an absolute hoot.
I have the JCW pro exhaust system on mine too, and even for a 4 banger it sounds decent, it's bit of a hooligan really. Whack it into sport, turn the traction control off, double click the pro-exhaust noodle and it's just huge fun. Turn all the stuff back off, and it's quiet-ish and you can get almost 50 mpg on a motorway run.
If it's all about number top trumps, then my S3 with revo had about 380 BHP and would probably do 0-60 in @4 seconds and never lost traction, however it was as boring a car as you're likely to get. If I had the S3 and the JCW parked side by side and had to choose which one to drive I'm taking the Mini every time.
ker else likes/wants/owns. I like to feel I'm not conforming to mainstream as such.
That's why, despite how good they are (they are a fab steer as I've driven a number and have one as my courtesy car for my customers - a lowly R55 Clubman Cooper) I could never be truly content that's all.
lord trumpton, no it wasn't a direct response to your post but I do agree Mini's are pretty common, the JCW not so much (try Autotrader and see how many 2nd hand examples there are - not that I suppose many people will know the difference between a JCW and a normal Mini with the JCW sport pack added).
I just think the JCW has a bit of personality to it, I'm sure that a lot of the 'faults' like torque steer, lack of grip on the standard runflats etc. could be ironed out but then it would lose some of it's charm. I still have no idea how they got away with the pro exhaust just by labeling it for track use only. I mean come on, we all know it's going to be used on the road and quite frankly it's antisocial. It makes me laugh on a regular basis.
I too prefer an unusual car (the Foz STi probably the best example), but these days unusual is hard to get as most cars now seem to be converging towards a 2.0 4 pot turbo auto with some form of haldex system and cars are mapped for low down torque (not nothing whoosh bang like the old days), brakes that come on full with the slightest brush of the pedal and everyone knows that autos a re better cos they're faster at 0-60 and pulling a paddle is as interactive as manually changing gear. Formula One innit
Anyway to get slightly back on topic, I'm glad to see the return of the JCW (although to be true to PH form this might hurt my residual value of my old JCW, depreciation, PCP etc.) but I'll bet it's now a lot quieter and you still won't be able to put that antisocial straight through box on it ..
I just think the JCW has a bit of personality to it, I'm sure that a lot of the 'faults' like torque steer, lack of grip on the standard runflats etc. could be ironed out but then it would lose some of it's charm. I still have no idea how they got away with the pro exhaust just by labeling it for track use only. I mean come on, we all know it's going to be used on the road and quite frankly it's antisocial. It makes me laugh on a regular basis.
I too prefer an unusual car (the Foz STi probably the best example), but these days unusual is hard to get as most cars now seem to be converging towards a 2.0 4 pot turbo auto with some form of haldex system and cars are mapped for low down torque (not nothing whoosh bang like the old days), brakes that come on full with the slightest brush of the pedal and everyone knows that autos a re better cos they're faster at 0-60 and pulling a paddle is as interactive as manually changing gear. Formula One innit
Anyway to get slightly back on topic, I'm glad to see the return of the JCW (although to be true to PH form this might hurt my residual value of my old JCW, depreciation, PCP etc.) but I'll bet it's now a lot quieter and you still won't be able to put that antisocial straight through box on it ..
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