RE: JCW Mini GP

[jazzyjeff]

Xaero said:

Sorry, it does look cack, why red mirrors?

Its ears are burning... ;-)

Seriously though, I wonder why the BMW engineers went to such time and effort with this car. The Sloane poseurs who are likely to buy these cars will only load up every extra possible which will easily cancel out the meagre weight savings achieved! :-(

JJ

[Dr S]

Lots of extra money to take this car to the MINImum performance level it should have had in the first place...

[hendry]

MilnerR said:

Its a lot of money for a car with not that much performance. Two seater hard top with a 0-60 time 6.2 seconds is not that much car for 20 odd grand!

... but on par with the old Audi S3 or TT 225/3.2, 147 GTA, 130i, R32, RX8 etc. All of which are more expensive.

Yes, they have 4 seats, but how many journeys do fast car enthusiasts do fully laden? You wouldn't shortlist most of these cars if you had a family of 4 to cart around.

I would consider a GP even though I would not feel comfortable throwing away the option of taking stuff to the dump, transporting lots of luggage around that a coupe might force on me.

If you want to compare with other two seaters though, you can go faster in a 350Z, but it costs £4K more. Just skimming through the back of Evo, you'd be surprised how few cars there are which you could still use every day which would match its straight line performance or ability through the twists for near the same money.

I do agree it is a bit of a dog's dinner though. Good news is the alloy suspension parts will be on the MINI Mk2. It will be more powerful across the range too, boding well for the JCW edition. Just a pity it is likely to weigh more too...

[dinkel]

Clio V6 anyone?

[richycsl]

I love it but I think would would rather have for example a s2000 or trophy or clio v6 or integra tyre r or used 111r or used exige or used vxt or used evo viii mr or used evo ix over it... there are so many other better cars.

[tony*t3]

jazzyjeff said:

[quote=Xaero]
Seriously though, I wonder why the BMW engineers went to such time and effort with this car. The Sloane poseurs who are likely to buy these cars will only load up every extra possible which will easily cancel out the meagre weight savings achieved! :-(

JJ

You couldn't be more stupid, could you....? You just have to throw in a derogotory comment about the owners, despite the fact that Minis are owned by all types of people, the only classless car for sale in the UK today. The guy on Fifth gears got one for when he isnt using his Enzo or Mac F1 for instance, because he's open minded enough to understand that its a superb car.

Oh, and no, as all 2000 cars are identically specced at the factory, there are no opitions to add the weight back on.

Edited by tony*t3 on Tuesday 1st August 20:57

[nickfrog]

"the only classless car for sale in the UK today"

It's classless, that's for sure. Funny how people don't want to be part of a class with their Mini but at the same time want to express something about them by putting the most stupid and depreciation accelerating decorations on their Mini(stripes, chequered etc) - I have seen a very fat woman driving a conv. Mini in Worthing in that funny colour that changes from yellow to green through orange etc.. She also had a body kit. Very classless indeed. Most people laughed though as she looked so ridiculous, so I guess Mini do have some kind of entertainment purposes.

[sausagepilot]

Twenty years ago car makers made there performance road cars look like there motorsport cousins, now they make them look like max power chariots, oh dear.

[astec815]

I dont see the point its not a stripped out racer, nor does it go like one

so why should you buy it and not a standard jcw mini?

[beyond rational]

They are lucky to have some heritage (in the loosest possible way) , I don't think many other manufacteurs could have got away so lightly with this, in my opinion if you are taking the rear seats out, you may as well go all out, not this, puesdo track wannabe

[robdickinson]

hendry said:

... but on par with the old Audi S3 or TT 225/3.2, 147 GTA, 130i, R32, RX8 etc. All of which are more expensive.

I think you'll find the RX8 is only 22k also, comes with xenon Hids, 6speed gearbox, 18inch allos, premium sound/cd changer, climate, 0-60 of 6.4, RWD WITH LSD, 150+ top speed, and seats 4 with luggage capacity. Probably weighs somewhat less than this car too (1300kg or so).

Admitedly the mazda designers have made the awfull mistake of picking up the correct colour wing mirrors...

[loach]

I don't understand why the GP generates so much negative reaction. You guys are already totally prejudiced because you have dismissed the regular (new) Minis as ponces' cars. In some respects, the new Mini is a ponce's car. They're ubiquitous, and are covered in 'cute'. I held a lot of the same prejudices until I bought a Cooper for the girlfriend. A lot of eejits may drive them, but the Mini is a pretty damn good car underneath the 'buy me... I'm cute' stuff. My (*ahem*...the girlfriend's) Mini GP is awaiting collection this week, I got car number 0014, I paid 20,500 for it, and I'm looking forward to it a lot. I doubt I'll lose much money on it, and around town (as well everywhere else, TBH), I expect it to be bloody quick in real terms.

[hendry]

nickfrog said:

"the only classless car for sale in the UK today"

It's classless, that's for sure. Funny how people don't want to be part of a class with their Mini but at the same time want to express something about them by putting the most stupid and depreciation accelerating decorations on their Mini(stripes, chequered etc) - I have seen a very fat woman driving a conv. Mini in Worthing in that funny colour that changes from yellow to green through orange etc.. She also had a body kit. Very classless indeed. Most people laughed though as she looked so ridiculous, so I guess Mini do have some kind of entertainment purposes.

I think it is highly likely you will get a few people with no taste by them - there are 200,000 on the road in the UK after all. Fat blind bint excepted (plus a few others probably, as chavs would buy anything), you can usually tell nothing about the driver from their Mini.

And you'll find nearly all Mini's have addenda of some sort and the usual depreciation rules are out of the window: the Mini is one of the slowest depreciating cars around, unless you opt for a bog standard one with no extras, which are seen as less desirable.

Anyway, back to the JCW GP element of this. Looks like a fun car with some poke. Looks a bit odd though. For all those on this thread who seem desperate to have 4 seats and a cheaper car, may I point you at the Bargain Cars section of Autotrader. But if it has to be a Mini then check out the Cooper S or JCW S.

[Nuggs]

I saw one driving along Bishopsgate yesterday; it looked fairly menacing but also (IMHO) had a touch too much of the bling about it...

[loach]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Where as you are totally objective in your views as you are buying one?

I don't think the normal new mini is a particularly mincey car, I can just about understand why someone'd want a Cooper S (although I think it's very expensive) - The GP takes diminishing returns to new heights (IMO).

I appreciate that the residuals may make your purchase look more sensible. I'd suggest that will depend on how the second generation new mini turns out.

Just came back from seeing the car. I think it looks yummy. Feck it - bodykit, Recaros, uprated brakes, a bit lighter, sports exhaust, A/C, CD, DSC (you know...fer poofs), metallic, 18" alloys, leather, contrast stitching, heated seats, stereo upgrade, cruise control, multi-function wheel, 218BHP and a few detail touches like alloy pedals, nice GP kick plates and a few numbered +/or carbon bits and bobs........TBH - it's not that bad for just over 20k. As for all the other stuff from the negative nellies..... yeez can all shurrup. My GP's here now and I can't give it back, so I'm gonna drive it; I'm gonna like it; and that's the end of that.

As an aside, I just got my new Exige S. It's also a (ca.) 220 BHP supercharged 4 cylinder 2-seater runabout. It cost me twice as much (and change) as the Mini GP, and isn't half as well specified or put together. I really don't think the GP is that expensive for what you're getting.

[Bodo]

Honestly, I don't like it. I'm convinced that its axles and suspension are better than those of similar sized cars; however the MINI is littered with ugly ornamental details, and this GP is even worse.

Loach, see it this way: you own a controversial car. I hope you didn't order it with what-enthusiasts-think in mind. Enjoy it.

[hendry]

loach said:

As an aside, I just got my new Exige S. It's also a (ca.) 220 BHP supercharged 4 cylinder 2-seater runabout. It cost me twice as much (and change) as the Mini GP, and isn't half as well specified or put together. I really don't think the GP is that expensive for what you're getting.

Yes - and because the Exige weighs less you have just paid the extra money over a JCW GP for physically nothing!

[jazzyjeff]

tony*t3 said:

jazzyjeff said:

[quote=Xaero]
Seriously though, I wonder why the BMW engineers went to such time and effort with this car. The Sloane poseurs who are likely to buy these cars will only load up every extra possible which will easily cancel out the meagre weight savings achieved! :-(

JJ

You couldn't be more stupid, could you....? You just have to throw in a derogotory comment about the owners, despite the fact that Minis are owned by all types of people, the only classless car for sale in the UK today. The guy on Fifth gears got one for when he isnt using his Enzo or Mac F1 for instance, because he's open minded enough to understand that its a superb car.

Oh, and no, as all 2000 cars are identically specced at the factory, there are no opitions to add the weight back on.

Edited by tony*t3 on Tuesday 1st August 20:57

Tony...and you couldn't help but open your big gob before engaging brain and reading my post properly..!

YES Minis are bought by all kinds of people.

However, most of them buy the standard cars, not this glorified shopping trolley for £22k when you can buy much more car per pound be it regular saloon, estate, or, dare I say it even a proper two seat sports car (I did..).

These kinds of 'special editions' are normally put out as an exercise in style over content, that's all. And tend to be bought by that target market.

...you wouldn't happen to be an owner would you? ;-)

JJ

[loach]

jazzyjeff said:

tony*t3 said:

jazzyjeff said:

[quote=Xaero]
Seriously though, I wonder why the BMW engineers went to such time and effort with this car. The Sloane poseurs who are likely to buy these cars will only load up every extra possible which will easily cancel out the meagre weight savings achieved! :-(

JJ

You couldn't be more stupid, could you....? You just have to throw in a derogotory comment about the owners, despite the fact that Minis are owned by all types of people, the only classless car for sale in the UK today. The guy on Fifth gears got one for when he isnt using his Enzo or Mac F1 for instance, because he's open minded enough to understand that its a superb car.

Oh, and no, as all 2000 cars are identically specced at the factory, there are no opitions to add the weight back on.

Edited by tony*t3 on Tuesday 1st August 20:57

Tony...and you couldn't help but open your big gob before engaging brain and reading my post properly..!

YES Minis are bought by all kinds of people.

However, most of them buy the standard cars, not this glorified shopping trolley for £22k when you can buy much more car per pound be it regular saloon, estate, or, dare I say it even a proper two seat sports car (I did..).

These kinds of 'special editions' are normally put out as an exercise in style over content, that's all. And tend to be bought by that target market.

...you wouldn't happen to be an owner would you? ;-)

JJ

As the only person on PH that seems to have a GP (or the nerve to 'fess up) please allow me the indulgence of another post on the subject of my little acquisition. I've had 4 Caterhams, and am currently on my second Lotus. I get out and about on track as often as I can, and whereas I hold practically no car prejudices, I'm a bit picky that the stuff I buy should go well and put a grin on my puss. Time came to buy the GF a car two and a bit years ago, because the pile of crap she was driving at the time (a 13 year old, 40 BHP VW Polo that had been in her family since Adam and Eve realised they weren't wearing knickers) was starting to fall to pieces. I tried my best to get her interested in a restored 2002 Tii, then a Civic Type R, then an Integra Type R, then an immaculate E30 BMW 323i series etc etc etc. Nothing would prise her out of her beloved bucket o' shite until she test drove the Mini. I somewhat begrudgingly got her a new Cooper, and then proceeded to drive the arse off it myself. To say it pleasantly surprised me is an understatement. I had it tuned on the sly, and nipped around in it every time she wasn't looking. When the GP was first announced, having already tried the Cooper S extensively, and had a few hoons in loaned Cooper S Works cars, I ordered one straight away. I dig how it looks, I like the spec, and I reckon that at 218BHP it's got the 'power vs. ability to cope with it' balance about right. Was I tempted by the new hot Focus? The new Civic Type R? The new Golf GTi? You bet. Ultimately, though, I personally feel that the Mini is slightly greater than the sum of its parts. I'm still tickled pink by how it looks inside and out, am impressed by the quality of the thing, and though it's soon to be shown the door, myself and the GF will very much miss our current Cooper when it goes. That the GP is a limited special edition in a unique colour scheme that I like a lot; that it comes with a specification that would cost considerably more were it to be applied to a regular Cooper S; and that it comes with a wagon load of bespoke bits and pieces, are all the icing on the cake for me. As soon as the GF isn't looking, I'm going to hoon the nuts off that little blue/grey bastard (the GP, not the GF). If that makes me a Sloane Poseur in an overpriced shopping trolley pursuing style over content, then at least I'll be grinning as I climb into my pigeon-hole.

Edited by loach on Thursday 3rd August 23:56

[mindgam3]

And bare in mind that a regular john cooper works with bucket seats and a few extras will easily be over £22k.... so its more of a comparatively cheap MINI for what it is...