Jcw coupe - what do I need to know?
Discussion
Oddly tempted by one of these. They seem fairly rare and info on them on the web seems a bit sparse.
Would I get something decent for £13-14k?
Quiet part of PH it seems. Might be in part my slightly rubbish first post. So...
Looking to replace my m3 for something else - amongst other things, the mini coupe (has to be the proper jcw version though) has come up as something quite quirky.
As mentioned, I know nothing about minis at all and googling has only shown some reasonable reviews of the coupe but little else. One of the big mini owners boards last had a post in its coupe section in February. I'm guessing there aren't many around, based on the few for sale.
Anyone got one?
Would I get something decent for £13-14k?
Quiet part of PH it seems. Might be in part my slightly rubbish first post. So...
Looking to replace my m3 for something else - amongst other things, the mini coupe (has to be the proper jcw version though) has come up as something quite quirky.
As mentioned, I know nothing about minis at all and googling has only shown some reasonable reviews of the coupe but little else. One of the big mini owners boards last had a post in its coupe section in February. I'm guessing there aren't many around, based on the few for sale.
Anyone got one?
Edited by pidsy on Sunday 30th April 18:52
They're similar to the hatch in performance, but very cosy inside.
Look out for water pouring into the boot when you open it, as rain collects in the (very heavy) lid.
If you like audio, then pick one with the Harmon-Kardon upgrade (look for tweeters in the bottom of the A-pillar).
The Coupé was a slow seller (even compared to the Roadster) as most people went for the hatch or the GP2 that came out in 2013.
2015: 2,784
2014: 3,816
2013: 8,436
2012: 11,311
2011: 3,799
Given Mini sell around 300,000 units annually, the Coupé was borderline unprofitable and discontinued in 2015. (These are world-wide figures for all variants, taken from BMW's annual press release.)
Surprisingly it did have good residuals, as people were willing to pay for something that looked a little different from the rest of the range.
Look for the N18 engine (an update from the N14, and more reliable) which was introduced on the Hatch in late 2012.
All JCWs came with run-flat tyres, and changing to more conventional rubber will reduce tramlining. (As in, don't be put off if someone has changed tyres from the OEM recommended ones.)
Look out for water pouring into the boot when you open it, as rain collects in the (very heavy) lid.
If you like audio, then pick one with the Harmon-Kardon upgrade (look for tweeters in the bottom of the A-pillar).
The Coupé was a slow seller (even compared to the Roadster) as most people went for the hatch or the GP2 that came out in 2013.
2015: 2,784
2014: 3,816
2013: 8,436
2012: 11,311
2011: 3,799
Given Mini sell around 300,000 units annually, the Coupé was borderline unprofitable and discontinued in 2015. (These are world-wide figures for all variants, taken from BMW's annual press release.)
Surprisingly it did have good residuals, as people were willing to pay for something that looked a little different from the rest of the range.
Look for the N18 engine (an update from the N14, and more reliable) which was introduced on the Hatch in late 2012.
All JCWs came with run-flat tyres, and changing to more conventional rubber will reduce tramlining. (As in, don't be put off if someone has changed tyres from the OEM recommended ones.)
I'm not sure how they feel in terms of chassis stiffness - they're based on the roadster with a hard top added, rather than the other way around; so it may suffer slightly from chassis flex like an open car.
I had one as a courtesy car for a few days a while back, and personally couldn't see the point over the hatch
I had one as a courtesy car for a few days a while back, and personally couldn't see the point over the hatch
We have had ours for 2 and a half years now, it's a great little car. So sharp and responsive, power on tap, so much fun.
Think they only sold about 200 Jcw variants in the uk, so rare! You'll get a decent one for those values or less if buying private.
I've also had a jcw clubman and a cooper s hatch all with the n14 engine as our coupe has too. I wouldn't discount an n14 engine, the only major issue that arises is the timing chain rattle, which I've had resolved on all three cars under mini warranty with the updated parts so should not be an issue again. All minis suffer from carbon build up eventually, maybe n14 more than n18 but easily fixable by a walnut blast or engine carbon clean which aren't expensive. Thermostat housings tend to start leaking around 70k miles but only £200 to replace including labour (had this on my clubman). The engines use a little bit of oil but in my experience nothing close to horror stories you read online about a litre every 1000 miles. I've never had any reliability issues with any of the minis I've had of this generation.
I've still got run flats on ours as it gives peace of mind and performance is still good on the p zeros if a little harsher ride than non run flats.
The Harman Kardon is well worth seeking out. Whoever bought ours from new went crazy with the options list so it has everything we could ever want and need including the excellent and expensive recaro seats.
Happy to answer any questions you have about them.
Also, we are about to put ours up for sale as we are expecting a baby and have ordered a M140i to replace it, so drop me a message if you might be interested at all.
Cheers.
Think they only sold about 200 Jcw variants in the uk, so rare! You'll get a decent one for those values or less if buying private.
I've also had a jcw clubman and a cooper s hatch all with the n14 engine as our coupe has too. I wouldn't discount an n14 engine, the only major issue that arises is the timing chain rattle, which I've had resolved on all three cars under mini warranty with the updated parts so should not be an issue again. All minis suffer from carbon build up eventually, maybe n14 more than n18 but easily fixable by a walnut blast or engine carbon clean which aren't expensive. Thermostat housings tend to start leaking around 70k miles but only £200 to replace including labour (had this on my clubman). The engines use a little bit of oil but in my experience nothing close to horror stories you read online about a litre every 1000 miles. I've never had any reliability issues with any of the minis I've had of this generation.
I've still got run flats on ours as it gives peace of mind and performance is still good on the p zeros if a little harsher ride than non run flats.
The Harman Kardon is well worth seeking out. Whoever bought ours from new went crazy with the options list so it has everything we could ever want and need including the excellent and expensive recaro seats.
Happy to answer any questions you have about them.
Also, we are about to put ours up for sale as we are expecting a baby and have ordered a M140i to replace it, so drop me a message if you might be interested at all.
Cheers.
The seats you either get standard (I think black leather no piping), lounge leather (bit comfier sort of retro looking with piping but not particularly sporty), or the recaro which were I think a £2k option when new.
Not sure on choice of colours to be honest, certainly black, red, cream, 'white silver' will be the main ones, possibly brown may have been an option too.
Not sure on choice of colours to be honest, certainly black, red, cream, 'white silver' will be the main ones, possibly brown may have been an option too.
My mother got one in ~2012 when she was in her mid 60's... also drives it as intended..., she loves it and to be fair it is a great little car, I'll agree they are very tight on room inside (although I am 6'4.) Colour wise I'm not sure how many different variations where made, hers is a kind of burnt orange with black roof.
ETA - This colour (pic taken from google not the actual car)
ETA - This colour (pic taken from google not the actual car)
Edited by Gav147 on Wednesday 3rd May 22:44
Hi
I have recently moved from a Clubman S to an E92 330i. (so 'almost' the reverse of what you are proposing.
Strangely I miss the MINI a little. The sensation of speed is muted in the BMW to such an extent that it almost doe not feel as quick as the MINI - despite the quoted 0-60 times. The BMW is undoubtably quicker but the MINI felt more fun....
Sounds like it might be tricky to find one and maybe you could try driving the JCW hatch before taking the plunge to make sure it fit well with you.
Mike
I have recently moved from a Clubman S to an E92 330i. (so 'almost' the reverse of what you are proposing.
Strangely I miss the MINI a little. The sensation of speed is muted in the BMW to such an extent that it almost doe not feel as quick as the MINI - despite the quoted 0-60 times. The BMW is undoubtably quicker but the MINI felt more fun....
Sounds like it might be tricky to find one and maybe you could try driving the JCW hatch before taking the plunge to make sure it fit well with you.
Mike
Trustmeimadoctor said:
Don phil messaged you last night
i haven't received anything from anyone. care to expand? as for the burnt orange one above, i'm not sure about that particular colour but its nice to see a JCW in something other than the standard 4 colours. there are only 16 on auto trader (4 of those are convertibles) and all of them are red, white, silver or black.
the recaro's are really very nice looking - luckily, ive found a member on mini-torque who has one and im gonna go for a spin when i get some free time.
mike9009 said:
Hi
I have recently moved from a Clubman S to an E92 330i. (so 'almost' the reverse of what you are proposing.
Strangely I miss the MINI a little. The sensation of speed is muted in the BMW to such an extent that it almost doe not feel as quick as the MINI - despite the quoted 0-60 times. The BMW is undoubtably quicker but the MINI felt more fun....
Sounds like it might be tricky to find one and maybe you could try driving the JCW hatch before taking the plunge to make sure it fit well with you.
Mike
I agree with you, the sense of speed is much more in the minis than in a faster or comparable paced car with more refinement.I have recently moved from a Clubman S to an E92 330i. (so 'almost' the reverse of what you are proposing.
Strangely I miss the MINI a little. The sensation of speed is muted in the BMW to such an extent that it almost doe not feel as quick as the MINI - despite the quoted 0-60 times. The BMW is undoubtably quicker but the MINI felt more fun....
Sounds like it might be tricky to find one and maybe you could try driving the JCW hatch before taking the plunge to make sure it fit well with you.
Mike
I think this is a very under rated car, it does not get the reports I think it deserves. It is quirky, but seems to have aged quite well. You do need to set the mirrors very carefully as there is a massive blind spot on the passenger side, made even worse if you have a passenger!
Mine sits in the garage alongside a 911 and then Cayman GTS. I am perfectly happy driving the JCW, it really is great fun. I can relate to the water landing in your boot, but otherwise it is excellent... just don't leave your jacket in the boot on rainy days!
Mine has the later engine with the sport button that gives pops and bangs on overrun. While manufactured, it still sounds good.... even in comparison to the GTS which has a superb exhaust note.
Many are heavily specified so you may want to avoid lower spec cars. Oh, and much as they may be rare, selling one is not easy. I advertised mine about a year ago without a single call..... although this worked out well as we kept it! I would say it is a car that is very hard to price as the market is small.
At 35k miles we have had no issues aside from some variable radio reception. The Mini service and warranty deal is handy. Fuel consumption is also quite reasonable.
If you have any specific questions let me know,
Mine sits in the garage alongside a 911 and then Cayman GTS. I am perfectly happy driving the JCW, it really is great fun. I can relate to the water landing in your boot, but otherwise it is excellent... just don't leave your jacket in the boot on rainy days!
Mine has the later engine with the sport button that gives pops and bangs on overrun. While manufactured, it still sounds good.... even in comparison to the GTS which has a superb exhaust note.
Many are heavily specified so you may want to avoid lower spec cars. Oh, and much as they may be rare, selling one is not easy. I advertised mine about a year ago without a single call..... although this worked out well as we kept it! I would say it is a car that is very hard to price as the market is small.
At 35k miles we have had no issues aside from some variable radio reception. The Mini service and warranty deal is handy. Fuel consumption is also quite reasonable.
If you have any specific questions let me know,
Edited by IMac on Saturday 6th May 10:34
DapperDanMan said:
How can I tell whether the coupe has an N14 or N18 engine? Is it on the V5 engine number or in the vin? Is it something I can see by looking at the engine?
the N18 engine is from 2012 onwards. the N14 cars seem to be about £1k cheaper overall than the N18's.the N14 "Death Rattle" can be worked around with a new tensioner but ive read a lot of chatter where the problem comes back.
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