clubman JCW vs clubman cooper s
Discussion
From what I have seen the clubman JCW is really quite scarce and even more so in a nice colour and kit level and obviously this impacts price seen a nice one for circa 15k
But there are a load more cooper s cars about and they are quite a bit cheaper. But what I want to know is it worth the extra for the JCW or would I be happier saving cash
But there are a load more cooper s cars about and they are quite a bit cheaper. But what I want to know is it worth the extra for the JCW or would I be happier saving cash
As you say, the JCW Clubby is a rare thing. If I had to have another 2nd Gen MINI, that's what I would chose.
The question of a JCW over the standard S...
The JCW was quite differently mechanically to the Cooper S, all JCWs got an electronic diff (as did Cooper S with Sport Pack), forged internals and strengthened block, Brembo brakes, and they also got a different exhaust setup, JCW aero kit as standard, and so on.
If you want to use the car for fast road/occasional track use, I'd definitely say JCW. The standard Cooper S brakes are fairly terrible, and with the slightly different engine, it's safer to extract more power out of it than the standard engine. The standard exhaust sound is also very nice, especially in sport mode They do seem to hold their value slightly better too, in part I suppose due to their rarity.
For just daily use and the occasional hoon, I'd be fine with the standard Cooper S. If you did decide you ever wanted to go trackdays, or want more noise, then there's a myriad of aftermarket/OEM stuff to keep you happy And if it's looks you're after, then a Cooper S 11MY onwards with the Sport Pack will give you the Challenge wheels and JCW aero kit.
The question of a JCW over the standard S...
The JCW was quite differently mechanically to the Cooper S, all JCWs got an electronic diff (as did Cooper S with Sport Pack), forged internals and strengthened block, Brembo brakes, and they also got a different exhaust setup, JCW aero kit as standard, and so on.
If you want to use the car for fast road/occasional track use, I'd definitely say JCW. The standard Cooper S brakes are fairly terrible, and with the slightly different engine, it's safer to extract more power out of it than the standard engine. The standard exhaust sound is also very nice, especially in sport mode
They do seem to hold their value slightly better too, in part I suppose due to their rarity.For just daily use and the occasional hoon, I'd be fine with the standard Cooper S. If you did decide you ever wanted to go trackdays, or want more noise, then there's a myriad of aftermarket/OEM stuff to keep you happy
And if it's looks you're after, then a Cooper S 11MY onwards with the Sport Pack will give you the Challenge wheels and JCW aero kit.Trustmeimadoctor said:
From what I have seen the clubman JCW is really quite scarce and even more so in a nice colour and kit level and obviously this impacts price seen a nice one for circa 15k
But there are a load more cooper s cars about and they are quite a bit cheaper. But what I want to know is it worth the extra for the JCW or would I be happier saving cash
Apparently, there was only 231 JCW Clubmans registered in the UK which is why you are having issues finding one in a decent spec. It took me 3 months of searching before the right car came up for me. But there are a load more cooper s cars about and they are quite a bit cheaper. But what I want to know is it worth the extra for the JCW or would I be happier saving cash
Regarding JCW's vs Cooper S, as specified earlier with the differences, there is also some changes with the engines which might help you decide.
Early cars got an engine called "N14" and the engines have quite a few known issues such as the inlets coking, High Pressure Fuel Pumps and the Camchain tensioners. These engines were in the Cooper S until early 2010(march iirc) wheras the JCW didn't change until 2012.
The later engine, N18, doesn't have any known faults with them and are slightly more economical and smoother lumps in general.
My JCW is a 61 plate and has the earlier engine, however knowing the issues I was more prepared to accept them due to the spec of the car and it ticking every other box.
Here is mine:
Had a 57 plate cooper-s clubman for a couple of years. Nice car.
Unfortunately it suffered a massive thirst for oil, which i didn't keep on top of enough. After the first year (and after the warranty expired) it started making some pretty strange noises when cold. Keeping it brimmed with oil helped. It also developed a habit of behaving like a kangaroo going down the road, and cut out a few times.
We got rid of it having done about 30k miles in 2 years.
I'd test drive a few before committing to one. Ours never felt particularly fast. It felt like a clio 172 would have destroyed it (had a few of them). I'm not convinced it was 100% right.
Nice, solid feel to it though and it was good fun to chuck about. We just about managed with a 2-3 yr old in the back and it was our main/only car for a while.
Unfortunately it suffered a massive thirst for oil, which i didn't keep on top of enough. After the first year (and after the warranty expired) it started making some pretty strange noises when cold. Keeping it brimmed with oil helped. It also developed a habit of behaving like a kangaroo going down the road, and cut out a few times.
We got rid of it having done about 30k miles in 2 years.
I'd test drive a few before committing to one. Ours never felt particularly fast. It felt like a clio 172 would have destroyed it (had a few of them). I'm not convinced it was 100% right.
Nice, solid feel to it though and it was good fun to chuck about. We just about managed with a 2-3 yr old in the back and it was our main/only car for a while.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff