Discussion
My new daily (for the next 6 months) arrived today. It's a temporary replacement for my M140i until Mrs Limpet's current project ends in about 6 months, and the long term hire Golf she is currently using goes back. At that point, I'll get myself something else, and this will become her daily.
It's a new MINI JCW 3dr Auto in Midnight Black with red roof and mirrors. The options list is ridiculous on these, but we decided to keep it semi-sensible. Went for Apple CarPlay, Harman Kardon stereo upgrade, Comfort Pack (heated seats, rear PDC, climate control and centre armrest), and the Cup spoke wheels. That said, it's less well specced than the Cooper D Clubman it replaced, but even trundling it home from the dealer, it's clear that it's going to be a heap more fun to own. Feels really effortless and torquey when just ambling about, and the exhaust note is lovely. Usual nicely weighted and quick MINI steering, a quick witted auto box, and the ride is firm, but not uncomfortable even on our broken roads. It is going to be quite a hard car to drive sensibly, I think
Some pics:
There are a couple of local roads that I am itching to get this on, once it's got a few miles under its wheels and everything has loosened up a bit. The plan at the moment is to just put some miles on it and enjoy it. It's going to see a variety of roads and conditions in my hands, as I travel all over the country (albeit not constantly) for work. Looking forward to seeing how it does.
Will keep the updates coming
It's a new MINI JCW 3dr Auto in Midnight Black with red roof and mirrors. The options list is ridiculous on these, but we decided to keep it semi-sensible. Went for Apple CarPlay, Harman Kardon stereo upgrade, Comfort Pack (heated seats, rear PDC, climate control and centre armrest), and the Cup spoke wheels. That said, it's less well specced than the Cooper D Clubman it replaced, but even trundling it home from the dealer, it's clear that it's going to be a heap more fun to own. Feels really effortless and torquey when just ambling about, and the exhaust note is lovely. Usual nicely weighted and quick MINI steering, a quick witted auto box, and the ride is firm, but not uncomfortable even on our broken roads. It is going to be quite a hard car to drive sensibly, I think
Some pics:
There are a couple of local roads that I am itching to get this on, once it's got a few miles under its wheels and everything has loosened up a bit. The plan at the moment is to just put some miles on it and enjoy it. It's going to see a variety of roads and conditions in my hands, as I travel all over the country (albeit not constantly) for work. Looking forward to seeing how it does.
Will keep the updates coming
Greendubber said:
Lovely car, we have those wheels and they catch kerbs for fun so be careful!
Thanks, and yes I noticed how vulnerable the spokes are after we got the car home. I have pointed this out to the OH and effectively whoever marks them first will never live it down. Matt97 said:
Looks great! The automatic gearbox in these is so much better than the previous R5x models & I'm sure you'll enjoy the car.
That’s good to hear. Before my M140i, I’d never had an auto, or entertained the idea of one but that changed my view entirely. Really looking forward to trying it in anger. Looks good! Would you want to give it away after six months?
I keep toying with the idea of getting one of these as a second car, at the moment I can’t justify it. I was close to getting a job in the centre of Manchester so was going to get one with the excuse being it’s easier to park in a multi storey than my A6 but the job didn’t work out.
I keep looking though...
I keep toying with the idea of getting one of these as a second car, at the moment I can’t justify it. I was close to getting a job in the centre of Manchester so was going to get one with the excuse being it’s easier to park in a multi storey than my A6 but the job didn’t work out.
I keep looking though...
Cracking looking car, I’m sure that’ll be great fun.
The wife has a new auto Clubman Cooper S which is rather enjoyable, so can only imagine it gets better with the JCW.
Good call on the seats, we almost didn’t spec them then changed our minds at the very last minute. They are really comfortable and the heating element is superb. Warms in a matter of seconds and all the way up your back as well (far superior to my Focus)
The wife has a new auto Clubman Cooper S which is rather enjoyable, so can only imagine it gets better with the JCW.
Good call on the seats, we almost didn’t spec them then changed our minds at the very last minute. They are really comfortable and the heating element is superb. Warms in a matter of seconds and all the way up your back as well (far superior to my Focus)
I love mine, just check the holes in the edge of the bonnet (when up) for transportation wax, when driven in the wet it watered down and seeped out of mine and marked the plastic trim on the wheel arches, eventually got it off though. I assume they pump it in at the factory as a rust prevention.
I've subtly highlighted the area it may appear below;
MiniWax by ham355, on Flickr
I've subtly highlighted the area it may appear below;
MiniWax by ham355, on Flickr
Lovely car, we have those wheels and they catch kerbs for fun so be careful, Donot play song in car!
The wheels are already a source of paranoia! 
Clicked over 200 miles today, and thought I'd share a few thoughts.
Engine: I'm trying to keep revs and loads varied as much as possible (within practical and safety considerations), and that has included the occasional short burst of acceleration up to 4.5k or thereabouts. It feels very muscular, and I have to say the exhaust note is lovely, something we noticed on the demonstrator also. It's got a lovely burble to it that is really nicely judged in terms of volume. Not so loud that everyone is calling you a t
t as you drive through a town centre, but loud enough to just stand out a little bit. You can tell the engine is closely related to the B58 in the BMW as it feels very similar when just driving A to B. Crisp response, plenty of instant torque, turbo lag that you have to be seriously nitpicking to even notice, and a lovely unstressed feel to it.
Transmission: The 8 speed Aisin auto so far seems just as responsive and smooth as the ZF unit in the M140i. In fact, I'd argue sport mode in the Mini software is actually better calibrated, as it doesn't hang on to revs under light throttle in the way the BMW did. In normal, standard mode, it upshifts very early, but the engine is happy to pull from 1500 RPM without complaint. I've been using the paddles a fair bit to keep it from lugging the engine, as it is very "eco" focused outside of sport mode.
Chassis: I'm going to come out and say that (with the caveat of not having driven it really hard yet) I'm already enjoying this more than I did the M140i. It has far nicer steering, with a directness and consistency of weight that many ePAS systems don't have. The damping (passive on this car) copes much better with undulating surfaces than the BMWs adaptive set up, and the whole car just feels composed and tied down to the road surface in a way the BMW never did. It rides firmly, but not harshly, corners flat, and generally feels wieldy and sharp. It's going to be a lot of fun, I think.
Comfort and useability: The seats are supportive with excellent heaters, and the driving position has a good range of adjustment. Around town it's a doddle to drive. On the motorway, the engine is pulling 1800 RPM in 8th at the legal limit, and has plenty of torque in reserve to deal with hills or overtakes. The only thing that would stop me calling it refined is the moderate amount of road noise from the Eagle F1 run-flats. I'm not sure if switching away from run-flats, or even to a different brand when the time comes will improve this. It's nothing I can't live with, but I will definitely investigate tyre options thoroughly when the time comes. I am very happy with the ride and handling, so won't want to ruin this, but would be keen to see if there's anything that can do it quieter. HK stereo sounds pretty good, and the Apple CarPlay works well.
That's about it for now. Thanks for all the comments and interest
Clicked over 200 miles today, and thought I'd share a few thoughts.
Engine: I'm trying to keep revs and loads varied as much as possible (within practical and safety considerations), and that has included the occasional short burst of acceleration up to 4.5k or thereabouts. It feels very muscular, and I have to say the exhaust note is lovely, something we noticed on the demonstrator also. It's got a lovely burble to it that is really nicely judged in terms of volume. Not so loud that everyone is calling you a t
t as you drive through a town centre, but loud enough to just stand out a little bit. You can tell the engine is closely related to the B58 in the BMW as it feels very similar when just driving A to B. Crisp response, plenty of instant torque, turbo lag that you have to be seriously nitpicking to even notice, and a lovely unstressed feel to it. Transmission: The 8 speed Aisin auto so far seems just as responsive and smooth as the ZF unit in the M140i. In fact, I'd argue sport mode in the Mini software is actually better calibrated, as it doesn't hang on to revs under light throttle in the way the BMW did. In normal, standard mode, it upshifts very early, but the engine is happy to pull from 1500 RPM without complaint. I've been using the paddles a fair bit to keep it from lugging the engine, as it is very "eco" focused outside of sport mode.
Chassis: I'm going to come out and say that (with the caveat of not having driven it really hard yet) I'm already enjoying this more than I did the M140i. It has far nicer steering, with a directness and consistency of weight that many ePAS systems don't have. The damping (passive on this car) copes much better with undulating surfaces than the BMWs adaptive set up, and the whole car just feels composed and tied down to the road surface in a way the BMW never did. It rides firmly, but not harshly, corners flat, and generally feels wieldy and sharp. It's going to be a lot of fun, I think.
Comfort and useability: The seats are supportive with excellent heaters, and the driving position has a good range of adjustment. Around town it's a doddle to drive. On the motorway, the engine is pulling 1800 RPM in 8th at the legal limit, and has plenty of torque in reserve to deal with hills or overtakes. The only thing that would stop me calling it refined is the moderate amount of road noise from the Eagle F1 run-flats. I'm not sure if switching away from run-flats, or even to a different brand when the time comes will improve this. It's nothing I can't live with, but I will definitely investigate tyre options thoroughly when the time comes. I am very happy with the ride and handling, so won't want to ruin this, but would be keen to see if there's anything that can do it quieter. HK stereo sounds pretty good, and the Apple CarPlay works well.
That's about it for now. Thanks for all the comments and interest
Edited by Limpet on Thursday 12th March 11:30
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