Mini GP2 daily driver advice?
Discussion
Hi all,
Currently thinking about a 2013 Mini JCW GP2 as my daily car (my other half will have sensible estate).
Wanted an Elise but I don't fit, and having looked at Z4c, M135i and 335i coupe, all seem a bit soft. Some of the very fast and sound nice, but a bit boring.
Only do about 8-10k per year, and can use train if needed for work, but toying with the idea of a GP2, probably won't depreciate too quickly (?), fairly quick and supposed to be great fun (test driving one in next couple of days).
Don't want to down the route of modifying a standard JCW, just want a standard, fun car with warranty - so the GP2 appears tempting.
Any thoughts or things to look out for?
Currently thinking about a 2013 Mini JCW GP2 as my daily car (my other half will have sensible estate).
Wanted an Elise but I don't fit, and having looked at Z4c, M135i and 335i coupe, all seem a bit soft. Some of the very fast and sound nice, but a bit boring.
Only do about 8-10k per year, and can use train if needed for work, but toying with the idea of a GP2, probably won't depreciate too quickly (?), fairly quick and supposed to be great fun (test driving one in next couple of days).
Don't want to down the route of modifying a standard JCW, just want a standard, fun car with warranty - so the GP2 appears tempting.
Any thoughts or things to look out for?
DSharp said:
Hi all,
Currently thinking about a 2013 Mini JCW GP2 as my daily car (my other half will have sensible estate).
Wanted an Elise but I don't fit, and having looked at Z4c, M135i and 335i coupe, all seem a bit soft. Some of the very fast and sound nice, but a bit boring.
Only do about 8-10k per year, and can use train if needed for work, but toying with the idea of a GP2, probably won't depreciate too quickly (?), fairly quick and supposed to be great fun (test driving one in next couple of days).
Don't want to down the route of modifying a standard JCW, just want a standard, fun car with warranty - so the GP2 appears tempting.
Any thoughts or things to look out for?
They're popular cars, plenty of Facebook groups dedicated to the GP2. We've tuned quite a few of them, alongside other N14 and N18's with real success so good to know there's scope if you do get bitten by the modding bug! Currently thinking about a 2013 Mini JCW GP2 as my daily car (my other half will have sensible estate).
Wanted an Elise but I don't fit, and having looked at Z4c, M135i and 335i coupe, all seem a bit soft. Some of the very fast and sound nice, but a bit boring.
Only do about 8-10k per year, and can use train if needed for work, but toying with the idea of a GP2, probably won't depreciate too quickly (?), fairly quick and supposed to be great fun (test driving one in next couple of days).
Don't want to down the route of modifying a standard JCW, just want a standard, fun car with warranty - so the GP2 appears tempting.
Any thoughts or things to look out for?
I bought a very low mileage (622!) GP2 last autumn as a replacement for my much loved 2006 R53 JCW, and can honestly say so far it was the best car buying decision I've ever made.
Have been using it as a daily driver and done around 10k miles since. It is a lot of fun, and compared to the first gen MINI is a surprisingly refined motorway cruiser when it needs to be.
Things I've found to look out for:
- the coilover adjusters can seize due to corrosion, I'm hopefully getting mine sorted next week as part of the end of warranty check.
- the red decal round the bonnet scoop is prone to cracking and peeling due to the heat from the turbo. Mine is looking very scruffy after effectively just a year of driving. Again, should be sorted next week.
- when running the sticky OEM Kumho V70As a lot of small stones and other road debris gets flicked up against the sideskirts causing road rash.
- and also with the V70As, be prepared for frequent tyre replacements. Mine lasted 4700 miles before the fronts were finished. Currently I'm running on KU39s, which are great, but somehow make the car feel less special, so a recently purchased half price set of V70As will be going on at some point. I was warned before buying the car that the V70As were awful in the wet, but I got through the wettest winter on record without problem, it's just a case of being sensible in very wet conditions.
Have been using it as a daily driver and done around 10k miles since. It is a lot of fun, and compared to the first gen MINI is a surprisingly refined motorway cruiser when it needs to be.
Things I've found to look out for:
- the coilover adjusters can seize due to corrosion, I'm hopefully getting mine sorted next week as part of the end of warranty check.
- the red decal round the bonnet scoop is prone to cracking and peeling due to the heat from the turbo. Mine is looking very scruffy after effectively just a year of driving. Again, should be sorted next week.
- when running the sticky OEM Kumho V70As a lot of small stones and other road debris gets flicked up against the sideskirts causing road rash.
- and also with the V70As, be prepared for frequent tyre replacements. Mine lasted 4700 miles before the fronts were finished. Currently I'm running on KU39s, which are great, but somehow make the car feel less special, so a recently purchased half price set of V70As will be going on at some point. I was warned before buying the car that the V70As were awful in the wet, but I got through the wettest winter on record without problem, it's just a case of being sensible in very wet conditions.
I have one of these and in terms of fun factor is unbeatable and just as exciting as some supercars. The standard tyres are crap for wear and best changed for some Yokohama ad08rs which wear better and are in keeping with the track type tyre. Mine is now on 9k with no real issues to speak of. Paint is really soft and marks easily but aside from that it really is a cracking car. Plenty of luggage space too given no rear seats.
My Girlfriend runs ours as her daily commuter car, done 25K miles in it so far...she won't swap it for a new JCW, mainly because she can't fully reach the clutch pedal but she also says they feel slow and not as special!!
Has the coil overs changed under warranty and the front stickers and red brake ducts, few other bits and bobs but car runs great, now on its winter tyres Yokohama AD08r's which have a deeper tread and grip almost as well as the Kumho's. Hopefully off on another trip to West Coast of Scotland in it in December to do a few sections of the NC 500.
its a great car and feels different enough to a std JCW...and its held its price pretty well also.
Has the coil overs changed under warranty and the front stickers and red brake ducts, few other bits and bobs but car runs great, now on its winter tyres Yokohama AD08r's which have a deeper tread and grip almost as well as the Kumho's. Hopefully off on another trip to West Coast of Scotland in it in December to do a few sections of the NC 500.
its a great car and feels different enough to a std JCW...and its held its price pretty well also.
The Mrs uses one daily. The only problems have been noisy coil overs and broken clips on the boot cover. Both replaced under warranty. She does not miss the rear wiper, sat nav or parking sensors. A much better drive than the R56 JCW.
She's also had fun with driving lessons spinning the car on a curve when not driven properly. It's a hoot. Winter tyres will be going on again next week.
She's also had fun with driving lessons spinning the car on a curve when not driven properly. It's a hoot. Winter tyres will be going on again next week.
There should be a spanner for adjusting the coilovers included in the toolkit.
Mine is now up to 15k miles ... as well as daily driving, it now has a few runs at Santa Pod, track time at Castle Combe and Goodwood, and a visit to the Evo Triangle under its belt. It really is a lot of fun.
Mine is now up to 15k miles ... as well as daily driving, it now has a few runs at Santa Pod, track time at Castle Combe and Goodwood, and a visit to the Evo Triangle under its belt. It really is a lot of fun.
Bump...
I'm considering a GP2 but would want to go in with open eyes.
NeilAndHisMini said:
- the coilover adjusters can seize due to corrosion, I'm hopefully getting mine sorted next week as part of the end of warranty check.
How much of an issue is this? Does the car become undriveable or is it the case that you just can't adjust them? Is it a common fault? There aren't too many results on a quick Google - other than this page.I'm considering a GP2 but would want to go in with open eyes.
Brainpox said:
Bump...
I'm considering a GP2 but would want to go in with open eyes.
Yes, the car is still driveable, it just means they can't be adjusted. I did get two of mine replaced under warranty just after my post above.NeilAndHisMini said:
- the coilover adjusters can seize due to corrosion, I'm hopefully getting mine sorted next week as part of the end of warranty check.
How much of an issue is this? Does the car become undriveable or is it the case that you just can't adjust them? Is it a common fault? There aren't too many results on a quick Google - other than this page.I'm considering a GP2 but would want to go in with open eyes.
There is a more common issue with the OEM coilovers in that they can start to leak and fail, resulting in a knocking sound. Haven't had this with mine (touch wood), and Lohen now offer a rebuild service.
I'm now up to just under 40k miles in mine, not using it as a daily so much now, but added 8k over the summer just having fun, including a Euro road trip ... it's that sort of car. No reliability issues at all, just had to have some of the decals replaced, including yet another scoop surround.
NeilAndHisMini said:
Yes, the car is still driveable, it just means they can't be adjusted. I did get two of mine replaced under warranty just after my post above.
There is a more common issue with the OEM coilovers in that they can start to leak and fail, resulting in a knocking sound. Haven't had this with mine (touch wood), and Lohen now offer a rebuild service.
I'm now up to just under 40k miles in mine, not using it as a daily so much now, but added 8k over the summer just having fun, including a Euro road trip ... it's that sort of car. No reliability issues at all, just had to have some of the decals replaced, including yet another scoop surround.
Thanks for the info. Hopefully I wouldn't need to take the trip to Stafford (I'm in the south east) but at least it's there I guess.There is a more common issue with the OEM coilovers in that they can start to leak and fail, resulting in a knocking sound. Haven't had this with mine (touch wood), and Lohen now offer a rebuild service.
I'm now up to just under 40k miles in mine, not using it as a daily so much now, but added 8k over the summer just having fun, including a Euro road trip ... it's that sort of car. No reliability issues at all, just had to have some of the decals replaced, including yet another scoop surround.
Out of curiosity, how much do the decals cost? I can't see me going for a warranty as the Mini website is currently quoting £80/month which seems pretty high. The car I got a quote on is on just under 30k.
Cant comment on it as a daily. As I only use mine during weekends and days off... Its more of a toy than a necessity for me lol. Think I've only done 8k or so this year.
In that time I'm had alot of work carried out on it. As mentioned the OEM Bilstein coilies are known for failing. I recently handed a little over 200 (I've forgotten the exact amount) to Lohen to have it refurbished.
In that time I'm had alot of work carried out on it. As mentioned the OEM Bilstein coilies are known for failing. I recently handed a little over 200 (I've forgotten the exact amount) to Lohen to have it refurbished.
I picked up the GP yesterday and it will be my daily so we'll see how it goes. It's great so far, got under my skin immediately on the test drive and I'm not missing my M2 yet!
Luckily fitted with Michelin PS4s so no need to worry about the Kumhos in the cold/wet weather.
The sound is pretty retro, except top of 2nd leaves you at 60 and 3rd at 85 which has caught me out somewhat
Luckily fitted with Michelin PS4s so no need to worry about the Kumhos in the cold/wet weather.
The sound is pretty retro, except top of 2nd leaves you at 60 and 3rd at 85 which has caught me out somewhat
Edited by Brainpox on Sunday 28th October 12:53
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