Guidance please, JCW purchase

[Davie_GLA]

Having decided I want something a bit more urgent and initially considering the clubman JCW I’m drawn to a cooper S JCW:

MINI Hatch F56 MINI John Cooper Works 3dr

It’s a 2018 car, usual JCW bits and manual. I think they are 230bhp standard.

Looking for general opinions and what to look for. The car has 11k miles and will be from approved used stock.

I’m coming from a very nice but warty 7 series so I’m trying not to think about how much I’ll miss soft close doors, heated seats and decent audio.

So. What say you? I’m immediate drawn to a stage 1 tune but we will see.

[Challo]

Davie_GLA said:

Having decided I want something a bit more urgent and initially considering the clubman JCW I’m drawn to a cooper S JCW:

MINI Hatch F56 MINI John Cooper Works 3dr

It’s a 2018 car, usual JCW bits and manual. I think they are 230bhp standard.

Looking for general opinions and what to look for. The car has 11k miles and will be from approved used stock.

I’m coming from a very nice but warty 7 series so I’m trying not to think about how much I’ll miss soft close doors, heated seats and decent audio.

So. What say you? I’m immediate drawn to a stage 1 tune but we will see.

Not sure on the spec, but alot of these cars will have had heated seats, and Harmon Kardon included so will have all the mod cons you need. The ride will be alot harder compared to the 7 so something you will need to get used to.

[GaryF]

If you get one without run flat tyres, that also improves ride, grip and composure under braking.

I have heated seats and Harmon Kardon and both are very good (though not in the same model you are looking at).

[Davie_GLA]

Thanks all. Have decided to hang off and see what comes into stock.

[cerb4.5lee]

GaryF said:

If you get one without run flat tyres, that also improves ride, grip and composure under braking.

I have heated seats and Harmon Kardon and both are very good (though not in the same model you are looking at).

Agree and I have 17" wheels on my F56 Cooper S without run flats and the ride is fine(I think they are 18" wheels as standard(with runflats) on the JCW though aren't they?).

I also have Harmon Kardon and heated seats. You can also get Minis in a great spec if someone has gone mad with the options from new for sure.

[chrisch77]

You might want to check if it is the later model with PPF fitted, as that would limit your tuning and exhaust options, or at least more costly to delete and map out.

[shoestring7]

GaryF said:

If you get one without run flat tyres, that also improves ride, grip and composure under braking.

I have heated seats and Harmon Kardon and both are very good (though not in the same model you are looking at).

Most JCWs I see have 17"s, the launch cars had bigger diamond cost wheels very prone to kerbing. Also look for adaptive, in which Sports mode becomes usable (not eyeball rattling on typical British B roads), while 'normal' give a pretty decent ride.

Try one before you start turning up the boost. Even in std mode (I've got Goodyear F1s on mine) they are very traction limited in the cold and wet. Fun, if you like fighting a steering wheel, but different from a bargey BMW.

Edited by shoestring7 on Thursday 25th June 15:46

[mh125]

shoestring7 said:

Also look for adaptive, in which Sports mode becomes usable (not eyeball rattling on typical British B roads), while 'normal' give a pretty decent ride.

Definitely thumbs up for adaptive!

[paultownsend]

Media XL is a must. I can’t believe some JCW’s come with that cack game boy screen!

[Davie_GLA]

Thanks a lot guys - clearly i need to do a wee bit more research.

I mailed the dealer and asked the them to check the network for one with heated seats and HK. The best they found was an ex demo with heated seats but an extra £10k! That's a lot for a warm arse.