2023 Cooper S 5 door: "JCW pack" vs. others

[Nuno AD]

Good evening

Looking at buying a new Cooper S in 5 door flavor.

There is a JCW equipment pack (unfortunately no proper JCW version) for this vehicle which, as far as the salesman could highlight, it's all about the looks.

However, after some research, I seem to understand that there is a difference in their suspension: whereas the JCW has adaptive suspension all other versions don't have such feature (including the otherwise fully loaded Trafalgar).

Is my understanding correct? If yes, has anyone tried back to back and noticed substantial differences in comfort and handling?

Any other mechanical differences between the two vehicles?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Cheers
Nuno

[AliMc99]

Not an S but I went to test drive a 1.5 Cooper recently. I would want a 5 door (at that point trim level tbc). On the day the salesman running the 5 door Classic was off sick but they offered me an extended (unaccompanied) test drive in a 3 door Cooper in ‘Sport’ trim which on newer models includes the JCW body kit and Seats. It both handled and (more surprisingly) rode very well. I drove a standard Cooper a couple of years ago which had much worse body control and also a much rougher ride- so I can only assume this is down to the semi adaptive dampers on the sport (which I think were introduced about 2 years ago). Unfortunately for me whilst Mini have recently reintroduced the manual gear box option on most models APART from the 5 door Sport trim.