F56 JCW buying advice
Discussion
Coming from an F series m135i I'm not too familiar with Mini's so hopefully you guys can point me in the right direction. I'm stuck between these 2 cars:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403217...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402096...
My preferences are pre OPF and as much spec as I can get. Media Pack XL, HK, Heated seats a must.
Unfortunately the first ad doesn't list a lot of the options I can make out, the main differences I see is the '18 plate has a sunroof, rear camera and I'm guessing the newer 8 speed gearbox. It doesn't have heated windscreen which is a pity.
The older car has a really high spec, additional options above the red car are:
Driver Assistance Pack (not fussed)
Active Cruise (not fussed)
LED cornering headlights (would be nice, are LED lights standard on JCW's)
Variable Dampers (not sure they're necessary?)
Heated windscreen
Auto-Dimming Door Mirrors and Interior Rear View Mirror (is this standard?)
Which do you think would be the better buy, I was initially drawn to the older one because of the high spec but the later one still has a good spec plus a sunroof and is 2 years younger.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403217...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402096...
My preferences are pre OPF and as much spec as I can get. Media Pack XL, HK, Heated seats a must.
Unfortunately the first ad doesn't list a lot of the options I can make out, the main differences I see is the '18 plate has a sunroof, rear camera and I'm guessing the newer 8 speed gearbox. It doesn't have heated windscreen which is a pity.
The older car has a really high spec, additional options above the red car are:
Driver Assistance Pack (not fussed)
Active Cruise (not fussed)
LED cornering headlights (would be nice, are LED lights standard on JCW's)
Variable Dampers (not sure they're necessary?)
Heated windscreen
Auto-Dimming Door Mirrors and Interior Rear View Mirror (is this standard?)
Which do you think would be the better buy, I was initially drawn to the older one because of the high spec but the later one still has a good spec plus a sunroof and is 2 years younger.
Not a direct comparison as we had a 21 plate, but I recall having to spec the auto-dimming mirrors so not sure they would come as standard.
Heated windscreen isn't really a big deal, the angle of the screen means it defrosts pretty quickly from just the blowers anyway.
We had LED headlamps (not cornering), to say they are pretty bright is an understatement, although I struggled a little with the drop off and having cornering lights in my Focus I can appreciate the benefit they might provide.
Personally I'd chose the newer one... looks like it comes with the HUD which would be nice to have, reversing camera not really necessary for such a small car but nice to have. We had a black one and unless you like washing your car every few days it will always look dirty, red tends to take a bit longer to lose it's shine. Plus, well, it's newer.
Heated windscreen isn't really a big deal, the angle of the screen means it defrosts pretty quickly from just the blowers anyway.
We had LED headlamps (not cornering), to say they are pretty bright is an understatement, although I struggled a little with the drop off and having cornering lights in my Focus I can appreciate the benefit they might provide.
Personally I'd chose the newer one... looks like it comes with the HUD which would be nice to have, reversing camera not really necessary for such a small car but nice to have. We had a black one and unless you like washing your car every few days it will always look dirty, red tends to take a bit longer to lose it's shine. Plus, well, it's newer.
No advice to offer really, but I'm looking for one of these also, and trying to decide whether to go pre-LCI or not - and for info there was a narrow 6 month window I think where you could get a pre-OPF LCI facelift car in 2018 (e.g. with most of the chrome trim blacked out, union jack rear lights and so on).
I'm probably going to go for a manual so won't have the added dilemma of whether the older auto gearbox is good enough.
I'm not even sure there is that much difference in pricing manual vs auto, esp since prices in general seem all over the place?
I do want a Harman Kardon stereo and sat nav, not bothered about much else but I wouldn't mind one with lounge leather seats as I actually found them comfier than the usual JCW ones when sitting in each, even if not as racey.
And would prefer 17 inch wheels with non-runflats as that would probably make as much or more difference to the ride as the adaptive suspension, but if anyone has a different experience then please chime in.
As for the cars you posted, that 2016 car looks nice but doesn't seem particularly great value. JCWs have certainly come down over the last 6 months.
I'm probably going to go for a manual so won't have the added dilemma of whether the older auto gearbox is good enough.
I'm not even sure there is that much difference in pricing manual vs auto, esp since prices in general seem all over the place?
I do want a Harman Kardon stereo and sat nav, not bothered about much else but I wouldn't mind one with lounge leather seats as I actually found them comfier than the usual JCW ones when sitting in each, even if not as racey.
And would prefer 17 inch wheels with non-runflats as that would probably make as much or more difference to the ride as the adaptive suspension, but if anyone has a different experience then please chime in.
As for the cars you posted, that 2016 car looks nice but doesn't seem particularly great value. JCWs have certainly come down over the last 6 months.
Id go for the newer one - looks as if has lounge leather seats( separate headrests see photo looking into boot) and far better gearbox than the old 6 speed . Just check gerbox ok has been a couple of instances on here of early JCW 8 speed having problems - asian produced compared to the 7 speed getrag in cooper s - not intruded till march 2018
I wouldn't worry about active cruise, our has it and every so often i decides its had enough and turns itself off. Heated screen is nice, ours is the older gearbox and its fine. We have adaptive dampers but its normally left in comfort.
The red one looks like the front bumper is a different colour which would annoy. Brakes can be expensive but given you have an M135i they will be the same price to change.
The red one looks like the front bumper is a different colour which would annoy. Brakes can be expensive but given you have an M135i they will be the same price to change.
My advice would be to check the FSH is actually FSH. It rarely is. Easy to do on the idrive screen.
I would also check that approved cars are not better value as they will include a proper warranty which you can extend relatively cheaply.
All JCW have fixed LED light as std.
Shame to get a JCW without JCW seats.
I would also check that approved cars are not better value as they will include a proper warranty which you can extend relatively cheaply.
All JCW have fixed LED light as std.
Shame to get a JCW without JCW seats.
Zetec-S said:
17" non-runflats were what we had, I would recommend as they did a good job of soaking up the bumps.
Likewise I'd agree HK is almost essential, the standard stereo is definitely lacking. Although there are a few after-market options if needed.
No other advice to the OP, but on the stereo point, I was disappointed mine didn't have the HK, but actually, with a little tweaking I find the sound pretty good in mine in all honesty. The thing I find lacking is the treble, so I just turned that up, and it actually sounds pretty good to me, and I'm fairly fussy, although to be fair, most of my previous cars stereos were utter sLikewise I'd agree HK is almost essential, the standard stereo is definitely lacking. Although there are a few after-market options if needed.
te, so maybe its relative 
but I do listen to a separates system in the house and high end headphones at other times, and while its clearly not as good as them, it's a perfectly good listen in the confines of a car with all the NVH that comes with it. YMMV on that one obviously.Mine has the 18s, I'd certainly like to try 17s but being a little vain, I do like the looks of the bigger wheels
On the adaptive cruise thing, I saw a YT review where it had it and the stupid thing kept slamming on the brakes or flooring the throttle at seemingly random times according to the reviewer.
nickfrog said:
My advice would be to check the FSH is actually FSH. It rarely is. Easy to do on the idrive screen.
I would also check that approved cars are not better value as they will include a proper warranty which you can extend relatively cheaply.
All JCW have fixed LED light as std.
Shame to get a JCW without JCW seats.
It's showing 3 green entries on the idrive, last done 3k miles ago. I had a quick look at approved used and there's a couple of manuals but most of the other cars don't have heated seats... Prices are not that much higher for AUC.I would also check that approved cars are not better value as they will include a proper warranty which you can extend relatively cheaply.
All JCW have fixed LED light as std.
Shame to get a JCW without JCW seats.
Now I've seen the JCW seats I want then but there have to be some compromises buying used.
If it's all green and as per schedule then all good. I would try hard to buy AUC if the price delta is not that large although if heated seats are a deal breaker hats fair enough. On leather I can see it but on alcantara or cloth it's probably not too bad unless of course you have early morning starts.
HK does add a little presence but it's still not great in the scheme of things.
I had a nice drive yesterday with the seats down as I was transporting a bike. The exhaust pops and bangs are ridiculously loud. In a funny way, not particularly harmonious just surprising in volume.
Sorry for the random musings.
HK does add a little presence but it's still not great in the scheme of things.
I had a nice drive yesterday with the seats down as I was transporting a bike. The exhaust pops and bangs are ridiculously loud. In a funny way, not particularly harmonious just surprising in volume.
Sorry for the random musings.
nickfrog said:
If it's all green and as per schedule then all good. I would try hard to buy AUC if the price delta is not that large although if heated seats are a deal breaker hats fair enough. On leather I can see it but on alcantara or cloth it's probably not too bad unless of course you have early morning starts.
HK does add a little presence but it's still not great in the scheme of things.
I had a nice drive yesterday with the seats down as I was transporting a bike. The exhaust pops and bangs are ridiculously loud. In a funny way, not particularly harmonious just surprising in volume.
Sorry for the random musings.
So far the only thing that's off-putting is the front bumper colour mismatch which I can't verify until I see it...HK does add a little presence but it's still not great in the scheme of things.
I had a nice drive yesterday with the seats down as I was transporting a bike. The exhaust pops and bangs are ridiculously loud. In a funny way, not particularly harmonious just surprising in volume.
Sorry for the random musings.
How big a bike will fit in the back? Although my wife has a Sportage which carries bikes with a tow bar mounted rack but it would be handy to fit one in the boot if needed. The biggest bike I have is a Large Orbea Rallon.
stevemcs said:
Ours has HK, it wouldn't be a deal breaker as, well its not that good.
We've had 3 minis so far, one with the HK option and two without (the HK one was our second). There's not a lot of difference to be honest and I wouldn't be worried if I missed it off the option list.Happybiker80 said:
So far the only thing that's off-putting is the front bumper colour mismatch which I can't verify until I see it...
How big a bike will fit in the back? Although my wife has a Sportage which carries bikes with a tow bar mounted rack but it would be handy to fit one in the boot if needed. The biggest bike I have is a Large Orbea Rallon.
I fitted a L YT Izzo on Fox 36 and 2.6 tyres with just the front wheel off. It just fits but no passengers possible even at the front.How big a bike will fit in the back? Although my wife has a Sportage which carries bikes with a tow bar mounted rack but it would be handy to fit one in the boot if needed. The biggest bike I have is a Large Orbea Rallon.
I'm now starting to consider manual cars, partly because there seem to be more available and I've read about a few early 8 speed cars that have had issues with the box.
How many cars are affected by the issues and when was the 8 speed box introduced, Dec 17 from what I've read? Can you tell by the gear selector which box is fitted? AFAIK the 6 speed is not affected?
My first choice was auto because it's my daily driver but I'm willing to look at either, I'd happily buy a manual or 6 speed auto from a private seller if the price is right.
This car is private and March 17 build, good spec and private, worth a look? Would this be 6 speed?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404158...
How many cars are affected by the issues and when was the 8 speed box introduced, Dec 17 from what I've read? Can you tell by the gear selector which box is fitted? AFAIK the 6 speed is not affected?
My first choice was auto because it's my daily driver but I'm willing to look at either, I'd happily buy a manual or 6 speed auto from a private seller if the price is right.
This car is private and March 17 build, good spec and private, worth a look? Would this be 6 speed?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202404158...
Edited by Happybiker80 on Thursday 18th April 08:36
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