mini F56 cooper s vs jcw vs challenge 210 vs GP2

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Mrs wants a mini initially she wanted a Clubman and i wanted the JCW version but after options its just eyewateringly expensive. So we are now looking at 3 doors obviously i fancy the JCW again but its still not cheap when you hit the options £30670 but after discount £27638. The challenge 210 (the car not the pack) is nice with the pro exhaust and all the options ticked and you can get a delivery mile one for £24000 before haggling or you can get a GP2 for about £18000

we plan on hitting europe for a few driving holidays in the next few years and it will do the odd work run etc so im after advice on what do you suggest!

[HJMS123]

If you don't need the rear seats then the GP2 would be my pick .... followed by the challenge 210. The JCW at that price just isn't offering enough or anything over the other two imo.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

no kids and if we need aditional space i have a bigger car so two seats isnt a problem. She considered the convertable but soon chucked it out when she couldnt get her handbag in the boot

[Trustmeimadoctor]

ooh didnt realise this subforum was here

[ian_c_uk]

GP2 would be an R56 (2nd gen) - possibly more fun (I've had two R56's) but more rattles / smaller.

The current F56 (from the courtesy cars I've driven) seems much quieter / grown up than the 2nd gen.

Do they still make the Cooper S Works 210 - https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/explore/mini-wor... - might have been a short lived special edition, but seemed a nice halfway house between Cooper S and JCW ?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

they dont still do the 210bhp one some still with delivery miles on it tho they now do a 210 pack that isnt the same thing tbh its getting confusing as they are now also doing the mini challenge as well.

[SlowStig]

I can give more detail later if required but I own a Challenge 210(proper one) and have driven a few F56 JCW so can give you a back to back comparison between them both.

Approach the F56 MINI as more a pseudo-BMW than an actual MINI. Materials, switches/buttons etc feel more like a small 1 series than the previous generation. They ride a lot better and are easier to drive longer distances but are not as good on a back road(imo) and are less of a handful than previous generations when pressing on.
Regarding the cars specifically, a Challenge 210 is basically a top spec Cooper S with the JCW tuning kit fitted, giving 210bhp. However with the kit, on a dyno yesterday two stock Challenges made 230bhp and a stock JCW made 231bhp but the Challenges made more torque. The main problem with the challenge 210 is the brakes, every owner has the same complaint about the standard brakes being lacking(uses standard Cooper S brakes) when pressing on.
A JCW has minor tweaks all around the car to make into a different car to drive, with the engine/turbo being different to a Cooper S and obviously the bigger/better brakes to deal with the power.
Personally, if you can get a Challenge 210 with the JCW brakes fitted as part of the deal(you will need spacers on standard wheel to make the brakes fit) then its the best overall package imo.

The S Works 210 cars are just a standard Cooper S with the JCW tuning kit fitted but no spec on them and they are not a limited edition(the v5 on them say Cooper S) so won't hold value as well.

[ian_c_uk]

The current Challenge is based on the JCW so has JCW power.

The 210 Challenge was a Cooper S with 210 power pack, but limited run in 2015 so can't imagine there are any del miles examples around?

[Trustmeimadoctor]

yes there are two that i know of one manual and one auto one with 10 miles one with 5. my main thought with gp2 are the rock solid residuals compared to any non special coopers / jcw

[ian_c_uk]

Trustmeimadoctor said:

main thought with gp2 are the rock solid residuals compared to any non special coopers / jcw

I agree, but a very different car to the current shape clubman that you originally looked at.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

I agree but we have had a vx220, brabus coupe so used to hard rides in other cars

[RandomCar]

@Trustmeimadoctor where did you find challenge 210 for 24k if you don't mine me asking? Was this pre-registered and subject to used mini finance @10%?

Just ordered a works210 with pretty much all upgrades but hoping I didn't get ripped off as challenge has chassis control, carbon stuff and 18" wheels that I don't have, plus the cool spot lamps and stripes.
Thanks,
Simon

[Trustmeimadoctor]

Coppers Colchester manual challenge 210 manual 5 miles 21950

Cooper Cobham auto 10 miles 23386

[RandomCar]

Thanks Mate, I can't find them on the website but guessing they're 2015 cars? I do love them though. Great design and spec.

[RandomCar]

Ah found em through some clever googling. They're both works 210s masquerading as challenge. They're missing kit.