Anyone got a Mini JCW R56 or Peugeot 208 GTI 30th?

[Turnip Farmer]

Hey all

I'm wanting to replace my aging 2010 Abarth 500 which is developing rust with the bodywork and thought this might be the time to move on.

I'm thinking of replacing it with a JCW Mini R56 or a Peugeot 208 GTI 30th anniversary edition.

Has anyone got any of these? I'm leaning towards the Mini but is there anything to lookout for on these? Any major issues? I think fory budget I could get around a 2012/2013 JCW and slightly younger Peugeot around 2015.

Should I forget either of these and go for something else?

Other hot hatches I'm thinking about is another Abarth, Mégane RS, Clio RS, Polo GTI (1.8 tsi), Alfa Romeo giulietta 1750 tbi, Mito Cloverleaf.

I know this is a rather large list ??

Hope you guys can help and narrow down my choices.

Edited by Turnip Farmer on Monday 22 April 20:45

Edited by Turnip Farmer on Tuesday 23 April 08:46

[Truckosaurus]

That gen of Mini is famous for dodgy cam chains, so maybe budget for a new chain and it'll be good for several more years.

The advantage of them is that there are literally hundreds for sale (maybe not JCWs, but cooking CooperSs) so plenty of choice to be had in the spec or colour you like.

[Turnip Farmer]

Truckosaurus said:

That gen of Mini is famous for dodgy cam chains, so maybe budget for a new chain and it'll be good for several more years.

The advantage of them is that there are literally hundreds for sale (maybe not JCWs, but cooking CooperSs) so plenty of choice to be had in the spec or colour you like.

Cool thanks, is it cheap to replace the cam chains on them? I suppose could try find one that has had it replaced recently. Is there a way to tell if they are worn when I go to look at a few?

I'd prefer the JCW spec but never thought of the Cooper S, is there much difference in spec between them?

[blue al]

Get the Jcw….better all round than an S worth the extra money

[Turnip Farmer]

blue al said:

Get the Jcw….better all round than an S worth the extra money

What differences are there? The JCW does look like a good choice.

Would you pick the JCW over the others in my list?

[blue al]

I have a Jcw r59 that is modified 2011 engine no issues but low mileage

[ZX10R NIN]

Get the PS 208 GTI it's pretty much the best small hot hatch you can buy.

For proper hot hatches the Megane RS Cup/Cup Chassis/ Astra GTC VXR & the PS 308 GTI 270 are the picks, budget dependent of course.

[undred orse]

JCWs are great. I’ve had a few of them and a few Abarth. They are far less raw than the Abarth but still good fun. In contrast I lasted less than a year with a polo gti. Great on paper but dull as ditchwater to drive. No fun or character at all I felt. I’d happily have another JCW and still have an Abarth. Wouldn’t look at a polo gti again.

Good luck. Lots of spec variations on the Mini so work out what is essential for you.

[CG2020UK]

I’m a massive 208 GTI fan and have owned two of them and know quite a lot of the owners and driven every model.

I’d 100% go the 208 GTI over the JCW it’s just better.

ZX10R NIN Recommendations are good as well. Megane RS and Peugeot 308 GTI are 5/5 in my book.

What sort of budget you thinking?

[blue al]

Ps the title says F56, but your your year indicates R56 mini for Jcw ( ones with french engines )

[mikeswagon]

As already said, it's an R56 you're after at that age.

The RCZ used basically the same engine as the MINI IIRC, so is the 208 one similar?

If you can stretch to a very late one, and you can find one in your budget, you should get the N18 engine which is generally better in terms of timing chain issues. I ran a 2010 R55 JCW, which is the N14. I replaced chain tensioner as a cheap and easy job, routine servicing etc and only big issue was a cracked thermostat housing. Absolutely loved it, should have kept it.

I'd try and drive both btw. I've never driven the 208 but the diddy little steering wheel puts me off.

[Turnip Farmer]

ZX10R NIN said:

Get the PS 208 GTI it's pretty much the best small hot hatch you can buy.

For proper hot hatches the Megane RS Cup/Cup Chassis/ Astra GTC VXR & the PS 308 GTI 270 are the picks, budget dependent of course.

Ah awesome, it does seem to get good reviews from my research. I'll check out the Astra and 308 too but they might be out of my budget.

[Turnip Farmer]

undred orse said:

JCWs are great. I’ve had a few of them and a few Abarth. They are far less raw than the Abarth but still good fun. In contrast I lasted less than a year with a polo gti. Great on paper but dull as ditchwater to drive. No fun or character at all I felt. I’d happily have another JCW and still have an Abarth. Wouldn’t look at a polo gti again.

Good luck. Lots of spec variations on the Mini so work out what is essential for you.

I have had my Abarth for 10 years and really like it, its just starting to have a few bodywork issues mainly as its 14 years old now. Mechanically its sound.

I defiantly still haven't ruled out another Abarth, which Abarth have you got? I am thinking I would prefer a change I think but like you say the Abarth is quite a raw car.

The Polo's look nice but as you mentioned don't quite have the character as the Abarth and probably say the JCW and Peugeot. I'll have a good look round and go and drive a few but I think my top 3 list is still Peugeot, JCW then Abarth still.

Any good extras or specs to look out for on the JCW?

[Turnip Farmer]

CG2020UK said:

I’m a massive 208 GTI fan and have owned two of them and know quite a lot of the owners and driven every model.

I’d 100% go the 208 GTI over the JCW it’s just better.

ZX10R NIN Recommendations are good as well. Megane RS and Peugeot 308 GTI are 5/5 in my book.

What sort of budget you thinking?

I certainly can get a younger 208 GTI (something like a 2015 plate) compared to an older JCW (something like 2012 plate) with my budget. It would be solely the 30th Edition or By Peugeot Sport Edition that I am interested in as I believe these are better all round compared to the standard GTI? Anything to look out for on the 208 GTI? Any extras to look out for?

Budget is between £6k to £7k, I am sure this is achievable within this budget, probably have a slightly high mileage one but as long as it has full service history I am sure it would be fine. Obviously would be selling my Abarth too.

[Turnip Farmer]

blue al said:

Ps the title says F56, but your your year indicates R56 mini for Jcw ( ones with french engines )

Ah my mistake, slight typo error, yes meant R56.

I can't see a way of changing the title annoyingly, is there a moderator here that can change it for me please?

[TGCOTF-dewey]

Truckosaurus said:

That gen of Mini is famous for dodgy cam chains, so maybe budget for a new chain and it'll be good for several more years.

The advantage of them is that there are literally hundreds for sale (maybe not JCWs, but cooking CooperSs) so plenty of choice to be had in the spec or colour you like.

The John Cooper Clarke Edition... The fking fker's fked.

[jeremyc]

Turnip Farmer said:

blue al said:

Ps the title says F56, but your your year indicates R56 mini for Jcw ( ones with french engines )

Ah my mistake, slight typo error, yes meant R56.

I can't see a way of changing the title annoyingly, is there a moderator here that can change it for me please?

Already changed ...

[Turnip Farmer]

mikeswagon said:

As already said, it's an R56 you're after at that age.

The RCZ used basically the same engine as the MINI IIRC, so is the 208 one similar?

If you can stretch to a very late one, and you can find one in your budget, you should get the N18 engine which is generally better in terms of timing chain issues. I ran a 2010 R55 JCW, which is the N14. I replaced chain tensioner as a cheap and easy job, routine servicing etc and only big issue was a cracked thermostat housing. Absolutely loved it, should have kept it.

I'd try and drive both btw. I've never driven the 208 but the diddy little steering wheel puts me off.

Ah yeah slight typo error, yes meant R56, doh! haha.

Yeah that's sound advice, I need to go and test drive all of these but seems clear on here the JCW Mini seem a good drivers car. That's good to hear stuff like that isn't too hard to do and more importantly overly expensive.

My budget is £6-7k which I am sure is achievable but might not stretch to a late engine but will keep looking.

[LightningBlue]

Turnip Farmer said:

Cool thanks, is it cheap to replace the cam chains on them? I suppose could try find one that has had it replaced recently. Is there a way to tell if they are worn when I go to look at a few?

I'd prefer the JCW spec but never thought of the Cooper S, is there much difference in spec between them?

Last year I was quoted £800 to do the chain, tensioner, solenoids and some other bits on my N18-engined Cooper S Coupe at a Mini specialist. I really enjoyed the car as a toy, the handling was fantastic. I think the Cooper S is plenty enough for the road, they’re very hard riding and hear the JCWs are even more so. The engines are a peach if maintained, they blend so well with the chassis and deliver linear power. It was the most fun car I ever owned but wouldn’t want one as an only car, personally I want something a bit more of an all rounder if using every day.

[CG2020UK]

Turnip Farmer said:

I certainly can get a younger 208 GTI (something like a 2015 plate) compared to an older JCW (something like 2012 plate) with my budget. It would be solely the 30th Edition or By Peugeot Sport Edition that I am interested in as I believe these are better all round compared to the standard GTI? Anything to look out for on the 208 GTI? Any extras to look out for?

Budget is between £6k to £7k, I am sure this is achievable within this budget, probably have a slightly high mileage one but as long as it has full service history I am sure it would be fine. Obviously would be selling my Abarth too.

The 30th and BPS drive the best though wouldn’t be the best all round in my opinion as they are more focussed and lose nice extras. I went the 208 GTI Prestige model both times as the spec list suited us better (we got heated seats and the panoramic roof) and I think they are the best bang for buck. The 30th and BPS get an LSD and would be firmer than the Prestige car.

Doing it now if I was to buy another I’d get a 30th or BPS.

To look out for I’d suggest making sure you get a facelifted car (easy way to tell is they have 208PS not 200PS). They are more reliable cars and got more torque in the engine which made for a better drive.

Think in total we done something like 60k miles across both cars and they were faultless apart from one puncture. Infotainment did do this weird thing once every 4-5months on her car where it was just static through the radio but fixed itself if the car was switched off for 5mins.

When test driving just remember to set the steering wheel up to look over the steering wheel. It’s quite genius in that the instrument cluster is up high and acts the same way as a heads up display but for some reason some people can’t figure this out.