Discussion
I'm looking to get something a bit fun that we can use around town and I fancy something a bit different. I've noticed that there is a rather good deal on leasing at the mo and for 6+23 payments of £255 plus vat a month the JCW is looking interesting.
Do people think that is a good price? Also how are they to live with; are they a fun drive? Are they reliable? Do they have a feel good factor that lasts?
Do people think that is a good price? Also how are they to live with; are they a fun drive? Are they reliable? Do they have a feel good factor that lasts?
Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Wednesday 10th July 16:04
I test drove a JCW coupe today and it feels very nice in the drivers seat; everything is close to hand and feels nice a solid; the steering wheel is one of the best I have come across; it feels very sporty. I found the ride a bit choppy yet I involving and I walked away feeling it could have been a much better car. I thought it felt a bit slow and almost hard work, the steering was ok but again almost a little numb.
I haven't ruled one out and I think I need to see more but the one I saw which was black with red roof and no stripes with silver wheels just looked a bit too ordinary.
I didn't get any of the exhaust crackle and pops that others have talked about and to be honest it was just a bit too quiet.
I really led the driving position and how close the interior felt- it reminded me a bit of my old Z3M coupes that I've owned but without the soundtrack.
Please tell me I'm wrong and that this was just a bad example. Thing is whilst I was there I noticed on the BMW side of the dealership a lovely silver Z4 2.3 M sport that really looked the business BUT when I drove it it felt very wallowy and loose - plenty of flex in the body and noticeable scuttleshake (this is on a 60 plate car!) so that was disappointing too.
I've owned 8 BMWs in under 10 years and all of mine have felt much more involving than both of these cars - are BMW losing their drive with the recent models?
I haven't ruled one out and I think I need to see more but the one I saw which was black with red roof and no stripes with silver wheels just looked a bit too ordinary.
I didn't get any of the exhaust crackle and pops that others have talked about and to be honest it was just a bit too quiet.
I really led the driving position and how close the interior felt- it reminded me a bit of my old Z3M coupes that I've owned but without the soundtrack.
Please tell me I'm wrong and that this was just a bad example. Thing is whilst I was there I noticed on the BMW side of the dealership a lovely silver Z4 2.3 M sport that really looked the business BUT when I drove it it felt very wallowy and loose - plenty of flex in the body and noticeable scuttleshake (this is on a 60 plate car!) so that was disappointing too.
I've owned 8 BMWs in under 10 years and all of mine have felt much more involving than both of these cars - are BMW losing their drive with the recent models?
The JCW coupé is one of the few in the range that still comes with run-flats (and cannot be optioned out). I doubt this helps the ride, which is firm to start with. When questioned my dealer said that normal ones would fit, but I'd have to pay for them. You might want to try a Cooper S and see how that feels.
I agree about the packaging of the Coupé, it does feel as though it wraps around you with the lower roofline and rear bulkhead just behind the front seats.
They do crackle and pop - I was behind a Clubman S the other day that was doing it on every change. Sounded rather OTT to be honest, given it was crawling on the A4 in rush hour. Think it requires 99RON fuel for best effect; something the dealer's unlikely to splash out for on a demo car.
I agree about the packaging of the Coupé, it does feel as though it wraps around you with the lower roofline and rear bulkhead just behind the front seats.
They do crackle and pop - I was behind a Clubman S the other day that was doing it on every change. Sounded rather OTT to be honest, given it was crawling on the A4 in rush hour. Think it requires 99RON fuel for best effect; something the dealer's unlikely to splash out for on a demo car.
I had a cooper s coupe for a half day today and I actually get it. I drove around with my little girl in her rear facing seat and my first comment is that I don't like not having isofix fittings at leaves her with less leg room. Other than that it drove really nicely and I enjoyed just pottering around in it; the thing is because of the size of it I found myself doing 3point turns whenever I could - just because of how compact it is!
When I took the car back I gave it a bit of a hoon without her in it and I must say I liked it. The steering really is quite informative but I still feel the engine and exhaust notes are too quiet. The suspension is a bit too soft and I was giving it some beans on the twisties and nearly lost it; the front end lifted and dived to the left and the back end stepped out; that said it was easily corrected without commotion.
I then went to fill it up before returning and as I pulled up I noticed a couple of guys look over and crane their necks to see who was driving- they looked very disappointed to see me step out. Now this is where the problem starts with these cars isn't it? People's attitude that they think they are a woman's car.
If I do go this route - which I am seriously considering then it will have to be a JCW because it just seems the right thing to do.
Now talk to me about options.....
When I took the car back I gave it a bit of a hoon without her in it and I must say I liked it. The steering really is quite informative but I still feel the engine and exhaust notes are too quiet. The suspension is a bit too soft and I was giving it some beans on the twisties and nearly lost it; the front end lifted and dived to the left and the back end stepped out; that said it was easily corrected without commotion.
I then went to fill it up before returning and as I pulled up I noticed a couple of guys look over and crane their necks to see who was driving- they looked very disappointed to see me step out. Now this is where the problem starts with these cars isn't it? People's attitude that they think they are a woman's car.
If I do go this route - which I am seriously considering then it will have to be a JCW because it just seems the right thing to do.
Now talk to me about options.....
Hi, I've had the JCW coupe since feb and love it. Yes ,it's not the quietest , because of the run flats and its a hard ride but if I wanted a smooth and quiet car I would have bought a Lexus. You know what your getting when you test drive it.
It's a great fun car, and great to drive, mines on 18 inch rims which is rare so has a slightly different stance.
It's surprised a few performance wise , I find the sport button makes it a totally different car to drive. Looks wise I like having different ! , it gets a lot of looks and 99% of people who have spoke about it like it, the other 1% I couldn't give a monkeys about !!! Go on you'll enjoy it ...
It's a great fun car, and great to drive, mines on 18 inch rims which is rare so has a slightly different stance.
It's surprised a few performance wise , I find the sport button makes it a totally different car to drive. Looks wise I like having different ! , it gets a lot of looks and 99% of people who have spoke about it like it, the other 1% I couldn't give a monkeys about !!! Go on you'll enjoy it ...
Options:
* Red, with black roof and red interior colourline.
* Chili pack as absolute minimum (this gives xenons, climate and cruise).
* Recaro sports seats (check the baby seat still fits).
This is just shy of 27K and, to me, represents max value.
The TLC pack should be negotiable.
* Sun protection glass might be useful for your baby (you could try and negotiate it gratis as part of the finance deal).
* There's a sports suspension option (increased diameter rear roll bar) if you want a harder ride, but too jittery for me.
* Interior chrome definitely enhances the interior.
After that, it's pretty much whatever you want to prioritise. The media pack is nice (get the armrest too for the phone dock), HK system sounds good, heated front screen is useful for fast defrost in winter.
At the extreme end of the scale, did see one hatch with colour matched wheel arch extensions and blacked chrome. The salesman's comment was that it had taken quite a protracted negotiation to close the deal.
* Red, with black roof and red interior colourline.
* Chili pack as absolute minimum (this gives xenons, climate and cruise).
* Recaro sports seats (check the baby seat still fits).
This is just shy of 27K and, to me, represents max value.
The TLC pack should be negotiable.
* Sun protection glass might be useful for your baby (you could try and negotiate it gratis as part of the finance deal).
* There's a sports suspension option (increased diameter rear roll bar) if you want a harder ride, but too jittery for me.
* Interior chrome definitely enhances the interior.
After that, it's pretty much whatever you want to prioritise. The media pack is nice (get the armrest too for the phone dock), HK system sounds good, heated front screen is useful for fast defrost in winter.
At the extreme end of the scale, did see one hatch with colour matched wheel arch extensions and blacked chrome. The salesman's comment was that it had taken quite a protracted negotiation to close the deal.
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