I've never really understood why BMW went down the John Cooper Works route in the first place apart from the John Cooper heritage link. Always thought it odd having the works kit fitted by JCG's and also as a kit at the BMW dealers. BMW I feel should have kept away from the Works kit and given the S the performance it should have had in the first place. It would have been nice if JCG's had remained indpendent and provided the works kit in whatever shape or form across the MINI range for those enthusiasts who wanted to go down the Works route. Maybe then JCG would have remained with us.
I will be surprised with the next generation MINI that there will be any reference to Works or in years to come it will use anything associated with the name. It will just be MINI Cooper S with 200bhp and the heritage will be down in history. Perhaps now is the time to buy the current generation Works MINI and savour it for many years to come.
The saddest part is the heritage link which shall be lost
