[DHA]

If there is lag in any turbo charged car it often means you are in the incorrect gear at that time. The supercharger is always "on" so the torque push you get is not as pronounced as in a turbo charged car when the turbo kicks in.

(I love my turbo'd cars and we also own a GP. My preference, I don't think I have one as they both have their plus and minus points.)

[Benny No.1]

I Agree with DHA. In my R56 Cooper S if I'm being lazy, which is quite easy in the the new turbo charged car because of the abundance of low down torque. I find I get caught in too low a gear and can find myself waiting for the turbo to spool. but if you drive it with the needle anywhere above 3.5K its instant power, but even below there its very progressive and never nothing... nothing... bang! which is what most turbo cars are about and what most people relate to as turbo lag. Do love the supercharged car though, its a rough diamond which makes it so appealing.

[Washy]

I swapped a fully specced supercharged works for an R56 works and as much as i miss the supercharger noise I much prefer the new car just seems to have more IMHO

[mini5lover]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

I swapped a fully specced supercharged works for an R56 works and as much as i miss the supercharger noise I much prefer the new car just seems to have more IMHO

Hi, thanks for your answer, this is what I wanted to hear, someone who has changed!
I did go to buy one as I said earlier but was disappointed in the performance through the gears as compared to Swiper. It might be me, who knows but in every gear I did feel that "void" for a second, maybe I would get used to it, and the supercharger whine is something else of course. I did love the car some of the new changes are really good and I it felt really punchy.
To me it felt a little lighter on the steering but every car is different.
I am glad you are happy with your new car, wish I could afford to keep Swiper and get a new one as well!

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by mini5lover (original)

Hi, thanks for your answer, this is what I wanted to hear, someone who has changed!
I did go to buy one as I said earlier but was disappointed in the performance through the gears as compared to Swiper. It might be me, who knows but in every gear I did feel that "void" for a second, maybe I would get used to it, and the supercharger whine is something else of course. I did love the car some of the new changes are really good and I it felt really punchy.
To me it felt a little lighter on the steering but every car is different.
I am glad you are happy with your new car, wish I could afford to keep Swiper and get a new one as well!

Dont get me wrong I love the old car too (I had 5 of them), but although the old works was huge fun i just think the new one feels properly quick where as the old one never realy did.

Like you though I wish I could have kept the old one and had the new one....

[femstar]

I have to agree with the R56 owners, although I have a 04 210, the new car in it standard form felt a lot brisker low down when I had one for the weekend, we test drove em side by side and it stayed up with my 04 if not creeping ahead slightly in the low gears. However my wife's facelift 04 JCWC feels and is quicker than my 04 hatch. Would be intresting to test drive this along a R56 in standard or JCW guise. I still thik the r56 would have the edge as when we test drove a Clubman S a couple of weeks ago it deffo felt as quick as mine and that was with three people in it. IMHO the debate should be whether you can live with the looks of the R56 over R53 and I'm prepared to challenge anyone who wants to claim the EU regulations did'nt pudh BMW into building a MINI that just isn't as cute looking. (although I'll conceed that the shape works great with the Clubman)

[mini5lover]

Yes Femstar I agree with you that the new mini is not as cute. It is sooooo big.
This debate could rage on I am sure, but I am definitely not swapping Swiper for the forseeable future, he is just too lovely!

[Washy]

I wont get drawn into that debate, but I will say there is a reason why my car is black with the aerokit

[femstar]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

I wont get drawn into that debate, but I will say there is a reason why my car is black with the aerokit

And by spying into your gallery, what a mighty fine R56 you have.

[543kal]

Hey all,

I've just taken delivery of my new R56 JCW; I have had the previous R53 210 Works as well so I feel I can give some good feedback on the cars.

In the new car when you want to have some fun there is a small lag for a couple of seconds sometimes depending on what gear you are in therfore the new car is not as "instant" as the old Supercharged works. It was the instant response of the Supercharger that really made the car such a hoot to drive.

However, the new car does have more pull - at most times significantly so. From what I understand there is an overboost feature on the new car which raises power for approx 5 seconds which is really handy.

You get a really nice twitchy slug of torque when you hit the pedal - almost like driving a turbo diesel that then switches into a petrol after 5000RPM - strange but nice!


I now find myself changing up the gears earlier whilst flattening the accelerator full to activate overboost - I guarantee you to do this and not be shocked by your speed a couple of seconds later! One thing I already do miss is that the R53 had a much better engine noise and exhaust sound. You just dont get that hot exhaust crackle anymore or whining supercharger that always made you feel like a hero!

However although I miss the above dearly I have a new game to play in the car - stamp the pedal on overboost and hang onto those corners whilst the car tries to escape - what fun!!!! The old JCW used to twitch and pick up speed for sure but the newer unit has so much more real world grunt I think its something to do with a twin scroll turbo or something along those lines that enables as much boost to be available across the rev range...

The new engine is definately more powerful in real life road use than the older unit - I think Evo Mag called it the quickest Mini they have ever tested around their track - even compared to the mighty Works GP!

If you wind your window down you can hear the turbo hissing away which is quite nice - how can I make this louder?

The older JCW had a slightly more mechanical feel about it which was a great part of its charm. On the new one they sort of polished it all up everywhere; almost as if they've gone around the whole car with some screwdrivers and just make subtle eeks and tweaks here and there. I remember the older JCW used to make so many random noises when driving it was irratiting - squeeking dashboard etc... The new car - even though I've only had it for a week feels alot more solid.

After all this I am saying what I never thought I would on this forum being such a die hard fan of the older car - hey it was the memories of the older car that made me trade in a Z4 3.0 for a mini again (the other half was not impressed)! The new ones a much better car; it handles better; its quicker; its cheaper to tax; its better on fuel; the new LSD is brilliant too many small tweaks to mention really...

I jokingly call the new JCW the BMW 1/2 series - the true hot hatch for the enthusiasts out there.

Any opinions would be welcome now I've finally got the new one I can help out...

[newyorkaddict]

I have changed up from a R53 JCW to an R56S, and even though my Supercharged version was quick, the Turbo'd version seems to be a bit quicker. Superchargers will allways have an advantage on acceleration because they are instant power due to being mechanically driven. Turbo's, for the best part have lag, my old Scooby had so much lag when the Turbo came in the back end would step out, BUT, on the R56S, it is such a tiny amount that it is not even noticable. I myself have allready agreed with my BMW garage to upgrade to the full JCW model when it hits the dealers, so i will look forward to seeing the difference between all 3 cars, the only one i am missing is the GP then

[R1]

If I sold my Works, it would be for another make of car. I still don't like the look of the "new" MINI! Also, the new MINI is a more refined car than mine, but it just doesn't give the same driving experience to my Works! The supercharger whine, the firmer ride. It's just that the things that impressed me about the JCW just don't seem to be there with the new model!

[543kal]

I see where your coming from there think of the R56 as a beemer 1/2 series almost the best of both worlds ;-)

[s33gav]

I have an R53 JCW with a couple of extra bits (modified bpv and 3+ crank pulley) and it absolutely flies!!!! It's so quick, it really is.

however, 54k miles on the clock and I'm swapping it for an R56 Cooper S on friday. I test drove it and really liked it. It wont be as quick but It'll be interesting seeing what the real difference is when I get driving it.

Will report back when I've had a good drive in it.

[macmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by R1 (original)

If I sold my Works, it would be for another make of car. I still don't like the look of the "new" MINI! Also, the new MINI is a more refined car than mine, but it just doesn't give the same driving experience to my Works! The supercharger whine, the firmer ride. It's just that the things that impressed me about the JCW just don't seem to be there with the new model!

wait 'till you tested the factory works!
i have driven the kit in late fall last year and that machine is just insane

mac

[s33gav]

Quote: Originally Posted by macmini (original)

wait 'till you tested the factory works!
i have driven the kit in late fall last year and that machine is just insane

mac

Any more details of the car you tested?

[DerekH]

Turbo Lag? well i have to say that this is not a problem on the R56 i have a e90 330D and was worried of this problem and lack of torque but have been very please if you catch the boost correct revs been very good

[Keano]

Quote: Originally Posted by devaisl (original)

Mmm interesting that no other 1 Gen JCW owners have commented here ....

but could that be that they havent changed to a second gen works so wouldnt be looking at this thread....?

I like the new car but to get to the spec i want its too expensive so will be getting a 135i for the same money - strange logic perhaps but im keeping my r53 works till it (or i) die so dont need another mini...

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Keano (original)

but could that be that they havent changed to a second gen works so wouldnt be looking at this thread....?

I like the new car but to get to the spec i want its too expensive so will be getting a 135i for the same money - strange logic perhaps but im keeping my r53 works till it (or i) die so dont need another mini...

I specced a 135i to £36k....a whopping £10k more than my JCW

[Keano]

Quote: Originally Posted by Washy (original)

I specced a 135i to £36k....a whopping £10k more than my JCW

Like I say to spec it to the same level as my current works came out to £32K - the 135i to ~ £35K if I got a new s with a lower spec than at the mo then it would be a step back...

Having said that though I havent tried the new S only the cooper (which I thought was excellent by the way- very impressed) but in terms of cost i couldnt justify to the otherhalf spending over £30K on a mini - a BMW coupe then she is happy (sort of)