[Tunster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul c (original)

I seen our JCW demo yesterday..................Imagine my anticipation .....................i went running down to the holding bay behind the MINI shjowroom , burst through the door to see a pepper white cooper s sat there with different wheels and a aero kit on it with an exhaust hidden by the aero kit back bumper .............my face dropped and my words were 'oh is that it'...........the MINI team were all stood there awaiting my reaction......laughed.....and said...........'thats exactly what we done!!!'

Thankfully for my bank account it was the biggest anti climax for a long time............

When i actually got down on my hands and knees to see the exhaust tail pipes they looked quite good, but are so hidden by the bumper!!! the wheels NEED to be 18"

So far everyone who has seen it has not been very impressed and we are quite keen on MINI's too

The problem is, it's been too hyped to be extremely "unique and exciting" compared to the rest of the range. It simply isn't. I guess MINI have decided that the JCW kit is good/special enough (not enough people in terms of ratio taking it up on the other models - so they've stuck with it) and all it needed was a power increase and enhancements everywhere else.

If people were going to try to compare it to the GP, they can't. IMO, it's to compete with the other top range hot hatches that had that extra power that the Cooper S didn't have to get into the 6 sec 0 - 60mph time. I would love to give it a drive in comparison to my S and I'm sure they'll be a heck of a difference.

It's another choice! I think BMW have added a good one too keep up residuals because of the name they can tag to the model now rather than having the bolt-ons with the ONE, Cooper and Cooper S that adds nothing to the price.

[Tobes]

These pics have been sent to me by my local dealer who have just received their first car. Must admit i noticed the short exhaust too (nothing like my R56 stage one JCW bad ass exhaust!)

Think the new model will suffer 'exhaust envy' when sitting next to the stage 1 dealer fit cars!!!!

Also looks naked without any stripes decals! Sitting high as transport chocks still in suspension!

The specification is as follows:
· MINI John Cooper Works
· Pepper White with Black Roof
· CHILI Pack
· Multifunction Steering Wheel
· Chrome-Line Interior
· Dealer Fitted Alcantara Recaro Sport seats
· Dealer Fitted Carbon Fibre Bonnet Scoop
· Dealer Fitted Carbon Fibre Handbrake grip
· Dealer Fitted strut brace

[jon vital]

Yeah, the exhaust is a bit hidden isn't it?

[Tu13es]

Quote: Originally Posted by jon vital (original)

Yeah, the exhaust is a bit hidden isn't it?

Hm, it's tough to tell from that picture, but from the stories I've heard of people burning their legs on the exhaust (MCS, at least), I wouldn't mind it being recessed just a tiny bit.

[Marty_58]

I don't think I'm going to let myself get too upset about the relative length of the tailpipes - at least not enough to change my mind. Its a pity though that they have lost the lovely John Cooper Works engraving. On the plus side we'll all find out how sweet sounding they are next Tuesday!

My dealer called yesterday and while he had said on Sunday my order had been put back to week 32, it suddenly went 'red' which meant he had to sign off on the final spec so that it could committed into production! So..some last minute reconsiderations (not about the car - just the spec) so now just the waiting... Somehow I don't think I'm abou to be put off when I see / drive the demo model on Tueday. Im told that one customer is picking his up on the day - the one I mentioned earlier in this thread who specc'ed it up to £36k It seems that one can get a bit carried away with carbon fibre Also he's got the 18" wheels, full leather plus recaros! I'll be looking for a spare set of front seats sitting somewhere

Excited

[benwall]

I popped into one of my local dealers last night. They had a Factory JCW sitting there, in Black... I saw the car through the window as i pulled up and got quite excited about it.

When i actually walked into the showroom and looked at the car close up i have to be fair i was/am disapointed.

To be honest the dealership had not gone mad on the spec for the demo, but even so the only factory difference inside being a sticker on the top glovebox, a red gear stick pattern and 160mph on the clock.

I agree with the previous comments about the exhaust being too far back, very hard to see. I had to bend down to catch a glimpse... The standard wheels look good, but again I agree 18's are needed.

No colour coding option avaliable... why not? What is standard as part of the JCW body kit in other countries it is not standard/option for the UK, totally crazy!

So as you can tell my initial reaction is not making me want to put my order down like I had anticipated. I have arranged a test drive on the 22nd so we will see if the proof really is in the pudding or not!

[Marty_58]

Quote: Originally Posted by benwall (original)

No colour coding option avaliable... why not? What is standard as part of the JCW body kit in other countries it is not standard/option for the UK, totally crazy!

So as you can tell my initial reaction is not making me want to put my order down like I had anticipated. I have arranged a test drive on the 22nd so we will see if the proof really is in the pudding or not!

I agree on the relative lack of choice for the UK market. They haven't even added it to the configurator in the UK but its been there for a while in the US. Body colour-wise I opted for Dark Silver (preference would have been BRG) and have changed to the red colour line inside to brighten it up a bit. But, like you say Ben, the proof of the pudding is in the driving and thats really what its all about isn't it. The reviews, though mixed, only criticize the torque steer - otherwise I'm sure they all had big grins on their faces

Yes, BMW / MINI could have made it look more exclusive but there is something to be said for understatement....or am I showing my age here!

211BHP and bags of torque to boot? I think I'm going to be happy

[benwall]

Don't get me wrong Marty I think the drive will be fantastic... I was suprised when i looked on the VW website at the R32 performance... so similar... 0-62 is like for like and not much in the top end! For a 3.2 litre car I would have imagined a little more, anyways I'm off on a tangent (Focus ST very similar too, actually slower off the mark by .3 of a second... enough lol).

For me the Mini cannot be beaten in many ways (apart from the price), I just really had hoped for a little bit more style wise. As i have posted before i would end up spending around the £30k mark for the sort of spec i want. Is it really worth that sort of cash, as Washy says, BMW 135i?!?

I do agree to a point with a little bit of understatement, but lets not forget this is now Mini's flagship car (excluding the Challenge).

All said and done I will probably have one sitting on my drive in three months time!

[mister.t]

That looks quite nice Pretty much how I'd spec one

[Tu13es]

Put my deposit down today, woohoo! Got a couple weeks to spec it and then it's being built the week of Aug 3. Should have it by the end of August. I can't wait!

[Marty_58]

Well done Tu13ES! What spec do you think you'll go for?

I'd be interested to know how many of us are comparing the MINI JCW to the competition before placing an order. I actually may agree Ben's point about price if I had researched first and then confused myself with all sorts of sensible economic arguments. I'm sure that on a bang for buck basis there are others out there worth considering, but I had made my mind up a very long time ago that I would have at least a Cooper S. Icing on the cake that MINI have come up with the factory JCW. I've wanted something like this since the 1275GT of the 1970's!

[Tu13es]

Quote: Originally Posted by Marty_58 (original)

Well done Tu13ES! What spec do you think you'll go for?

I'd be interested to know how many of us are comparing the MINI JCW to the competition before placing an order. I actually may agree Ben's point about price if I had researched first and then confused myself with all sorts of sensible economic arguments. I'm sure that on a bang for buck basis there are others out there worth considering, but I had made my mind up a very long time ago that I would have at least a Cooper S. Icing on the cake that MINI have come up with the factory JCW. I've wanted something like this since the 1275GT of the 1970's!

Honestly, once I'd done my research on the MINI I realized there wasn't much I wanted to compare it to. Nothing else provides the kind of speed, gas mileage, and FUN that the MINI does, IMO.

As for specs, I'm thinking of:

Laser Blue, black roof, black bonnet stripes
White turn signals
Cold Weather package
Convenience package (Comfort BT/iPod, auto wipers/headlights, autodim mirror, universal garage door opener, armrest, keyless comfort)
Xenon headlights
Rear fog lamps
Piano black interior surface
Dark gray color line

I'm undecided on:
Premium package (sunroof, Auto AC, MFSW)
Cloth vs. Leatherette vs. Carbon Punch leather

I'm reaching the edge of what I'd like to spend so I'm not sure if I'd rather have the premium or CP leather. Maybe I'll just get both. Aye.

[sikamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tu13es (original)

Put my deposit down today, woohoo! Got a couple weeks to spec it and then it's being built the week of Aug 3. Should have it by the end of August. I can't wait!

Are you sure on the time frame, seems a bit fast? Mine is starting on week 32 and I was told to expect mid to late September? I am not going to complain if it is faster, but since I have been waiting since early June, I'll just wait and see what happens.

[Tu13es]

Quote: Originally Posted by sikamini (original)

Are you sure on the time frame, seems a bit fast? Mine is starting on week 32 and I was told to expect mid to late September? I am not going to complain if it is faster, but since I have been waiting since early June, I'll just wait and see what happens.

Yep, build week is Aug 3. I was originally told mid to late September, but after giving my deposit they told me August. I think they were erring in the side of caution when telling me initially. I know the dealer I'm ordering from has three JCW slots for that week; I got one of them. So, I'm guessing either there is a longer line for the JCW at your dealer, or they simply were given a later week.

FWIW, my dealer is on the east coast which supposedly affects timing a bit.

[Mozza]

Here's mine picked him up last night...

[Marty_58]

Nice! Just over six weeks to go for mine! Interesting that the US market gets their first ones before the UK.

[Louj_MCS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mozza (original)

Here's mine picked him up last night...

Attachment 148669 Attachment 148670 Attachment 148671 Attachment 148672

Nice Car, I'm hopefully ordering a Astro Black JCW tomorrow, can you let me know the spec? and take a picture of the back for me?

Thanks

P.s is skirts the same as UK?

[sikamini]

Congrats Mozza! Nice car tell us about your ride and experience going home!

[sikamini]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tu13es (original)

Yep, build week is Aug 3. I was originally told mid to late September, but after giving my deposit they told me August. I think they were erring in the side of caution when telling me initially. I know the dealer I'm ordering from has three JCW slots for that week; I got one of them. So, I'm guessing either there is a longer line for the JCW at your dealer, or they simply were given a later week.

FWIW, my dealer is on the east coast which supposedly affects timing a bit.

I think your right. I hope the time goes by quickly.

[CC07ERS]

The USA get theres first because the FED is devaluing the $ , LOOKS GOOD MOZZA