MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works G_P Tuning Kit

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

...........and B) a bargain.

I didn't particularly want a bargain. I wanted something committed. I was willing to pay more, and I feel sorry for those in markets where the don't have to stick to MRSP and dealers will be top loading the car.... a car which currently probably doesn't deserve it.


Top marks to Paul for bringing all this to us. Nice to see that Tom, Dikc, Harry and Stu have all got their ears to the ground.

[Brynster]

Tonyt3: You seem very fortunate - though, for some, price is a factor in making their choices.

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

Tonyt3: You seem very fortunate - though, for some, price is a factor in making their choices.

Not at all - I was very surprised when the price of the car didn't add up to the sum of its parts - but it doesn't make up for the fact that it (currently) neither lives up to expectations or hopes.

I would imagine that with so few being available, anyone who wants one but isn't top of a list is going to have to pay a premium. I'd have rather had that premium spent on the car than lining a dealers or speculators pockets.

[wibbly]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett

The information on this car came from various sources inside BMW and those working with BMW. However, none of them (to my knowledge) were in marketing/press/PR, which is where the compromising decisions mostly appear to have come from. I feel that those working on the car wanted more lightweight, power, and less gloss, whereas those selling the car, wanted something quite the opposite.

You only have to look at the predictions I've made, regarding the facelift, LSD, factory John Cooper Works, and many (and varied) other things that have all come to pass as predicted to see that I don't just make this stuff up, unlike a lot of the media! I've no copy to sell so don't have to let my imagination run wild, or print stuff that comes from any old Tom, ****, or Harry, in order to increase my "cover appeal", or whatever.

Considering we had information over this car in January, it's announced late October, and wont start being delivered until July next year, I think we've done pretty well. All the lightweight rumours appeared to have started here, so I guess we're to blame for the fact that many places picked up the idea and ran wild with it!

Paul, all you can do is report on what you hear and the information you are fed.. the gaps are easily filled in by the rest of us with aspirations of what we would like... We all do it, and we all have roughly similar in theory ideas of what we would like....

Mini2 news is a fantastic source of hot off the press information and as you point out unlike a lot of media you have no copy to sell so have no reason to jazz it up.. you sell it as you see it, we can oversell it to our imaginations for ourselves being the MINI nuts we all are

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

I would imagine that with so few being available, anyone who wants one but isn't top of a list is going to have to pay a premium. I'd have rather had that premium spent on the car than lining a dealers or speculators pockets.

Completely agree with that. I bet quite a few of these will go to non-enthusiasts who will try and sell (probably quickly) to make an easy buck.

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

Tonyt3: You seem very fortunate - though, for some, price is a factor in making their choices.

Price is a factor - with out a doubt.

But this car isn't that different to a JCW you can buy now. 'Yes' it is a tad cheaper, but it is nothing you couldn't achieve with a bit of bargaining and the odd group buy. All they've done that I can see is add some visual affects. The engineering of the car has barely changed. The only thing special about it is that it's numbers will be limited.

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by wibbly

I think a lot of peoples disappointment over the GP is just down to over active imaginations as to what the car may have been like, not what it was likely to be like... an easy but very dangerous mistake to make

I agree in part. I myself was realistic as to what spec the car would have, considering the proposed price. I just wasn't expecting the car to be such a disappointment.

[LMB]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

I'm going off the idea. I reckon a turbocharged "S" should come out just in time to treat myself on my 60th birthday, and I'll go for that.

Aye.

[aussiesupermini]

As printed in Saturdays Daily Telegraph 5 November 2005 in Car guide.

A lightweight, limited edition "Super Cooper" performance car has been unveiled. The Mini Cooper s with a John Cooper Works GP Kit was revealed at the Mini United festival in Italy last weekend. And the hot hatch might make it to our shores.

When building the GP version, engineers focused efforts on improving the agility and stability. Modifications to the intercooler and engine-tuning boosted power and this special edition features a standard limited slip differential.

Mini Australia has confirmed it is looking at getting a few of the limited edition models but spokesman Alexander Corne say no decision as been made yet.
"It certainly shows Mini is serious about performance cars," he saiys.

Only 2000 models will be made, with production starting next July.

The GP features high-performance brakes by John Cooper Works, while red-laquered brakes calipers on the front wheels and dynamic stability control are optional.

The car has JCW sports suspension and a specially constructed tuning kit, and weight-reduced 18-inch alloy wheels which were specially designed for the car.

In order to reduce weight even further, engineers made extensive modifications to the technology and the bodywork. The longitudial control arms on the rear axle are now made from aluminium. The engineers stripped out sound-deadening material, the air-conditioner and the rear seats to save about 40kg.

The GP model features a throughly revised aerodynamics package.

The front and rear aprons, the wing-shaped rear spoiler, the even further lowered side sills and the underbody panelling have all been redesigned for reduced drag and enhanced downforce on the front and rear axles.

The GP comes only in grey-blue metallic paint with a pure silver roof. The air scoops on the bonnet and in the front apron also come in pure silver.

And to provide a little more contrast, the exterior mirrors are painted chilli red.

The interior was designed to keep a low profile. Standard equipment includes Recaro sports seats, a SC stereo and a multi-function sports steering wheel.



That's It guys, thought u would be interested.

Ann

[aussiesupermini]

Excuse the typo it was CD radio.

[pbraun]

This whole GP thing is looking more and more to me like Secondrate Halfassed Inferior Tuning.

[smartbomb]

The response to the GP has been underwhelming to say the least....
I can see the appeal however as the price doesn't reflect the overall cost of the JCW parts and the hand-built factor. But the styling remains a thorn in it's side and as a MINI owner I am not going to be reaching for my chequebook. I don't doubt that the 2000 will be snapped up, but a car has to have appeal in it's appearance not just in it's exclusivity.

The lighweight model was rumoured on the back of the BMW M3 CSL, if MINI want to keep MINI a separate brand don't borrow BMW ideas. What next a MINI with no working indicators and I drive ?

[masterwindu]

Just paid the £1k deposit! JUst have to wait for 11months now.

[scott_roberts]

I'm waiting for the AWD, or Twinster Getrag version.

[Tonyt3]

http://www.sniffpetrol.com/index.html


Yes, they have rather hit the nail on the head again, without mincing their words.

Driving this car, if they don't make some pretty serious changes to what we've alredy seen, will be like the experince of driving the New mini three years ago.

Except that instead of pointing and smiling, more likely they will be pointing and laughing.

Seriously, this thing is getting such bad press, that unless attitudes change markedly, it could end up being a disaster in terms of retained value. If people buy this, and then the likes of TopGear slag it off as ugly and dynamically not any real measurable difference, it'll turn into a 'joke' car. It doesn't matter what the BMW PR people say about it being 'dynamically improved' due to underbody aerodynamics yadda yadda yadda, if it doesn't perform markedly better it'll be lampooned.

We're talking own goal on a mammoth scale if this occurs. look at the trouble VW are in with the Veyron - billions spent producing a fugly car that isn't going to sell - they only have 35 orders at the last count. If the people don't like what they see, they don't buy it. if someone then says 'this is a joke and you gotta be stupid to buy this' then it'll snow ball. Bet JC and the likes would love a good oppertunity to bash BMW and Mini after all the nice things they've said in the past. These people change their view so quickly.