MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works G_P Tuning Kit

[Brynster]

Quote: Originally Posted by LMB

Ok here is the scenario..........

Put name down, dealership changed hands, new owners, new staff, didn't feel happy following through with the purchase, but still put the deposit down as didn't want to loose No. 1 slot.

Found out brand manager had gone to another dealership, more local to me. However, deposit was now down. Saw Milano pics, didn't much like it, dealer phoned up asking for more cash, saw a way out and took it.

Car is now growing on me, I think I want one. Have contacted previous brand manager to see if I can deal with him and whether he can sort me out.

…we’ll see

Have just asked for my deposit back. So, if you're quick, you might be able to slot into my place (2nd) on the grid. PM me if you want to know which dealer. (Still think you are mad to get rid of that nice car of yours, though.) Hope this helps

[coded2112]

How come so many people seem so sure of what it is going to be like when even mini don't seem to know!

I have put my money down, quite exciting, not really knowing what you might get!

[Brynster]

Quote: Originally Posted by coded2112

How come so many people seem so sure of what it is going to be like when even mini don't seem to know!

I have put my money down, quite exciting, not really knowing what you might get!

Personal decision - not based on the GP, itself. Have only just started driving a bare MCS and am finding it adequate for my needs, after having placed orders for both. Now, I think the GP deserves to go to someone who can get more out of the experience, that's all.

[Tonyt3]

Mo,
Anything thats 'exclusive' will grow on you. yes, I have less dislike for the car now than I did. Its because I'm getting over the dissapointment. It actually looks a bit better too.

Hey, even the BMW 5 series looks reasonable now that I've grown used to it.

But I look at it like this.... i want a serious track Mini. I want 245bhp. I want 100 kilos less. But I also would like something that only a few people have. Its the idea of getting back to driving something special, like it was in the days of the first Mini runs - when to see another Mini on the road was a big thing. When people still stared and smiled. When owning a mini set you out from the usual crowd. thats kinda the reason i now find myself 'covetting' the GP. Another reason is that I'm worried that this might all be a mistake and I'm going to miss out on the best Mini theres been. So I was even thinking, well, if I get this car, and its only got 218bhp, well, i could always spend some money on it at another tuner... someing subtle.... maybe even the much promised CF bonnet ARRRRHHHHH madness. Modifying such a distinct limited edition car would be madnees finacially. So you are going to HAVE to keep it standard.

Reality check here.

For me this is wrong. I have a Mini that probably already outperforms this car. Its cost me thousands..... and its a superb spec. It has the toys, it has the guts, and its actually kinda special as its my spec, not someone elses. True, it could be a little lighter. But even I, a fairly committed track dayer, am unlikely to seriously benifit from a 40 kilo weight reduction. The killer on the deal for me are the following though:

1). I know the dealer will offer pathetic trade in value against my car come GP swap time. He's going to have a limited edition car that will sell itself - therefore no incentive to him to do me ANY favours. His trade in price will be shocking.

2). The private market will be flooded at this time also with people trying to off load high spec S's and JCW's prior to the new car being available.

3). Its going to have to be my primary car. I can't live without backseats and no rear windscreen wipe. I'd like SatNav. I actually enjoy the sunroof occasionally.

4.) Its not going to live up to performance promises imho. The new CTR will be available by then. The Focus will have more power. The bench mark for something really special will have moved on - and this could end up being a bit of a damp squid in comparison. Rumours have the new Clio Sport up over 200bhp, and thats a significantly lighter car.

5) Its going to be rare. But then again the Focus RS is rare. They still looked particularly stupid when you parked a dozen of them together at a recent meet that I saw - identical cars for people with no imagination or style.

6). Its going to be my daily driver as I said. But they've removed the sound insulation, fitted lowered suspension and 18" wheels. Its going to be a noisy pain in the ass to live with.


Give it six months after launch and you'll be able to buy the bits that you like from the GP for any Mini. And it takes 10 minutes to remove the rear seats. And 10 minutes to put them back.

Also. 6 months after the launch you'll be able to buy a 240bhp turbo nutter new JCW Mini. Off the shelf. And it'll be 'the new thing to have'.

Even if I had a grand lying around, I think there are better ways to use it. If you do go ahead, I really hope you don't regret it and I hope BMW pull one out of the hat and suprise everyone.

[smartbomb]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

Also. 6 months after the launch you'll be able to buy a 240bhp turbo nutter new JCW Mini. Off the shelf. And it'll be 'the new thing to have'.

Even if I had a grand lying around, I think there are better ways to use it. If you do go ahead, I really hope you don't regret it and I hope BMW pull one out of the hat and suprise everyone.

I would prefer to wait for the next gen. model as 22k for an out-going model to me is a lotta dough regardless of the level of kit and performance. I think MINI have already surprised us with the exterior of the GP !

[Brynster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brynster

Personal decision - not based on the GP, itself. Have only just started driving a bare MCS and am finding it adequate for my needs, after having placed orders for both. Now, I think the GP deserves to go to someone who can get more out of the experience, that's all.

Please, note that I am not dissing the GP any more than I have.
This is simply a re-think of the level of S that I want to 'invest' in.
I'll still be very keen to follow news of the GP as it emerges --
and of the new generation Turbo S, too

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

1). I know the dealer will offer pathetic trade in value against my car come GP swap time. He's going to have a limited edition car that will sell itself - therefore no incentive to him to do me ANY favours. His trade in price will be shocking.

2). The private market will be flooded at this time also with people trying to off load high spec S's and JCW's prior to the new car being available.

3). Its going to have to be my primary car. I can't live without backseats and no rear windscreen wipe. I'd like SatNav. I actually enjoy the sunroof occasionally.

4.) Its not going to live up to performance promises imho. The new CTR will be available by then. The Focus will have more power. The bench mark for something really special will have moved on - and this could end up being a bit of a damp squid in comparison. Rumours have the new Clio Sport up over 200bhp, and thats a significantly lighter car.

5) Its going to be rare. But then again the Focus RS is rare. They still looked particularly stupid when you parked a dozen of them together at a recent meet that I saw - identical cars for people with no imagination or style.

6). Its going to be my daily driver as I said. But they've removed the sound insulation, fitted lowered suspension and 18" wheels. Its going to be a noisy pain in the ass to live with.

You make a lot of sense here. If you want a GP as a performance tool then it is going to be a bit lacking - you are very right that if you spend some money on a standard S you are going to get a car much quicker than the GP. The only point I am not so sure on is (2) - given there are only going to be 400 or so cars for the UK and they are likely to be drip-fed (doesn't make sense to have the factory shift the production line entirely to GP's for the 2000 run as it would disrupt normal flow) so I think in any particular area, there will only be a few more S's for sale compared to the 100's normally.

I am going to keep my money in for now as it is still refundable - and it will always be refundable, officially until production but in reality until delivery as the dealer will be able to sell it easily enough. I am keeping it in on the off chance of some free motoring due to supply / demand. We shall see...

[ScottieCoop]

[quote=LMB]Ok here is the scenario..........

Put name down, dealership changed hands, new owners, new staff, didn't feel happy following through with the purchase, but still put the deposit down as didn't want to loose No. 1 slot.

Found out brand manager had gone to another dealership, more local to me. However, deposit was now down. Saw Milano pics, didn't much like it, dealer phoned up asking for more cash, saw a way out and took it.

Car is now growing on me, I think I want one. Have contacted previous brand manager to see if I can deal with him and whether he can sort me out.

…we’ll see[/QUOTE


I think you right you should get the car.

I bet you will be even more surprised when the news breaks that infact it will be more the 218bhp (I know nothing) You might be even more surprised when the news breaks what they have got planned for the interior but one thing that will not change is the missing rear wiper that will stay missing or the body kit that is set in stone.

Believe me or not folks will just have to wait and see

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by virage1

You make a lot of sense here. If you want a GP as a performance tool then it is going to be a bit lacking - you are very right that if you spend some money on a standard S you are going to get a car much quicker than the GP. The only point I am not so sure on is (2) - given there are only going to be 400 or so cars for the UK and they are likely to be drip-fed (doesn't make sense to have the factory shift the production line entirely to GP's for the 2000 run as it would disrupt normal flow) so I think in any particular area, there will only be a few more S's for sale compared to the 100's normally.
...

The offloading I am refferring to will be people wanting to get out of "Mini2" before "Mini3" hits the market. This is both from the effect of the end of life of the current model and people getting excited about the new model, and from the fact that there is a growing tide of people just plain getting out of Mini. It is a great car, but people are used to it, and the honeymoon is well and truelly over. The competition is also getting better and better. Interior shots published today of the New Civic are really cool for instance.

The move out of Mini2 is already happening. Used Mini's are fetching poor money and are increasingly hard to shift. Just look at the market place - loads of top quality Works cars hanging around. Already getting hard to sell heavy spec cars.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tonyt3

The offloading I am refferring to will be people wanting to get out of "Mini2" before "Mini3" hits the market. This is both from the effect of the end of life of the current model and people getting excited about the new model, and from the fact that there is a growing tide of people just plain getting out of Mini. It is a great car, but people are used to it, and the honeymoon is well and truelly over. The competition is also getting better and better. Interior shots published today of the New Civic are really cool for instance.

The move out of Mini2 is already happening. Used Mini's are fetching poor money and are increasingly hard to shift. Just look at the market place - loads of top quality Works cars hanging around. Already getting hard to sell heavy spec cars.

Good point...I was just thinking of the GP impact. To be honest it is not just Mini where cars are fetching poor money...the whole market has gone downhill - great time to buy, appalling time to sell. I sold my M5 for £70k in August, you can now pick them up for £62k. You could buy a Range Rover V8 Vogue for £45k at the beginning of the year, now you can pick one up for £30k at auction. In general it seems to be the more expensive the car, the bigger the hit.

Quote: Originally Posted by Thornef

I think you right you should get the car.

I bet you will be even more surprised when the news breaks that infact it will be more the 218bhp (I know nothing) You might be even more surprised when the news breaks what they have got planned for the interior but one thing that will not change is the missing rear wiper that will stay missing or the body kit that is set in stone.

Believe me or not folks will just have to wait and see

I hope you know something

For anyone interested, the colour of the GP car will be known as "Thunder Blue Code: A64"

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by psylon

For anyone interested, the colour of the GP car will be known as "Thunder Blue Code: A64"

I have that new Dealer Release too, seems more information was passed onto dealers today

[AidenL]

More info?

Please tell........

[Paul]

I can even find the BMW colour to match if you like...