[SoggyCornFlakes]

Quote: Originally Posted by smartbomb

Cooper has been on the backs of Rover and now MINI cars for years. What I was referring to was the Works versions. Which were developed by Cooper themsleves. If MINI produce the next model as a Works then it's not a John Cooper Works as the devlopment didn't take place there ! Its could be a MINI Cooper Oxford !

following that line of thought ........ why was there no Mike Cooper Works, surely it's not a John Cooper Works anymore anyway

[SoggyCornFlakes]

Quote: Originally Posted by smartbomb

I guess the John Cooper Works name will continue. Although there will no longer be the Works development behind it. It may as well be called Jurgen Klinsmann autos ! I mean if there is no works why use the name ?

Is that an angry Classic owner back again

I think you might be able to get 100% BMW free stickers for your JCWs soon

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by smartbomb[B

It may as well be called Jurgen Klinsmann autos ! I mean if there is no works why use the name ?[/b]

That would be advertising misrepresentation of product as the JCW suspension has an anti 'dive' mechanism.
Jens Lehmann Auto's would work though as it has great stopping power at least until 3 minutes from the end

[MINIMANIAUK]

Its sad to see jcg garage close and the loss of jobs, as to the heritage side of things the cooper name will persist for many years and no doubt the works badge marketing will continue , it has certainly sold a lot more cars because of it .I dont believe the there is any loss on the tuning side of things the works cars were after all only mildly done and pretty much 99% stock.On the forum the members are enthusiasts and quite rightly would like jcg to continue but amongst the general public most people would not even know they existed! but the works badge will continue to sell a more expensive model of the Mini no different to any top of the range car GT/GHIA/S/TYPE R/ETC and also the after market stuff . When you consider the classic mini tuning carried out by john Cooper , and now see they put their name to a "sound kit" it makes me cringe a bit. But it is not all doom and gloom as I am sure the good work of tuners on both side of the pond will continue and in the spirit of john cooper continue to push the envelope and no doubt produce fine road/race /rally/drag cars The Mini story has far from ended and the adventure continues.........

[Black Works]

Guys guys guys, I agree with joogle way up there for starters!!!

Just to clear a few things up, its the dealership that is closing, which means no more cars to be bought, no more coffee to be drunk and worst of all no more top notch service from the guys that worked there. The kits themselves will still be available from the JCW 'warehouse' as will the other performance parts they offered as items for sale from the garage, the only difference being you will either have to fit them yourselves or take it to your local dealer to hash up.

I dont know why some of you are comparing this to the days of John. He was an icon in the history of the mini, he tuned those little a series engines up to really scream and perform way past the boundaries of the original spec, but dont forget it was issigonis who designed the car in the first place.
On the birth of the BMW mini, Mike stated he would follow in his fathers footsteps and produce performance tuning kits for the new model, which he rightly did. It doesnt matter who was involved in the designing of it, thats what they were paid to do! But he gave all of us an insight into the tuning skills of his family/co-workers, he again took an everyday mile muncher and gave it some zing, just like John did to the classic mini. BMW were on hand to over see the development of the kits, after all it was their warranty it would invalidate if they didnt like it, and did initially restrict the S Works BHP through fear of tearing the cars apart!

What we are trying to say here is that they will be sorely missed, I for one will now take my mini to Tony if he gives me the new address for any problems I have. He was their chief 'spanner man' and I trust him with my car, BMW sactioned or not. Just think, if Mike had never gotten involved there would be no Works brand now, its just such a shame that the big company has taken over and it is seeing the demise (OF THE DEALERSHIP) of what quite possibly helped to boost BMWs sales beyond what was initially concieved.

The dealership is officially closing its doors on the 4th of august BUT, they will still be trading until all the cars are sold. Maybe those of you who have been thinking about getting a proper Works Mini should get down there pretty fast, you may even bag yourself a bargain!
As for the drive to JCG on the 4th, count me in. Hopefully everyone will be there to see us in!!!!!!

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by smartbomb

True, just seems a shame that the Works is going the same way. Cooper leant his name to the car and now there will be no direct Cooper involvement in future Coopers.

To be honest, when the Cooper RSP came out my friend had one, limited in numbers, but it brought the taste of a sports mini to many more than when they were just a tuner, then it went full production in the form of the mini cooper 1.3i which I snapped up, so if it hadn't gone in house then I am sure that the name would have died out sometime ago as a brand for the sports mini/MINI. Going production was a great move, and I see the move of the JCW badge as evolution and a positive move, rather than the end of an era.

I'm sure that if the Cooper garage and team that are still there are that directly involved in produced and developing the JCW car then MINI will take them in house too, as there would be more to be gained by doing so than loosing those years of experience due the closure of the dealership, or that they will stay in the JCW development team however that is structured

Its been sometime since JCW were ever seen as a pure out and out tuning company like say GTT or Lohen, the Cooper name has been a sub-brand for quite a while now, so its just a case of bringing the latest guise in line with the rest.

The closure of the garage itself, is a shame, but if its not positioned or profitable then its closure really was going to happen with no blame from MINI. If anything I would say MINI and JCG worked far better together than anyone could ever have expected from when BMW originally brought the MINI brand.

And who knows, perhaps this new place that will still JCG conversions, will become the new home and perhaps the Challenge conversion will be the next step on where we can actually buy a full racing conversion of the MINI which we can see on the track?

[SoggyCornFlakes]

Quote: Originally Posted by Black Works

Just think, if Mike had never gotten involved there would be no Works brand now, its just such a shame that the big company has taken over and it is seeing the demise (OF THE DEALERSHIP) of what quite possibly helped to boost BMWs sales beyond what was initially concieved

Sorry, I truly believe it's the other way around, BMW maintained JCGs position, without them where would JCG have gotten their trade? Classics? Nope, if so they'd still be trading come 5th August

[JG.26]

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

[Rakey]

a strange omen happened to me tonight, as I was washing up my JCW mug slipped out of my hands, and smashed

Strange how it happened the day that this was found out, just hope I can get a new one.

[smartbomb]

Well it has John Cooper above the door ! So is fair to call it a John Cooper Works.
Not an angry classic owner at all !
Just saddened by the departure of a piece of mini/MINI history.

[DaftBoyfriend]

The decision to close John Cooper Garages must surely be just a comercial decision by Mike Cooper.

They were never an official MINI dealership anyway! Their new cars were actually supplied by Chandlers, and there used MINIs didn't have an official MINI Cherished warranty. Thats why they could offer the 225 conversion amongst other things.

One upshot of this is that maybe new JCW bits will be cheaper. At the moment JCG do the development work, then BMW pick the work to pieces and test it to destruction. All this has to be paid for. Surely if BMW do all the developing and testing work, with their resources, parts will become available quicker, will be better, and hopefully cheaper!

I can't wait!

Although I do hope Mike Cooper continues to produce bits for the classic Minis and maybe some motorsport parts for the new MINI.

[GTT 280]

If all UK mini owners protested against the closure of the garage, would that have any impact?

I mean, if all potential buyers of the Works kit boycotted the product then they would have to keep it open right?

just a thought....

[GBMINI]

So if the local supermarket decides to close, you're going to boycott Kelloggs till they force the supermarket to re-open again?

[Themikanic]

I agree it's sad to see the end of a classic mainstay of our marque.

However for a moment, think of the many thousands of MINI's sold overseas where it's impossible to even consider having our works kit or JCW accessories fitted at the JCW workshop.

I for one am glad the BMW / MINI Garage I go to will still be able to sell & service JCW Kits & accessories.

Mike in Australia.

[brett]

I went to John Cooper Garages back in 2000. They took me for a test drive in a Cooper S Works 5 got it on video. They were fantastic. about 100 miles per hour. it will be a shame.

[doona]

It is a little sad and an end of the blood-line, but I personally hope that BMW continue with the JCW name/badge... I for one would rather have a little bit of something that nothing at all.

-Dan

[Paul]

They will, that's been confirmed.

Apparently development is coming along nicely with the next JCW S.

[carreracat]

Sad to hear. Beat by the Germans at penalties again...

[snuffy]

to me, it just seems that the garage is a little haven for JCW and it's sad to see it go - maybe it'll get turned into a Tesco Metro or something.

[Merlin 2]

Well I pushed the budget when I bought my S and have saved for a JCW conversion ever since, guess I have missed the boat for having it fitted at the JCG facility. Will just have to wait for Tony to get up and running before I get the 225 now that I ironically have got the cash togeather.

BTW any official news that you will still be able to order parts from the Works warehouse just like euro car parts etc, or will it just be contact your local beemer stealer?

Regards
Merlin 2