John Cooper Works Garages situation?

[Black Works]

............tell them to sling there hooks!

This is a farewell to John Cooper Works, I dont know if any of you know, but they will being closing their doors to the public as of the 4th August this year due to lack of demand for the Works conversions.

This isnt an opportunity for anyone to start by saying the kits were rubbish or over priced, just spare a few thoughts for all the men and women who designed, marketed and fitted these kits to our cars.

They will be sorely missed!!!!!

[ned78]

Say it ain't so!

[MarkW19]

I think this is just the physical garage...JCW will remain very much a brand, but from main dealers rather than the small garage themselves?

[UKC4]

I will be sltted for this, but the price is a big issue in more way's than one. They produced very good kit's but at a very costly price. You could say this price included warranty as it did not affect your Manufacturer warranty.

But as for the closing of the garage, this is a great shame.

[Root Ginger]

Unbelievable. They are THE best MINI garage on the planet. Always friendly, knowledgable, honest and welcoming.

I will probably pop down there with the Works on there last day.

[S33BBY]

What a shame. I was only there a couple of days ago and it's a great place.

Where did you hear this from?

[GTT 280]

whos decision was it to close the branch - BMW or JCW ?

Every brand needs it's HQ garage - does this mean that JCW is now 'just' a brand manufactured by BMW. Have we lost the heritage?

Not sure who was responsible for the R&D, Marketing and Sales of the JCW conversions, but they really messed up big time.

How come small conversions companies can sell better for less, but it takes a company like JCW/BMW to develop something basic at such a high cost. Very bad planning. Not like it's new territory or anything.

Oh well. such is life hey.

[JCW225]

How Did you guys find out about this ?

[Tonyt3]

Just confirmed it with a garage contact. Hard to believe this can just end after years and years of heritage. Its not just a dealership closing, its the end of the line quite probably for the true brand.

The move of the 'kit' to the production line seems to have been the final nail in the coffin.

The question we should have been asking all along is "Does the move of the 'Works' conversion to a standard production line actually invalidate the whole idea of it being a 'Works' kit...???"

In retrospect, I think the answer to that is yes.

Sad news to both the New and Classic Mini scene.....

I suggest a 'protest' run down to Worthing..... blockade action. Burn some sheep, close the ports.....

[AidenL]

Gutted

[minirog]

That is very sad - any more information on this anywhere?

[Washy]

Sad news....

[venox22]

will there be a works kit for the 2nd Gen mini?? will anyone still want it??? i wouldnt knowing that its just BMW using the brand name

[Tonyt3]

Quote: Originally Posted by venox22

will there be a works kit for the 2nd Gen mini?? will anyone still want it??? i wouldnt knowing that its just BMW using the brand name

Spot on I'm afraid.

If it hasnt been developed by or with John Cooper Garages, then it shouldn't be termed 'Works'.

Guaranteed there will be though.

[smartbomb]

Surely if MINI have an interest in the Cooper Works brand then they should have an input. Hard to believe they are going.....
Or have MINI bought the name off them and just 'doing a Rover' and buying the name and discarding the remnants.....?