Cooper S Conv JCW vs Cooper S JCW hatch...help me choose!

[jono69]

As the title says, can't make my mind up between the two and would love all your opinions. So please bear with me if this is a rather long post...

Have had an Audi TT Roadster (150bhp) for last three and a half years and have loved it but not sold on latest version, so....
My wife likes the Mini Cooper S Convertible, but I've always thought it looked a bit feminine. Is there a JCW body kit that would butch it up? (local mini dealers didn't know!)
I'd definitely want it with the JCW tuning kit, JCW 18in double spoke alloys and JCW red calipers and drilled brake discs. Oh, and the extra spotlights.

Does the JCW tuning kit for the convertible include body kit and calipers/discs or is it just engine and exhaust upgrades?

My first choice is the newer style Cooper S hatchback, again with all the same JCW bits and bobs, plus a few extras like sunroof and dark rear windows.

My problem is I can't decide between the two. Test drove the hatchback exactly as decribed above, minus sunroof, at Huddersfield mini and really liked it, tho' the body kit does look a bit bulbous. 18in alloys really set it off tho.

Would the performance of the two be virtually the same? Is the superchager performance a more pleasureable one? Rep at Bradford mini said the new model doesn't sound as good with the JCW kit and that the exhaust doesn't pop and crackle like the supercharger model.

Decisions, decisions...

Again, sorry for such a long-winded post.

Jono

[mikbmini]

Definately would say your looking in the right place as MINIs are just great (I'm sure everyone onb this site would back me on this!). If you want my opinion, and it is just my opinion I would definately stick with the generation 1 MINI, the Supercharged version, and not the new turbo one. Its not just the sound, but its also the fact that its supercharged. I mean how many people have a supercharged car (other than MINI Cooper S owners obviously). Its altogether more of a raw car too, in my opinion the new Cooper S is just a little too refined and not in the spirit of the classic MINI Cooper S. I think that the gen 1 Cooper S is more of a sports car than a hot hatch, but I'm sure someone will want to correct me on this . But don't worry its not too raw, and my girlfriend loves my car, both to drive and to be a passenger (she likes her creature comforts). Not to mention you'll also be able to get an older gen 1 Cooper S for a lot less than the latest model.

As for the question of a hatch or convertible, well.... thats a tough one. I have a hatch, the reason being that:
A) I could not really stretch to the price of buying the convertible as they are more expensive generally.
B) for some reason it was more to insure the convertible (and being young this made it out of my price range).
If neither of these problems existed I would probably have gone for the convertible. The other thing to consider, and I think I'm right in saying this, is that they are still making the convertible Cooper S Supercharged, meaning that you could get a much newer gen 1 MINI Cooper S if you went down the road of getting a convertible model. They don't make the latest R56 model of MINI in a convertible yet, so if you went for a cabrio you'd have to get the supercharged model.

The body kit you spoke of is called the Aero Kit, and can be bought aftermarket from MINI for both the convertible and the hatch. I'm not sure about prices, but I'm pretty sure its nothing to do with the JCW tuning kit, and this is more to so with the engine. The brakes are a seperate kit aswell, but again this can be aded by MINI I think. I hope you have a big overdraft thoughas all these bits cost a lot to get added on to the car! You might be best trying to find one already fitted with the JCW bits.

I hope some of this helps

Mike

[Shamster]

I've had 3 Cooper S's and now run an S Works Convertible. The convertible is obviously not as rigid as the hatch and does suffer from scuttle shake. This can be cured in part by fitting a decent strut brace. The biggest single thing that will put a smile on your face with the convertible version is that with the roof down you will hear clearly the rasp and pop pop pop of the exhaust and the whine of the supercharger. With the roof up it's similar to the hatch in terms of how audible it is. Get it over 4500 revs and it starts to sing

The bodykit is extra though.



(Funnily enough my other car is the new TTR ).

[femstar]

Yep, Yep I have to agree, I always thought the convertible was a bit "pink" however apart from the scuttle (already mentioned) I think it's a great car and when you have the roof down on that one day of UK summer all of ideas of it being a ladies car are out the window/roof, especially as the pipes pop and gurgle like new born twins.
Flippin' quick to, can't really notice the difference betwen this and my hatch. IMO I'd stay well away from the turbo as well, yep its more economical, argueably as quick - however it looks like it's been penned by Rick Waller on a bad day and it just doesn't have the character of the R53.

[jono69]

Thanks to all for the advice. Warming to the convertible and supercharger. Tho specing it up will probably take it to best part of £24k.

And I thought going from a TT to a Mini would be saving me money

Maybe I'll look at nearly new ones.

What do you reckon, Astro black or chili red...

[NickyJ]

Hi Jono

I'm looking to upgrade to a Convertible S from my One early next year.

I test drove one recently, and the sound of the supercharger and the power is just fantastic If you can, get Recaro seats too, they're so comfortable and they look fab

I like Chilli Red, maybe with black bonnet stripes to match the roof, but for me I think I've decided to stick with Pepper White