Turbo Vs supercharged

[obie1]

First post so be kind.Im thinking of getting a cooper s but im bit unsure which model.I know everyone has different opinions.I just wanted to know what the performance figures are for each model as standard and also the tuning kits availiable from john cooper what they are?how much are they for each model? and what performance advantage you get from these bhp/torque etc?Thanks for any help

[Tommo]

Hi and welcome

Best thing to do is click the FAQ & DIY tab at the top of the page and have a read you'll find most of the answers to your questions in there matey.

[Mini-Trainer]

Quote: Originally Posted by obie1 (original)

First post so be kind.Im thinking of getting a cooper s but im bit unsure which model.I know everyone has different opinions.I just wanted to know what the performance figures are for each model as standard and also the tuning kits availiable from john cooper what they are?how much are they for each model? and what performance advantage you get from these bhp/torque etc?Thanks for any help

With Petrol over a pound a litre and the Turbo version of the Cooper S gives on average of 12 miles more per Gallon without compromising on the Performance theirs really NO Question in what you should Choose.

Rams

[Posts001]

But is it worth losing that Supercharger Whine

[Mini-Trainer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Posts001 (original)

But is it worth losing that Supercharger Whine

It's hard at first but the Turbo Whoosh esp with a Dump Valve

Smashing

Rams

[JerzyBondov]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini-Trainer (original)

With Petrol over a pound a litre and the Turbo version of the Cooper S gives on average of 12 miles more per Gallon without compromising on the Performance theirs really NO Question in what you should Choose.

Rams

It's not actually that simple though. If you're considering an R53 car (supercharged) over an R56 (turbo) and buying either secondhand, then the R53 will be older and will have suffered more of the depreciation curve. The grand or so difference that you'd then have after a couple of years of owning the car will likely offset the difference in fuel economy.
Also - this is an entirely different debate - but you may prefer the supercharged car over the turbo anyway. Generally speaking - this is what's better about the R56:

Rides better
Faster (as quick as the supercharged JCW according to some)
Quieter (especially at speed)
Cheaper to run (fuel economy / road tax)

And what's better about the R53:

Feels faster (gives a greater sensation of speed, due to supercharger whine/extra road noise)
More feelsome steering (the 'magic' to quote Autocar)
More instant throttle response
Easier to tune (should that be your bag)
Looks better (to probably 70% of people)

Obviously everybody has their own opinions on these issues, so read them all and then make up your own mind!

[Posts001]

Hmm kinda see what your saying
Do prefer the exhaust note from a R56

[MINIAC]

Quote: Originally Posted by obie1 (original)

I just wanted to know what the performance figures are for each model as standard and also the tuning kits availiable from john cooper what they are?

+-----------------------+-----+-----+
|  Generation + Model   | kW  | Nm  |
+-----------------------+-----+-----+
| 1st Gen "S" < 2004-07 | 120 | 210 |
| 1st Gen "S" > 2004-06 | 125 | 220 |
| 1st Gen JCW - Stage 1 | 147 | 240 | 
| 1st Gen JCW - Stage 2 | 154 | 245 |
| 1st Gen JCW - GP      | 160 | 250 |
| 2nd Gen "S"           | 128 | 240 |
| 2nd Gen JCW - Stage 1 | 141 | 250 |
| 2nd Gen JCW - Factory | 155 | 260 |
+-----------------------+-----+-----+  
 

[JerzyBondov]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINIAC (original)

+-----------------------+-----+-----+
|  Generation + Model   | kW  | nM  |
+-----------------------+-----+-----+
| 1st Gen "S" < 2004-07 | 120 | 210 |
| 1st Gen "S" > 2004-06 | 125 | 220 |
| 1st Gen JCW - Stage 1 | 147 | 240 | 
| 1st Gen JCW - Stage 2 | 154 | 245 |
| 1st Gen JCW - GP      | 160 | 250 |
| 2nd Gen "S"           | 128 | 240 |
| 2nd Gen JCW - Stage 1 | 141 | 250 |
| 2nd Gen JCW - Factory | 155 | 260 |
+-----------------------+-----+-----+  
 

And, from memory - here are the quoted 0-62mph times for old and new:

Facelift R53: 7.2
R53 JCW210: 6.8

R56: 7.1
R56 JCW206 (factory fit): 6.5

There's a few road tests that have found the R56 to go quicker than quoted too. Autocar reckoned their example would have done 6.5secs on a dry track... (R56 is lighter than R53 and would seem to have a low estimate of the power output, many examples put out 180bhp+ on a rolling road).

[Mini-Trainer]

I've Had both
R53

&
R56



I've got to admit i loved my Supercharger and i still do, but times change and you move on from old technology into new, does anybody want to pay more on fuel?.


I think I may have a video to prove my wears!
R53 Vs R56 John Cooper Works on Vimeo

Enough Said!

Rams

[obie1]

Cheers for all the help i can see fors and againsts on both,im gonna go and have a go in a few at local dealer see what i reckon,do many people stick with the jcw power upgrades or after market ones.thanks again

[GARY GP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini-Trainer (original)

I've Had both
R53

&
R56



I've got to admit i loved my Supercharger and i still do, but times change and you move on from old technology into new, does anybody want to pay more on fuel?.


I think I may have a video to prove my wears!
R53 Vs R56 John Cooper Works on Vimeo

Enough Said!

Rams

if my memory serves me right! a white r56 jcw with no 99 on its doors was in my way all the way down kirkstone pass.. rams..

[batou]

As per my avatar

I love the charger noise and it's the first thing (well after the moon roof) that people notice. I never tire of hearing "WOW that sounds mental... in a good way!" and it's not just blokes either . As much as a like the new works and it has it's own nice exhaust noise... but thats all it is. Exhaust, the rest of it is just another turbo engine.

The charger has linear power delivery and no lag, i never tire of the way it goes from 30-70mph, sub 6 secs in 3rd and around 4 secs in 2nd (preface gear box). It is a bit tweaked though

[bennyx_o]

Quote: Originally Posted by batou (original)

As per my avatar

I love the charger noise and it's the first thing (well after the moon roof) that people notice. I never tire of hearing "WOW that sounds mental... in a good way!" and it's not just blokes either . As much as a like the new works and it has it's own nice exhaust noise... but thats all it is. Exhaust, the rest of it is just another turbo engine.

The charger has linear power delivery and no lag, i never tire of the way it goes from 30-70mph, sub 6 secs in 3rd and around 4 secs in 2nd (preface gear box). It is a bit tweaked though

+1

I've come from a Corsa VXR to a R53 S, and it's brilliant. The Corsa was quick in gear, but the Mini feels so much quicker, and the whine is just awesome

[JerzyBondov]

Quote: Originally Posted by obie1 (original)

Cheers for all the help i can see fors and againsts on both,im gonna go and have a go in a few at local dealer see what i reckon,do many people stick with the jcw power upgrades or after market ones.thanks again

Yes - best thing to do is just to drive both and see which you prefer...

As for tuning options, if you're looking at tuning a second hand R53 then I think most people here would recommend going aftermarket. The JCW kit is expensive (you're looking at £3.5k+ fitted) and it's primary advantage of keeping the warranty would now be becoming less relevant. You can change the pulley and plugs for about £500 which will give you the same or more power as the JCW kit, so for most people it's a no-brainer.