Which Mini is for me?

[the_hitman86]

Hey All

After 2 and a half years of driving another car, I've decided it's time to return to fun motoring. I'm getting another mini.

However, I'm having a problem deciding which is the Mini for me. I've narrowed my choices down to either the Mini Cooper S "Mayfair" edition or the Cooper S Works.

Is the Works really worth the extra money or would I have just as big a simle on my face driving the "standard" Cooper S?

Any help / opinions / advice would be hugely appreciated.

[Fuffy]

From an "independant" point of view as my JCW that I pick up this week is my first MINI. I have driven all three (Cooper s, Cooper S with Works Kit and the JCW) I believe that they are all excellent fun, but the JCW really won hands down for the punchiness of the tune.
My other half has an Evo X 360 so I'm used to driving (when I prize the keys out of his hands) a seriously fast car, and the JCW felt like it was "serious" about speed, whereas the others were "fizzy" but less brutal.
Each to their own, the price premium on the JCW is pretty high, so I made the decision based on my heart, rather than my head!

[the_hitman86]

Thanks for that. I 've been driving an Audi for the last couple of years. Great car, but I've found it lacking in character lately, if that makes any sense. I'm going in to my local Mini dealer tomorrow, going to try a "standard" Cooper S against the JCW.

That having been said I do seriously like the Mayfair interior. Very retro.

Hopefully be back in a Mini of my own asap.

[Fartin Martin]

hey, where abouts in glasgow are you?

if ye can afford the works go for it..I was gonna, but insurance is shockin(bein 21)

Martin

[the_hitman86]

What did you go for instead?

[Fartin Martin]

i got the cooper s checkmate..freekin love it!

[the_hitman86]

Nice one, I bought a Cooper Park Lane when those special editions came out. Couldn't quite afford the Checkmate at the time, let alone the insurance premium.

I genuinely cannot decide between the Mayfair or the Works. Both look amazing.

[Fartin Martin]

Quote: Originally Posted by the_hitman86 (original)

Nice one, I bought a Cooper Park Lane when those special editions came out. Couldn't quite afford the Checkmate at the time, let alone the insurance premium.

I genuinely cannot decide between the Mayfair or the Works. Both look amazing.

would deffo be a works for me..the mayfairs really nice, but a reallllllly dont like the wheels..look like wheel trims I think

[the_hitman86]

Fair point, well made.

[minicore]

I went from a One to a Works, then looked at getting a Cooper S, but there was no comparison... so I'm back in another Works.

The JCW is definitely worth the extra money in my opinion. With my current MINI, realistically it was a choice between an awesome spec Cooper S, or a relatively "basic" Works... but at the end of the day, I'd rather have a "seriously fast car" (as Fuffy also pointed out) than a "reasonably fast car with loads of extra toys"... even the crappy standard stereo can be excused given the noise that the JCW makes.

Oh, and speaking of insurance, I had my first Works at 21 and the difference between covering the MCS and the JCW was only £100/year or so, so it's not always the case that insuring the latter will cost a massive amount more... definitely worth shopping around!

[the_hitman86]

Cheers for that. If I'm honest the main thing that's putting me off the JCW is the body kit. I can't really put my finger on why though. It just looks wrong somehow. Maybe I'm just being pedantic.

[Fartin Martin]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicore (original)

I went from a One to a Works, then looked at getting a Cooper S, but there was no comparison... so I'm back in another Works.

The JCW is definitely worth the extra money in my opinion. With my current MINI, realistically it was a choice between an awesome spec Cooper S, or a relatively "basic" Works... but at the end of the day, I'd rather have a "seriously fast car" (as Fuffy also pointed out) than a "reasonably fast car with loads of extra toys"... even the crappy standard stereo can be excused given the noise that the JCW makes.

Oh, and speaking of insurance, I had my first Works at 21 and the difference between covering the MCS and the JCW was only £100/year or so, so it's not always the case that insuring the latter will cost a massive amount more... definitely worth shopping around!

Insurance for me with the S is £1800, my cooper last year was £1600, and the JCW jumps up a fair bit..but wasnt fussed really, cars going to be modded anyway so will end up with pretty much the same power as a JCW

Quote: Originally Posted by the_hitman86 (original)

Cheers for that. If I'm honest the main thing that's putting me off the JCW is the body kit. I can't really put my finger on why though. It just looks wrong somehow. Maybe I'm just being pedantic.

I think thats the best part about it!! ..gives it a mean look about it, but obv not everyones taste is the same

[minicore]

Quote: Originally Posted by the_hitman86 (original)

Cheers for that. If I'm honest the main thing that's putting me off the JCW is the body kit. I can't really put my finger on why though. It just looks wrong somehow. Maybe I'm just being pedantic.

I wasn't keen overall to begin with (although I always liked the front bumper and grill) however I have to say, it's MUCH better quality than the awful kit from the first generation car.

The other "standard" kit for the R56, not the JCW one, well... I think I've only seen one on the road, and it's not hard to see why. I've never seen an uglier factory kit in my life!

Quote: Originally Posted by Fartin Martin (original)

Insurance for me with the S is £1800, my cooper last year was £1600, and the JCW jumps up a fair bit..but wasnt fussed really, cars going to be modded anyway so will end up with pretty much the same power as a JCW

Blimey, that's steep. Are you gonna own up about the mods? Depending who you're insured with, it'll probably rise as much (if not more) by declaring aftermarket stuff than it would've cost to insure the JCW to begin with?

[the_hitman86]

Aside from the rather sexy exhaust on the JCW, the wheels and the red break calipers (I love a good set of red brakes), I think it looks like it's trying too hard. Maybe I'm being a bit too harsh.

In any event cheers for your thoughts. I'll have a look round the dealers and see who's got the best chat.

[Fartin Martin]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicore (original)

Blimey, that's steep. Are you gonna own up about the mods? Depending who you're insured with, it'll probably rise as much (if not more) by declaring aftermarket stuff than it would've cost to insure the JCW to begin with?

yeah a new pulley, IC and filter is an extra £300, but this will be done gradually over time though