Mini Cooper S vs Mini Cooper S JCW
 

Hello Mini world :)

Just after some advice...

I really want a mini, have been looking around at mini cooper s 2002-2005 and i have seen ALOT of different variations with so many different extras on each one! Quite a mind warp!!!

A Mini Cooper S JCW caught my eye, very nice 55 plate, but it has done 69k.. which is a little high mileage than i was looking for...

I am leaning towards a JCW due to the Aero body kit, which i prefer over the plastic bumpers!

Anyways... i shall get to my point..

Performance comparison.. not BHP obviously i know the JCW is higher.. but i', talking standard driving.. city, motorway etc. Is the performance noticeable low end between the two cars?

I ask this question, because i have seen alot of cooper s' with the aero body kit and that is all. Which may save me money and i can pick up a similar age car with fewer miles and cheaper!!

Your feedback would greatly be appreciated as i'm dying to be a proud owner of a mini!!!!

Thanks in advance.

Tom

As you going for an 1st Gen MINI

I would recommend buying an Cooper S as you will save money

R53 tuning bits are cheap now

I have a MCS with aero and I love it. Eventually ill go for the jcw if I stick with the brand but you can always get a bit more grunt from a remap if the MCS doesn't cut it in terms of power but coming from and R53 will be a big change as I'm told they are very different feeling cars


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That works out to less than 10K per year ... not too bad really ;)

Buying a JCW DOES NOT guarantee that it will have an Aero Kit, as this was a separate dealer fit package. A JCW refers to a Cooper S with an Engine Tuning Kit. This kit didn't become a factory option until November 2006. The JCW factory option also included JCW Sport Brakes in most markets. There were also two horsepower levels for JCW Kits ... 200 bhp and 210 bhp. The JCW Kit on the car you're considering would most likely be the dealer fit 210 bhp version.

You're probably better off buying a normal Cooper S with an Aero Kit. The cost of fitting a reduction supercharger pulley for "JCW like" performance is cheaper than paying the premium for a car with the JCW Kit.

Thanks for the feedback! The car in question definitely does have an Aero body kit...

pic .... h t t p : / / i47.tinypic.com/2v8helk.jpg

I'm tempted, but i have heard stories of people buying a standard MCS and modifying it then it breaking because you are putting strain on the car?

Since posting this topic, i have found MCS's with the aero kit and some JCW parts like the JCW Air Intake and JCW Rear Exhaust Silencer, which the buyer has quoted will increase bhp slightly?

How much are we talking for the reduction supercharger pulley?

Thanks :)

Air Intakes and exhausts offer marginal gains. Biggest "bang for the buck" is fitting a reduction pulley, appropriate supercharger belt and colder spark plugs. For pricing check one of the site's Sponsors ...

1320MINI - MINI Cooper S R53 Stage One Tuning Package

The JCW suspension also lowers the car 1/2" over the Sport Suspension + on the Cooper S.

10mm to be exact ;)

Like the Aero Kit this suspension was a dealer fit accessory.