Is the Dealer Lying To Me - Mini Cooper S JCW

[Jfear]

Hi All

Just looking at a 57 plate JCW, the dealer has told me and made very clear that it is a 208 BHP car. Im not sure as when i spec checked it, it came up as a standard cooper s, so this must mean it has a JCW pack. But you couldn't get a 208 BHP pack, so this must mean its a 192BHP car. Can i check with the certificate number? Could someone share some light on this situation please.

Thanks any help would be much appreciated

[minicore]

You're correct.

Factory JCW didn't come along until later in 2008, so you're looking at the Cooper S with the dealer-fit tuning kit (which as you say is 192bhp). As you've also found, if you enter the registration into MyCarCheck or similar, a factory JCW will show up as model "John Cooper Works" whereas a Cooper S shows up as, well, exactly that - a Cooper S.

The JCW also comes with the body kit, JCW wheels, bigger brakes etc. as standard, which the S wouldn't. Would also have no Cooper S badge, just a JCW one on the right, with the front one on the lower grille (not the upper one). You'd also get dark headlining and a little chequered flag on the passenger side of the dash.

That isn't to say the car hasn't been otherwise fettled up to 208bhp (perhaps even with the kit, wheels, brakes and so on - although still 3bhp shy of the factory car), but you're definitely not getting the full story - I'd say, "walk away!"

[Rainbow-Walker]

[quote=J .... the dealer has told me ... [/QUOTE]


There is a clue in this sentence that he's fibbing (his lips moved), dealers product knowledge is typically shocking, remember they are not enthusisasts, they are there to sell you a car.

Trust your own knowledge, you clearly know more than them. Second vote for Cooper S with Stage 1 tuning kit hence 192 bhp.

RBW.

[The Nun]

You need to be sure its not had the 50p conversion too, like just the badge stuck on?
Ok a JCW badge is 65 quid, but you know what I mean.
Try asking the previous owner might be a good idea?? you might also get a tip on why they sold it, was he told the back end was about to fall off or something.

[Rainbow-Walker]

Good point The Nun, although there should be some sort of certificate provided with the JCW stage 1 kit (I got loads of stuff just with JCW brakes, and a sticker on the inside of the drivers door panel).

If there is no certificate or other documentation, then be suspicious.

RBW.