Looking at Mini Cooper JCW

[on_the_verge]

Hi

Just after some advice as looking at a mini cooper JCW and wondering about the running costs in terms one real mpg, servicing and repairs and how they are as in terms of getting the family in on the weekend.

Main concern is space as the car will be used for bobbing around town on the weekend with me the wife and my 2 boys aged 8 and 5. I am 6 '2 so wonder if it will be a constant squeeze, other than that car will be mine for the odd run to the airport for work with me being the only person in the car

Cheers in advance

Virge

[The Nun]

Yep constant squeeze with the wife and kids in it and she will keep telling you to slow down and why have a fast car for bobbing around town.
Keep the family runabout until the kids leave home then you can divorce the wife and get the car you always wanted, makes great sense

[Lord Hemming]

The Mini will be fine for short trips, but you will need more room for a longer journey.

I use my Mini for exactly the same journeys as you're suggesting, but I'm 5'8'', so borrow one for the weekend before spending your money!

[on_the_verge]

Thanks for the comments, there won't be any long journeys in the JCW with the family as we have a Kia sportage for those...... It will be mainly for weekend around town and then for me in the week for work.

Cheers

[creedR56]

U'll love driving it on ur own

I'm 6' 4" and I've had two adults in the back before for a short 30min journey but it was uncomfortable for both of us, if your five year old needs any leg room at all it's probably a bad choice, + even 3-4 shopping bags means the boot is full.

But for those kinds of journeys use the KIA. Pretty sure if u do get a JCW u'll end up just using it for yourself due to space/comfort limitations of squeezing the whole family in. It can get a bit bumpy in the back due to stiff suspension, low-profile tyres. Whatever u do, don't get run flat tyres - back breakers!

Also mpg is baaad (on my MCS anyway).

[on_the_verge]

Hi

When you say that the mpg is bad, how bad is bad? I have an M3 at present and the mpg round town in 15mpg..........is it that bad????

I tested it on Saturday with my 8 year old behind me and he was comfortable, my 5 year old will sit behind the passenger and my wife is not as tall as me so the seat can be moved forward.

As for shopping that will be done in the Kia, my other concern is that my wife discovers driving it and uses it more than hers (the Kia)

[iain cooper]

think the main thing to grasp from this is that the JCW is not a family car in terms of space and comfort.

to be used as a second car would probably be ok

Iain

[Caveman]

Quote: Originally Posted by on_the_verge (original)

When you say that the mpg is bad, how bad is bad? I have an M3 at present and the mpg round town in 15mpg..........is it that bad????

Probably around 20 mpg in town.

[on_the_verge]

Quote: Originally Posted by Caveman (original)

Probably around 20 mpg in town.

Mmmm will have a think then, is 20 mpg using it with a heavy foot or just tootling around????

[Caveman]

Quote: Originally Posted by on_the_verge (original)

... is 20 mpg using it with a heavy foot or just tootling around????

My definition of "in town" driving is "stop and go".

[iain cooper]

Virge, how does the performance of the JCW compare with your M3 ?

Iain

[on_the_verge]

On the test drive the mini was quick but not m3 fast, but the amount of times you can use the m3 is minimal..........plus the handling is ok in the dry but in the wet quite scary.

There is also the costs of the m3 if you need a service or a repair.

I am was looking for a seat Leon Cupra but can't find one and had a Leon before so the mini would be something new and the handling a fun factor is a big attraction.

[AMAUTOS7]

I have never had MPG problems with my 2011 JCW

I get 36mpg when driving to work which about 13 miles away

Town driving i easily get 32mpg

49 mpg on the motorway - 60mph with cruise control


The worst MPG i have seen is on the track which was 13mpg

[Tigercub]

I have a Mini JCW 2011 and I get 34mpg round the town. I used to own a 2008 Mini Cooper S which I used to get 33mpg Think it would be very cramped for someone as tall as you tho

[scrambled]

For me around 34MPG in a very late 2011 JCW (last week of Dec) just over a year old now and it's got around 1600 miles on the clock, runs like a swiss watch and is the best fun I've had behind the wheel since driving my RS2000 thirty years ago.

If you decide to buy one, pay the extra and get the Recaro seats (in leather, rather than alcantara) they just look so good and are super comfortable.