Limited Edition Lightweight MCS Coming?

Sections: In the Press | Rumor Jun 28th, 2005 33 Comments

MINI2 is at it again with more rumors of a lightweight factory based JCW laden MCS. Here’s an excerpt from their latest article published just today:

In terms of specifics, we believe you can expect an increased engine output that will at least match the output with the current JCW Cooper S tuning package. As stated in our earlier article, the car will feature unique carbon fibre panels to reduce weight, however it seems things will be even more drastic with unique interior AND exterior parts, including replacing glass with perspex in suitable panels, and lighter door casings, side panels and dash panels.

The car is planned to be as much as 15% lighter than a stock MINI Cooper S, and to go with this higher power and lower weight, expect a beefed up braking system too, with the John Cooper Works parts bin being raided for certain components. According to the rumours we’ve been hearing, this is sounding like being much more than a simple nick-n-tuck job, this a full liposuction treatment, then testosterone injection!

You can check out more below:

[ Light Weight Cooper S Ltd Edition Planned ] MINI2

MF Analysis: MotoringFile has also independently verified that the Oxford Plant will be offering JCW parts later this fall. This would seem to add even more fuel to the fire for this rumor. Now the question is, are these parts soley meant for this limited edition MCS?

Of course the real question for those in the US is, will this beast make it across the pond? Historically BMW’s answer has been no. Consider the BMW M3 CSL as a good example of a similar situation. The car was laden with carbon fiber components, sharper responses and more power. Yet BMW didn’t even try to bring the CSL over to the US due to cost and government certification.

My guess is that the car could be unveiled to the public at MINI United in late October and go on-sale a few months later.

Written By: Gabe

tsukiji

Whoa Nellie!…JCW goes beyond dealer bolt-ons…STOP THE PRESSES!
csdmmnt

This will be a 2006 super charger model? I’m about to sell my 03 for an 06 JCW spec’d model, last of the super chargers, but if this is going to happen I want to wait … but I do not want to miss the last year super charger.
Adam

Wow – I’m drooling! Didn’t you post something about this awhile back? I thought I read it here and then sent an email to my dealer asking if they knew anything – of course I got no reply.

Nice find.

Of course, this will have nothing on the all-carbon Elise I read about the other day!
Allan

WOW!

Lets see what this carbon MINI can do!

I also wonder how much the price would be.. heh
Adam

Ha haa – I’m just imagining the pitter patter of keyboards (think Meet the Parents), sending pleas to the poor MAs around the country, looking to be on the list. Any list. for this beast.
Siddhartha

Perspex instead of safety glass?? Lighter door casings and side panels?

Hmmm. Don’t know what the DOT and NHTSA will have to say about this . . .
dgszweda

Wow! Looks like Mini has read many of my posts.

Maybe this will be the Mini’s version of the M3 CSL.
Jeff

I can’t envision all that stuff making it to the US versions. Much like the thinner glass of the JDM EVO’s and ITR’s that don’t make it to the states, I suspect some of these won’t either. Also keep in mind, those items drive cost up considerably and the margins on US mini’s are thin based on the deflating US dollar. I definitely see a watered down version for the US or if we do get a full version a price tag that will scare off most people (>$30K)
anonymous

I agree – I don’t think they would pass crash tests if they replace key panels with CF or even allow the light glass to be used state side.
http://mini.uglydoris.com Sean Bartnik

Wow, 15% lighter than a stock MCS seems like a big deal.

2678 lbs (stock) minus 15% is 2276 lbs. Assuming JCW hp numbers, the stock power to weight ratio is 12.9 pounds for every hp, while the lightweight version would have only 10.9 pounds for every hp.

Stock non JCW MCS is 15.9 pounds for every hp just as comparison.

That sucker should be right quick.
Ian F

WOO HOO!

Although it will be interesting to see if this car makes it to the US market…
http://www.lawrenceotoole.com/ Lawrence

I love this idea. Similar to the Mitsu Evo MR – instead of going lightweight through the attrition of options, which a buyer can already do on his/her own, do it for real by going all out on high-tech components, and really send the supercharged generation out in style.

So what do you think? Will this be as drastic as a full CF bonnet and bootlid? No stereo or aircon? Ditching rear seats? Special (actually) lightweight rims?

Hopefully some of this stuff will be available through aftersales (isn’t that what they call it?) so the rest of us can shed some pounds in style. I doubt we’ll see many of these cars, if any, considering Jeff’s reasoning and the fact that there may be only 2000 available worldwide…

Anyways, this is a good scoop, and I’m excited to see how things pan out!
rustyb

Never going to make it across the pond. To dangle something like this in front of our noses–some would say it is a bit of cruel torture…
Wraith

if this car does end up coming across the pond, i’ll be calling and changing my 2006 order to get in line for this car
Gilbert

Please stop the ads…..
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Stop the ads?
nrkist

Hope this is true and that part of the package is the elimiation of AC and power locks and windows. I could believe an aluminum roof and bonnet, but CF and perspex? Not in the Land of the Litigious, me thinks.
gilbert

Please stop the ads…..

I can’t afford to buy this anymore, To buy that kind of car is more than what i have, my 2003 cooper S cost me 32k much this lightweight cooperS maybe more….
scotteast

Like others have said, I don’t think this will make it to the US market.
Jeff

fyi…the EVO MR is the heaviest of the all the US EVO’s. The RS and base (aka GSR) are both lighter. This Mini Lightweight appears to be more in the vein of the old M3 lightweights or Integra Type R’s. Relentless weight reduction, removal of all creature comforts, stiffened chassis, improved braking, etc. I would envision most Mini owners would not be interested in such an animal. And being the current owner of an Integra Type R for over 6 years, I can tell you I’ll never buy another new car without AC!!!
minicoopermike

I’m all over this car if indeed it does come to the US market, but based on the info it doesn’t sound likely hmmmmmm
KevinR

This concept sounds similar to the BMW E36 M3 LTW of the mid 1990s. Supposedly an answer to all of the enthusiasts who wanted a “real” performance version.

It was a total sales flop in the US. There were unsold cars in dealer inventories well into the next model year. In reality, most people were not willing to pay more for a decontented car, limited quantity performance version or not.

I wouldn’t hold a lot of hope for seeing something like car described on MINI2 sold in the US.
http://www.lawrenceotoole.com/ Lawrence

My bad – meant RS, not MR. Evo sans rear wing, rear wiper, ABS, A/C, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, trunk trim, leather around the parking brake, stereo, map lights, and most of the sound deadening.
dan

The BMW E36 M3 Lightweight was a low production car built by BMW Individual – around 120 of them were made.
Ian F

I would be interested to see how many of these cars would be purchased and then packed away as “investments”. Which would be pretty stupid, if you ask me. Why? Again, look at the E36 M3 LTW. Even fewer were built and although they are rare, they are not impossible to find and even then the asking price is equal to or less than the original MSRP back in ’95.

Personally, I would love to have an MCS LTW but would definitely want it as a secondary car.

With any luck, the car will go into production and many of the parts will be available seperately. Similar to how many of the E30 EVO parts and E36 LTW parts were available from BMW.
Chris

Jeff, I thought Integras all had dealer-installed AC, I’m pretty sure my ’97 GSR was that way. Why don’t you have AC installed?

I see no chance the US will get this model, but give us the aero kit and Works package as factory options, please!
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

The BMW E36 M3 Lightweight was a low production car built by BMW Individual – around 120 of them were made.

Actually are you sure BMW Individual had anything to do with it? I thought it was all Motorsport. Anyway it’s interesting to note… a M3 lightweight sat in my local dealers showroom when it was first released for well over a year before finally selling for $26,000. Demand at the time was simply not there. Even for only the 80 cars imported into the US.

You can find out more on the E36 M3 Lightweight (or CSL as it’s sometimes referred to) here: bmwworld.com/models/m3_ltw.htm
Frank

I used to have a ’95 Integra LS 4 door 5-speed manual ages ago and that car had factory A/C.

I believe the limited edition Integra Type “R” coupe released circa 1997-98 did not come with the A/C system in order to keep the weight of the vehicle down. The Type R was essentially more race oriented than street. If memory serves me well, the Type R Integra coupe was only made in “Frost White” paintwork.

The car had no sunroof either.
dan

Gabe – my source on the lightweight is from the BMW M Registry website – http://www.bmwmregistry.com

Direct quote from the site: What is an E36 M3 Lightweight? The M3 Lightweight (sometimes referred to as the M3 CSL) is a special version of the U.S. model E36 M3 designed for track driving. Approximately 120 were built between July and October of 1995 by BMW Individual (the division of BMW M responsible for special orders). These cars retain the stock 240-hp S50 B30 USA powerplant, though BMW claimed that all engines fitted to the Lightweights were tested to make sure they were operating at the top of the acceptable range. According to BMW figures, the Lightweight weighs 2,950 lbs., 225 less than the regular M3 coupe. All M3 Lightweights are painted Alpine White III (300)

They seem to be one of the more accurate sites regarding M Cars on the net, but I know you have good sources on your end as well.
http://motoringfile.com Gabe

Ah, now that makes sense. Great source btw – that’s the site I was looking for earlier today.
KevinR

I know their rare and very desired today. But when they were new, even with only 80-85 cars to sell, BMW had a very difficult time moving these cars. People who could afford them weren’t interested in a car with cloth seats, no A/C, no radio and no sound deadening.

In the Spring and Summer of 1996 I was in the market for a 318ti and 3 of the dealers I went to practically begged me to buy their M3 LTW.

An interesting note about the radio deletion: one of the dealers I talked to told me that the cars were completely setup for the radio, including speakers and an antenna. The only thing actually deleted was the radio itself.
Jeff

Integra Type R’s came in “Championship White” only in 1997/1998 (honoring Honda’s first F1 win in ’65).

They are very decontented (like the M3 LTW) and do not include any sound deadening, cruise, a/c (although it was availabe as a dealer installed option – but not available from the factory). Rear wipers were deleted in 97, ABS system was 12lbs lighter, chassis was reinforced in key areas, all bushings were much firmer, track widened, brakes enlarged, axle counter weights removed, new crank, pistons, rods, cams, etc. mildly ported head. LSD added, plus a whole lot of other stuff.

Like the sales story of the M3 LTW, the 98 ITR’s were a tough sell. They languished on dealer lots, were discounted eventually. Even the 00-01 Type R’s with cooler colors and AC standard weren’t a great sales successes. They were even subsidized with special lease deals ($319/mo) to get them off the showroom.

All I’m saying is most people won’t actually put up the money to buy a MCS LTW if they actually make one. These specialty cars often have way too many concessions that most can’t live with in a primary vehicle or even one they casually drive. I’m one of those knuckleheads who can, but it’s getting harder with age ;)
Chris

The real reason the M3 LTW didn’t sell was cause it was so damn expensive. People couldn’t see why they should pay thousands more for a car with a lot less.

If Mini asks $35k for a decontented LTW, it won’t sell either.

I wish I had bought one of the Type Rs back in 2000 or so, but I didn’t know what the car was about. Later I drove one, and it’s like night and day compared to my GSR sedan.

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