Comments on: John Cooper Works GP Tuning Kit Specs http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/ MINI Cooper news, reviews and opinion. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:09:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Charles High http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26959 Charles High Sun, 06 Nov 2005 00:28:13 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26959 <p>Talked with Knaus today about another matter and they said they have already 'sold out' their allotment. I first heard about the GP today.</p> Talked with Knaus today about another matter and they said they have already ’sold out’ their allotment. I first heard about the GP today.

]]> By: Bryn http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26958 Bryn Sat, 29 Oct 2005 11:49:18 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26958 <p>Pix are on MINI 2: fugly sob, ain't it?!?</p> Pix are on MINI 2: fugly sob, ain’t it?!?

]]> By: Bryn http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26957 Bryn Sat, 29 Oct 2005 11:42:33 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26957 <p>I've said it before and I'll say it again: back seats are for cinemas, not performance cars!</p> I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: back seats are for cinemas, not performance cars!

]]> By: tanya http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26956 tanya Sat, 29 Oct 2005 06:19:25 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26956 <p>So obviously we're not getting much here in terms of weight reduction or power gains. Very disappointing, no doubt. I was hoping for something in the range of 230hp and 200lbs trimmer.</p> <p>But there is still the (remote) possibility that this car will represent a bargain for the "enthusiast" driver. Basically, everything you want (JCW engine, brakes, suspension and maybe seats) and nothing you don't (no required packages or luxury options) for a good price. </p> <p>Unfortunately, it seems that one of the things MINI/BMW think we don't want is the rear seat - uh, wrong. And based on past history (ie. the MC40), they're going to throw in some superficial aesthetic crap and make the price kookoo krazee, to use an industry phrase.</p> So obviously we’re not getting much here in terms of weight reduction or power gains. Very disappointing, no doubt. I was hoping for something in the range of 230hp and 200lbs trimmer.

But there is still the (remote) possibility that this car will represent a bargain for the “enthusiast” driver. Basically, everything you want (JCW engine, brakes, suspension and maybe seats) and nothing you don’t (no required packages or luxury options) for a good price.

Unfortunately, it seems that one of the things MINI/BMW think we don’t want is the rear seat – uh, wrong. And based on past history (ie. the MC40), they’re going to throw in some superficial aesthetic crap and make the price kookoo krazee, to use an industry phrase.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26955 Gabe Fri, 28 Oct 2005 23:11:39 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26955 <blockquote> <p>My manual says this, on page 143,</p> <p>"Curb weight, with all optional special equipment with manual transmission = 2,678 lbs"</p> <p>When I was at the Oxford plant someone there told me it also included about a quarter tank of gas as well.</p> </blockquote> <p>I don't know what to tell you man. MINI's internal info lists that weight as the stock curb weight. I think "all optional special equippent" is a poor choice of words for stock.</p> <p>But anyway this is all besides the point. The Works GP will be 88 pounds lighter than the lightest stock MCS. So it will be 88 pounds ligher than the lightest MCS you can order from the factory.</p>

My manual says this, on page 143,

“Curb weight, with all optional special equipment with manual transmission = 2,678 lbs”

When I was at the Oxford plant someone there told me it also included about a quarter tank of gas as well.

I don’t know what to tell you man. MINI’s internal info lists that weight as the stock curb weight. I think “all optional special equippent” is a poor choice of words for stock.

But anyway this is all besides the point. The Works GP will be 88 pounds lighter than the lightest stock MCS. So it will be 88 pounds ligher than the lightest MCS you can order from the factory.

]]> By: dgszweda http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26954 dgszweda Fri, 28 Oct 2005 23:07:36 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26954 <p>[Quote]2678lbs is what MINI USA lists for a Cooper S with no options (or standard options as you say).[/Quote]</p> <p>Gabe,</p> <p>My manual says this, on page 143,</p> <p>"Curb weight, with all optional special equipment with manual transmission = 2,678 lbs"</p> <p>When I was at the Oxford plant someone there told me it also included about a quarter tank of gas as well.</p> [Quote]2678lbs is what MINI USA lists for a Cooper S with no options (or standard options as you say).[/Quote]

Gabe,

My manual says this, on page 143,

“Curb weight, with all optional special equipment with manual transmission = 2,678 lbs”

When I was at the Oxford plant someone there told me it also included about a quarter tank of gas as well.

]]> By: Mark Pierce http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26953 Mark Pierce Fri, 28 Oct 2005 22:56:27 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26953 <p>I've had a look at costs in the UK.</p> <p>If you sepcced up a Cooper S with what comes in this special, you would be paying about £24,000 so if this does make it to market for £22,000 it will be a bargain.</p> <p>Unfortunately my local dealer is expecting to get 3 of these and already has 4 paid deposits!! So time to hit the phones and find a dealer that will take my deposit.</p> I’ve had a look at costs in the UK.

If you sepcced up a Cooper S with what comes in this special, you would be paying about £24,000 so if this does make it to market for £22,000 it will be a bargain.

Unfortunately my local dealer is expecting to get 3 of these and already has 4 paid deposits!! So time to hit the phones and find a dealer that will take my deposit.

]]> By: Z4MINI http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26952 Z4MINI Fri, 28 Oct 2005 19:55:36 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26952 <p>OK...so it's got 18" wheels. They would typically be a quite a few lbs heavier than the stock 16"s. Let's say 8lbs per corner or 32lbs.</p> <p>Yet the car still loses 88lbs.</p> <p>Sounds like that in addition to cutting a few pounds they are moving the weight lower on the car...I mean you can't get much lower than the wheels. That's a good thing.</p> <p>Not sure what all the griping is about, but it seems that is pretty reasonable to me. </p> <p>If the paint is hot and the look of the car is sufficiently sexy, it's all going to come down to the price as to whether this car is worth it.</p> OK…so it’s got 18″ wheels. They would typically be a quite a few lbs heavier than the stock 16″s. Let’s say 8lbs per corner or 32lbs.

Yet the car still loses 88lbs.

Sounds like that in addition to cutting a few pounds they are moving the weight lower on the car…I mean you can’t get much lower than the wheels. That’s a good thing.

Not sure what all the griping is about, but it seems that is pretty reasonable to me.

If the paint is hot and the look of the car is sufficiently sexy, it’s all going to come down to the price as to whether this car is worth it.

]]> By: Siddhartha http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-3/#comment-26951 Siddhartha Fri, 28 Oct 2005 19:34:41 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26951 <p>Well, let's see, I took out my rear seat and added light wheels and tires.</p> <p>seat 40 lbs weight savings with new wheels: 10.9 lbs ea. = 43.5 lbs.</p> <p>So I've got the weight delta. Now how did they get that extra 8 BHP? New flash?</p> <p>Guess I'll pass on this one, but I'm number one in line at my dealer's. Anyone want to buy my place?</p> Well, let’s see, I took out my rear seat and added light wheels and tires.

seat 40 lbs weight savings with new wheels: 10.9 lbs ea. = 43.5 lbs.

So I’ve got the weight delta. Now how did they get that extra 8 BHP? New flash?

Guess I’ll pass on this one, but I’m number one in line at my dealer’s. Anyone want to buy my place?

]]> By: tanya http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26950 tanya Fri, 28 Oct 2005 19:21:28 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26950 <blockquote>JJ: tanya - I think you are missing the point. It's auto journalism, a community, and a great resource with facts, rumors and enthusiastic discussion. A website that is alot more than a consumer or trade magazine could be. Would you rather just read "Consumer Reports"? In other words, Gabe and the site rocks.</blockquote> <p>Agreed that Gabe and Motoringfile totally rock hard. And also that what the site represents is a great combination of "a community, and a great resource with facts, rumors and enthusiastic discussion." Got to stop short of "auto journalism", though. There is a lot of weighty baggage and reponsibility that goes along with real journalism, even covering the auto industry. I think MF is better off not trying to go there. I'm cool with that and I'm sure Gabe is too.</p> JJ: tanya – I think you are missing the point. It’s auto journalism, a community, and a great resource with facts, rumors and enthusiastic discussion. A website that is alot more than a consumer or trade magazine could be. Would you rather just read “Consumer Reports”? In other words, Gabe and the site rocks.

Agreed that Gabe and Motoringfile totally rock hard. And also that what the site represents is a great combination of “a community, and a great resource with facts, rumors and enthusiastic discussion.” Got to stop short of “auto journalism”, though. There is a lot of weighty baggage and reponsibility that goes along with real journalism, even covering the auto industry. I think MF is better off not trying to go there. I’m cool with that and I’m sure Gabe is too.

]]> By: Charlie http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26949 Charlie Fri, 28 Oct 2005 18:47:38 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26949 <p>Gabe, When does the cover come off the car; and when will MINI or MOtoringfile be rel;easing the "straight scoop" on the car?</p> Gabe, When does the cover come off the car; and when will MINI or MOtoringfile be rel;easing the “straight scoop” on the car?

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26948 Gabe Fri, 28 Oct 2005 18:13:35 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26948 <blockquote> <p>My 2005 JCW with 10.6 pound wheels, no sunroof, LSD, Xenon, and no other options I estimate weighs about 2,550 without me I think</p> </blockquote> <p>Matt... a stock MCS with no options at all weights 2678lbs.</p>

My 2005 JCW with 10.6 pound wheels, no sunroof, LSD, Xenon, and no other options I estimate weighs about 2,550 without me I think

Matt… a stock MCS with no options at all weights 2678lbs.

]]> By: Matt http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26947 Matt Fri, 28 Oct 2005 18:07:44 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26947 <p>I agree the specified weight loss isn't that impressive, but it reminds me of the E36 Lightweight M3, which now is in demand and expensive to buy, but initially was difficult for dealers to sell in 1995.</p> <p>The difference was that the M motor of the lightweight were all picked by the manufacturer and built and dyno-tuned speficically to produce AT LEAST 240 horsepower.. probably more than that number...</p> <p>Just some thoughts as to what BMW/MINI could be doing... </p> <p>My 2005 JCW with 10.6 pound wheels, no sunroof, LSD, Xenon, and no other options I estimate weighs about 2,550 without me I think</p> I agree the specified weight loss isn’t that impressive, but it reminds me of the E36 Lightweight M3, which now is in demand and expensive to buy, but initially was difficult for dealers to sell in 1995.

The difference was that the M motor of the lightweight were all picked by the manufacturer and built and dyno-tuned speficically to produce AT LEAST 240 horsepower.. probably more than that number…

Just some thoughts as to what BMW/MINI could be doing…

My 2005 JCW with 10.6 pound wheels, no sunroof, LSD, Xenon, and no other options I estimate weighs about 2,550 without me I think

]]> By: jj http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26946 jj Fri, 28 Oct 2005 16:48:40 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26946 <p>tanya - I think you are missing the point. It's auto journalism, a community, and a great resource with facts, rumors and enthusiastic discussion. A website that is alot more than a consumer or trade magazine could be. Would you rather just read "Consumer Reports"?</p> <p>In other words, Gabe and the site rocks.</p> <p>pkc - do you want some cheese with that w(h)ine?</p> tanya – I think you are missing the point. It’s auto journalism, a community, and a great resource with facts, rumors and enthusiastic discussion. A website that is alot more than a consumer or trade magazine could be. Would you rather just read “Consumer Reports”?

In other words, Gabe and the site rocks.

pkc – do you want some cheese with that w(h)ine?

]]> By: GMINI http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26945 GMINI Fri, 28 Oct 2005 14:06:45 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26945 <p>first scoop from the Australian contingent on MINI2:</p> <p>"the concept photos of the lightweight show a different set of wheels to the ones on the car ;-) "</p> first scoop from the Australian contingent on MINI2:

“the concept photos of the lightweight show a different set of wheels to the ones on the car ;-) “

]]> By: Bryn http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26944 Bryn Fri, 28 Oct 2005 12:28:26 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26944 <p>If I could get the hang of these new-fangled computer things, I'd post a shot of my last rally triumph (in a 998, Oselli and Janspeed tuned to a mind-blowing 85 bhp)pictured in black & white, of course! Ah, I remember it well (strokes grey beard) running out of brakes in deepest Buckinghamshire and two-wheeling over a concrete bridge. MINIs might have changed but the nutters live on....</p> If I could get the hang of these new-fangled computer things, I’d post a shot of my last rally triumph (in a 998, Oselli and Janspeed tuned to a mind-blowing 85 bhp)pictured in black & white, of course! Ah, I remember it well (strokes grey beard) running out of brakes in deepest Buckinghamshire and two-wheeling over a concrete bridge. MINIs might have changed but the nutters live on….

]]> By: stuart http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26943 stuart Fri, 28 Oct 2005 12:15:46 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26943 <p>Keep stirring the pot guys, Its all we need :)</p> Keep stirring the pot guys, Its all we need :)

]]> By: Rob Livesey http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26942 Rob Livesey Fri, 28 Oct 2005 12:03:39 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26942 <p>Ah but I bet it didn't weigh anything in relation to mine. Perhaps everyone who is dissatisfied with the upcoming John Cooper Works GP and its issue of lack of drastic weightloss should get your old Cooper S? A true lightweight Mini!</p> Ah but I bet it didn’t weigh anything in relation to mine. Perhaps everyone who is dissatisfied with the upcoming John Cooper Works GP and its issue of lack of drastic weightloss should get your old Cooper S? A true lightweight Mini!

]]> By: Tony T http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26941 Tony T Fri, 28 Oct 2005 11:54:53 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26941 <p>But i bet the power to weight ratio was better Bryn....</p> But i bet the power to weight ratio was better Bryn….

]]> By: Bryn http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/10/27/john_cooper_works_gp_tuning_kit_specs/comment-page-2/#comment-26940 Bryn Fri, 28 Oct 2005 10:59:56 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2005/10/27/#comment-26940 <p>Yes, Rob, but don't lose sight of the fact that Forums are only talk. I don't own ANY Mini, yet, but am merely a fan. By the way, when I DID own a Mini it had less power than yours: 76 bhp. It was a 1275 Cooper S and was considered hot stuff ---- in 1970! Good luck.</p> Yes, Rob, but don’t lose sight of the fact that Forums are only talk. I don’t own ANY Mini, yet, but am merely a fan. By the way, when I DID own a Mini it had less power than yours: 76 bhp. It was a 1275 Cooper S and was considered hot stuff —- in 1970! Good luck.

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