Comments on: MotoringFile Analysis: JCW GP Kit

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MF Analysis: Factory JCW MINI

MotoringFile » Archive » MF Analysis: Factory JCW MINI — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:00:19 +0000

[...] the initial release of information on the new John Cooper Works car has been met with plenty of mixed opinion within the MINI community. While MINI has gotten quite a few things right with this new car (the [...]

By: MotoringFile » Archive » John Cooper Works GP Kit - In Depth

MotoringFile » Archive » John Cooper Works GP Kit - In Depth — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 12:47:46 +0000

[...] [ MotoringFile Analysis: JCW GP ] MotoringFile [...]

By: MotoringFile » Archive » New JCW GP Photos and Debut Info

MotoringFile » Archive » New JCW GP Photos and Debut Info — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 17:07:53 +0000

[...] [ MotoringFile Analysis: JCW GP ] MotoringFile [...]

By: MotoringFile » Archive » The JCW GP Gets a Major Upgrade

MotoringFile » Archive » The JCW GP Gets a Major Upgrade — Sat, 21 Jan 2006 15:35:14 +0000

[...] [ MotoringFile Analysis: JCW GP Kit ] MotoringFile [...]

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile 2005 in Review

MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile 2005 in Review — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 14:11:38 +0000

[...] 10. MotoringFile Analysis: JCW GP [...]

By: LMB

LMB — Sun, 20 Nov 2005 03:05:03 +0000

I didn’t like the GP when I first saw it. I think like others it was not what I was expecting. But the more I’ve looked at it, the more I’ve come to like it. So much so I plan on buying one. The reported price here in the UK is Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£22K and for that you get a fully kitted out limited edition JCW, with Recaro’s to boot. To spec a similar MCS would cost well over Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£26K. It’s a steal !!!

By: MotoringFile » Archive » Autoweek’s Take on the JCW GP

MotoringFile » Archive » Autoweek’s Take on the JCW GP — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 13:45:37 +0000

[...] [ MotoringFile Analysis: JCW GP Kit ] MotoringFile [...]

By: Charlie

Charlie — Mon, 14 Nov 2005 22:19:17 +0000

There isn't much blue in Michigan Blue! I stopped by the local BMW dealer the other day, and although they didn't have any 7 Series cars in "Michigan Blue" (Color Code A38) on the lot, I looked at the color samples, and if NJT is correct and the GP is in fact coming in "Michigan Blue", then the car photographs with a lot more blue in it than the color sample shows.

Is NJT sure that the GP will be done in this color, 'cause it more like "Michigan Gray than Blue"!

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 14:09:34 +0000

I have a deposit down for one with this thought: I have eight months to decide if I want it. I love my modified 02MCS and was planning to drive it a couple more years. I have 60K miles on it, and I am sure I do not want either a longer wheelbase car or a turbo (no matter what the HP). My mods give me about 190 HP (crank), a very balanced car, and great ride on the five or six tracks I run on every season. But the two mods I do not have – big brakes and a stiffer suspension – are on the upcoming GP. I can’t decide about its looks.

Finally, if I decide I don’t want it, it’s a sure bet that if I take delivery of the car at MSRP (as promosied by the dealer), I will make a few thousand dollars if I sell it. Enough to make a couple more improvements on my much-loved 02. Seems like a win-win however I play it.

By: tanya

tanya — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 04:28:05 +0000

God, I get more pissed every time I look at this... thing. Despite the MC40 debacle, I actually had hopes this would be the real deal.

Well, the next-gen Mini better be pretty effing incredible to make up for this sacrilege.

By: Rollin

Rollin — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 02:00:19 +0000

On F1 cars the team leader has a red camera pod. I recently happened across some photos on the web of a couple race cars with red mirror caps which did not seem to be part of their graphics package ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬" could the JCW GP red caps be derived from this racing visual language?

It would be great for you guys to get someone from Mini design on the Whiteroof Radio podcast sometime.

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 01:21:43 +0000

what is up with this thing? i mean, they couldn't have at least made it appealing to the eyes? if i was building a high performance street car, i would add as much carbon fiber to the body as possible:

-carbon fiber mirrors -carbon grill bars -carbon front splitter -carbon wheel arches -carbon body panels under the side markers -carbon hood scoop -carbon roof -carbon tailgate handle -carbon door handles -carbon interior package i.e. dash, trim, steering wheel, door panels -carbon guages and a whole lotta them i mean boost, tach, speedo, oil guages, volt guage, temp guage

-better brakes, cross drilled/slotted brembos front and back -sparco jcw seats -aero kit rear bumber cover with real grilles -carbon fiber aero kit style side skirts

MORE POWER!!!!!!! 250 bhp at the least

By: Tony Marone

Tony Marone — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 23:59:24 +0000

The JCW GP! The car looks superb for what it is. Lightened, redesigned spoiler along with a new aero kit make me smile. My complaints are minor, or not, you decide. I would've liked to see the standard mini grill replaced with the black honeycomb ones (minor gripe). The problem about automotive performance nowadays is that manufacturers design and sell cars that are supposed to be marques and perfect for whatever they are designed to do as soon as they're driven off the showroom floor. The Brakes and the Suspension Drop! Where are they? Calipers comparable to a Porsche 911 Turbo's and a suspension drop like a GT Spec DB9's would've made a good thing GREAT!!! There's nothing more unsightly than a gap between the tire and wheel arch. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the wheels. The cosmetics of the GP are of an aquired taste, as is anything else. You either like it or you don't. And frankly, I LOVE IT!!! If the engineers made the car perfect ( slammed to the ground & with big fat brakes), then I would'nt have to screw up a perfect thing like everyone else. I already own a 2005 Cooper S and look forward to seeing the GP on the road soon. My opinions are all that they are. I'm sure the GP is as perfect as the engineers wanted it to be. Well see, I guess.

ALOHA from Hawaii, MARONE

By: Z4MINI

Z4MINI — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 20:36:24 +0000

I’m fine with the car except for the color. But it DOES seem as if it were photographed on an overcast day. Maybe it will look better in the sun….or not.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 17:55:38 +0000

Great analysis Gabe, and I appreciated your comments on the Woofcast. One question ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬" during the show you intimated that the MiniÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œlead designerÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â was involved in the design of the JCW GP kit. DidnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t Frank Stephenson ex-Mini design lead move over to Ferrari about a year ago? If so, then it helps explain why the GP kit has poor design integration (although the .30 drag coefficient is impressive.)

Frank Stephenson moved to Ferarri/Maseratti/Fiat a 4-5 years ago. Gerd Hildebrandt is currently the lead designer at MINI (and has been for quite awhile. While Frank designed the current car, I don't believe he ever held the position of head of design at MINI.

It's been implicated by a few people that Gerd Hildebrandt was somehow directly involved in the JCW GP design. While I'm not sure of what exactly he did on the car, he's at the very least a figure head for it and all MINI design (and the one that subsequently gets the press positive or negative).

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 17:43:55 +0000

Great analysis Gabe, and I appreciated your comments on the Woofcast. One question — during the show you intimated that the Mini’s “lead designer” was involved in the design of the JCW GP kit. Didn’t Frank Stephenson ex-Mini design lead move over to Ferrari about a year ago? If so, then it helps explain why the GP kit has poor design integration (although the .30 drag coefficient is impressive.)

By: GSP

GSP — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 15:23:11 +0000

Sometimes it takes a while for me to get used to a new look. That is not happening with this car. Sad that BMW would consider making this the last hurrah of 1-st generation MINIs. Fugly. Contrived.

By: Dave Messina

Dave Messina — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 15:07:24 +0000

I think, given the constraints of cost, time, and manpower they were working under, this kit turned out pretty well. I get the impression that some people were expecting a race-ready MINI for $30k, which in my opinion is a little unrealistic.

By the way, I'm surprised so many people are down on the color scheme -- personally I think the grey/red looks pretty sweet.

By: Bryn

Bryn — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 14:57:59 +0000

JCW actually market/sell brake ducts that can be fitted in place of foglights on MCS so couldn’t they have gone with these? They were used – and promoted – on the Targa MINI which carried MINI Accessories’ sponsorship, if I recall correctly. Like most enthusiasts, I suspect, I prefer working features rather than stuck on fancy or faux ones, generally, irrespective of appearances. In fact, my favourite looking cars are mean and functional; what I’ve always thought of as “Beautifully Ugly” — know what I mean?

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 08 Nov 2005 13:47:52 +0000

Some of you may know the E36 M3 also has factory brake cooling ducts. However, on US-spec cars, these ducts are blocked off inside fender well. I know this for a fact because before the MCS, JerseyGirl had a 100% stock ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‹Å“97 M3 and the block-off covers were still in place.

I know the BMW brake duct block-off issue well. My '86 325es, '92 325i, and '93 325is had working ducts where all my other BMWs have not. What you just explained is the same thing I heard as to why they disappeared in the US. However if the JCW GP has working brake ducts that are just blocked off they would most likely be operational in the EU. Since we've now heard that they are not operational elsewhere in the world (from BMW officials in the EU, not USA), I would guess that it won't be as simple as punching out a hole to allow them to work. Just a hunch.