Comments on: BMW Acquires John Cooper Works Brand http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/ MINI Cooper news, reviews and opinion. Mon, 22 Mar 2010 02:08:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: BMW officially acquires the John Cooper Works brand-- Ride Care Depot http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-116401 BMW officially acquires the John Cooper Works brand-- Ride Care Depot Wed, 02 May 2007 23:11:37 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-116401 <p>[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]</p> [...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]

]]> By: MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile 2006 Year in Review http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-78484 MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile 2006 Year in Review Tue, 02 Jan 2007 01:57:54 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-78484 <p>[...] 2007 MINI Official Photos (Part 2 / Part 3) 2007 MINI Drops Weight MINI Names the R55: The Clubman 2007 JCW Accessories Revealed 2007 MINI USA Pricing and Options R56 Pedestrian Crash Analysis MINI’s Future Models Revealed BMW Acquires the John Cooper Works Brand [...]</p> [...] 2007 MINI Official Photos (Part 2 / Part 3) 2007 MINI Drops Weight MINI Names the R55: The Clubman 2007 JCW Accessories Revealed 2007 MINI USA Pricing and Options R56 Pedestrian Crash Analysis MINI’s Future Models Revealed BMW Acquires the John Cooper Works Brand [...]

]]> By: Anorexicpillow » Blog Archive » Race Tech Radio Episode #2 http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-73105 Anorexicpillow » Blog Archive » Race Tech Radio Episode #2 Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:59:18 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-73105 <p>[...] This week on the show: - A1GP Race Results Both Czech Republic & China - Marco & His F1 Dreams - Kimi To Drink Discreetly - Jean Todt Would Have Left - Scott Speed Needs A Replacement - Ralf Predicts More Passing - F1 Tyres Much Like Champ Car - Champ Car For Standing Starts - Da Matta Almost Completly Recovered - Fernado Alonso’s Megane For Sale - Bourdais For Toro Rosso In 08 - Star Racer Winner! - Nintendo Wii Recall Controllers World Wide - Nintendo DS Adapters Recalled - PhotoShop CS3 Beta Released - iPhone Released - The New iRiver S7 - The Xbow - Richard Hammond Back - JCW Now Under The BMW Banner - Mustang is Desperate - Solstice Out Sold Miata - Manufacturers’ Test Tracks [...]</p> [...] This week on the show: – A1GP Race Results Both Czech Republic & China – Marco & His F1 Dreams – Kimi To Drink Discreetly – Jean Todt Would Have Left – Scott Speed Needs A Replacement – Ralf Predicts More Passing – F1 Tyres Much Like Champ Car – Champ Car For Standing Starts – Da Matta Almost Completly Recovered – Fernado Alonso’s Megane For Sale – Bourdais For Toro Rosso In 08 – Star Racer Winner! – Nintendo Wii Recall Controllers World Wide – Nintendo DS Adapters Recalled – PhotoShop CS3 Beta Released – iPhone Released – The New iRiver S7 – The Xbow – Richard Hammond Back – JCW Now Under The BMW Banner – Mustang is Desperate – Solstice Out Sold Miata – Manufacturers’ Test Tracks [...]

]]> By: Car Crowd » Blog Archive » BMW officially acquires the John Cooper Works brand http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70949 Car Crowd » Blog Archive » BMW officially acquires the John Cooper Works brand Fri, 15 Dec 2006 17:43:36 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70949 <p>[...] [...]</p> [...] [...]

]]> By: Automotive Articles Magazine » Just another WordPress weblog » Blog Archive » BMW officially acquires the John Cooper Works brand http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70473 Automotive Articles Magazine » Just another WordPress weblog » Blog Archive » BMW officially acquires the John Cooper Works brand Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:10:36 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70473 <p>[...] [...]</p> [...] [...]

]]> By: Mike http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70256 Mike Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:22:11 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70256 <p>Nathaniel Salzman and dickdavid, what do you dislike with the John Cooper Works logo ? What would you change ?</p> <p>I find it kinda cool, because it is so different to what the automotive industry offers with their easy to read ironed logos</p> Nathaniel Salzman and dickdavid, what do you dislike with the John Cooper Works logo ? What would you change ?

I find it kinda cool, because it is so different to what the automotive industry offers with their easy to read ironed logos

]]> By: lmaxey http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70221 lmaxey Thu, 14 Dec 2006 06:13:35 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70221 <p>Say what you want about JCW MCS's, I love mine. I'm riding on the back of a smooth bat outta hell. No tears about the price of the ticket and I didn't buy it to worry selling it later. Ride man, ride!</p> Say what you want about JCW MCS’s, I love mine. I’m riding on the back of a smooth bat outta hell. No tears about the price of the ticket and I didn’t buy it to worry selling it later. Ride man, ride!

]]> By: R56LVR http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70216 R56LVR Thu, 14 Dec 2006 05:42:28 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70216 <blockquote>I love my GP, but it could have been so much more.</blockquote> <p>What more could you want beyond an "aluminum finished cargo restraint bar"?</p> <blockquote>At some point of time John Cooper Garages changed its name to John Cooper Works.</blockquote> <p>Not true. JCW was a sub-brand of Cooper, specifically for the BMW-approved Mini parts. JCG installed JCW and JCM pieces right up until they closed their doors.</p> I love my GP, but it could have been so much more.

What more could you want beyond an “aluminum finished cargo restraint bar”?

At some point of time John Cooper Garages changed its name to John Cooper Works.

Not true. JCW was a sub-brand of Cooper, specifically for the BMW-approved Mini parts. JCG installed JCW and JCM pieces right up until they closed their doors.

]]> By: Rossii http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70209 Rossii Thu, 14 Dec 2006 05:04:10 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70209 <p>Gabe I guess I was right....... ;)</p> Gabe I guess I was right……. ;)

]]> By: GZ http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70047 GZ Wed, 13 Dec 2006 20:48:10 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70047 <p>I agree with Mike. I was scratching my head over the romantic prose given to who owns JCW. They sold engine parts and tuned my car. However, they also charged me $6000 and never sent flowers or a card. Didn't seem to hold it's value at selling time either. Not much soul or heart but I fell prey to the PR and hype.</p> <p>Will I get another one? You bet! But personally I don't care if Martians own the name or mermaids install it as long as I get a good value and great performance.</p> I agree with Mike. I was scratching my head over the romantic prose given to who owns JCW. They sold engine parts and tuned my car. However, they also charged me $6000 and never sent flowers or a card. Didn’t seem to hold it’s value at selling time either. Not much soul or heart but I fell prey to the PR and hype.

Will I get another one? You bet! But personally I don’t care if Martians own the name or mermaids install it as long as I get a good value and great performance.

]]> By: Greg W http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-70031 Greg W Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:41:31 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-70031 <p>Yes, you are right Mike. "Works" means factory. Example - Bayerische Motoren Werke = BMW.</p> <p>In racing and rallying "works" cars were made and maintained by the BMC and British Leyland Special Tuning Department of the Factory. Before Mini were the Austin Healey racers. The cars were painted red with white roofs.</p> <p>John Cooper ran his own team (previously Cooper Car Company - Formula One cars). These cars were painted dark green with white roofs and stripes from radiator grille to windshield. Mini Cooper inherited these colours and stripes. These were the John Cooper racing team cars.</p> <p>At some point of time John Cooper Garages changed its name to John Cooper Works.</p> <p>However, there are alternatives to JCW - the Schnitzer Tuning company makes an alternative tuning kit. This company is well known for its racing M3 E30 cars of the 90's.</p> Yes, you are right Mike. “Works” means factory. Example – Bayerische Motoren Werke = BMW.

In racing and rallying “works” cars were made and maintained by the BMC and British Leyland Special Tuning Department of the Factory. Before Mini were the Austin Healey racers. The cars were painted red with white roofs.

John Cooper ran his own team (previously Cooper Car Company – Formula One cars). These cars were painted dark green with white roofs and stripes from radiator grille to windshield. Mini Cooper inherited these colours and stripes. These were the John Cooper racing team cars.

At some point of time John Cooper Garages changed its name to John Cooper Works.

However, there are alternatives to JCW – the Schnitzer Tuning company makes an alternative tuning kit. This company is well known for its racing M3 E30 cars of the 90’s.

]]> By: Mike http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69997 Mike Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:33:50 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69997 <p>I don't agree to Tonyt.</p> <p>Your view of JCW as a blood, sweat and tears engineering Works car arises from some JCW marketing/PR activities ?! Or did you see someone bleeding, sweating or crying ?</p> <p>And, that BMW can bring out a real machine ex works you can read at Patrick's comments about the GP !</p> <p>By the way, "Works" from John Cooper Works means ex factory ! As far as I know called BMC at the former times John Cooper to run a Cooper model ex factory.</p> I don’t agree to Tonyt.

Your view of JCW as a blood, sweat and tears engineering Works car arises from some JCW marketing/PR activities ?! Or did you see someone bleeding, sweating or crying ?

And, that BMW can bring out a real machine ex works you can read at Patrick’s comments about the GP !

By the way, “Works” from John Cooper Works means ex factory ! As far as I know called BMC at the former times John Cooper to run a Cooper model ex factory.

]]> By: Mark H http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69977 Mark H Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:29:56 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69977 <p>It is hard not to be synical here but overall this must be a good thing. I work as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer and when I see deals like this go through it usually means more to the Vendor than the Purchaser. Essentially you could view this transaction as BMW buying the rights to the JCW name, however, you could also take the view that BMW can take the JCW name and everything that it stands for further than it could have ever gone under the old ownership. I am sure that in this case everyone involved will benefit even though it is rather sad that JCW as we know it is gone.</p> It is hard not to be synical here but overall this must be a good thing. I work as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer and when I see deals like this go through it usually means more to the Vendor than the Purchaser. Essentially you could view this transaction as BMW buying the rights to the JCW name, however, you could also take the view that BMW can take the JCW name and everything that it stands for further than it could have ever gone under the old ownership. I am sure that in this case everyone involved will benefit even though it is rather sad that JCW as we know it is gone.

]]> By: meb http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69964 meb Wed, 13 Dec 2006 15:18:39 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69964 <p>Right on Patrick! ...and yes, why do the ultimate driving machines (3,5,6&7) Series weigh between 3,400lbs and 4,000lbs? I've complained a lot about this lately.</p> Right on Patrick! …and yes, why do the ultimate driving machines (3,5,6&7) Series weigh between 3,400lbs and 4,000lbs? I’ve complained a lot about this lately.

]]> By: tonyt http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69906 tonyt Wed, 13 Dec 2006 11:54:43 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69906 <p>What Patrick said - fully agree. BMW bought the name because of its past associations - its not buying the actual spirit of the John Cooper Garages, or its philosophies.</p> <p>At the end of the day, future JCW cars will be production line items with a badge on them. The whole idea was that it was non production line. Now thats gone.</p> <p>Hopefully, BMW will launch a cracking new 'Works' car which will have soul as well as performance. However, it could still all end up being more of a PR/marketing Works car rather than a blood sweat and tears engineering Works car....</p> What Patrick said – fully agree. BMW bought the name because of its past associations – its not buying the actual spirit of the John Cooper Garages, or its philosophies.

At the end of the day, future JCW cars will be production line items with a badge on them. The whole idea was that it was non production line. Now thats gone.

Hopefully, BMW will launch a cracking new ‘Works’ car which will have soul as well as performance. However, it could still all end up being more of a PR/marketing Works car rather than a blood sweat and tears engineering Works car….

]]> By: Patrick http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69812 Patrick Wed, 13 Dec 2006 06:20:11 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69812 <p>Be careful what you wish for...</p> <p>I'm surprised to see so many happy about this. The Motorsport division of BMW is no longer what it was back in the '80s and early '90s.</p> <p>Remember what the E30 M3 from '88 through '91 was all about? It was exactly what Motorsport no longer is. It was all about producing a homologated series to win the German Touring Car Championships. That meant putting just 500 or so examples so they could meet the rules of the series. So you had a true racing version of a production car. Of course it was so successful and generated such demand they ended up putting out more. Even to this day ... the favorite M3 of all time is still the E30 version. Just loads of fun to drive when compared to today's version.</p> <p>Fast forward to the next generation of the M3 and even today's latest M3. Just an overweight, too fluffed up Beemer. Non of the real racing pedigree of the first M3.</p> <p>All this to say that Motorsport has just turned into just another "controlled" corporate dept. within a big company. Whatever you get will simply be dummy downed and way over priced for what you get. And it certainly won't be Motorsport in spirit. Just a badge resting on its past laurels.</p> <p>That's what you'll be getting with JCW turning to BMW.</p> <p>Don't get me wrong. BMW makes great cars and Motorsport does a nice job in putting out a spiffed up version of the line car, but it won't have anything to do with what JCW has been in spirit and what Motorsport used to be.</p> <p>I'm glad I have my GP, but even with this car I can already see the tremendous BMW controlling factor in not aloowing this or that. I love my GP, but it could have been so much more.</p> <p>Only more of that to come.</p> Be careful what you wish for…

I’m surprised to see so many happy about this. The Motorsport division of BMW is no longer what it was back in the ’80s and early ’90s.

Remember what the E30 M3 from ‘88 through ‘91 was all about? It was exactly what Motorsport no longer is. It was all about producing a homologated series to win the German Touring Car Championships. That meant putting just 500 or so examples so they could meet the rules of the series. So you had a true racing version of a production car. Of course it was so successful and generated such demand they ended up putting out more. Even to this day … the favorite M3 of all time is still the E30 version. Just loads of fun to drive when compared to today’s version.

Fast forward to the next generation of the M3 and even today’s latest M3. Just an overweight, too fluffed up Beemer. Non of the real racing pedigree of the first M3.

All this to say that Motorsport has just turned into just another “controlled” corporate dept. within a big company. Whatever you get will simply be dummy downed and way over priced for what you get. And it certainly won’t be Motorsport in spirit. Just a badge resting on its past laurels.

That’s what you’ll be getting with JCW turning to BMW.

Don’t get me wrong. BMW makes great cars and Motorsport does a nice job in putting out a spiffed up version of the line car, but it won’t have anything to do with what JCW has been in spirit and what Motorsport used to be.

I’m glad I have my GP, but even with this car I can already see the tremendous BMW controlling factor in not aloowing this or that. I love my GP, but it could have been so much more.

Only more of that to come.

]]> By: dickdavid http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69658 dickdavid Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:41:36 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69658 <blockquote>My hope would be that they’ll redesign that awful JCW logo.</blockquote> <p>That's not a bad idea.</p> My hope would be that they’ll redesign that awful JCW logo.

That’s not a bad idea.

]]> By: GZ http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69654 GZ Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:25:45 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69654 <p>While I realize the benefit of factory installed JCW and am excited at the idea of it being it's own model with unique features and badging it would being kinda cool if it was dealer installed if it was done like the BMW/MINI dealership in Cincinnati. They have their own DINAN garage connected right to a large gift shop. All the techs wear long lab coats and it feels like something from a James Bond movie. It's right off I-71, stop there if you're ever in Ohio. They make your visit fun.</p> While I realize the benefit of factory installed JCW and am excited at the idea of it being it’s own model with unique features and badging it would being kinda cool if it was dealer installed if it was done like the BMW/MINI dealership in Cincinnati. They have their own DINAN garage connected right to a large gift shop. All the techs wear long lab coats and it feels like something from a James Bond movie. It’s right off I-71, stop there if you’re ever in Ohio. They make your visit fun.

]]> By: Nathaniel Salzman http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69646 Nathaniel Salzman Tue, 12 Dec 2006 21:47:25 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69646 <p>My hope would be that they'll redesign that awful JCW logo.</p> My hope would be that they’ll redesign that awful JCW logo.

]]> By: JP http://www.motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/comment-page-1/#comment-69644 JP Tue, 12 Dec 2006 21:17:01 +0000 http://motoringfile.com/2006/12/12/bmw-acquires-john-cooper-works-brand/#comment-69644 <p>If we consider JCW as a separate marque just like BMW's M division then I think it's save to assume that kits will be no longer available. In their place will be JCW MINIs, not S versions with JCW brakes and the like. However, I suspect that the add on carbon fiber bits will continue to be sold in an ala carte form for a year or two.</p> If we consider JCW as a separate marque just like BMW’s M division then I think it’s save to assume that kits will be no longer available. In their place will be JCW MINIs, not S versions with JCW brakes and the like. However, I suspect that the add on carbon fiber bits will continue to be sold in an ala carte form for a year or two.

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