2008 JCW Comes up to Speed

Sections: JCW | R56 (Hatch) Jan 24th, 2007 35 Comments

With the new MINI Cooper S and Cooper now introduced to the public on both sides of the Atlantic, imaginations of MINI enthusiasts seem to be focused on the next big thing, the 2008 John Cooper Works. As we’ve reported over the last year, expect this new factory only version of the JCW MCS is to be a very different beast than the one it replaces. Gone is the ability to have your local dealer put one together for you after the fact. And gone is the subtle look and nature of the modifications. Instead we’ll have a JCW MCS that is more BMW M3 and less “guy in a garage” in it’s execution.

And it all starts with the exterior. Expect a body kit similar to the JCW aero kit in design but more aggressive in overall look. And much like the BMW M3 vs the 3 Series, we hear the JCW MCS will come from the factory specific set of wheels to further differentiate it from the standard Cooper S. Finally, don’t be surprised to see the JCW a touch lower than the MCS due to the possibly inclusion of the JCW suspension as standard.

You can expect performance to take a step up in 2008 as well over the previous car. We’ve been told to expect something a bit more raw and a little closer to the character found on the JCW GP. In fact it’s been BMW’s aim from the start to go above and beyond the 210bhp of the current JCW and reach something closer to 215 – 220bhp.

But plans and execution are two different things. Word is that the folks in Munich have been struggling to get the power and reliability out of the new 1.6L Turbo. With the old iron block supercharged Tritec mill, a simple reduction pulley, higher performance supercharger and inter-cooler made it relatively easy to turn up the wick and get 40-45 more bhp. However with the ultra high-tech Turbo engine in the R56 already well optimized for performance, the answer isn’t as easy. Because of this, MINI may be going old-school. Reportedly one solution currently on the table is to bore the 1.6L out to a 1.8L and increase power the old-fashion way – with a larger engine. Keep in mind though, nothing has been finalized yet so consider this simply one potential option at this point. (This last rumor has now been proven incorrect.)

One side effect of all this however, is the very serious threat of eventual JCW production delays. Details are very sketchy at this point, but if things progress as slowly as they have been over the last few months, 2008 JCW production could very well slip from fall of 2007 to Spring of 2008.

Naturally we’ll have more on the 2008 JCW in the weeks and months ahead.

Written By: Gabe

Mark H

Sounds amazing! I am sure it will be a great machine and with the possibility of the suspension as standard I am sure the car will handle well too.

I had a strange experience today in that I saw my first new Mini Cooper S out on the street. Admittedly I almost walked straight past it but something made me stop. I really like it and would note three obvious things: 1. it does seem bigger; 2. the interior is cool and the front seats are really skinny; and 3. the twin tail pipe at the back is thicker. Overall I really like it so I cannot wait to see what the new JCW will look like! Perhaps they could color code the trims all aound the wheels etc as standard as it makes the car look more chunky?
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

Bring on the JCW Clubman!
GZ

Will JCW brakes be standard as well? My one fear is that too much exterior junk might be added to make it look fast. Subtle changes are fine (i.e. aero kit) but I don’t want schlock. Curious about the difficulty with upgrading the turbo as my original understanding was it was to have much more potential. One would think the BMW engineers would have had a grip on this long before production of the base MCS.
blingmc

Sounds great. Always been a fan of BMW’s approach with the M cars. Really hope an auto tranny is available this time.
Dave S.

Yes, yes bring on the JCW AWD Clubman!
Nathaniel Salzman

1.8L? Hell, make it 2.0 and push 300 hp!
meb

Well, the new BMW 335i twin turbo is reportedly having big over heating problems when used on the track. BMW have been away from the T game for a while…perhaps they’ve encountered more heat than they expected while attempting to extract more power from the 1.6.

I’ve heard from two sources that their 335i simply shut off during a track event. Imagine that while negotiating the down hill at LRP…
DesignIt

I’m glad to hear that MINI is turning up the heat on the next generation of the Works package, but I also agree with GZ that exterior changes should be subtle. My current JCW is badgeless, with generic exhaust tips, and flat black painted mufflers. I would prefer to have the performance, but not flaunt it.
JFS

I would prefer to have the performance, but not flaunt it.

Same here.
Bilbo Baggins

225hp AWD JCW MCS – Bring it on!
eto

If the JCW car ends up being engine mods, suspension mods, limited wheels, and a body kit, my 2008 R56 might have its build wiped to have one option: JCW! Especially if MINI keeps the price point on the JCW kit at $6k.
Jake

I actually like the idea of a slightly more aggressive look for the JCW. I think the new new coop S actually look more rounded and slightly less aggressive than the 1st generation. Not flaunting it, but apparent if someone in the know looks.

Auto Clubman AWD JCW please.
beken

Maybe the air-scoop on the bonnet will be functional on the JCW? A real ram air intake might help.
robble

eto Jan 24th, 2007 Link If the JCW car ends up being engine mods, suspension mods, limited wheels, and a body kit, my 2008 R56 might have its build wiped to have one option: JCW! Especially if MINI keeps the price point on the JCW kit at $6k.

except the JCW price point was never $6k. It was $6300 PLUS mandatory Sports package ($1350)= $7650.

I’d expect a number near the JCW GP price – putting it dangerously close to the price of the 135i.
GZ

300HP! I like the way you think Nate!
Nathaniel Salzman

It’s disappointing to hear that their 1.6L turbo platform doesn’t have the scale-up the Tritec powerplant had. I think back to Randy Webb on WRR talking about how he wondered if they’d be able to just dial boost in and get more performance. Guess not. I know MINI will figure it out, but I feel bad for Randy and the folks at Webb Motorsports ’cause their work may indeed be cut out for them to get the same kind of hp gains in the R56 so many have enjoyed up to now. I have no doubts they’ll come up with great stuff.

I wonder if the bore-up will lead to some future engine swapping. I really don’t care about the size of the engine so long as the car itself doesn’t get any bigger.
FrankInMiami

I can wait to see a JCW Clubman. The ultimate “Hearse” built for speed.
meb

BMW may be getting lots of power, but reliability is questionable…and controlling heat is a major challange when increasing a turbo’s output. Heat will affect reliability. The 335i’s heat related problems are due to packaging; the turbos are tucked neatly away…and away from cool air too. Packaging for the masses might not allow for big boost changes, but aftermarket type folk like Randy may need to think way outside the box in an effort to supply a small niche of buyers.

ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s disappointing to hear that their 1.6L turbo platform doesnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t have the scale-up the Tritec powerplant had. I think back to Randy Webb on WRR talking about how he wondered if theyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢d be able to just dial boost in and get more performance. Guess not. I know MINI will figure it out, but I feel bad for Randy and the folks at Webb Motorsports ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢cause their work may indeed be cut out for them to get the same kind of hp gains in the R56 so many have enjoyed up to now. I have no doubts theyÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll come up with great stuff.
Bob M

A real bummer about a possible delay for the next MCW. I planned to make a decision at the end of the summer between the new MCW and the 335i. The images they present are so different, and I can’t see myself beating up a BMW the way I would the MCW. The decision has been put off too long, as I’d be in a 2006 MCW right now if my salesman hadn’t missed a test drive appointment he set up.

I, too, would prefer the option to be the wolf in sheep’s clothing when it comes to the extra power in the MCW.
Roger

You know this is what you really want. ;^)

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0308scc_renault_r5_turbo_2/
chipgrafx

Why don’t they have Fireballed Racing develop and build the JCW car? They will give it proper horsepower.
GZ

Or heavier Nate. I’m praying for a fall release.
http://www.commonwealth.nu fdavid

Any guess on the price for this model?
James

It would be a shame if to get the JCW Tuning Kit, suspension, and brakes you also had to get the (awful) JCW Aerokit.
Bud

Time for JCW to focus on Cooper D scale up mods. Companies like Schnitzer, Hammann and Alpina have not negleted to enhance BMW diesel performance. It’s time for MINI to do likewise. Bush gave the prospect of a greater diesel presence in the US a boost in his SOU speech. Let us proclaim:

MINI D TO USA Or BUST! Better yet … JCW MINI D W/ GETRAG AWD OR BUST!!
Siddhartha

Can we say, teething problems? It won’t be the last time with a brand new clean sheet engine.

I’m anxious for someone get his/her ’07 MCS broken in and bring it out to the track so we can see how it compares to the ’05/’06.
http://www.alldigitalnyc.com drew

couldn’t agree more james. the new jcw aero kit looks really awful to me. (especially the jcw spoiler). can you say overdesigned??
Mark Smith

I really hope they don’t go the seperate model route. I like the fact that I could wake up one day and say “You know what? I think I want 225 H.P. now!” and jump on the highway to exit 11, park Quicksilver out front, walk myself to see George in service and say “when will it be ready and which one is my loaner car?”
R56LVR

This new car will have to be pretty amazing to rip me away from my full Works R56 with a flap-less airbox, a resonator-less exhaust, and a gray-market GP Intercooler. Over 100km and still completely infatuated.
banned

Clubman AWD JCW Yes sir! Put me in that line! But it has to be long enough to race! Can you bore out an R53?
Pingback: R56 Works Info, Discussion, Banter and Pre-orders. - Page 8 - MINI2
Mark

“MINI D TO USA Or BUST!” I like the sound of that :)
http://www.webbmotorsports.com RandyBMC

I am not too worried. There is a lot of work to be done, but even before having my hands on the car, I have some “outside the box” ideas. We already have a downpipe, cat replacement and cat-back thanks to our UK friends and their development giving us some very impressive initial numbers.

The R53 can be bored, but the water jackets are too close to the cylinder bore to make it reliable. Maybe we will have the luxury, albeit more expensive, to go with a “big bore kit” on the R56.

There is potential!

Randy
UBeenMiniD

This is the exact reason why I decided to get the GP.

Once I heard that the R57 was going the way of turbo, I knew it would mean long term problems. From heating to greater wear and tear, turboes just chew up engines faster. Period.

Even back in the ’70′s / early ’80′s, BMW struggled with their F1 program to keep the engines from blowing up. It was more because of the turboes and the engine management than anything else. They used a highly modified head from … the old 2002. The thing could get over 1,000 hp with 4 cylinders and turbo. The lag was horrible though.

Of course, things have come a long way, but the problem remains. Turboes are great, but not if you have longevity concerns.

If you do consider the R57 and whatever JCW comes out with … one of the absolute mods is a turbo oil cooler. I believe Canton puts one of the better ones. It primes the turbo before start up, and pumps oil into the turbo upon shutdown to gradually bring the temp back down without as much wear and tear.
UBeenMiniD

Roger,

Have you ever driven the Renault R5 Turbo?

Very tough to control. Huge turbo lag.

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