If you are interested in a factory JCW MINI in the US market, today is your day. We’ve got pricing and option availability options galore not to mention news of a few price reductions.
We’ve known for a few months that MINI USA will be pricing the JCW Coupe and the Clubman at $29,200 and $31,450 respetively. However until today we didn’t have information on how MINI would break down (let alone price) each of the packages.
For starters MINI USA will officially launch the both new John Cooper Works models on July 14th. These cars will be the first ’09 MINIs and thus will be debuting the new MINI USA packages for the ’09 model year. Remember that sentence if you’re thinking about ordering a ’09 MCS.
While most of the options on JCW cars are identical to the regular MINIs, there are a few exceptions. Notably there is no Sport package. Another change is the lack of interior trim options. JCW cars will only get the Piano black dash or Fluid silver option. That’s probably the biggest surprise in regards to what you can’t get.
Elsewhere in the interior, those wanting the a wood steering wheel in their JCW will be out of luck as that will simply not be an option on either car from the factory. And that Yellow Colorline and Gotham Gray interior available on the MC and MCS? You can cross off that potential combination the JCW.
Now let’s take a look at the packages available on the JCW MINIs. And remember any changes you see here will be closely mirror the final packages for the standard Cooper S for ’09 (and to a lesser degree the MC).
Sport Package: Unavailable.
Premium Package: $1,250 (was 1,500). The Hi-Fi stereo has been dropped and the 249 Multi-function leather steering wheel has been added back to the package. The sun-roof, auto climate control and multi-function steering wheel remain.
Convenience Package: $1,250 (was $1,500). MINI has removed the 6NE Comfort Bluetooth (which included the 249 Multi-Function wheel and 473 Center Armrest and added the more popular 6ND Bluetooth and USB/iPod option. This allows customers to order the package without getting the often criticized center armrest. What stays is the garage door opener, comfort access, auto-dimming rear view mirror, rain sensor and auto headlights.
Cold Weather Package: $500. There are no changes here but we’ll go on record and say this is an absolute no brainer for anyone in a colder climate. It’s probably the best buy of the bunch considering what’s included: Power folding mirrors, heated front seats, heated washer jets and heated mirrors.
Finally the Sirius option has dropped $50 to $500.
Interior
The Pacific Blue interior will end production on August and will be replaced by Ray Cream in September. However it will be important to note that Ray Cream can’t be ordered with Tuscan Beige or Hot Chocolate interiors. Pricing will not change.
Colors
The JCW Coupe colors stay pretty much the same as the standard MCS. Here’s the full list:
– Pepper White
– Chili Red
– Mellow Yellow
– Dark Silver
– Pure Silver
– Astro Black
– Laser Blue
– Sparkling Silver
– Lightning Blue
– British Racing Green
In the information we received there was no talk of specific Clubman colors. So that means either the list above works for the Clubman as well, or we simply haven’t seen the R55 color listing yet. We hope for some clarification on this soon.
Suspension
One option that will remain just an option (to the chagrin of MINI enthusiasts) is the Sport Suspension. It remains $500. The JCW Suspension (in our humble opinion the best option money can buy for a JCW) will continue to be a dealer installed accessory however it will not be available for the Clubman.
Aerokit
As noted on MotoringFile several times the US bound JCW MINIs will not come with the JCW aero-kit in the US market. The good news is that they also won’t come with the factory aero-kit that MINI enthusiast love to hate (sorry Canadians). The factory “MINI” aero-kit will remain a $1,250 factory option and the seemingly much sought after JCW aero-kit will continue to be a dealer (or port) installed accessory.
We’ll have one more juicy update on US bound JCW later in the week.
Didn’t see any mention about the Electronic Differential Lock Control.. Will that be available across all models?
Gabe: How does the July launch timeframe as 09 models affect the rest of the MINI line up (other than the MCS)? I’m looking at an August build on a Cooper Clubman, should I expect that it would be an 09 too?
>Didn’t see any mention about the Electronic Differential Lock Control.. Will that be available across all models?
It will be standard on all JCW MINIs. <b>We’ll have much more on EDLC tomorrow.</b>
>How does the July launch timeframe as 09 models affect the rest of the MINI line up (other than the MCS)? I’m looking at an August build on a Cooper Clubman, should I expect that it would be an 09 too?
The ’09 model year should start in late August for the US market.
Is the LSD standard on the new model as well or just the EDLC? My factory 06 JCW has the LSD with the package but no mention of it for the 09 model.
So what will “Ray Cream” look like?
or is the LSD and EDLC basically the same thing? Thanks!
>or is the LSD and EDLC basically the same thing? Thanks!
All EDLC and LSD related questions will be answered tomorrow 🙂
>So what will “Ray Cream†look like?
It’s been available outside the US market since the R56 launch. Take a look at MINI.com for images. Short answer – it’s pinstriped cloth and creme leather.
I hope Ray Cream is that gorgeous cloth leather combo we’ve seen in a few euro MINIs, including the AC Schnitzer car…
I didn’t realize that there was a difference between the MINI Aero Kit and the MINI JCW Aero Kit? I’m Canadian… maybe that’s why?! My ’06 JCW Competition Edition has an “aero kit”… which one would it likely be?
<blockquote>It’s been available outside the US market since the R56 launch. Take a look at MINI.com for images. Short answer – it’s pinstriped cloth and creme leather.</blockquote>
Ah, you’re referring to seats, then. From the article I thought “Ray Cream” was a new dashboard/door colorline. (I still don’t understand why they would add the caveat that you can’t have it with a Tuscan Beige interior, since the only way to have a Tuscan Beige interior is to get the Tuscan Beige leather seats…which naturally precludes having any of the other seats in the car as well.
Gabe,
MINIUSA will NOT offer a dealer-installed JCW Suspension package for the JCW Factory Clubman. Currently there are too few sales for the R56 Coupe package to justify offering a Clubman package. Although the coupe kit should probably fit, the spring rates for the rear would be too low, given the added weight in the rear for the Clubman. Really disappointed that it won’t be available–at least in the BMW parts catalogs.
>MINIUSA will NOT offer a dealer-installed JCW Suspension package for the JCW Factory Clubman.
Yup – forgot to add that.
>I didn’t realize that there was a difference between the MINI Aero Kit and the MINI JCW Aero Kit? I’m Canadian… maybe that’s why?! My ‘06 JCW Competition Edition has an “aero kitâ€â€¦ which one would it likely be?
For the R50/R53 MINI didn’t design a different “JCW” aero-kit since, at the time of the car’s inception, MINI didn’t own the rights to the brand. Thus there’s only one aero-kit for the previous generation cars.
Still have to say I am very un-impressed by the ala cart way this is being handled.
This product is supposed to be something different than the rest of the brand. My issue is when I ask “what is a JCW coupe or clubman” it falls into the same muddy ground as what is a cooper s. We could be talking anything from a very capable highly optioned car or a base model with way to much power and torque for the suspension. It leaves the entire product line without a clear view of what it is and isn’t.
Still think this needed to be handle similarly the way the M series or GP were handled. When I talk about a M3 everybody has the same general model in mind, ditto for the GP.
Am I really that far off with my expectation that everything that carries a JCW stamp should be available to be equiped (in the factory) on a JCW factory car ?
Will Xenon HD remain as a $500 stand-alone option?
Yes JFS. And you cannot get the mechanical LSD on the new JCW car.
“The ‘09 model year should start in late August for the US market.” When should we expect to be able to Spec a MY09 – either online or at the dealer? Best guess
Spec a MY09 MCs that is – not JCW 🙂
Gosh, I love the new JCW Clubman but no JCW suspension offered???? That is definitely disappointing in light of it being available on the new hardtop and all the other MINI models.
Thanks AlexM.
I hope you’re mistaken about the mechanical LSD not being available on the JCW (even as an option).
Looks like my future MINI just got cheaper since the Pacific Blue interior was dropped… It makes me sad, though. I do like the return of the MF steering wheel to the Premium Package and the price reduction of the Premium and Convenience packages.
I am looking forward to the price lists for 2009 MINIs this summer since the stars are finally aligning to the point that I will get my MINI. 😀
sad to see the demise of the Pacific Blue 🙁
What happened to the “new” metallic black???
Good questio–if its the same one that’s on the 135i, it is the most beautiful metallic black I’ve ever seen, and would look stunning on a MINI.
Oh, and sorry to beat a dead horse, however, the photo of the tail pipes reminds me of how incredibly lame it is that there is no ingraving on the factory kits at 7k whereas I got it for my $2500 stage one.
I can’t believe all of the whining about what the car is or isn’t. Build it the way you want it. I have a deposit on a late June build and I am beyond happy that I don’t have to suffer through another “sport” suspension. I’m thrilled that I don’t have to buy the “aero” package too. If I want it I can add it later. I have owned two Cooper S’s (2004 and 2005) one Works package, one not. I’ve driven the BMW 135 (Personally I’d just buy the 335) and I have test driven everything else that I can think of. The MINI JCW is exactly what I am looking for and I’m thrilled that BMW/MINI hasn’t forced me into options I don’t want!
BB
seems mini is really dropping the ball on this one… this launch has been one large cluster#*%k!!!
in any case, if they come out with a real JCW version, worthy of the JCW name, im gonna try and get one a JCW R56 with the clubman’s dark grey with silver challenge stripes… tahts gonna be hot.
Can someone explain the Sirius pricing? The MINI configurator says $1000, above it says $550. Me so confused.
Jimbo, I think that’s the difference in price for the lifetime subscription vs the pay-as-you-go one.
So, wait… Does that mean they are killing the Pacific Blue Color Line and the Sport Leather/Cloth seats? Or just the seats?
Speak to me about the 09 Cabrio and JCW please do you have info on that release…..
All this news and, seemingly, forward action on the new JCW car is very frustrating to those of us who have been waiting diligently to hear news about an Auto-version of the Stage 1 JCW dealer-kit.
Especially those whose dealerships installed it on their car without knowing that it wasn’t the right kit.
Months and months have gone by, “deadlines” come and gone. All we’ve gotten is non-answers from across the board. Unprofessional and discouraging to say the very least.
Whew, puzzling stuff.
Is it Pac Blue leather or colorline or ALL Pac Blue that is going away? What a shame – love my Lapis Blue interior and was looking to go Pac Blue next time around.
And no JCW Suspension for JCW Clubman? That’s just plain old stupid. Especially when all that is probably needed is a different spring rate for the rear.
The $500 Sirius option is a one year subscription, factory installed option, new for 09. This is not the dealer installed option/accessory. Ask me how I know 🙂
Where can I get an actual order sheet with options and what comes standard on the JCW. My dealer says he has it but I must come in to see him ( 185 miles away).
I know someone must really want to sell me one of these cars but it sure seems hard to get answers. Just and old timer looking for a toy but I have the ability to order now and pay cash so…..
I think I have finally found a suitable replacement for my aging 2000 S4. The comments on this site have helped me tremendously.
A little off-track, but does anyone have any buying advice for an ’09 JCW coupe? What can I expect from a dealer in terms of a deal when ordering one of these, or is that a pipedream and they will charge sticker?
Strait MSRP is what I would expect
So what is the aerokit option?
So confusing. Does the JCW come with the complete JCW kit or not? Is it what we see in the Press photos?
The pictures in the press photos is the JCW Aero Kit. You will have to order that from the dealer and have either them install or have it done at the port.
Does Mini offer the standard “sport” suspension as an option after you’ve purchased or is my only option the JCW setup?
Is pacific blue going away even on the dash or just the seats ??