MF Exclusive: Factory JCW (The Burble is Back!)

DB Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Awesome write-up Todd!

Watch for video later in the week everyone!

jon Jun 21st, 2008 Link

its good to hear that the burble is back, I let my girlfriends mom drive my R53, and her favorite part of the car was the burble

Drill Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Thanks guys! That exhaust tone/burble alone may very well have sold me, lol.

RS Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Todd,

Was the suspension stock or did it have optional suspension components installed?

Wow. I’m finally getting excited. That car is the same color I ordered :)

Dave Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Does the car come standard with 4 piston brembo brakes? I don’t think it’s standard here in AUS. How was the engine sound, say in comparison to the GP? I do like the burble though… sounds mean as!

dickdavid Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Nice. I hope I get to see it up close.

Mozza Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Wow! No I REALLY can’t wait for delivery! It’s fantastic news about how well the E-Diff works too, have to say it makes me glad to see some of the naysayers eat some humble pie about a mechanical LSD. Todd if the handling blew you away with the stock suspension I shudder to think what mine is going to handle like with the full JCW suspension. I just knew this car wouldn’t disappoint, which is obviously why I ordered one! :-)

MF Exclusive: Factory JCW Driven (The Burble is Back!) | whiteroofradio.com - The MINI Cooper Podcast Jun 21st, 2008 Link

[...] from Motoringfile to get it into the [...]

Todd Jun 21st, 2008 Link

First, the burble is only making a (re)appearance on the JCW.
Second, the four piston Bremnos are standard on the JCW - also available as an option on the R56.

Last, I’m verifying the suspension set up. Will update as I get info.

Lots more from the past week is on the way. This story just happened to be in the “breaking news” category.

gmini Jun 21st, 2008 Link

The callenge car in the photos is labeled factory jcw. wth?

s.m8o Jun 21st, 2008 Link

As a paying member of the “Week 27″ club all I can say is a month and a half until delivery can’t come soon enough! Thanx for the news Todd. Looking forward to the add’l post that are to come. Motor-on!

Jon Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Fantastic news Todd, great to get your view on the car. Major bonus points for Mini for bringing out the stock body kit on it too. Really looking forward to hearing about the suspension in the car, rather hard to assume that its the stock suspension though as my friends r56s is less than stellar and light years behind the GP by my seat time in both.

Love seeing and hearing about the new JCW Mini, respects to Mini on this so far.

robble Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Holy smokes!

That burble is AMAZING.

Too bad they had to use street tires. You know it was grip limited.

robble Jun 21st, 2008 Link

Did anyone drive the JCW challenge car? At least start it up? Thanks for all the pics of it.

Shoulda borrowed the challenge cars tires for the autocross lol.

Ian C. Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Todd,
I put some pictures up too :)

Ian C. Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

PS:
The JCW engine does sound great from the back - but it sounds quite unpleasant at the front end, all high pitched and hissy instead of the deep exhaust sounds

TSizemore3 Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Okay guys, I’m officially jealous. Looks like Gina came through for you. Was this the same JCW car that was on static display in Miami? Are they going to let you drive the Clubman JCW also? You do realize you just fed my MINI inferiority complex even further. Now to wait for the mid-life restyle on the R56…

C4 Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Too bad that here in Miami we did not get to drive a factory JCW car. There was a static display of 2 JCW Clubmans (One of them being the final production deal).

Great to hear that the burble is back on the R56! It should have never left the US spec versions in the first place!

Will it be a JCW factory car in my future..? Hmmmm. :)

Scott Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Great report Todd! Everyone has been so skeptical of the factory JCW car. It’s really great to hear how much you liked it - especially compared to your GP. Can’t wait until the first head to head Factory JCW to GP comparison comes out.

Jon Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Nice shots Ian. more than a little body roll in many of the shots. Makes me wonder just how good this car would be with the JCW suspension. Think that this should have been handled differently still but have no doubts this car is going to be nice.

Ian C. Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

C4 … no-one was allowed to drive the JCW cars in Boston either (Todd sneaked a drive when no-one else was looking!)

I’m told that they will be available at Chicago - of course it happens there :(

Scott L. Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Awesome! Mine is on order right now and I can’t wait for it to get delivered. Thanks for the review! Glad that the burble is back as well.

T8LSPIN Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Sounds niceeeee!

Motor Head Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

I did a quick finger measurement of the JCW coupe ride height in Boston today and it matched a standard MCS that was parked nearby (~2″), so I’m assuming it was either stock or sport suspension. This car looks great in person! Those brake calipers are a mighty tight fit behind the Borbet wheels too.

What a great time Mini put on in Boston - there was hardly any line for the auto-cross course today and they just kept putting you into cars; S, non-S, manuals, auto, clubmen, coupes, cabrios… whatever you wanted (except the JCW). I felt like a 6 year old at Disneyland.

Motor Head Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Sorry - should have said wheel gap - only the challenge car was THAT low.

Liam Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Nice work Todd! :)

AUSmotive.com » MotoringFile drives MINI John Cooper Works Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

[...] the full MotoringFile report for images and an audio clip. There’s also more images available at the GBMINI [...]

pbraun Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Nice world exclusive write-up, Todd - snappy, crisp burble. Definitely an enhancement.

Steve S Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Drove a Clubman S yesterday, was very fun, felt faster than I thought it would be although I was surprised how choppy it was on rough pavement even without the sport suspension.

If I got one it would need to be a JCW but starting at $31k and optioned how I’d want would be 36k is a serious kick to the wallet. 3k more and I’d have a 135i optioned the way I’d want. If the dealer gets a JCW in I’ll have to try it, very fun little package.

nuvolari Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

“You’ll have to take my word for it…”

Uh, no. I will not. This is a very lame “review.” I expect more from MF at this point.

rudekarl Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

Jon Jun 22nd, 2008 Link
“…more than a little body roll in many of the shots.”

Just wondering what shots you’re looking at. Everyone around here seems to want to be some racing expert, and a few seem to want to snipe at this car even though they haven’t even driven it.

I’ll take Todd’s review, especially since he’s a GP owner. Mine’s due in at the end of August, and it will never touch a track or autocross.

jakay11 Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

The autocross course was fantastic.
on sat. my wife and I did about 7 laps each, and another 5 on Sunday.

I drove Clubman S Auto and Sticks, S auto and sticks, and convertible S sticks…

My favorite was the supercharged convertible, with the coupe being a close second.
The clubmans seems to soft, and leaned a lot more than the others on the course.

And I was surprised at how well the auto worked once you lock the shifter into “manual” and use the paddle switches.

THANK YOU MINI USA for supplying great cars and workers! (the course was pretty great too)… I only killed one cone :)

C4 Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

I tend to agree that the Clubman S without sport suspension leaned more than the other MINIs on the course. Still the car is a superb handler when pushed hard and the automatic is an absolute revelation on the Auto-X course (Sorry Todd and DB but our resident Auto-X expert was very impressed with it after a few runs).

I did not care that much for the R56 Cooper Coupe 6-spd manual. I found the shifter to be imprecise and notchy. I think the car was pretty beat up at the track, so I’ll chalk it up to abuse.

I found the Sidewalk and regular R52 supercharged convertibles to be very respectable handlers (And surprinsingly solid..I was expecting lots of chassis flex). Some people didn’t like them, but I found the R53 steering to be a cut above the R56 and R55 in feedback. Ever since I did 3 laps on a Sidewalk S convertible I can not get the car out of my head. Yes I loved it! However, I can’t justify spending money on a Cabrio when I just purchased a Clubman S and have a perfectly sweet ‘05 R53 S manual.

The Auto-X course (Which I lost count as to how many times I did it) and the Gokarts to me are the best attractions in MTTS. Better than Disneyworld!

Jon Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

rudekarl the shots I was pointing out where those taken and posted by Ian on the 22nd from Todd’s run on the autox course.

They are on Ian’s site at gbmini.net and can be seen in his gallery at http://gbmini.net/G2/v/2008album/MTTS2008/?g2_page=14

Don’t get me wrong Todd’s review was great, and the insight of a GP driver is a good one to have in this regard. However this doesn’t change my opinion that the JCW Mini should come with the JCW suspension as default.

As for being a racing expert I am nothing of the kind, however I am not blind either. The car is going to be a very nice ride, a shame that people buy performance cars that don’t see a track or a autox course.

TSizemore3 Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

“You’ll have to take my word for it…”

Uh, no. I will not. This is a very lame “review.” I expect more from MF at this point.

Nuvolari, since none of the major automotive publications have gotten to review the new JCW cars, and MINI USA isn’t about to release a preproduction car for a full blown test, and I don’t think you could do much better right now than Todd’s impressions of the new car. After comparing thoughts with them on the MCS Clubman in Miami, I have to say that I would respect any comments DB & Todd would have on a MINI as we have similar points of view.

Impulsive Jun 22nd, 2008 Link

The only question that matters …

Did they address that horrible start-up noise that’s frightening many owners? There is NO way I’m spending that kind of money only to despise walking up to the car knowing that it’ll make a racket with the turn of the key.

HELL NO.

The Burble is Back! - Mini Torque Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

[...] The Burble is Back! Motoring file have audio clips of the new JCW in action and it sounds great. MotoringFile Archive MF Exclusive: Factory JCW Driven (The Burble is Back!) [...]

Dylan Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

I don’t mean to derail this thread, but does anyone know if MF will be doing a follow up to the cold start issue? I did email them but no reply. My car is still making the noise consistently when started from cold and on an angle. It sounds metal on metal and I’m really worried it’s doing damage :/

eager2own Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

In Nuvolari’s defense, I also hope there’s a follow up review. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that this was an exclusive . . . but when everyone wrote about what a great and helpful review this was, I kept scrolling back up to see if I had missed a link to a full review.
Good to see some favorable first impressions and hear that the burble is back, though.

Todd Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

I’m currently at the airport on the way back home from MTTS but wanted to address a couple of points. This was not meant to be a “review” of this car but simply a first drive quick impression. It was definitely an impromptu opportunity and it’s simply not possible to write a comprehensive review after 4 minutes in a car. A full MF review of this car will come in the future and will be labeled as such.

Next, a short update on the R56 “cold start” issue will be on MF later this week.

I also am planning a follow up post to my drive addressing some questions and to clarify some things for folks who may not read the comments.

C4 Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

Thank you Todd. Have a safe trip back home.

Slay Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

Yes… thank you Todd. I love your reaction to the breaks! The burble has to be one of the most pleasant MINI surprises in quite a while! :D

eager2own Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

The burble has to be one of the most pleasant MINI surprises in quite a while! :D

+1
and kudos to MF for getting another of its predictions (made over 6 months ago or so) right. You guys never cease to amaze

CooperSharon Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

Glad to hear the burble is back. Too bad it’ll run you $30,000+

Mowse Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

I’m sure it will be reviewed to death which will be a welcome change from the wagonqueen family truckster(aka Clubman)which is reviewed every other article.

The comments from peoples reaction who drive convertibles at MTTS is interesting and no news to me. The “feel” that was mentioned is why I dumped my ‘07 JCW to go back to an ‘08 JCW/MCSC.

I am encouraged by the return of the burble. It will help restore the R56s lost “Mininess”.

I regards to Todd’s statement about the JCW being quicker than a stock S, I would certainly freeking hope so! I want to know how different it feels from the dealer installed stage one JCW. People need to know if the extra $5000 for 19 hp(over stage one) and brakes is worth it. I’m staying put(until the third generation JCW)but am intrigued none the less.

Drill Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

I’m looking at the Clubman so there won’t be any Stage 1 JCW comparisons for the near future :-/ (When ARE they going to release the Clubman Stage 1 kit anyway??)

MaxMCS Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the sound of the burble on the new car- it almost sounds “wet” rather than the aggressive sound of the R53- then again, it’s a burble, and it makes the car as a whole sound that much cooler and sporty. Overall, I’m thrilled to see the return of the burble to the US market.

As for the addictive power, well… damn, my MINIs are starting to sound like slushmobiles after hearing that review!!

8-)

Dylan Bland Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

Thanks for the update on the cold start issue Todd :)

Braden Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

+1 Dylan.

I’m interested in this car, but also worried about the cold start up noise. My 07 MCS Dealer JCW has experienced this several times now with only 10K on the odometer.
I would go down an order one of these next week if it weren’t for that. Also, would like to know if there is any difference in feeling from the dealer kit to the factory kit, not sure if 18hp is worth the extra cash, i know there are other things, like the brakes and other components which would make this a better base car for future performance mods, so maybe that reason enough to upgrade. Ok, I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for this, but I could really deal without the burble, to me, it just sounds like a bad tune or timing job, like it’s mis-firing and it’s about to backfire any second. LOL. :) to each his own I guess.

rkw Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

I could really deal without the burble, to me, it just sounds like a bad tune or timing job

I feel the same way. The burble would not normally be there, but was artificially added through tuning. So many people complained about the fake hood scoop, but it seems that fake burble is acceptable.

Jon Jun 23rd, 2008 Link

Agreed Ian.

Official MINI latest news by DPMINI Aaron - Page 6 - MINI2 - MINI Forum Jun 24th, 2008 Link

[...] has driven it! The exhaust sounds really good. MotoringFile � Archive � MF Exclusive: Factory JCW Driven (The Burble is Back!) Dilemma now is whether I buy this year or wait for the inevitable facelift next year… My [...]

mike Jun 24th, 2008 Link

Can someone explain how the burble can be created artificially?

Victor Jun 24th, 2008 Link

The only car review that has no negatives. Also is there an explanation of how the car is “flatter” on the stock suspension, is there a geometry change.

How about the lack of a LSD?

Todd Jun 24th, 2008 Link

The exhaust burble, at least in the GP and most likely the new JCW, is programmed in by making the fuel mix slightly rich when lifting the throttle. There’s no performance gain but the sound is addictive, at least it is for me in the GP.

Todd Jun 24th, 2008 Link

As far as my comments on the flatness of this car, I just came off the same course in various MINIs with and without sport suspension so that was the closest comparison I was going from. That and the fact that I drive a GP with JCW suspension every day. From the photos you can see that, yes, it could get even better (flatter) with a JCW suspension which makes this car even more enticing as far as I’m concerned.

Jon Jun 24th, 2008 Link

I think that with what you had to say about the cars performance, that with the jcw suspension this car should be very interesting indeed. Did you ever get a chance to confirm with Mini what suspension the car you drove had?

MotoringFile » Archive » Factory JCW on the Move Jun 27th, 2008 Link

[...] heard the audio and read Todd’s thoughts about it, but I also got it on video! [...]