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

By: MotoringFile » Archive » Factory JCW on the Move

MotoringFile » Archive » Factory JCW on the Move — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:00:53 +0000

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

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:10:21 +0000

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?

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:03:08 +0000

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.

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:52:33 +0000

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.

By: Victor

Victor — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:33:08 +0000

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?

By: mike

mike — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:44:35 +0000

Can someone explain how the burble can be created artificially?

By: Official MINI latest news by DPMINI Aaron - Page 6 - MINI2 - MINI Forum

Official MINI latest news by DPMINI Aaron - Page 6 - MINI2 - MINI Forum — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:42:56 +0000

[...] 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 [...]

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:33:12 +0000

Agreed Ian.

By: rkw

rkw — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:23:24 +0000

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.

By: Braden

Braden — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:23:04 +0000

+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.

By: Dylan Bland

Dylan Bland — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:17:14 +0000

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

By: MaxMCS

MaxMCS — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:33:35 +0000

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-)

By: Drill

Drill — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 21:27:51 +0000

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??)

By: Mowse

Mowse — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:36:53 +0000

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.

By: CooperSharon

CooperSharon — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:33:56 +0000

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

By: eager2own

eager2own — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:25:23 +0000

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

By: Slay

Slay — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:18:51 +0000

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

By: C4

C4 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:09:50 +0000

Thank you Todd. Have a safe trip back home.

By: Todd

Todd — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:06:07 +0000

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.

By: eager2own

eager2own — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:04:19 +0000

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.