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Sections: MINI Competitors | R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Hatch) | Reviews Aug 25th, 2008 28 Comments

We’ve had an enormous number of requests for a couple reviews over the past few months. First up are of course the two new JCW MINIs. And then there is continued interest (yes from MINI owners) of the 135i – specifically the manual which we haven’t tested yet. So we’ve been busy working with BMW and MINI to get these cars and in turn get our reviews out to our loyal readers.

However we have a couple of surprises as well – specifically for our readers in the North American market. With the help of our friends at Bosch, we’ve scheduled some time behind the wheel of both the MINI Cooper Diesel and the BMW 123d (diesel). While the BMW may not be destined for these shores just yet, it’ll give us a great glimpse into some of the advanced Diesel technology that the BMW Group is capable of. However a MINI with a diesel engine is absolutely destined for the North American market soon (as reported on MF a few months back).

How did we get these cars? From our friends at Bosch. The company is in integral supplier of components to BMW’s diesel engines and has been a driving force in paving the way for their adoption to the US market.

So here’s the tentative line-up of reviews we have for the fall

MINI R56 (Factory) JCW
MINI R55 (Factory) JCW Clubman
MINI R56 Cooper D
BMW 135i manual (tentative)
BMW 123d

As always let us know what you want to know about each of these.

Written By: Gabe

http://www.smartboxusa.com/chicago GSKChicago

Gabe… we hooked up for a short stint in my 135i – manual, but I’m sure we can make arrangements for you to drive my Bimmer for a longer term. I’d switch cars with you if you wanted for a few days – I need my car daily to get to work. Just let me know if that’s something needed – if you don’t have success with BMW corp.
Beavers

…the MINI with a diesel engine is absolutely destined for the North American market soon.

Wait – what??

Did I miss a memo?
JonPD

Really looking forward to all of these reviews, I do have to say that over the years some of my favorite car reviews come from Motoringfile.
mike

How about getting your hands on one of those electric MINIs referenced on July 21st?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

How about getting your hands on one of those electric MINIs referenced on July 21st?

They won’t be available until next year.

Wait – what?? Did I miss a memo?

Yes – search for diesel and you’ll see some coverage.
Ken

I think I missed the article to on the R56 Diesel coming to the US. The part two article on the R56 mentioned it being reconsidered as gas prices have been climbing. On the R60 crossover article, it does mention the diesel coming to the US in the R60 by 2010, though no mention of the diesel in the R56.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I think I missed the article to on the R56 Diesel coming to the US. The part two article on the R56 mentioned it being reconsidered as gas prices have been climbing. On the R60 crossover article, it does mention the diesel coming to the US in the R60 by 2010, though no mention of the diesel in the R56.

There’s no mention of an R56 D coming here above… just a MINI diesel of some kind.
Dr Obnxs

Slow times indeed… Talking about what will be coming… Oh well…

As for a Mini Diesel of some kind here soon? I’ll belive it when I see it. Far as I know (but I don’t have the good contact here) BMW isn’t in bed with the current companies who are working on non-urea 50 state compliand diesels, and they don’t have one now!

First possible platform has got to be the R60, and who knows what’s gonna push that one, but with it sharing X1 roots, I’m sure there are more options than what the current chassis are offering.

Matt
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Slow times indeedâ€¦ Talking about what will be comingâ€¦ Oh wellâ€¦

We’ve done these posts for over five years. It gives readers a chance to tell us how to review the cars.
c.moore

how about testing some parts again. there hasnt been to much of that happening here.
greg

I agree Gabe that your reviews are better than any other publication. Enough technical stuff and plenty of regular guy type talk. Look forward to the JCW review!
nuvolari

I would love to see a panel of testers drive both the R53 and R56 JCWs in a “controlled environment” and provide comparative assessments.
Dylan

Hi Gabe,

We get the 123d in NZ and the car appeals to be because a) it’s cheaper to buy and run than a 135i and b) it’s geeky cool with its trick 2l turbo diesel. If you review the car I’d be really interested to learn how it compares in performance to a standard R56 MINI Cooper S, and what it’s like living with a diesel day-to-day i.e. are they really noisy on start-up…do they rattle lots etc. In your review I’d also be keen to learn if you’d buy one over a 135i in the US market. If not, why not etc.

Thanks!
Dylan

edit: In your review Iâ€™d also be keen to learn if youâ€™d buy one over a 135i if the 123d was available in the US market. If not, why not etc.

Thanks!
greg

Nuvolari. Great idea! The results might be….haunting.
http://www.ausmotive.com Liam

Nice one Gabe, I’m looking forward to them already!

I’ll be having a couple of drives in a JCW MCS coupe over the next week or so also. :)
Braden

Please do some real performance test on the JCW cars. I haven’t read a real world performance reveiw yet. Correct me if I’m wrong but every review I’ve read so far uses the factory estimated 0-60 times,etc. Can we get some real data on 0-60, 1/4 mile, skidpad, etc. ???

thanks :)

Braden
brendan

I would like to see factory JCW vs. Dealer installed JCW with the mechanical LSD on an autocross course. It would be interesting to see if the ediff is better.
stefano

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/225393/mini_john_cooper_works.html#
http://s stefano

you can see the MINI jcw review on evo.co.uk web site
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I would love to see a panel of testers drive both the R53 and R56 JCWs in a â€œcontrolled environmentâ€ and provide comparative assessments.

This is the closest we’ve come. A R56 w/the JCW kit vs an R53 with all the normal mods: MINI Cooper S R53 vs R56

lease do some real performance test on the JCW cars. I havenâ€™t read a real world performance reveiw yet. Correct me if Iâ€™m wrong but every review Iâ€™ve read so far uses the factory estimated 0-60 times,etc. Can we get some real data on 0-60, 1/4 mile, skidpad, etc. ???

We’ll be using dynolicious but unfortunately nothing more. We don’t have tens of thousands o dollars with of timing equipment unfortunately :)
MikeJCW

Has anybody seen JCW Clubman (specific) test reviews or just those of the hardtop?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Has anybody seen JCW Clubman (specific) test reviews or just those of the hardtop?

You’ll see one Thursday :)
cct1

+1 on a thorough ediff vs. LSD comparison–hope you can get these cars out on the track!
sbgobig

128 manual.
alpinamike

I bet the entry level 128i will make some people jump to the other side of the dealership, its made me look at the 135i, its just the higher price.
Mike

Gabe, I think your reports are the best available for MINI. We have a R56 JCW on order now (will be here in about 4 weeks). I’d like to see some comparisons in terms of handling (skid pad, slalom) and street ride quality for JCW cars fitted with standard, sport and JCW suspensions, over identical roads driven back to back. The salesperson here in Seattle felt that even the new JCW had a slightly better ride than a standard R53 Cooper S. Others say it’s much stiffer. I plan to drive my 09 JCW daily on poor roads so I opted for the sport suspension just to be safe. I think a series of real exercises would clear up the apparent confusion for many buyers. Thanks.
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