Official MINI JCW Refresh Leaked

Hi gloss red roof and piping and all that on a SATIN finish…that would be quite nice…I dig the red piped stripes too…

Gabe, I hate to start with the negative, but beings as we AREN’T getting the new Valvetronic, does that mean that we will still have to deal with the Cold Rattle, sometimes called the Death Rattle? We aren’t getting much of the new stuff, so I figured that we will still have to deal with that, too.

I like the Red on Black shown here, really nice. The tail lights and changes to the head lights might make me include the HID’s on my upcoming order in August. I’m still not all that thrilled with the chrome around the brake ducts and rear fog lights, but it looks better on black than it did on the new Eclilpse Gray. The black with red piping sounds interesting, too. Any other interior options that will be available for the JCW?

My main gripe is still the “no engine upgrades” for JCW, but also the lack of attention to the suspension. The JCW suspension package would go a long ways toward curing the steering torque steer. And if MIni/BMW doesn’t want to to that, why can’t they include an improvement to the suspension that WOULD eliminate the torque steer? VW does it with their GTI, so does VW have better suspension engineers than BMW? Right, I know that hurt, but it’s the truth.

Also, Gabe, are there any color options that will be made available for the JCW? I am assuming that Spice Orange is out too.

When I think of the BMW M, etc., I think of performance where the engine output/handling ( or for that matter suspension/brakes/tires, etc.) absolutely has to be an order of a magnitude better to wear the badge.

Perhaps the JCW will never make that quantum leap over the S and certainly the price differential is not as wide, so maybe it is a case of you get what you pay for.

Regardless, the JCW seems dead in the water as MINI is stuck with a legacy powerplant that is going to be a generation behind in performance/technology/efficiency.

In the absence of improved performance we are marketed asethetics as the improvements in 2011 for the JCW… (yawn x 1000)

Speaking for myself, I do like the cosmetic ideas for the JCW, but without legitimate changes on MINIs part to improve the performance, there seems to be a race between the Clubman (due to the Countryman) and the JCW (any variant – cooper/club/convert) to be obsolete.

Perhaps my expecatations are too high for the JCW, I just wish MINI’s expectations were more in line with those who would consider buying one for reasons other than red side mirrors, roof and seat piping. The first two could be accomplished with a relatively inexpensive vinyl job (vs. the JCW Premium).

Lipstick on the proverbial pig. For less money you could do [2011 MCS + JCW Aero Kit + Aftermarket suspension + Tune] and have a better looking, better handling, faster and more economical car.

Congratulations, Josh! You alone make up the total market for this car. That’s got to feel pretty special.

This is sad. Just 26 ponies between the S and the JCW.

The JCW sales will die. For the money better cars are available.

I’ll stick with my R53 Thank You!!! The only unique, all-original MINI ever built!!!

you guys need some french cries… bunch of whiners! Go buy an Elise.

Gotta admit the black/red pics look sharp.

Geez Mini, if you would have thrown us a fricken bone and tweeked that darn thing by even half the ponies the 2011 S is getting people would be happy.

An equal 10 ponie bump would have us foaming at the mouth. This “the euromissions” excuse is crap and we aren’t buying it. Other Euro made cars get more powerful every year, including BMW.

Can’t figure you guys out. You keep doing things half way and shooting yourself in the foot.

I’m half frightened of how Mini will drop the ball on the Coopster twins.

With a 10hp gain and better mileage on the new S, wouldn’t this make the S+JCW kit a much more attractive option than the JCW car? Assuming the same hp gain, it’s only 9hp difference and $4800 difference in price.

What’s a well optioned JCW cost,$40k?

426 HP Camaro SS $37k,412 HP Mustang GT $38k,300 HP BMW 135I $39k, Lotus Elise Purist $43k.

Earth to Mini. WAKE UP!

Let’s do the math now: Mini S, put on the Brembo Brakes, JCW suspension, and the JCW tune kit. Maybe even add the JCW Aero package and you’re still $2k less than the full JCW, plus take a trip to one of the ECU tuners out there and you beat the JCW in power, too. Maybe even just add a Bora exhaust and DoS intake and you might just be very close in power. Like many here are saying: MINI/BMW wake up.

That.guy…… Right, and you’d get a lot more for your money. I was just calculating last night that you go with the muffler delet, DoS CAI and a good exhaust system…Bora, Alta ect. That wold set you back about $1200, then a tune for $500. and I would bet that you’d be in the 215+ hp range. That’s less than the JCW tune kit, without installation. I’ve heard quotes everywhere from $2500 – $3000 for the kit plus installation. But, you wouldn’t have the JCW emblems, but they are selling for $40. on eBay, so there you go. Get Wilwood 12.20″ brakes for $950 and you got the brakes, too. Of course there is the warrantee issue, but then run that guy up to the red line about three times and I’ll bet your warrantee won’t be much good anyway. Just some thoughts. To think, Mini/BMW is going to be the best thing for tha aftermarket companies this nex year, I’ll bet they are just licking their lips over the JCW’s bllunders this year. Just a Valvtronic bump in horsepower/torque to 215 would have been all that mattered.

MM…..You forgot to mention the loaded 2011 Mustang V6 that has a 0 – 60 time in the low 5′s,and costs less than $29K. The GT base unit that runs in the 12′s in the quarter, and 0 – 60 in the 4′sand you can get into one of these with the Brembo Brake Package for under $32K. But, they are big and heavy. Not as heavy as the Camaro and Challenger, but still 3400 lbs for the V6 and 3600 lbs for the GT. With the deals that BMW are throwing around on the 135i, you can get into one of those for $37K now, with .09% interest. That’s why I’m staying with the Mini.

MM…The JCW will list for $32K that I will figure out. No JCW Aero, but Cold, Convenience, HK sound,HID’s, rear fogs, and that’s about it. I don’t need a sun roof, leather is not that important to me, especiallly for $2k and definately no need for NAV, I can read a map. As for the 135i, I don’t need to deal with their dealers. I haven’t met a BMW dealer yet that impresses me in their customer service. Money, Money money. Our new Mini dealership is NOT a BMW dealer, and they are probably the most respected dealer in our area. That’s the reason for staying with Mini. Now, if Audi would get off their as*** and bring the Audi S-1 here, now that is a different situation.

James Russel, Rest easy, those black with red piping will be a $2k premium. As for the wheels, I wish that they give us a $2k credit and give us black Connical 17″ wheels that are new for the Sport this year.