Manhart’s a 300 HP MINI Begs the Question: Should the JCW Make More Power?
How Much is Too Much? MINI has often told us that they won’t be players in hot-hatch power wars and will instead focus on MINI’s forte – dynamics. Yet the 350 hp Focus RS and the 306 hp VW GTS Clubsport beg the question – should the JCW be putting out more power?
Lets look at the F300 from Manhart for a moment. Manhart is a well respected Motorsports company that takes tuning very seriously. And apparently takes modifying JCWs seriously as well. The F300 is a 300 hp variation of the 2.0L B48A20 JCW power plant. The upgrade kit (3.270,12 € / $3662.89) consists of software remapping and vmcx-removal, catless downpipes and intercooler. Perhaps unsurprisingly that’s it.
Most modern 2.0L four cylinders have the potential for substantial range in power output. For years we’ve heard rumors that the B46/B48 BMW four cylinder would range in output from 190 hp to 300 hp. However the notoriously conservative BMW has thus far only given us three tunes of the power plant – 189 (Cooper S), 231 (JCW and various BMWs) and 240 hp (various BMWs). Rumors of 260 hp and 300 hp variants persist with the latter being part of a M Performance offering (coupled with all wheel drive) destined for the X1 and forthcoming X2.
Where does that leave JCW? For now 231 is the answer. And according to sources that number will stay the same on the larger Clubman JCW All4 when it debuts later this year. The upgrade path to 240 is rather easy considering BMW already has a tune of the B48 at that level. And if there’s a M Performance variants that ups the power even further one would expect it could make an excellent choice for a high performance Clubman or Countryman in All4 guise.
However the answer for those of us looking to raise power outputs today remains the aftermarket.
<p>JCW needs to up their game to be taken seriously in this day and age.
VW has the GTI Clubsport S with 306 bhp and the AMG A45 has 381 bhp.
JCW’s current output is absurdly low for a 2 liter motor.
JCW has come to signify packages rather than a true performance oriented model. This is rampant in all car makes, look at the M badging and the AMG badging.
Time to make a Challenge car for the street.</p>
<p>for credibility alone they should be aiming to smash the competition and beat the records on the nurburgring as well, step up MINI</p>
<p>350 HORSEPOWER?
Should Be The MINIMUM ??
For The Next JCW Countryman</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/6Fj_kjT-xMA?t=12m8s" rel="nofollow ugc">https://youtu.be/6Fj_kjT-xMA?t=12m8s</a></p>
<p>Guy is a bit of prat, but it does show off the MINI.</p>
<p>How much more wear and tear is involved, when an engine is boosted from 189 to 300 HP? How much is the car’s longevity affected? How many more repairs would be needed in the car’s lifespan? Would warranty (and post-warranty) repairs increase?</p>
<p>It’s from 231 to 300, and not that much wear and tear. With just a simple NM Eng Power Module you can add +23/44 BHP depending on octane level. MINI/BMW engines are very strong and are purpose built for turbo charging.</p>
<p>Playing the devils advocate: If MINI builds a 300+ H.P. car, and the price was $50k how many would they sell? (You can already make an ALL4 Clubman S well over $45k)</p>
<p>Could it be done? Sure, they (BMW) have the ability to make the 2.0 produce more power. But the reality of creating a car like that to sell only a few hundred in a year would be a tough argument to win (against the bean counters).</p>
<p>I know I’ve only seen a handful of JCW R60’s come through in the years that they’ve been available.</p>
<p>They are WAY underpowered for the premium price they are charging now. They need to build competitive cars at their current price points. ??</p>
<p>No, they are not. MINI have alway been about the driving dynamics, not straight up horsepower. I have to ask if you have even driven one?</p>
<p>Is more HP fun? Sure, but that is not what MINI is about,</p>
<p>No, they are not. MINI have alway been about the driving dynamics, not straight up horsepower. I have to ask if you have even driven one?</p>
<p>Is more HP fun? Sure, but that is not what MINI is about,</p>
<p>No, they are not. MINI have alway been about the driving dynamics, not straight up horsepower. I have to ask if you have even driven one?</p>
<p>Is more HP fun? Sure, but that is not what MINI is about,</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve driven both my 2013 R60 JCW & My Wife’s R57 JCW. If they were S models the power would be acceptable. For $43,000 + plus the performance isn’t there.</p>
<p>I also have factory stock Dodge “Neon” ($21,000 new) that is a full second faster 0-60 & in the Quarter Mile. It’s even faster than the curent F56 JCW model. BMW is holding back Big Time. <a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/dodge-srt-4-short-take-road-test" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/dodge-srt-4-short-take-road-test</a></p>
<p>R60 and R57 are not an F56. The new JCW is a totally different car.</p>
<p>And 1/4 mile times are not what MINI is about. Never has been, never will be. The whole 1/4 mile thing is SO American.</p>
<p>And you might want to get the facts before claiming the 0-60 and 1/4 mile supremacy of the Dodge Neon:</p>
<p>It’s an SRT4 “NEON”, since you clearly can’t read here is a picture. 0-60 in 5.3 seconds & the 1/4 mile in 13.9 @103mph
The JCW should be MINI’s AMG, but for the premium they charge performance isn’t there. That was the point. ??</p>
<p>And you clearly don’t read your own responses, and I quote “I also have factory stock Dodge Neon”. No mention of an SRT4. So, yeah I stand by what I said that it is not about 0-60 or 1/4 times it is about the driving experience. I strongly suggest you drive an F56 JCW. You have no comparison to work with before just running numbers up a flagpole.</p>
<p>My apologizes, I didn’t realize that you are mildly retarded. I typed NEON in Quotation Marks, Posted a link to the 2004 SRT4 Car & Driver article AND Posted A Picture Of MY SRT4. I’m sincerely sorry about your condition. And I still believe the performance to price ratio is poor in the entire John Cooper Works line. <a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/dodge-srt-4-short-take-road-test" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/dodge-srt-4-short-take-road-test</a></p>
<p>curious how much does the Focus RS cost, how much is the Golf clubsport?</p>
<p>Focus RS starts at $35,900. Makes you think about well optioned MINIs….</p>
<p>The short answer to the question of the article is, yes they need more power. I bought a 2013 R58 JCW and, at the time, could have saved $10k by buying the Focus ST with its 252 HP compared to my car’s 208 HP. Is it all about horsepower? Of course not (the Ford was heavier and not as well made on the fit and finish), but it certainly felt uncomfortable paying ten large more for a car in the same compact category but with 44 less horsepower.</p>
<p>My JCW Coupe has more than paid for the price difference with the rarity and complements I receive wherever I take it.</p>