MF Exclusive: “Stage II” JCW MINI Revealed
As we exclusively reported last year, MINI will be releasing not one but two separate JCW kits for the R56 MCS during it’s model cycle. The “Stage I” went on sale last month at MINI dealers around the world. With a power output of 192bhp and (here’s the kicker) as much as 199 lb-ft on tap, it’s turned out to be one of the fastest MINI ever – some would say almost the equal to the JCW GP due to all that torque. However there’s little denying that one of those numbers is noticeably down from the previous dealer/factory installed kit. And MINI being MINI, you knew that had to be eventually rectified.
And that brings us to the factory JCW or the “Stage II” as we dubbed it last year. The “Stage II” will not only match the power output of the previous R53 JCW car but will surely be quicker (due to the increased torque) than even the JCW GP.
Let’s start with engine output. Our information on power output hasn’t changed since our first article about this car from last February. That means we can expect power anywhere form 210 to 220 bhp. To help deal with this power DSC and LSD will come standard. And yes, that last acronym means no automatic option.
The new found power comes from several components. Key to this will be a larger and fully optimized turbocharger (as previously reported on MF). Elsewhere the car will receive the intake kit known from the first kit, an entirely new JCW exhaust and a reprogrammed ECU. To top it all off the car will be equipped with 260 km/h speedometer limit (as opposed to the normal speedometer on the Cooper S with a limit of 240 km/h).
The Stage II will also get the soon to be released 4 piston brake that we reported on last week. The brakes are rumored to be available as a dealer accessory as well. Let that sink in for a moment. Previous MINI brakes (even the JCW/R56 MCS brakes) had to make due with one piston. This new kit will have four of them.
Wrapped around these brakes will be unique JCW 18″ wheels that will be the only major visual reminder that you’re driving a factory JCW car.
While it’s safe to assume the price will be in the same range as the previous factory JCW kit, we don’t have any concrete information on final figures at this time.
One thing the factory JCW kit won’t get will be the excellent JCW Sport Suspension. We’re guessing cost was a factor but it also may have something to do with wanting to make sure the factory JCW car suited all tastes. As amazing as the JCW Suspension is, it does return the ride to near R53 levels.
As we’ve previously reported, expect the new JCW kit to debut sometime in the second half of 2008.
Be sure check back in the coming weeks and months for more details on this car and interesting news about the entire JCW range of products
Sounds awesome. I can’t wait.
<blockquote>MINI will leave it up to individual customers to purchase (separately of course) JCW wheels from their dealer.</blockquote>
which means those giant brakes will have to fit under some of the “stock” wheels, right?
Sounds disappointing.
No special bodykit or rims?
No sport suspension?
So what does one pay for when they get a Stage 2 JCW? Only an engine!!!!!!!!!
No interior goodies!!!!!!
It is a sad day for MINI
I think this is a logical progression forward for MINI. I’m looking forward to it. And surely the badges will be one of the top listed features. But I don’t need no stinkin’ badges…
Izzy, you haven’t even seen the final specifications or what it will look like. Give the guys a fair chance.
Maybe some of you gearheads can explain why sometimes lb/ft is used and sometimes ft/lb is used?
Don’t worry Izzy. There is still and will be a ton of JCW branded crap available as accessories from MINI. You’ll still be able to get the body kit, suspension, and assorted carbon fiber bits.
I only want to pay for the parts that make power. If I don’t have to buy the rest of the crap, I will be one happy guy with my minimally spec’d JCW.
Just to be clear, this is a factory only upgrade on new 08′ cars and not an aftermarket upgrade like the Stage 1 Kit? Or could it be added to a current R56? Just want to know if I should hold off on getting the Stage 1 Kit. Or….. trade in my R56 next year for a Stage 2 JCW 🙂
Agree with Yucca. Give me the go-fast parts, and allow individuals to purchase the other bits separately and a la carte if desired.
I’d probably opt to also get the suspension, but I can understand MINI’s decision not to package them together at a higher cost.
Clubman?
Did anybody see the worldcarfans.com article posted on Autoblog yesterday? They have spy pics from Germany. What I find most interesting and like is that it looks like they embossed the MINI wings onto the gorgeous brake calipers. If the brake kit is in the $1k range, I’m getting in line….
The pic:
<a href="http://images.worldcarfans.com/articles/2007/11/7/9071107.003/9071107.003.1L.jpg" rel="nofollow"> <a href="http://images.worldcarfans.com/articles/2007/11/7/9071107.003/9071107.003.1L.jpg" rel="nofollow ugc">http://images.worldcarfans.com/articles/2007/11/7/9071107.003/9071107.003.1L.jpg</a></a>
RB – it is listed as ftlbs or lbsft which is short for foot pounds or pounds foot but it is not listed as pounds per foot or foots per pound as you typed…
The order doesn’t matter because it is a multiplication problem the same as 32 is the same as 23
Sorry for the over-simplification.. but you asked..
RB – my apologies as the comments don’t allow and asterisk (*) and they replace it with a slash (/)
Kinda non news with no specifics as to HP or price. But a welcome change of pace from Clubman or tree hugging stuff.
Glad the brakes are included. Not glad the suspension isn’t. Now I’ll be shelling out the additional $2300 for that and probably the body kit if it’s not too garrish.
Thought Mini was going to give us a bargain this time. History should have taught me otherwise.
Do you have to buy the stage 1 kit, to (add-on) the Stage 2 Kit? or can you purchase a Stage 2 for a bone stock Mini.
I agree with Izzy on this one, sounds disappointing tbh.
I thought it would include the suspension kit and the JCW aero kit as standard, another money making exercise from BMW to get us to purchase the add ons.
Surely a factory JCW car should be in some way different visually from the standard ‘S”, make it feel special, AKA the GP or BMW M3!
I was very tempted by the factory JCW but will have a re-think.
Is it likely that this factory JCW will be a separate model or will it be a package as we had for the R53 and currently have for the R52? I was hoping that the factory JCW would be similar to the BMW M cars with exclusive colors, interior styling and exterior styling. Although I suppose a similar effect can be achieved by having special colors like with the sidewalk package on the convertible.
so maybe waiting for an ’08 wasn’t such a bad idea… ; )
Liking what I am reading so far, don’t expect Mini to build this with all whiles and bells as it will attract a larger base of buyers if the prices can vary I think.
as an owner of two jcw’s i was really hoping MINI would fix the $6K cost issue w/ the r56 stage 2–much too expensive, imo (which is why i bought my jcw’s used).
what are the major differences here over stage 1–better brakes & a larger turbo? how can MINI justify a bump from $2K to $6K for that?
granted, they know their business better than i do, but surely they could make more money via volume selling w/ lower stage 2 pricing. not to mention, getting the jcw brand further into the masses.
sure, jcw purists will argue they don’t want the jcw brand diluted by having more of them on the road, but i say the more the merrier.
if it ends up being a $6k markup again, looks like i’ll be waiting until ’09 to find a used stage 2 jcw.
I actually an rather surprised they were able to keep it to 6k. Doing what they are doing is a expensive process, just be happy that they didn’t attach all the extras onto it so we don’t have a +10,000 car.
I am have my fingers crossed that we will finally see Recaro’s as a option also in the States. Also believe the badging will be interesting, with the stage 1 already being marked JCW Works would think they should come up with someway of re-badging this. Would also love to see an optional specialty color, here is my vote for flat orange.
>what are the major differences here over stage 1–better brakes & a larger turbo? how can MINI justify a bump from $2K to $6K for that?
That’s a totally valid question. And I’ll say upfront that any JCW component or engine kit isn’t for everyone. And the aftermarket will always have an edge in terms of price vs performance.
Now with that out of the way, I can’t say more than I have here. But I can tell you that once the all the information is revealed I would expect the your opinion to change.
>I actually an rather surprised they were able to keep it to 6k.
<strong>It won’t be $6k. The $6k is in reference to the previous kit. We believe the new one will be in the same range but most lilely a little more. The dollar hasn’t been good to companies like BMW</strong>
I’m looking at this thinking (hoping) that this has to be the tip of the iceberg (or maybe the tip and part a small part of the middle)–its just not enough at that price point to sway me out of my current JCW R53. There has to be more to it than this. I’d really like to see the torque figures…
I’ll probably buy another car in 2010, and I’m torn between a 1-series tii (if they make it), or another MINI. Is there any consideration to a further refinement of the JCW with the R56 as there was with the R53 (ie a GP type of edition of the R56)? If there was something like that in the pipeline, I’d probably wait for it.
Yes I know Gabe, I have no doubts that it will be worth every dime.
This is my question to you Gabe, with the info you still have if you had it to do over again, would you have gone after the factory car? Not that this means that your current car is a ounce less nice than it is now just interesting in your view.
Very disappointing news, assuming that pricing is really going to remain as exorbitant as it was for the R53. The main thing I was expecting this time around, based on earlier reports, was that pricing for the factory JCW package would be more in line with the (non-MINI) market. On a car with a base price of $21k, 15% or about $3k for a package engine/brake/suspension upgrades feels about right. It sounds like that could add as much as 50% to the price of the car if you do all the above and add an aero kit. The tradition of shameless JCW profiteering continues.
>This is my question to you Gabe, with the info you still have if you had it to do over again, would you have gone after the factory car? Not that this means that your current car is a ounce less nice than it is now just interesting in your view.
I’m leaning towards yes. But I seriously doubt I’ll sell my own car and buy this new factory JCW. For starters it’ll be pricey. My car with this kit would be… a lot.
I knew the basics of the kit when I decided to buy my car back in May but the more I learn about it the more I would love to have one.
Gabe, can you give us a hint as to whether the “sport” package and/or a body kit will be mandatory? I’m hoping the answer is ‘no’ to both.
Umm…did someone say JCW Clubman?
<a href="URL" rel="nofollow">http://news.windingroad.com/aftermarket/an-early-look-at-the-john-cooper-works-mini-clubman/</a>
Sorry, just copy and paste that last link, my attempt at making it live didn’t work apparently.
>Umm…did someone say JCW Clubman?
Wow that’s pretty poor form from Windingroad – I would have expected better. That is simply a press photo of the JCW accessories available for the Clubman. Notice the lack of JCW badges? That means the car doesn’t have the engine kit. There have been no plans made for the dealer installed engine kit (“Stage I”) on the Clubman.
god they no how to milk you dry , dont they
Makes perfect sense to me Gabe, just seem to share similar views as you do, i.e. track time is a part of my buying decision.
I have no doubts that there are going to be more than a few very fast stage 1 cars running around, I have just lusted over a factory (i.e. non-kit) JCW and enjoying every moment of it now.
Not to try to drill you for anymore info, but does any of the upcoming info reference the Recaro seating?
Gabe: When is additional information likely to be available? I anticipated placing an MCS order in a couple of weeks, but I may hold off until I know more details on the Stage II option.
The pricing is really getting out of hand here for go-fast goodies on this car. I think the MINI is more about fun and status, not speed. If you really wanna go fast, you should just get a different car. I finally got tired of waiting for real power from MINI, and just bought a used BMW M3 for less than the price of a Stage I, let alone a Stage II JCW.
Understand Jeff, but then again can’t remember the last time a M3 got by my R53 at the track. They are nice cars but all in all still grossly over weight. If I were looking to upgrade what I am looking for I would either go for a 911 or an Exige S, but think this car should keep me entertained.
Still wondering???
“Maybe some of you gearheads can explain why sometimes lb/ft is used and sometimes ft/lb is used?”
The only thing that sounds interesting is the bigger turbo, because the brakes can be bought as a dealer accessory. I just which I could buy the bigger turbo from MINI. I think almost 50hp is somewhat worth what the price will be and your getting 4 pot brakes as well. I am guessing MINI is holding out on adding the JCW aero kit and JCW suspension upgrade for pricing and for the ultimate MINI will come at the end of the R56 to be the successor of the R53 GP.
RB, to my understanding they mean the same thing it’s just that they get miss used sometimes the correct term would be lb.-ft. I like saying “foot-pounds” because it sounds better the “pound foot”
JeffH,
My experience with my MCS and a M3, a brand new M3, was on HWY 1 here in California. The M3 and a GT 40 passed me about half way to Carmel. I easily stayed with the M3, not in straight line but pulled back up on him in the twisty’, all the way up. I’m only a mid range talent as a driver and I have no idea about his driving ability. It was a fun and safe day. I also know it’s easier to follow than lead.
The Gt 40 was long gone!
My MCS is bone stock except for a Dinan CAI. This is not a sight on the M3 just my experience with one. LOL
Old Classic Mini Cooper was sold at a premium well above the standard Mini list price. As a result, only the rich and the famous bought them new. Look at the production numbers of factory Cooper models made. Other aftermarket companies sprung up selling hot-up kits for standard cars. The genuine cars continue to increase in value year by year.
Whereas, BMW has made the “Cooper” model accessible to more people with again a premium price tag, and make no apologies for this strategy. BMW don’t make cheap cars.
Now BMW own JCW lock stock and barrell and the pricing reflects this.
last half of 08 sounds great since my lease is up in the first part of 09 =)
RB-
Torque is measured in lb-ft.
Potential energy is measured in ft-lbs.
<a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/fpte.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://science.howstuffworks.com/fpte.htm</a>
The above article on force, power, torque and energy explains it well.
I don’t think the $6,000 (plus a little more) range is particularly terrible. The current JCW kit is $2,100 plus installation (+$500?). The new kit is factory fit, includes brakes, and makes an extra 20-25hp. That doesn’t sounds too bad to me.
My Stage One’s (with JCW suspension) performance exceed’s my expectations and I’m very pleased. An extra 20 hp and big brakes will be great. However, I’ll keep this one til the mid model refresh where hopefully they will give another 5hp bump like ’05.
RB –
lb/ft and ft/lbs are the exact same things. The term can be used either way.
Just depends if the person talking in singular or plural.
“these cars have 200 lb/ft (pound/feet) of torque.” or “This car has 200 ft/lbs (foot/pounds) of torque”
Four piston brakes will really allow the car the stop later. This will be good for passing at the end of the straight.
I was expecting a better turbo AND larger front mount intercooler as well.
More non news really, no dig intended at you Gabe whatsoever. But if the pricing circa $6000+ is correct then like someone already mentioned I’d expect a hell of a lot more than a bigger turbo, upgraded brakes(which will be available anyway as a dealer option) and an extra 20-25 HP over the JCW Stage 1. I mean think about it, you’re already getting 20hp for $2K with the stage 1 kit as it is so essentially you’re paying 3 times the price for only double the horsepower and a big brake kit. After waiting so long and looking forward so much to news of this car I’ll be very reluctantly giving it a miss unless it also comes with an exclusive from factory JCW restyled bodykit and maybe some other goodies. Like many others I’m hoping they truly differentiate this car from the standard Cooper S and the Stage 1. Snobby? Maybe, but it’s a hell of a lot of money to be forking out for a Mini so some exclusivity shouldn’t be too much to ask for.
OK. I know its been suggested before that the “Stage II” would be a factory kit… but will it be a “factory ONLY” kit?
Seems like if they’re using the airbox (and I would guess cat-back pipe, too) from the Stage I JCW, wouldn’t it make good business sence to market the Stage II to Stage I owners as a dealer add-on as well? A lower price for existing owners that would include the new turbo& ECU added to the engine (and I would assume intercooler to cope with the added heat from a bigger turbo). Brakes and suspension goodies if we want ’em, too.
So is there any hope in 2009 for us early R56S JCW abopters?
I am betting there is still a lot of info coming down that will explain some of the pricing. I however never expect a factory build to be available as a dealer kit any more than a GP was.
I believe that one thing BMW understands is how to make a car stand out after decades of the M division work. Just looking forward to hearing more about this tiny terror.
”I however never expect a factory build to be available as a dealer kit any more than a GP was.”
Really? The previous JCW was availible as a factory OR dealer option. Why not this one?
The GP was a different beast alltogether. A last-of-the R53 limitid production run. Every one of the GP performance options were availible to R53 owners. Cosmetics (wing, color, undertray, back seat delete) were limited, but not the actual performance items.
I personally believe BMW/Mini is partially responding to its prior JCW owners. Many of us noted that as good as the kit is it held 0% resale extra value as is the case with every kit and after-market item. Love my JCW but knowing I threw a handful of cash into the fire never set really well with me. A factory car will hold value and does stand out I believe as a bit as being something unique. As a person who is buying a factory car I would be happy to pay for the smaller production run than see the components that make this car available for any car just to slapped on. The last JCW was never a factory item, true the kit could be put in at the factory but this was still lightyears from being a true factory car.
Don’t get me wrong I adore the stage 1 kit but I believe that the factory car should stay just as that, a factory car.
>Really? The previous JCW was availible as a factory OR dealer option. Why not this one?
As more information about the kit is released, the answer will become a bit more obvious.
>I am betting there is still a lot of info coming down that will explain some of the pricing. I however never expect a factory build to be available as a dealer kit any more than a GP was.
You sound like someone who knows how to bet.
>More non news really, no dig intended at you Gabe whatsoever. But if the pricing circa $6000+ is correct then like someone already mentioned I’d expect a hell of a lot more than a bigger turbo, upgraded brakes(which will be available anyway as a dealer option) and an extra 20-25 HP over the JCW Stage 1.
hah – I don’t think DB, myself or anyone else who writes for MF take anything personal anymore 😉
But getting to your point… I can only say that it may be best to withhold judgement for a little while yet.
Ok people I have some new info on the Stage II.
It was lapping the Hockenheim ring at 1,15,38 sec. For comparison, the Ferrari 360 Modena does it in 1,17,09 and the Porsche 996 GT3 in 1,15,08.
ok… breathe… just kidding.
@RB – Not to over do the Torque question, and I’m no gearhead, but I believe the standard English unit for Torque is the multiplication of ftlb (as opposed to dividing ft/lb or lb/ft).
Thus, ftlb or lb*ft yields the same value for torque. Accordingly “Foot pounds” versus “Pound feet” would just be a personal preference.
Formatting…
That’s supposed to be <strong>ft x lb</strong> or <strong>lb x ft</strong>.
Msh 441. From your mouth to Minis ears. An upgrade for the stage one to make it stage two would be great but don’t hold your breath. I’d be happy with some kind of “in between” upgrade like the ’05 air box 10hp upgrade. That only cost $500!
MF Exclusive: “Stage II” JCW MINI Revealed”
Um, storey looks more like rumour/conjectour than fact.
>Um, storey looks more like rumour/conjectour than fact.
Thanks for your <b>opinion</b> on how it looks. I can <b>tell you</b> it’s not.
Funny part is my dealer is as excited by this news as I am. A factory JCW has been a dream of mine since Mini JCW produced it’s first kit for the R53.
Think between now and March is going to be full of interesting news. I am a bit eager to learn about this car and think Mini is going to produce something rather special.
OK, I got all the info I need as to the lb/ft – ft/lb issue. Thanks.
Hey Gabe, I thought you didn’t take stupid comments personally anymore? ………. 😉
>Hey Gabe, I thought you didn’t take stupid comments personally anymore? ………. 😉
LOL – believe me, that’s not personal 🙂
I thought ’06 JCW was a “factory” option. Again, all this story states is that this is coming. We knew that. Since they have given no specifics as to HP or price, the only “news” is that Mini will stiff us on the prior promise that JCW suspension and body kit would be included in the $6000(ish).
And that’s old news eh?
Major difference Greg, the 06 had the option of putting on the dealer kit at the factory, both were kits. What Mini is coming up with I believe is more akin to a M styled product.
Don’t know if I would draw any conclusions as of yet on this car. I have the feeling that there is a lot more information coming down to us over the next several months. I would have liked to see the body kit and suspension be included but then again I am sure Mini is looking at it this way. Is it better to produce an entry factory car for under 40k or just offer a 45k car. I think their decisions makes sense. Myself it doesn’t matter since the body kit and suspension will be installed, hopefully at the factory.
In terms of the whole bigger brake thing… more pistons means more even pressure on the pads for better bite, modulation, and pedal feel. It also looks a hell of a lot cooler because people always think more is better.
Fewer pistons means less cost and less unsprung mass. Having fewer pistons also usually means a smaller caliper, which means heat is more localized, which means the pads get up to temp faster and stay there longer. Those are big reasons why BMW does it that way (single-piston on the M3, two-piston on the M5).
Keep in mind that those statements are assuming all else is equal. For example, it is possible to have 4-pot calipers that are lighter than single-pot calipers. They’ll just be really expensive.
Overall heat handling is a function of the mass of the brake components, what they’re made of (iron vs. aluminum vs. ceramic), and how well everything is ventillated. Number of pistons isn’t really a factor in and of itself; sometimes calipers with lots of pistons handle heat better, but that’s really only because they tend to be bigger.
It’s all a design choice.
A note about the M3’s one-pot calipers: those single pistons are HUGE, and the brake pads are relatively square so the piston ends up covering most of the pad. That’s how they (mostly) get around the pad flex issue.
BMW also uses sliding calipers wherever possible. That way, the pistons are always on the inside, which gives a lot more freedom in terms of wheel fitment because you don’t have to worry as much about whether the wheels will clear the brakes.
AutoBlog is giving MotoringFile kudos over the reporting on the JCW:
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/the-real-scoop-on-the-mini-jcw-stage-ii-cooper-s/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/09/the-real-scoop-on-the-mini-jcw-stage-ii-cooper-s/</a>
You remember autoblog – let me help you out, its the car blog that was described by a certain MF staff as the in one of those blog-cast thingys. Ouch, well I’m sure they are not taking it personally either. I mean its not like they described MotoringFile like the Prada of car blogs or something…
I understand some people’s desire for a “factory ONLY” M-Car-like MINI JCW. Somthing exclusive. Somthing special. Not your run-of-the-mill JCW (if there is such a thing).
To many though… well to me at least… this somewhat violates what the MINI is all about. To me, the MINI is (and should remain) a classless car. I like the fact that one can at any time make their car as mild or wild as they want it to be. Leave it stock for a year or two… go JCW a bit later… full blown track caged car after that if you so desire. Or just leave it bone stock forever.
I understand the idea of an exclusive “end-of-run” car like the GP and I would expect somthing similar when the R56 sees it’s twilight. I just don’t like the idea of a concrete dividing line between production cars. MINI should not need to follow the lead of BMW. It’s part of MINI’s charecter that you can make your MINI whatever you want it to be pretty much whenever you want it.
Hope this doesn’t seem too much like rambling. It’s hard to verbalize a concept like this.
As a prior owner of a Cooper, current JCW Cooper S, and future owner of a factory JCW I can say personally I don’t think this will cause a class division. I adore them all, and the people in the Mini community, and I smile and wave at each no matter what version they drive.
I think it will be accepted the same way the GP is. Reality check, is a GP a Mini, yep. I also believe that this car doesn’t change anything for doing whatever you want to your car,I am certain that even the factory car isn’t going to be the fastest or the best Mini for long. We have a lot of very talented people that are going to make barnstormers out of their Mini. To me this isn’t about exclusiveness its about retaining value and having fun.
If you are out of warranty and add a JCW part from the dealer, then how long is the warranty on the new parts?
The naming of ‘Stage II’ implies it can be purchased as a package like the Stage I kit. Otherwise, it would have been named ‘r56 JCW car’.
Good question MCS2007, I was told that when they installed my kit on my R56 that it would be warranted for 24 months unlimited miles or the life of your cars warranty, which-ever is greater.
The Stage2 is just a name that has been used to express there would be two separate JCW product lines one a dealer available kit and a factory built car.
<a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2007/07/16/2009-factory-jcw-mcs-the-stage-ii/" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2007/07/16/2009-factory-jcw-mcs-the-stage-ii/</a>
“We first reported on the “Stage II” kit (as we’re calling it) last winter with some sketchy details on general performance targets.”
@ msh441:
Agreed–which is why I said, ‘the more the merrier’.
Jon. You are correct that JCW tuning was (and still is) available in ’06 as a dealer install. However, the factory installed JCW included JCW brakes AND LSD which at this time of speculation made it a better value than “stage two”.
Think there are a few more surprises of the factory car upcoming. Think we should hold off for now until the details of this car comes down before we pass judgment that its not worth its additional costs.
The factory JCW is coming with the new 4 piston brakes and from the previous details on Motoringfile have said it will be coming with LSD also. Think the upcoming months are going to be enthralling.
Does this have something to do with the new big brakes for the Mini….
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/13/brembo-supplying-brakes-to-bmw/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/13/brembo-supplying-brakes-to-bmw/</a>
A good question Lee, I personally think the brakes coming with the factory car are an adaptation of the AP brakes being used by the factory race car, though adapted for road usage.
Will be interesting to see though
Ft x Lb and Lb x Ft are the same thing. The root of this evil is two fold… Most people don’t use slugs (the REAL unit of mass, not Lbs) and there’s a style gide that some editor wrote about car stuff that maintains there’s a difference…
Back to your regularly scheduled Mini banter…
Matt
> BMW better look at lowering margins on their share of profit
> or they’ve lost me as a potential customer.
I’ll happily take your place!
msh441,
You said:
<blockquote>Every one of the GP performance options were availible to R53 owners. Cosmetics (wing, color, undertray, back seat delete) were limited, but not the actual performance items.</blockquote>
Not true. There are 3 performance-related items that are NOT readily available to non-GP owners in the USA (courtesy of MINIUSA’s restrictions). Those being the GP intercooler, the aluminum trailing arms and the lightweight GP wheels.
True, you can get these items from international sources (or from USA vendors who already obtained them from an international source). Also, the trailing arms on the R56 are almost identical (although not EXACTLY), so buying those and adapting them to fit is another option…
But the point remains that through “official” channels, here in the USA, a number of the “unique” GP performance items are simply <strong>NOT</strong> available to R53 owners.
No suspension or steering improvements. That is unfortunate.