Ask MF: JCW GP or R56 w/JCW Engine Kit
It’s “Ask MF Week” here at MotoringFile. We’re clearing out some of the better questions we’ve gotten recently from the queue and bringing them to you every day this week. First up, Mike asks:
>I wanted to get your thoughts on something.  I’m torn between a R56 with the JCW suspension and engine kit and a GP.  Obviously the R56 has a back seat along with probably being more civil but I just can’t seem to get my old R53 out of my head with its seductive supercharger whine and the burble from the Remus exhaust I had on it.  From a fun to drive perspective and also a speed perspective which one has the edge?
Great question Mike. In the R56 (dealer installed) JCW kit you have a newer, faster car with arguably more speed, equal cornering ability (w/the highly recommended JCW suspension) and countless refinements that make it hands down a better car in most situations. On the other hand you have the GP, a car with no back seat, half the sound deadening material and a rear wing that might as well be giving passing police the finger (all good things in our book)
From a purely fun to drive perspective it’s hard to argue with the 2006 JCW GP. While it’s true an R56 w/the dealer installed JCW Engine Kit and Suspension Kit will perform as good if not better than the GP in almost any circumstance, for those that like the raucous character of the R53, the GP is probably the better choice.
For those who want the sheer speed and handling yet don’t want to be reminded of the “go fast” attitude constantly and (heaven forbid) actually want to spec things like a sunroof, the R56 w/the JCW Engine Kit and Suspension kit is the hands-down choice.
Finally how important is a back seat and secure storage to you? If you like either, go for the R56 JCW.
Of course this question could get quite a bit more interesting with the introduction of the factory John Cooper Works car this summer. Look for a full comparison test of these two cars later in 2008 after the new JCW factory car is released.
And don’t forget in the previous articles, the GP is actually appreciating!
Purely from a perspective of looks, handling, feel and shall we say “rarity”, the ’06 JCW GP is the clear choice.
2,000 GPs were manufactured for worldwide consumption and only 415 samples were imported into US shores. The best, fastest R53 factory supported MCS. To me the R53 JCW GP has much more pedigree and more future desirability (Quite possibly collector’s status as well) than the factory R56 JCW MCS.
Look at the “problem” this way…. You can’t buy a new JCW GP anymore. You’ll have the next 4-5 years to buy a new R56 JCW MCS and quite possibly and even better car in the years ahead as the production cycle of the R56 comes to an end. I want to see what MINI has in store for 2009 for a 50th year anniversary special edition.
And don’t forget… “The steering makedth the car”. The steering feel and calibration of the R53 will always be (at least on my mind) a cut above the steering in the R56.
Good luck with whatever car you decide to choose!
Easy fix. If you have the opportunity to buy the GP- BUY IT (like NOW!!!) If you don’t like it after however many days (doubtful), sell it for more than what you paid and then go buy the R56 (which will be forever available and are a dime a dozen). PROBLEM SOLVED =)
“From a fun to drive perspective and also a speed perspective which one has the edge?”
The GP is faster and more fun to drive. Which car really looks like it has the edge, anyway?
Will the GP be as fun to drive at the track while the R56s pass it? Though, it will be another opportunity to give someone else the finger.
The JCW GP, in the right hands, could be a very lethal weapon….
On the track, the R56 ain’t gonna pass my GP, baby! 🙂
I think this discussion merits a future MF head-to-head comparison between the R53 JCW GP vs the new R56 JCW factory car.
Oh and the GP has body bits designed and built by Bertone. That alone further adds to the pedigree of the car (Now that Bertone is out of business).
Gabe – you just want me to lay the smack down don’t you?
I think for pure fun factor you can’t beat the GP. I’ve driven both the GP and R56 JCW back to back and I wouldn’t say the R56 is all out faster. In fact I believe the cars to be fairly evenly matched as far as performance goes. I like to explain my experience in the R56 as a feeling of playing a video game of driving a MINI and driving the GP, or any other R53 for that matter, is the real thing. What I mean to say is that, yes, the R56 is more refined, even subtle, smooth and comfortable. The GP feels more like a powerful animal that is itching to get loose. I never felt that feeling in the R56. I would call the R56 surprising in it’s power meaning that it’s so smooth that you don’t expect it to be that quick but are surprised when it is.
I’m still working on a comprehensive comparison of the GP and R56 JCW but the weather needs to turn to spring before I can complete more tests. Stay tuned.
I don’t know who you are “Todd” but it sounds like you pretty much agreed with what I wrote above??? 🙂
>Oh and the GP has body bits designed and built by Bertone.
Gert Hildebrand and the MINI design team designed the GP. Bertone simply assembled them.
>I think this discussion merits a future MF head-to-head comparison between the R53 JCW GP vs the new R56 JCW factory car.
We’re planning on it. Although it’s important to know that what is being compared above is the GP and the dealer installed JCW kit.
i have to agree with you todd. no offense gabe, but as much as i try to love the r56, the r53 just (for me) has a more immediate MINI vibe. i can’t speak for the r56 jcw, but i have driven a gp…and..well…wow!
Todd, I think Gabe is secretly lusting after your GP.. 🙂
Would have to say that if I was trying to make up my mind about a GP or a Dealer installed R56 JCW think I would go for the GP. A large portion what would go behind the decision is not that I think the GP is skyrocketing in value it’s a question of usability for whatever I am looking for.
Personally for me the unique character of the GP really stands out. I think the current R56 Dealer kit is a very close to possibly faster product than the GP, but the exclusive character of the GP is hard to say no to. Even with the little we know about the factory JCW think the GP might be in some trouble here.
If I were faced with that decision, I’d take the GP hands down, in a heartbeat, no hesitation. The R56 just doesn’t appeal to me… YMMV…
Then again for a quick car that actually has a bit more usability hard to beat the dealer R56 if you expect to ever have need of a backseat. Even better no red mirror caps too 😉
Mirror caps give the GP another 50HP according to unconfirmed reports…
Lol, missed that on the on the GP release info…
GP in a heartbeat, it’s just way cooler.
Whats fun is to take the side pic of the JCW above, the side pic of the new JCW race car side pic and Gabe’s R56 JCW and put all three images together. All three are amazingly good looking. I feel hard pressed to say a GP is hands down the best. Personally believe you can’t really go wrong with either the new JCW or the GP. The base fact is which is the best performance car usually comes down to the the weakest part of the entire setup, the driver. I believe that most all of us are less capable than either car is.
As an owner of an 07 MCS seriously considering adding both the JCW suspension and engine kits, it was easy for me …
The GP all the way.
To me there is just something about the stripped down, limited edition factory hot-rod that can’t be beat. It’s too bad they were never available in Canada.
I do love my R56, don’t get me wrong.
Is the R56 JCW Kit (192hp) actually equally fast or faster than the GP?
Weekend only driver – GP
Daily driver with kick – R56 JCW
Just 2 different beasts, and I agree you can’t go wrong with either
Horsepower isnt the only thing that goes behind how quick a car is, the power curve of the R56 is simply impressive.
One thing for sure what makes the GP fantastic is that it not only performs incredibly well, it also visually stands out. This is something I think that it has over the current JCW dealer kit. I believe this is something Mini has completely missed on the factory JCW. With the only visual difference is likely to be its badges and the wheels from any other Mini.
In my small world view I consider the factory JCW to basically be the Mini version of the M-Works division at BMW. My question to BMW/Mini would be would they ever sell a M car that doesn’t visually stand out? Think a factory JCW aero kit would make a would of difference.
Make a world of difference that is heh
I don’t think I could decide between a GP and a R56 JCW. So to add to the GP we have on our drive will be the factory JCW when it arrives later this year 🙂
It’s all about the steering, imo. R53 wins on that front, hands down.
While I really like the GP, the price bugs me a bit… for the near $30K purchase price, we’re getting close to used Elise territory… and for what would be a pure “toy” car which would not get driven every day, I’d rather have the Lotus. For that matter, this comparison applies to an R56 as well… <:-/
(driving by a Lotus dealer every day is brutal…)
The Lotus Elise/Exige are fine machines for their intended use and purpose: The Track.
Other than that, these cars are brutally uncomfortable and have questionnable crash worthiness for every day use. Oh and don’t get me started on the exotic maintenance costs to keep that Toyota Celica engine running 😉
Gorgeous machines no doubt. But a MINI, even a JCW GP MCS, is a much better suited daily driver than any Lotus.
c4… did you read ALL of my post?
c4, I have to disagree with your “gorgeous machines” description. “Purposeful”, maybe, but the Elise/Exige fall way short of gorgeous in my estimation. They are a bit over-cooked on the syling front. And I’ve driven an Elise and did not find it “brutally uncomfortbale” compared to my 04 MCS with JCW suspension and Sparco bucket. It actually felt quite comparable in terms of ride quality and road feedback. Fantastic car! If I didn’t need to haul windsurfing gear and kids, I would be in one in a heartbeat.
The entry/exit of the Lotus cockpit is one of the worst I have seen because the car is very low to the ground and the thick door sills don’t help either. The seats aren’t bad once you are all belted in… But guys, still, the Elise ain’t meant to be a daily driver.
I personally like the styling, although I would say that the Opel/Vauxhall versions of the Elise (Called the Speedster) had much better looking front ends.
I saw my first Elise during a visit to London in 2001 and loved the thing.
Ian F: Yes I read your post. I think what I was trying to convey is that even if an used Elise can be had in the low $30K’s, you still have to contend with much higher maintenance bills than a JCW GP MINI. Lotus, after all, is an exotic nameplate, hence parts and service will command exotic prices as well.
If I were to ever afford a Lotus, I think I like the Esprit better. After seeing it debut in the 1977 James Bond movie, I would be happy with one sitting in my garage.
Why am I all of a sudden into the moderation queue again??
I wanted a GP, but the R56 was just more practical b/c it had a backseat. I think the fact that the GP lacks a backseat makes it a dealbreaker for most people (aside from cost). It’s too bad they didn’t have “easily removable” seats instead, although I do realize that they were after a very niche market.
While driving an R56 at the moment, I’m really missing my GP … actually I’ve started contemplating to see if my dealership will exchange this R56 for a “proper” pre’07 MINI with the supercharger whine and handling I’ve grown to love!
The R56 is a fine MINI, but it doesn’t seem to have the “genetic thrill” of the first MCS – of course, comparing with “the best” R53 (GP) might not be completely fair 😉
Well said, Ian. I agree with you that the the R56 is a step backwards from the R53 on the dimensions that really matter.
Ian and Nuvolari, I couldn’t agree more with both of you.
I believe that the “blessing” and the “Curse” of the R56 is that it is too BMW in principle, while forgetting some the principles that make a MINI such a fun machine to drive and own.
I guess what I am trying to say is that the MINI is not a machine meant to be refined and sanitized. It still needs to have some rough edges and some rawness built into it…. Otherwise it becomes a different car altogether.
This is why most MINI enthusiasts would agree that the R53 perfectly captured all the fun and rawness of the original Issigonis Mini, in a package better suited for the needs/wants of the 21st century.
The R56 is, at its very core, a BMW.
This is why I expect my upcoming Clubman to feel more like a mix between a MINI and a 3 series wagon. I will see if these suspicions come to reality when I take delivery sometime next month..
Ian C. I have been following your blog very closely and your desire to let go of your recently acquired R56 doesn’t come as a surprise to me. I could easily pick up the vibe in your blog, that while you like the R56 (GBMINI #5?) you are not in love with the car at all, at least, not in the same way as previous MINIs you have owned.
That poor R56 will now be looking for owner #3?
(How are the repairs to the GP coming along?)
The funny part guys is what your saying was repeated often in the classic Mini circles about the new Mini. Refined lacking visceral feel etc etc etc. Humors me that both are technology heavy, slightly overweight beasts. Love the new Mini. If you want to feel a truly visceral modern car take a Exige for a drive. Got the chance to play at track day with a Exige S and came away feeling my 06 R53 was soft and cuddly heh.
Yeah, but you have to consider that there is a huge divide between the 41 year old Classic Mini and the 1st BMW MINI. The 2001 MINI was the first significant redesign the brand had seen since BMC released the original Mini in 1959. So come to think of it, 41 years is a very, very long time so the car developed a following and a cult status that was firmly cemented throught the decades. So when the new “BINI” came along the car was harshly criticized by the classic Mini community (and still is in some old Mini circles).
But between the 1959-2000 old Mini and the 2001-2006 R53 there isn’t anything in common. 2 different cars from 2 different areas that share no physical part, engines, etc. but have one clear aspect that bridges them both: They have the same DNA in terms of rawness and fun to drive persona
This is the “link” that is perceived to have been lost between the R53 and R56 version, because the cars have a lot more in common than the old BMC/Rover Mini.
I drive a factory built JCW R53 with the JCW suspension. It performs everything it is asked to, while giving the distinct impression that I am holding it back.
I drove a JWC R56, and while it is fast, and handles as well as my R53, it seems somehow domesticated, and boring in comparison.
MINI will have to build another car with more *alls before I’d switch.
Exactly. Who in their right mind would ever opt to ever give up a true driver’s car like the R53 in exchange for something as bland and diluted as an R56? Oh… that’s right… Gabe. 🙂
The comparison between the original MINI and the R53 and R56 is true. The JCW R56 has much more power than the MINIs from the 60s and 70s, but you still feel connected to the road. Driving a R56 is like driving any BMW 3301. Yes Fast. Yes Handles. Yes Stops.
But where is the road? One forgets the nature of the asphalt driving a R56, just as with a BMW.
Really.
This is just an observation on my part, but it almost seems as if Gabe and this site have become a marketing machine for the R56. I still check back often in hopes the R53 isn’t forgotten, but all I see is how much better the the “56” is in almost every aspect. Oh well. FWIW, I have never driven the “new Mini”, but also have no desire to. The more I see of the new car, the more I ask to myself “what were they thinking?”
David, if you do some historical research in the archives, you’ll see that MF has always been somewhat of an “advertorial” site – always promoting the latest offerings from MINI. It’s the best site for the latest news on what BMW-MINI are bringing to market, but that comes at a cost. Because Gabe et al don’t want to upset their “sources” inside BMW/MINI with critical pieces, you just won’t find them here.
And that’s ok. 🙂
I believe part of the reason David is that Motoringfile is largely a Mini news site. There is just much more news coming out about the R56 than the R53. Not to much different than the change between the R50 and R53.
I firmly believe the best Mini is the one that makes you happy. I don’t get into the this or that is better, the base fact is I still know several R50 drivers that think their cars are the best to date. Pick whatever Mini makes you happy and know your driving the best Mini for you.
I recently made this choice exactly. I could buy a R56 JCW and all the bits, or a pre-owned GP.
I drove the R56 JCW for 3 days [review here](<a href="http://mini2.co.za/blogs/mininews/archive/2007/09/27/mini-cooper-s-with-john-cooper-works-tuning-kit.aspx" rel="nofollow ugc">http://mini2.co.za/blogs/mininews/archive/2007/09/27/mini-cooper-s-with-john-cooper-works-tuning-kit.aspx</a>) and really loved it. Even without the JCW suspension it felt really great.
In the end I bought GP1325.
It is what I always wanted.
Now after a couple of months I still think I made the right choice for me, but with a caveat. I am buying another vehicle as a daily driver. I treasure my GP and only use it on weekends or outings. I do a lot of driving, and while I’d love to drive the GP every day, the high mileage, fuel cost, speeding fines, and environmental impact of the full throttle driving style it inspires, made me get another runabout.
There is no doubt in my mind that the R56 is the better car, it is just not as special.
I own an R56 Cooper S w/factory sport suspension and was lucky enough to drive it on some of Europe’s best roads last summer including the ‘Col de Turini’ and the ‘Gorges Du Verdon’ (both you might of seen on TopGear or experienced yourself). I had the time of my life and felt 100% connected to the car and what it was doing – as well as having a smile on my face for the entire time. Not once did I feel as if I was playing a computer game, if that had been the case I would of had no worries about the several thousand foot drop about a foot away! I was blown away by the experience and it really gave me an appreciation for what a great car it is.
For me a GP would of actually worked out a cheaper option than the R56 (thanks to how much we pay in the UK) but I have no regrets whatsoever. I continue to enjoy a huge amount of pleasure driving the R56 in every day life and, when I get the chance, on tracks/mountain roads.
Yes it’s more comfortable, smoother and more refined but when you push it, in my experience, it’s just as much fun to drive as any other MINI…
>This is just an observation on my part, but it almost seems as if Gabe and this site have become a marketing machine for the R56.
I was going to respond to this but Jon beat me to it:
>I believe part of the reason David is that Motoringfile is largely a Mini news site. There is just much more news coming out about the R56 than the R53.
And I’ll add that I would love nothing more than to have daily R50/R53 content on the site but it’s just not out there in the normal channels.
However we’ve always welcome readers to send us their stories and reviews – no matter which car. If you have reviews of modifications and/or you just bought a used R50/R53 and want to give us your take, by all means send it in. We’d love to feature it.
And if that still doesn’t do it for you, take a look at the five years of MINI content we have in our archives – four of those that do nothing but talk about the R50/R53.
>David, if you do some historical research in the archives, you’ll see that MF has always been somewhat of an “advertorial” site – always promoting the latest offerings from MINI.
I appreciate coming to my defense but I don’t think the site deserves to be called advertorial. This site doesn’t simply promote the latest offerings from MINI. We report on press coverage, report on events and naturally report and review products. Is it wrong to give good reviews of things we feel deserve them? If it promotes anything it’s the ideals that the brand claims to represent as well as the community of MINI owners.
>It’s the best site for the latest news on what BMW-MINI are bringing to market, but that comes at a cost. Because Gabe et al don’t want to upset their “sources” inside BMW/MINI with critical pieces, you just won’t find them here.
That’s kind of you to say but I can tell you (with some insight) that the last sentence is wrong. The only time I’ve ever (and by ever I mean ever and ever and ever) worried about upsetting sources is releasing insider information too early. I have never received information from sources (official or otherwise) with any caveats as to how it should be reported. If I review the R60 and find that it’s a steaming pile of sht, then I will call it a steaming pile of sht. If I find that it’s a decent car but no more, than that’s what will be on this site. I think MF has some exceptional reviews on it (not all written by me) and to my knowledge there’s not one sentence that is dishonest going back five years.
And on a related note, I find it ironic that we’re having this conversation in the comment section of a post about two cars that I personally wrote less than stellar styling critiques about.
c4, you still missed my point… it’s unlikely a MINI of any year will be my daily driver… nor would an Elise… as much as I’d like one sometimes… but ocne you get used to 40+ mpg and the car will be paid for in a few months, it’s hard to give it up… Unless I happen across a wind-fall of cash or something happens to it, I don’t see me replacing my current TDI for another 5 years – minimum – and our ’07 MCc will remain as our w/e toy and the ’03 MCS the g/f’s d.d.
Maintenance on a Lotus doesn’t scare me… I can’t see ripping one of those apart being much worse, different or more expensive than the E36 M3 we used to have… Certain bits of the MINI aren’t exactly cheap either… try pricing a p/s steering pump sometime… or the $300+ in specialized tools I’ll be buying within a month or so to replace front suspension bushings…
I have intentionally avoided test driving an R56… as from what I’ve heard, it is better in areas that annoy me about the R53… But I also remember the other Ian blurting out over the radio while driving his GP during the Great Ice Cream Run last year: “I Love My Car!!!!” 😉
A classic showing Gabe isn’t a mouthpiece for Mini would be the recent standard Mini aero kit or lets here his feelings about the new Mini lights on his car currently.
This is the best comment thread I have ever read. Everone is on the money (except for the “I feel guilty driving my GP because of the enviroment” comment. Please,spare us.
As everone has stated numerous times, it depends what your looking for. Totally different cars. I own both a totally decked out R56 JCW with the JCW suspension/wheels AND a stock R53 MCS. My regular car is an FJ Cruiser(guilt free)and the Mini is my toy. For my purposes I like the R53. I never drove a GP but I’d probably lose my mind and buy it(and some mirror caps) on the spot.
My R56 is amazing, and closer to a BMW 3 series. If that’s what you decide you want check mine out on Autotrader(the one with red stripes/2000 miles) and buy mine way cheaper than a new one.
<blockquote>“I feel guilty driving my GP because of the enviroment”</blockquote>
Hehehe. Sorry if it came across that way, Greg. All I’m saying is that with the amount of driving I’m doing on a daily basis, a more fuel efficient car makes sense to me. Lower emissions an added bonus.
I drive the GP when I want to, and enjoy it.
Gabe – I apologies if I touched a nerve with my earlier post. In no way did I mean to imply that I thought there was anyting “dishonest” in the content on MF.
I can’t wait to see the headline: <b>MF Analysis: Crossman is a Steaming Pile of Sh!t</b>
🙂
Such baloney. There are few cars more visceral than the R56. The R53 may be one of them, but if so then only by a hair. If this is really what spins your wheels then I’d say you wimped out by getting a car as soft and cushy as an R53.
Lavardera, welcome to the party! We were surely missing you…
Lavsdera – I don’t want to wimp out, but what better options are there out there with 4 seats and decent cargo area for under $25k? I’ve looked pretty hard and can’t find anything that even comes close to my R53 JCW. Now that I’m pushing 100k I would love to find my next car. Please advise.
Timmee. I’m just jealous.
Maybe I missing something here, granted I’m not on this website all the time though or get up to the minutes updates about the new JCW Kit, but last I checked….
My GP: 214hp (as on my window sticker)
R56 JCW Kit: 189/192hp (or is it 210hp?)
My GP: 188 torque
R56 JCW Kit: 207 torque? (I’ll give you this but is this accurate?)
My GP: 0-60mph = 5.9 sec (as reported by Car & Driver, LESS THAN 6.5 secs as officially reported by MINI themselves)
R56 JCW Kit: 0-60mph = 6.5 (from everything I can find)
My GP: definitely lower center of gravity
R56 JCW Kit: higher c.o.g.
*I would think GP would handle better as a result?!
Conclusion: I test drove a “regular”, supposedly faster R56 (no JCW Kit) from the dealer and there is no possible way it was faster than my GP (as it was advertised to be and many a folk have said it was). Admittedly, I’m no car techy but if a plain Joe can tell the difference, there must be something to that. The turbo lag is much better than most cars but is still there. I’m all for the faster car and I’d buy it in a heartbeat but until I drive a MINI product faster than my GP, it goes no where (or ever will for that matter). As they say, the proof is in the pudding!
The GP and the R56 dealer JCW are actually fairly close, though my affection for the GP makes me pull for it. Neither car is hands down a winner or loser in comparison. Both are very nice cars.
Now when the factory JCW comes out think we will see something that the GP will challenged with. Doesn’t matter if its faster or not though in my world its just a cool car, even with its red mirror caps lol.
>Maybe I missing something here, granted I’m not on this website all the time though or get up to the minutes updates about the new JCW Kit, but last I checked…. My GP: 214hp (as on my window sticker) R56 JCW Kit: 189/192hp (or is it 210hp?)
Several bits of info that may help. First off the key to the new JCW kit is it’s torque. At overboost it has 200ft lbs of it. Secondly several dynos have proved the factory numbers to be somewhat conservative putting that torque around to 206+ ft lbs..
>My GP: 0-60mph = 5.9 sec (as reported by Car & Driver, LESS THAN 6.5 secs as officially reported by MINI themselves) R56 JCW Kit: 0-60mph = 6.5 (from everything I can find)
There are no magazine numbers out there yet for the R56 JCW kit so it’s unfortunately an apples to oranges comparison. However Grassroots Motorsports magazine tested their <em><a href="http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/032007/mini-s-is-ahem-fast.php" rel="nofollow">stock R56 at 5.7 seconds 0-60</a></em> last year.
>My GP: definitely lower center of gravity R56 JCW Kit: higher c.o.g. I would think GP would handle better as a result?!
Oddly the roof height of the R56 is actually lower than that of the R53. While it’s true that the GP is lower with the JCW suspension, an R56 equipped with the same suspension (available at the dealer) should be right around the same height.
Not to say one is better than the other (obviously you can read the story above for my comments) but just wanted to help with the questions you had.
I don’t think maximum roof height correlates all that closely to CG height.
This morning I was being followed by GP roof number (Either 0739 or 0759, not sure as I was going real fast) it had Florida plates but the selling ddealer was MINI of Manhattan. This was at around 8:30AM on the 836 expressway going west. The car was driven by a young lady and it looked immaculate. Both the car and the driver were absolute eye candy. We acknowledged each other and she followed me for a couple of miles until we split.
This is the third or fourth GP in existence here in Miami. What a gorgeous car and what a way to start the day!
If I could get a GP, that would be my top choice in heartbeat!
If only they had used the rear seat space for a BMW V6 and RWD. Sigh…
0-60 numbers might matter if you were drag racing someone. However, I have learned that “feel” is everything. My ’06 Cayman S did 0-60 in 4.8 according to several publications. But it didn’t have the visceral “feel” of my stock (soon to be modded)’05 MCS and Mini said that was 0-60 in 6.7(definately conservative by a few ticks).
I don’t care for the GP asthetics but I bet there will never be a Mini that’s as fun to drive regardless of the 0-60 time. I hope to get the oportunity sometime.
Wow, R53 trumps Cayman S. Sweet.
Some interesting comments.
I haven’t driven the R56 JCW, but the minute I heard the R56 would be a turbo … I immediately made sure I got my name down for the GP.
I’ve driven a couple of turboes over the years (Peugeot 205 Turbo, Renault R5 Turbo, and BMW 2002 Turbo) and I just didn’t care for the lag and cooling issues … not to mention turboes are notorious for chewing up engines. Even the latest BMW 335 (with twin turboes) has been experiencing cooling issues under spirited driving.
So not enough positives in my mind with the R56 being new (and thus not seasoned yet) and a turbo. I prefered the tried, true and tested R53 going out with a bang!
The low end torque must be nice though with a turbo. Certainly more flexible to modding for that in the low end.
But in the end, zero regrets at this point … and going up in value? How can this be? When’s the last time any car in this category of price has gone up in value. Unheard of. So a modern classic is what the GP is turning into.
If there’s anything I’d venture to improve on would be to get rid of the weak JCW head and get the real deal with an RMW head and port matched and tuned RMW exhaust. Then have the ECU tuned and we’re looking at what the GP should have been at in the first place. Some 230whp / 200+ ft/lbs of torque.
>Even the latest BMW 335 (with twin turboes) has been experiencing cooling issues under spirited driving.
To clarify – that was with 335i autos that were taken to the track. Apparently they were fitted with the larger engine oil coolers that the manuals had because BMW engineers assumed no one who owned an auto would be taking it to the track. BMW now fits all autos with the larger oil coolers.
Otherwise there have been no over-heating issues with the 3.0L twin turbo engine in the 335i.