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MINI will take the wraps off another new model this spring – the JCW MINI Convertible. As we’ve reported previously the JCW Convertible will feature the exact same specs that the Coupe and Clubman current enjoy but with (drum roll) a convertible top. Orders should begin in April.
They just keep diluting the JCW brand further and further….What a poser’s car….In my opinion even JCW Clubman was not all that necessary.
On a completely different note….just noticed on miniusa.com that black painted crown and bridge spokes have become available for Cooper S….Has anyone seen these live? How do they look? I am interested in bridge spokes particularly. A bit worried that they are too shiny….
Good news! hope its on sale shortly after cooper and S.
Standard car leaves me a bit underwhelmed or is it just that yellow? (hope its better in the flesh)
JCW with body kit and 18″ wheels in Chilli red will tick the visual boxes and the engine and exhaust the aural one. Find that tunnel and roof down give it a 2nd gear blast.
Are we to get the real recaro seats?
I can amagine the aero kit. So maybe the checkers will come back to the JCW convertible.
<blockquote>They just keep diluting the JCW brand further and further…</blockquote>How is this diluting further? No change from the 1st gen, where there was already a factory JCW cabrio.
<blockquote>They just keep diluting the JCW brand further and further….What a poser’s car….In my opinion even JCW Clubman was not all that necessary.</blockquote>
There was a JCW of every previous “R” number. How is this different? There was a JCW Cooper, a JCW Cooper S and JCW Cooper S Conv(R50, R53, R52). The same is true of the BMW M3. There have been M3 coupes, sedans, wagons and convertibles. Even the M5 has had both sedan and wagon variants.
MINI has drawn the line at making a JCW R60 though.
Karl, I woulda thought you’d like the Interchange Yellow, what with you driving a Hot Orange and all! The colour looks great on the car, especially when matched with the black top and wheels. Add in the colour-coded dash, door rings and upholstery, and it looks the business. Personally, I’d go for the new blue with a denim top and hot chic interior.
Damn iPhone spell check. I meant hot choc interior
I think the hot chick interior would sell very well, Tim.
I think the JCW convertible will sell well. People bought out the previous JCW convertible.
yea that should have been an option, hot chick interior…
the hot chick interior would have special upholstery for the seats and higher temps for the heater, maybe a special rear view mirror……
What’s M power been smoking? There’s always been a JCW convertible. I have one and there’s nothing watered down from from my JCW coupe.
<blockquote>There was a JCW of every previous “R†number. How is this different? There was a JCW Cooper, a JCW Cooper S and JCW Cooper S Conv(R50, R53, R52). The same is true of the BMW M3. There have been M3 coupes, sedans, wagons and convertibles. Even the M5 has had both sedan and wagon variants.</blockquote>
M division is deeply rooted in motorsport, motorsport was its sole purpose originally. The road going M cars were supposed to deliver some of that spirit to consumers. And initially it was like that. I know that E28 M5 appeared slightly before E30 M3, but this first M3 set the standard of what M cars should be all about. Yes, it was offered as Cabrio, but only 800 out of 18000 E30 M3 were sold as Cabrios…. Diluting started in slowly in early 90’s when folks from BMW decided to cash in on the M name and these days we may even get SUVs and SAVs with M badges, which, in my opinion, is shameful….What does an SUV, SW or a convertible have to do with motorsport? It’s not clear to me.
JCW is newer brand, and it directly has little to do with racing, but it pulls it’s lineage from the famous Cooper company which was huge in Grand Prix racing, and what they did to mini is 60’s is one of the reasons we are talking about this topic today. Same question: what does a shooting break (clubman) or convertible have to do with racing? It will make MINI more money, but it will make Cooper JCW hardtop (the only one worthy of the JCW badge) less special. I could not hide my disappointment about this….
<blockquote>What’s M power been smoking? There’s always been a JCW convertible. I have one and there’s nothing watered down from from my JCW coupe./blockquote>
A non-smoker here, sir. And if compared to hardtop, carrying more weight (approx 100lbs or maybe more) on a significantly less rigid chassis, using identical engine feels the same dynamically (note, dynamically), then you and I, sir, are talking about two entirely different manners of using a MINI….</blockquote>
True. I did put an M7 USS, 22mm rear sway, and front strut tower brace on to bring things up to snuff, however, there’s no deneying that extra 100 pounds. If I was a track guy that would matter, but I’m a street/spirited driver/dragon guy so I can’t tell the difference. Only a stop watch could.
Initially the factory did not make JCW cars – you could by kits to be installed by dealers. Then when BMW bought out Mike Cooper (sold his soul in my opinion) the factory started installing the kits themselves. I agree with some other bloggers – their are too many JCW models.
Its a bit like calling a car a “Limited” when it is really “unlimited” production.
<blockquote>just noticed on miniusa.com that black painted crown and bridge spokes have become available for Cooper S….Has anyone seen these live? How do they look? I am interested in bridge spokes particularly. A bit worried that they are too shiny….</blockquote>
New black painted crown spokes and bridge spokes….Has anyone here seen these in person?
NEWS FLASH – SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN 2008: BMW M GMBH CAR SALES UP 50 PERCENT
Perhaps BMW should stop trying to make luxury cars and get back to the sporty roots and offer performance cars only ?????? Is this what they are trying to do with JCW?