MF Review: 2010 JCW Convertible & The Ultimate Road Trip
There is something simply magical about driving a convertible across the country. Going west with nothing but a windshield in front of you and the world is an experience we should all endeavor to have in our lifetime. I got the chance recently with the longest leg of MINI Takes the States. Dodge City to Denver in almost 600 miles. My transportation was a brand new 2010 MINI JCW Convertible. Yes, the most expensive MINI and the one many enthusiasts love to hate completely warmed my heart and ultimately won me over.
But this isn’t a love story about a convertible. I started out with all the typical reasons why this particular JCW was all wrong. The wrong suspension (completely stock of course) and the wrong spec (pretty much bone stock) along with the wrong price (a hair over $38,000) made this the last MINI I’d ever consider purchasing myself. Yet for all that has been said about pricing and suspension issues, I can’t remember a better day spent in a car.
First let’s start with the act of traveling in a MINI Convertible. With two people and luggage it can require inventive packing. You know your possessions will be in the elements and buffeted by the wind as much as you are. Rain, sun it’s all potentially part of the trip and it’s going to affect you. It’s this connection to the world outside your car that makes the trip so much different than anything outside of a motorcycle ride. There’s an element of less safety (I wouldn’t call it danger) and the feeling of greater raw speed.
The current JCW has the best soundtrack of any factory MINI ever produced. Sure the supercharger wine was great and the pops from the 2005-2006 MCS made for good personality. But the JCW has a sound that feels honed to be more broad shouldered and aggressive. It’s an engine that was developed for the track first (remember this essentially the JCW Challenge race car engine) and then refined just enough for street use.
And there’s that sound. The lift off pop and burble is the most addicting noise ever to come out of a factory MINI. It sounds downright naughty.
Then the throttle response. There doesn’t seem to be a moment in the rev range that doesn’t deliver power and speed immediately.
Now combine this with the open top and an endless road and you have an epic road trip in car that begs for more and more.
Nothing is perfect and the JCW convertible comes with a list that speaks to that. The stock suspension on this car is nothing less than a mistake. It flies in the face of the attitude that the engine and brakes exude.
The second is the price. $38,000 with just a few options isn’t hard to swallow when I think of the fun I had on this trip. But it is when I think of what that could get me elsewhere in the form of a daily driver.
But this is a MINI so they say. And the argument for the MINI goes something like this; ‘there’s nothing quite like the feel, the sound and the package at any price.’ But you really have to love the idea of the MINI to write the $38,000 check for o. Do I? Do you? This is where the question gets pretty personal.
I will never forget the miles I put on this car. I’ve never experienced anything like it and I may never again. Forget all the criticisms. This JCW convertible was perfect and I loved every minute I had with it. I’m not sure if that makes it worth the money but the memories may turn out to be priceless.
<p>Sounds like you had the right car at just the right time. Your review would probably a little less enthusiastic if you weren’t doing mostly highway driving. 600 miles on highways doesn’t sound too taxing for a car’s suspension, so the stock MCS suspension was probably a good thing. It’s cushier, and soaks up the bumps better than a sport or JCW suspension. (Correct me if I’m wrong). But if you had encountered any twisties, the suspension would likely have negatively affected your otherwise glowing review.</p>
<p>I love this line: “And the argument for the MINI goes something like this; ‘there’s nothing quite like the feel, the sound and the package at any price.’ But you really have to love the idea of the MINI to write the $38,000 check. Do I? Do you? This is where the question gets pretty personal.”</p>
<p>That’s the hard part about selling MINIs (I don’t sell them, but I brag every chance I get). When people ask me why MINI, I’m almost at a loss of how to put it into words. The corporate support, the people, the handling, the uniqueness…. It’s a whole package that once you get, you GET. I really want a coupe – it’ll likely cost $35k or more (I’d love the JCW but that may be just out of reach). Yep there are others at that price, but they aren’t MINI are they.</p>
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<p>(Correct me if I’m wrong). But if you had encountered any twisties, the suspension would likely have negatively affected your otherwise glowing review.</p>
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<p>About half were back roads and half were highways. What if I drove the dragon in this car? I’d bet the review would be as glowing bit may have an entire paragraph devoted to how it has the wrong suspension. The stock setup doesn’t kill the car. It just makes it less than perfect.</p>
<blockquote>The current JCW has the best soundtrack of any factory MINI ever produced.</blockquote>
<p>I whole-heartedly agree, Gabe! My JCW Clubbie converted me to a JCW purchaser from now on due to the sweet tuning from the factory. Sounds amazing and makes all the right noises!</p>
<p>Also, that was a nice backdrop for a review: last leg of MTTS. Lucky you!</p>
<p>My first love was a ’62 Triumph roadster. My second love was a ’64 Jaguar E roadster. Then came a series of family sedans. My forth love is a ’06 MINI cabrio. Gabe, you have just been dazzled by a world I have known and loved all my driving life and you described it pretty well. I’ll bet it won’t be too long ’till you return for keeps. The memories of that short, inspiring drive will surely haunt you until you correct your equipment configuration. Topless motoring has no equal regardless of the suspension.</p>
<p>Hey, I drove my 09 Black JCW Cab across the country in July and it was fantasic!!! NYC to LA in about 50 hours. Yes the suspension sucks and almost killed me a few times because it’s so bouncy but otherwise I love the car. I just happen to catch up to a cross country rally of race cars and I flew across a couple of states at 130mph with them. The tiny mini made passing in tight spots a breeze and I left a few porsche turbos, M6s and masarati’s locked out and frustrated by mini’s persistence in such tight situations. I have some great pictures of my mini in UTAH’s Castle Canyon too that I’ll post on NAM this weekend.</p>
<p>I should add that acceleration and braking are fantastic in the jcw cab. The torque steer keeps things even more exciting but isn’t a deal breaker.</p>
<p>Btw when I started looking at cars I had no intention of buying the most expensive JCW MINI. Only after spending a month driving every option in town including every Mini model in auto and manual versions did I end up in a JCW. The minute I got in the JCW and turned on the car and put my foot on the accelerator and then the break I new I had to have it. It’s a poor man’s porsche for sure! I figure it’s 1/3 the cost of a porsche 911 cab and yes there is the boxster but at 6’3″ I don’t fit in that car which is too bad for them, and lastly, I’m reluctant to buy anything Japanese until the country stops supporting whaling. SO mini JCW with it’s horsepower, small but room design, decent gas mileage, and great breaks had me. I paid the extra bucks with a smile on my face thinking I got a good deal.</p>
<p>Sounds like a fantastic memory-filled roadtrip! Also sounds like you had the inevitable epiphany on convertible driving (my own came in a miata roadster)… it really is the most elemental and memorable way to cover ground when the point is not where you are going but what you can experience along the way.</p>
<p>What happened to the Hatchback you were originally “issued” for the event and how did it come about that you were able to step up to a JCW for the final leg?</p>
<p>sounds like they had gabe rotating through the entire demo fleet along the way</p>
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<p>What happened to the Hatchback you were originally “issued†for the event and how did it come about that you were able to step up to a JCW for the final leg?</p>
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<p>I only drove that for one leg. I then moved to a 2011 Cooper S, a Cooper Countryman, a Cooper S Countryman and then a JCW Convertible.</p>
<p>Great read, Gabe!</p>
<p>BTW, I think it’s accidentally double posted. Might want to remove the duplicate text & photos (from “First lets start” through “turn out to be priceless” shows up twice in a row for me, on two different computers – FireFox 3.6.8).</p>
<p>I’m also getting the double posting and I’m using Chrome and a Mac. It’s happened the last couple of reviews. Great write up though. Gabe, will you be adding the roadster to your consideration list of 2011? 1M, Coupe or Roadster? I’m weighing up similar options…or dare I say it, even upgrading my R56 to a new Cooper S the refresh is that appealing.</p>
<p>Convertibles can be fun for sure, almost another mindset. Personally for myself not my type of car to own. To rent one for a vacation is good but I prefer a ridged top personally.</p>
<p>Great write-up as usual Gabe!</p>
<p>“reluctant to buy anything Japanese until that coountry stops supporting whaling”??? Andy are you joking or could someone REALLY be that lame and phoney?</p>
<p>Proceeds from dead whales put food in the mouths of Japanese “human beings”. It’s called the food chain and we’re part of it.</p>
<p>Did the top have any issues with wear? I have been reading alot and it seems that the 2009s have issues with the tops and getting top replacements. Was this issue fixed with 2010+s?</p>
<p>90mph on a road limited at 55! haha, That’s the spirit! ;)</p>
<p>I think the limit was 70 mph but then again I don’t ever remember seeing a sign posted :)</p>
<blockquote>Proceeds from dead whales put food in the mouths of Japanese “human beingsâ€. It’s called the food chain and we’re part of it.</blockquote>
<p>…until ALL the whales are gone. It’s happening.</p>
<p>I understand that whale meat is a delicacy/luxury in Japan, NOT a staple. So the “food chain” argument doesn’t exactly hold merit, IMO. However, the two industries are so disconnected from each other that I personally wouldn’t boycott Japanese-branded cars for this reason – however I respect ANDY’s sentiment. I just won’t buy Japanese-branded cars because they don’t excite me very much (with a few exceptions). :)</p>
<p>Actually “food in the mouths” is a coloquialism fors JOBS.</p>
<p>Hey Andrew. Hope you kept the receipt so you can return your Mini. Japan is one of 88 countries that is a member of the International whaling Commission that supports whaling. Other countries are the UK,USA,Germany, France, Sweden,Switzerland,Canada,China,Russia,Norway,Iceland.</p>
<p>Maybe you can find a nice Turkish car to show how much you care.</p>
<p>I’m with MM. I love animals and respect all life, however, PEOPLE come first.</p>