300 hp MINI JCW Countryman and Clubman Launch Timing and Pricing
Following up on our report on the 300 hp MINI JCW Countryman and Clubman, we now have some timing on its 2019 launch. Luckily we won’t have long to wait as our sources are pointing to a mid-2019 launch for both cars. We expect production to begin in July and the cars to hit US showrooms sometime in August.
300 hp MINI JCW Countryman and Clubman – Pricing and Availability
While we don’t pricing figures from our sources yet, we have some ideas. The current pricing for the MINI JCW Countryman is $37,900. Where do we expect this much faster version to fall? Clues can be found on the BMW side. The new X2 M35i with this same engine is priced at $46,450. That’s up $8,050 over the X2 28i (which happens to have the current JCW engine in it) by 17%. But we can’t just add 17% the case of the JCW and call it a day. The comparison doesn’t work so easily as the JCWs already have some of the components the X2 M35i (larger brakes and sport seats for example). Therefore we’d expect less of an increase and something closer to a $43k MSRP with well equipped models going over $50k.
$50k for a MINI? Obviously this won’t be just any MINI. With BMW levels of quality and refinement (remember the Countryman is ranked as the highest premium small crossover by Consumer Reports in quality) this is already a car that can go toe to toe with any other small crossover in the marketplace. Add a dramatic increase in performance and you could have a pretty compelling.
And that’s not to even speak of the Clubman which will be priced lower and have even higher levels of performance due to less weight.
<p>I am so proud of MINI for choosing to offer high powered, high performing models. “Racing is in our blood”…yes, but we have been getting SMOKED by the competition. I’m so annoyed with seeing automotive journalist discussing and comparing the Golf R, Focus RS, Civic type R, Subaru WRX, RS 3, A45 AMG, etc. and MINI totally not mentioned. BMW is the ultimate driving machine and is considered the bar setter in overall performance against its competition. MINI, being BMW, should also be the BEST in performance and fun in the hot hatch segment. COME ON MINI, LET’S DOMINATE and earn the respect you know you deserve!!!!! I heard a well respected automotive journalist compare the new Hyundai Veloster Turbo & the upcoming N to MINI, and the comments were embarrassing to the MINI brand, and our dominating racing heritage. Hyundai and Kia have come a long way and I respect them, but they should NOT be smoking us. LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you want people to drop $50,000 dollars, then GIVE THEM A PRODUCT THAT WILL JUSTIFY THAT ASKING PRICE. Does the MINI brand currently provide that type of justification for the price? In some ways, yes, but in most ways no. We have the best engineers at our disposal. We have got to get this right, or MINI will eventually be more overshadowed then they already are, and the brand will die. The thought alone is devastating as it is such a brilliant and unique member in the automotive world. People, especially in the US, just don’t get MINI. We must change this while we can.</p>
Mini dealer near me wouldn’t let me test drive a current version JCW Clubman, I wonder if I can drive this one. (I bought a 340 x-drive instead.) I want to like Minis but they’re just a little off.
<p>Mini dealer near me wouldn’t let me test drive a current version JCW Clubman, I wonder if I can drive this one. (I bought a 340 x-drive instead.) I want to like Minis but they’re just a little off.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t let you test drive? Why not?</p>
<p>He acted as though the JCW’s were for a special purpose. I asked, “How am I supposed to know if I can get away with that engine without driving it? He just didn’t want any part of it. I drive over mountains essentially every weekend and at the time I was driving the 328XI wagon. I was with my wife, and she liked the car just like I do/did.</p>
<p>How disappointing….so sorry this happened to you. Unacceptable. If MINI knew this, they would be livid.</p>
<p>Maybe. We still laugh about it. We like our 340x a lot, so no regrets.</p>
<p>It sounds great but it’s an automatic. And it’s going to be $8k more than an R32. This is the problem with the current MINIs. They’re aren’t special enough to make them worth the extra money. The site lines are horrible in the current gen- you sit deep in the car. It’s nothing like the R50 sitting in my garage. Or the 2017 GTI sitting in my garage. When I went to get my last car, I drove several Clubmans- regular, S, JCW and All4 versions. And when matched for equipment and power, the GTI was $10k cheaper. I would totally pay list for a MINI (I did in 2004) and would pay a bit of a premium ($2-3k) however I cannot ignore such a difference. Plus the interior of the GTI is nicer and I have expansive views out of the road.</p>
<p>BMW used to be the pinnacle. The E90 was the last driver’s BMW, after the departed E39 had been long gone. And the R50/53s were the last true MINIs. Maybe the new 3er will be better, but the design problems of the current MINIs (big front overhangs, awkward proportions etc) would have to change to make up for any strides in quality of performance that have been certainly attained. I’m so sad about MINI’s current state. And BMW’s really. I hope they get their groove back.</p>
<p>Being on my 4th MINI….a 2017 All 4 S Countryman, which I paid a bottom line price of about 41K including many options, that was close to the max of what I have been willing to pay for any MINI. Might go up a few K more. But with a starting price of 43K before even adding any options, shipping costs, etc, that 300 HP Countryman could easily top 50K based on the added cost I paid for my CM over MSRP. I ordered/built all of my 4 MINIS with specific options, so the bottom lines were always 5-10K above MSRP. Would be tough to order that 300 HP Countryman at a strick MSRP price without personalizing it with several K in options.</p>