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The JCW coming without the JCW pro stuff is a joke, it's probably the one thing that's stopped me even thinking about getting one.
The R56 Sport suspension was a no-cost option I'm sure and you're right if you opted not to have it you got the Cooper S suspension but I wouldn't fancy not having the JCW suspension.
Took a Challenge 210 for drive today. Great car and highlight has to be carbon tipped bimodal exhaust in track mode. Naughty but nice. Totally loaded special edition car but just seems a wee bit of a pretendy JCW. Not hunkered down enough and no Brembos. Will await F56 JCW in few weeks, though looks like many options may need ticking...
By the time you add all the options , your nearly at porche money
Guess what I saw today :smilewinkgrin:
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https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8711/...6aaca901_o.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8701/...0bac6eb8_o.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8783/...7ee6e9ae_o.jpg
Does look very VERY nice I have to say, the seats look amazing!! (only saw them through the window though) so didn't try to get a photo :frown:
Hope you like the pics ;)
Nice pics ,they will be on the road soon
Nice to see one with some JCW Pro accessories
Have arranged to drive a JCW and challenge 210 back to back on weds.:thumbs up:
Ok, now had test in new JCW courtesy of Eastern (good to see Eddie and William at the karting launch on the Friday night. Well done William on your place in final!).
Was a black with red roof and 18 inch wheels, steptronic, until manual arrives in few weeks. Did not have adaptive suspension and really don't think necessary. Standard sports set-up is excellent. Felt better planted/more pliant than my R56 JCW on regular setup, no-sports susp. Firm but not as harsh nor as twitchy. Steering set up is also good in sport. New standard JCW seats are way better than old. Not difficult mind. Power delivery seemed good even with tight engine. Off mark acceleration is certainly impressive and there are engineered pops on change-ups.
First time with flappy paddles and could easily get used to. Almost instant changes, way better than my left arm. Can keep in full nanny auto in town/jams and if you check spec the fuel consumption differences are huge and would hopefully translate (in relative terms) into real world usage. I honestly think that is the way to go. Slightly better 0-60 and lower carbons/tax is simply a bonus. Never thought would prefer an auto, but there we go.
The exhaust/engine note is spot on. Yes, there are not quite as many pops and bangs as the Challenge or Coop S with bi-modal exhaust but they still want way over £1,000 extra without the power upgrade that's also part of the Cooper S option. Simply not necessary in my opinion, others may disagree.
Overall, like all F56s, feels just that bit more sorted, fewer rough edges. Which, of course, can be a good and bad thing. Cabin ergonomics take getting used to but controls all inspire a bit more confidence.
As to whether would change now. Undecided. But that is not because I don't think the new model is great. It is. It's just that when I changed to current car I said would keep for at least couple of years. 19 months and 15k in it is barely run in and still counting down to first service. Also, I am certain there will be a slightly better finance deal/promotion a little further down the line.
As to colour, quite fancy solid pepper white or volcanic orange (both with black roof/mirrors) and black 17 wheels. Do not like the look or convex design of the 18 inch two-tones which also take up fair chunk of chili pack price. Most of other stuff on that pack I can live without. Seems it does not look as essential as the chili pack on the R56 which also got you bi-xenons, etc. Std spec without pack includes quite a bit (LEDs/seats/DAB). The black wheels over standard are only £75 option and only other stuff would like are armrest, stripes, privacy glass and rear sensors.
Also noticed that tank has for some reason dropped from 50 to 44 litres. Bit odd.
Anyhow, would be interested to hear thoughts from others who have been for test in new F56 JCW/are thinking about buying/have actually bought one....
Scott
...good review fella :yes nod:
Think you have got it spot on :thumbs up:Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop1
I was hugely impressed with the new JCW, thanks to Harry Fairbairn for giving me the chance to explore the JCW over Sunday and Monday rather than a quick test drive. Inspite of me having some reservations about the car, it truly is a JCW and ticks a lot of the right boxes especially with the autobox which gives fantastic changes and doesn't leave you feeling like you have lost a little control over what the car is doing but quite the opposite
Well tbh I nipped into Menzies garage on Saturday and it felt like just another Saturday afternoon. A couple of people walking about the showroom and salesmen/woman sat at their desks. Not even the sign of the JCW but they did have 2 x 210s there. I hung about for 45 minutes and had a look at a PW Clubby (which in my opinion was in a poor state for a car on the forecourt) before I decided to leave. I actually felt disappointed that there wasn't anything to promote the launch of the JCW nor was there one even there to be seen especially as I'd been told to pop in and get a look at it. Glad to see that at least one dealer seems to have got it right and made an effort ...
Good to hear the reviews and thanks for the offer William of popping through to show me it but things were a bit chaotic or I'd have met you for a look over it .... :)
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Decided to push the button. Pepper white/black roof/black alloys for bit of a change. Steptronic plus few bits. June delivery.
:thumbs up: Great. Looking forward to seeing itQuote:
Originally Posted by Coop1
So is that the second order From NMS then? :)
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I reckon it is Craig :yes nod:Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig
Good stuff guys [emoji106]🏻
Who else has ordered one?:idunno:Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig
Cant complain about deal offered at Eastern. Good dealer. 4th from there. They know am in the forum so maybe NMS cuts some ice!
Excellent news :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Coop1
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...the plot thickensQuote:
Originally Posted by Craig
- - - Updated - - -
Good choiceQuote:
Originally Posted by Coop1
Well I've had my test drive...
I went in expecting it to be nice but nowhere near as good as the R56 JCW just like the F56 S but a tiny bit quicker.
Looks wise I've liked the look of the F56 since launch and the JCW doesn't disappoint well apart from the wheels and the side skirts which don't do anything for the car.
I started the car up and was impressed with the exhaust note it was actually very pleasant and I knew it was going to be nothing like the S but I knew I could still be disappointed with the drive.
Off we went and immediately the car was a lively little thing it was ready to go have some fun. Around town I couldn't help but think I was really going to enjoy the drive and I did, as soon as I got to the NSL signs I floored it and before I know it I'm at 70 MPH the torque and power are gobsmacking I couldn't understand how it could be so much of an improvement over the S.
It felt spot on it handled being thrown about rather well and was ready to go whenever you wanted it to, but the thing that impressed me most of all was that automatic gearbox it's lightning quick and feels nothing like the autos I had driven previously it's definitely the box I'd have. The little groan you get when you change up also encourages you to floor it.
So... it can't all be good here are the things that disappointed me. They could have made it more unique, feel more and look more special, I won't be speccing Chili Pack because I'm not a huge fan of the 18" wheels and could live without red bits on the seats. It need nicer side skirts like the R56 JCW and last but not least it either doesn't pop loud enough or the soundproofing is better, either way I'd have to test it again with a JCW pro bi-modal exhaust.
Will I be ordering? yes without a doubt but I'm not sure when because I really can't decide on a colour just yet lol although the Rebel Green was nice it just wasn't exciting enough for me.
Think you are spot on with the chilli pack ,just not needed or worth it,better things to spend the money on
Eddie, out of interest, have you driven any other automatic JCW MINI's?
No unfortunately not but I have driven other BMWs with auto boxes if that'll help at allQuote:
Originally Posted by AndyP & Lenore
ok. As soon as Lenore is feeling better we need to get out and test drive one of these puppies. Our experience of the auto box in all MINI's from the R53 Cooper S up to the R56 JCW is that it is excellent. Really interested to see what MINI have done with this box that sets it out from the crowd.:thumbs up:Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddie_JCW
Agree with Andy on this. Think the auto box on the R56 is an excellent box, so it will be interesting to see just how different the F56 box is.
The box is a joy to drive with !! I drive a few auto's and have to say this is up there with the Audi DSG box !!
I've got the Audi DSG on the A3 and in sport mode the changes are pretty rapid.
i have to agree with this that the autobox in the JCW is phenomenal
Saw the JCW at Kirkcaldy today... Still not my cup of tea but as a drivers car it seems to tick a lot of boxes for people...
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Glad you liked it Eddie. I am looking at late June for delivery. Glad didnt go for chili pack. Big waste of money esp if dont like those two tone 18s. Colour was a dilemma. Think the off white pepper will be fine with blk roof and wheels and the red grill trim/side scuttles and calipers offsetting that. Auto box is ace. Go buy!!
Took one of these out from JCW World at Eastern MINI today. Had to see what all the fuss was about this "auto box".
A bit of background, more for the current members who don't know Lenore and I that well... We've had several MINI's since 2003 and every one has been an "automatic"; our first was a Cooper CVT then they've all been either Cooper S's or JCW's. So as far as the 'MINI Automatic' is concerned, we may not know it all but after 10 'auto' MINI's, I'd like to think we know our stuff...
Our thoughts are that the auto box in the F56 JCW is identical to the auto box in the R56. It's not, I asked Paul at Eastern. But as much as it's a 'different' box, it does exactly the same job, just as well as the previous car. But it's still a huge improvement on the auto box in the R53 Cooper S Auto box which was good, but a bit reluctant to change down when required which resulted in revs being held too high - more frustrating than anything. It also upshifts quicker than the R53 Cooper S auto box, but when making a direct comparison with the R56 Cooper S auto box, there's really little to separate them. It still upshifts quicker than you can blink.
But I do love the new double-thump from the exhaust which you get on an under-load change up. To be honest it's very similar to what we got in our Audi S5 and we now get in our Merc A45 AMG, but these are obviously significantly more expensive cars where you would expect a bit more noise for your bucks. But on that (exhaust) note, we were both left a bit disappointed with the downshift and run-on pops, bangs and crackles.... hardly any at all. Our R56 JCW Convertible makes enough noise to make small children clasp their hands to their ears when traveling through small villages. But the F seemed to be very muted indeed. We wondered if it had Pilkington triple glazing so we opened the windaes but to no avail, still muted. Spoke to Paul about this when we got back and it seems an upgraded bi-modal (£2,000 option) exhaust is required to enjoy such sounds. Hmmmm. It's good the option is there, but I do tend to think if you're buying the top-of-the-range model, should that not be a standard item?
The inside is sumptuous, very comfy indeed, with seats which don't let you slide around when cornering at incredible speeds. In fact, I'd go as far as saying they were the best seats MINI have ever made. The info screen was very nice and would look lovely when used for a sat nav but our car didn't have one. :( Lenore wasn't keen on the fact you don't get the speedo of any kind in the middle of the dash any more - although I realise that's an F design thing, not just the JCW.
The outside is..... hmmmm. Sorry, but it still doesn't gel with me. I'm going to be quite honest here, it's just too big. About an inch bigger all round (according to Paul), but I seem to recall the R56 was about the same increase over the R53. Where will the madness end? :lol:
Overall, it's a very very very nice car to drive, very fast indeed and you can really get a sense of the extra horses under the bonnet over our R56 JCW Vert. But it wasn't good enough to encourage me out of our own car at the moment. Maybe when the new convertible is out in spring next year. But I get a sense from Mrs P that our MINI Convertible days are running out, with a 235i a strong possible replacement.