Don't think of it as a $40,000 hot hatch. Think of it as a $40,000 performance BMW and it all works out. It did for me. You're getting better handling and performance than even some $60,000 BMW models.
Thanks for watching. I totally agree about the performance BMW thing. The JCW and the M2 CS I reviewed are neck and neck with some of the best cars i've reviewed. That M2 CS was also like $100k before the dealer fun fees lol.
Very smart analysis. You really understood this Mini JCW. I own a '21 model, automatic, with normal dampers. All what you said, i would probably have said it. And guess what : what was my surprise to listen to you until the end... because i also own a 3.8 GT3 and, like you said, it is exactly the reason why i bought this JCW : to get a daily, yet fun, with decent perf and capable of feedback, and above all enough charismatic. So that i do not put too much km in my gt3. So again : congrates, mat, you've done here a perfect job !
Well first, thank you for watching and secondly thank you so much for the kind words. I really means a lot to read comments like you and again thank you for taking your time to not just watch, but also reply. Every time I see a comment for the JCW it brings back great memories I had for that one week. I think the saying "Better to have loved and lost, than have never loved" applies to it lol. I've been a passenger in a 3.8 and when I drove, the JCW, it immediately took me back to that experience. Again, thanks for your time in watching and commenting.
„financially it’s the stupidest thing you could ever do“…“if you could - do it!“ 🤣😂🤣 I did, what did I win?! Honestly every reviewer driving this beast has a big grin on his face. The moment I start the car I have this smile in my face! That’s worth every penny.
Thanks. I went all in, even with the steering wheel heating. The only thing I didn’t check was the alarm. ROFL. And I think you are one of the few, that get the Mini feel: it ain’t about the price. It ain’t about the horse power. (A Ford Fiesta is cheaper, a Toyota Yaris GR is even quicker.) And also not about the Go-Kart feeling - it’s not a Go-Kart. A go kart would have its motor in the back. A Mini is all about fun, not being serious and pure Luxury. I never heard anybody complaining about an expensive Rolex, an expensive LV hand bag or an expensive Ferrari. A Mini is expensive and not worth its price in material, it it is a well built car, that makes so much fun, that it is worth its price in emotions. Did you get around to buy a clubman? Good review man, a little more planning ahead what you want to say and it would be perfect!!
@@kairoborock6816 I actually ended up picking up a second generation Miata which I’m currently working on. Same concept of that feeling. It’s funny because with all these cars I get to review, my 8 year old still says he loves riding in the Miata the most. Enjoy your mini.
5:01 That is a very important point you raised about the tyre wall. I presently have a Cooper S, and I specified the 16" wheels instead of the 17", because of the ride quality is far greater - particularly if your nearly 60, like me! Ive just ordered a JCW. Took ages to get a manual, as I really dislike the auto. Should arrive in about 8-9 weeks. This is one of the best, most original reviews I have seen thus far. Subbed.
I drove a Manuel Mini for years. When I went to lease my next one they’d have manual. After driving an S with automatic I will NEVER shift gears again.
HAHAHA! I know the feeling. When I drove the BMW M2 CS, it was auto and as someone that has always driven manuals all my life, that auto was so brilliant!
@@Revmatchmedia thank you for asking! Saving BMW G80 M3 (Manual). The only thing…I still didn’t decide it should I go manual or auto with mini/driving to NY is not a pleasure 😂 generally)
@@PhonesOnaDailyBasis I've had some people comment below saying the auto is good. I havent driven a M3 but I have driven a convertible M4 and if those are any similar, the Mini will be a mini version of the BMW.
@@Revmatchmedia Thank you ! Im sure auto is good too. I positively sure that mini will be the same as in bmw in many many different ways 😅. Basically Is the only car that have 230hp but it thinks that is over 500 😅😂 typical bmw
This F56 JCW has been around for almost 7-8 years. I genuinely don't know why everyone keeps ignoring this car. Sure the price tag is a bit of a rip-off, but used ones do exist.
Nice review man, as a JCW owner myself I agree on the main points you're talking about here. I actually watched this video several times before deciding myself for a JCW, so please ask for your share from BMW :D Side note: the shift stick is not a hand rest ;)
Thank you so much for the view count bump lol. It was an easy review to do since it was such a fun car to drive. One day I will add a JCW to my garage. I gotta ask, what color did you go with?
I had a 2016 Mini hatch JCW in that colour scheme but had a carbon scoop surround. I had the cars for 4 years but sold it as it was nearing 100k miles. I kind of regret letting it go but swapped it for an i-Pace Jaguar so not a bad replacement.
You must try it. It is on another level from the F Pace. Mine has the 22" rims which just sets the car off but the acceleration is different level. I have seen it clocked at 4.1 seconds.@@Revmatchmedia
The newer generation of Mini have "shifting assist" which makes manual driving very comfortable. Don't know exactly how it works but the engine somehow safes some rpm by itself which makes shifting more comfortable
It sees the speed you're doing and revs the engine based on the new gear you just put it in. It's rev matching. It made this Mini so easy to drive. I just wished it were something that you can turn on in the other modes other than the "Sport" mode. Thanks for watching.
Get mine in march have to cooper s just now , the lights on the back if you look at them your saying the flags point to each other , if you joined them together they would be the flag complete it's like two halfs ;)
I'd like to get a new daily driver next year, and was really looking towards a manual MINI Cooper JCW, but the lack of an LSD and Android Auto capability has really killed it for me. Too bad too, as this was probably my favorite hot hatch sold here in the U.S., and in fact is the only one you can get with only 2 doors (which is what I would prefer). However, those two options are kind of deal killers for me, especially for the price of these cars.
Awesome review...I’ve just ordered my umpteenth JCW EXACTLY like the one you tested but mine will have the 8-speed auto(the other ones have been manuals) because as of last May BMW announced that the auto wouldn’t be installed anymore,not at the moment anyway,due to the war...looks like virtually anything,from chewing gums to submarine engines are produced in Ukraine! At first I was a bit disappointed but looks like it will be a blast nonetheless
@@Revmatchmedia ...thank you...I’m a little concerned about the gearbox because it sure won’t be like the DTC I had on the 458 and 488 but I’m confident it’ll be great on the few stretches on the Italian highways here. I’m glad you’ve been able to drive a manual JCW because they’re,simply put,PURE AWESOMENESS,as you’ve found out yourself. Keep up the good job...I’ve loved your video
@@Revmatchmedia I went for the auto, disabled vet, I can’t drive a manual anymore. I went for rebel green all over, no messing around with roof or door mirrors. I didn’t want it to look like a hairdresser’s car. I have the premium plus pack (UK spec). Basically has everything. Sunroof, camera, dampers and Especially the H/K stereo. Paid extra for privacy glass £250. But stuck with the 17” black alloys. I thought they looked better with the rebel green. Nice review. Very informative. Cheers mate👍🏻
Does the front have a toe hook in that hole? Like the s models so we can put a toe hook no drill holes license plate holder? I don’t wanna put a front plate in the center of that beautiful grill.
I’m not sure. I only got the manual and even then I get the cars only for a week to review them. You may have to do a web search to see if others are having issues.
It is more of a sports car feel to it. I would attribute the stiffness more to the small side wall that this wheel/tire package had. A little taller sidewall and you can daily it with comfort. I’d daily it as is but you will feel things a bit more.
Its not hard to find the sport button. Like other devices you just need to read the manual or be shown. Its like a new TV. Someone else sometimes needs to show you how to get the best out of it.
@@Revmatchmedia Awesome. Hard to decide between this and the 's'. I have a Golf R so I'm used to a softer ride. But looking for something different. Some may think I'm crazy for considering a trade. Good review.
@ericcarson342 thanks! If you have the financial means, I’d go JCW specially for resell value. The stiffer feel I felt was definitely more towards the tiny sidewall of the bigger wheel/tire. Go smaller wheel with meatier tires and you won’t regret it.
@@Revmatchmedia That's why I went with the Golf R, it's more than a GTI but holds a greater percentage of re-sale value. JCW are so rare, especially the rebel green, but you're right the re-sale value would be higher.
Why would you want to change your bulbs (when you can’t as they’re LED). The wheels are that shape to fit the brakes. I think your driving position is wrong or the steering wheel isn’t set for you. I don’t have any problems seeing the display and heads-up Other than that a pretty sound review. I find Bluetooth a bit pants when using with Spotify, not always reliable.
I tell everyone to take your car seat with you to the dealership! I’ve had people tell me their sales guys are surprised but it was the best thing to do and make sure it’s easy to get the little ones in and out. I do recall this one being easy to get him in and out of because the front seat does move forward a lot. When I had this loaner, my kiddo was 6 years and 9 months old. Try to make this work for you because the mini is such a blast! Have you considered the four door?
I agree about the 4 door. Make it work with the 2 door! Lol. Maybe look up smaller child seats. Ours was massive because it was one of those that were like a 3-in-1 kinda deal. I had to convince my wife so badly to switch to the booster seat to let my son ride with me in the Lexus LC500 convertible loaner. I’m so glad he got to experience that because he says it’s his favorite car he’s ever been in lol. Good luck and keep me updated with what you end up going with.
40,000 is 280,000 in CNY. And if I can have this little thing at that price, I'd laugh to wake up in my sleep. It takes 400,000 CNY in China to get it.
Stopped watching this half way through er yeah, too many false negatives, er yeah, no technical information, er yeah, finding problems that aren't really a problem for the sake of it, er yeah I have one.
Thanks for watching. The MINI is so good that I really couldn’t find anything wrong with it other than some tiny things I addressed. As far as technical info, you can always read that stuff on their site. My goal is to focus more on the feeling of car and if you would’ve watched the whole video, you would’ve seen that I really want one. I’ve been looking at the clubman JCW to add a little more practicality for my uses. Again thanks for watching and what MINI do you have?
@@Revmatchmedia I have the three door hatch JCW in white silver with a red topping along with all the toys, only thing I would have liked it to have but it's not an option is power memory seats and 20/30 more horses to compete with the competition.
That’s a nice color combination. I definitely can see how those memory seats would be nice to have if you share the car as well. I don’t mind not having that extra power because even if the competition is beating me, I would have the biggest smile on my face because it is a fun car to drive.
@@Musicman4001007 that sounds nice! This one definitely gets recommended to a lot of friends in hopes that they get one and I can borrow it lol. For now, my Miata will do lol