I had a Cooper S and it was one of the most fun cars to drive I have ever owned. I now own an RS3 saloon with 400hp. Yes it's fast but no where near as much fun to drive every day. The Audi is just too fast to get the most of out of it without losing my license.
I was choosing/testdriving between Abarth 500, MX5, BWM 230i coupe and similar. Also S3 - where they gave me an RS3 to testdrive at the dealership. (wtf!) Incredibly performance, super fast, that grip of the quattro - it was a breathtaking drive for ~30 minutes; then on the way back to the dealership i realized the same (it's a hugly overpowered A3 you can't let run freely on a daily basis). And when driven normally, the same feeling of "oddly perfect but boring" crept in, those sterile looks - a bit the same feel when going in our companies VW Passats. In the end, my joy&playfull inner child won, and i bought the JCW. I didn't regret it one second... :)
While i enjoyed your Cooper review and many others, i really can't enjoy this. Some points/facts are outright false, some are the complete opposite from what i experience. Owning/driving daily one since May 2018, and also got feedback by others who i let drive with it. 8 speed gearbox: First off, it's a torque converter auto, not a double-clutch auto. That fits perfectly to that engine (regarding revs, torque and power delivery), as it handles torque much better by nature. But also parking, slow or traffic jam driving - just superior in comfort and longevity to a double-clutch. There are good reasons, manufacturers are coming back for torque converters for higher powered cars.....with the exception of high revving sports cars, pure track cars, and cheap entry level city cars, where the dual-clutch, and only there imo, makes sense. And while i like manual (and have 2 other cars with manual), i couldn't imagine a shifter in the jcw. The engine has so much torque, and it's way of delivering it, the 8AT is just so much quicker (and easier doing it) in real world vs me shifting - plus it gives better fuel consumption. Doing the clutch 1400x on a single 1h ride in traffic jam, is definitely no fun and a thing of the past. The spread is also fantastic - smooth shifts and low revs in everyday driving with Green/mid, absolute control with hard hitting and superquick shifts in sport/m&s mode. Plus acceleration is perfect in any situation or speed (due to 8 gears). It can hop several gears at once up or down (like you do with a manual) - and probably is the best comfort+fun experience i ever had - even compared to much pricier cars. Practicality: in real life is excellent (at least the hatch. The convertible: not so much). You can put in a lot of baggage when going on holiday with 2 ppl or do daily stuff? Yes. You can put in huge furniture when moving houses? No. You can put huge furniture in any 5 door compact or station wagon? No. Do those offer the same space in the front for 2ppl? In most cases: No. So what's all the fuss about. This is perfect for fun, also comfort & daily practicality. If you want to move houses, or need to drive a football team: get a bus. Fuel consumption: after break-in period, and when the electronics release full power (~5000km), i now experience real world consumptions from 5 to 11 l/100km, averaging on ~8l. For a car, that's effectively as fast/has the same or even better elasticity/acceleration than others with 100 or more hp MORE (and sure: several hundreds of kg more) - this is just great. You can get economy like with any other car, or performance (like other entry level sportscars) - with less consumption. Engine: while some still build on down-sizing, some start to revert to reasonable engines, this got up-sizing already since 2014. You mentioned the B38 - which is indeed really good - for a 3 cylinder. But it's no match in every aspect to the B48 tbh. Having the same engine that powers the current 20/25/30i variants from 1-7 series...in such a compact car, is quite a feature - and more than just noteworthy. Seats: Those with integrated headrest and Dinamica (a special kind of Alcantara, you can so far get only with BMW M Cars, Mercedes AMG and Mini), are probably the most comfortable i've ever driven. Good sidehold if you drive like mad (not talking racetrack ofcourse, thats another thing), yet cuddling and comforting for long drives too, plus comfortable at any temperature (a thing leather or cloth only seats can't do). Sound: Many friends feedback included, i can only say that this car has one of the best sound designs for beeing street legal and "out of the box". Induction, turbo, exhaust, up/downshifts - all playing such a nice symphony with a lot of grunt and deep undertone - and not sounding only loud, or so trashy like many others, or so lame (there are quite a lot of 2.0 turbos who sound neither sporty nor comforting, but are just meeeeeh), let alone those doing backgarage tuning. It's loud, sharp&angry, but refined. If they had left out the bit of artificial sound out of speakers in Sport Mode - it would be perfect - because it actually doesn't need that. Brakes: You did not even mention those. For a road car - they are incredibly good, in dosage and stopping power. They last, they don't fade a little bit - there is a reason they barely fit under 17 inch wheels (not more than 5mm spacing). With that, and the way it allows you to drive it, is miles ahead of an (already really good) Cooper/S, and matches sport oriented cars which cost quite a bit more. Traction: is stellar for a fwd. This car is built for grip. Can do a lot more in corners than most people want to dare. Torque steer: erm....not really. But i can imagine traction problems up to 3rd gear with 18"s like in the video, maybe even runflat tyres, maybe brand new and not broken in, and also the wrong tire pressure. 17" are optimal, where Y tyres should be on 2,5/2,2bar to have optimum surface contact - not the 3,x bar they suggest in the manual - due to legal/fuel economy reasons. When even passengers, driving Audi, Benz and co. ask, if this were a rwd or 4wd, because they are amazed of the grip&traction....i guess that means at least something. The combination of undercarriage, suspension and electronics is setup that good - i sincerely think no one, even engaged drivers, miss rwd or 4wd. It's also brilliant to drive in winter, which i could already witness. Good for anything than the most steep alpine regions, and easier to handle than a 4wd. How many fwd cars can say that from themselves? BMW or original: Whilst it's a super cute oldtimer, i would not want to drive a poverty driven post ww2 car these days. But two big things hold up to this day: Achieve more with less, and a unique design, in practicality and design, that still looks great today. I didn't like the 2 previous bmw generations - due to lack of quality and materials. Technically it felt into the category a Fiesta ST, Abarth 500 and similiar still do today - great drive, but feeling cheap, and not the best in longevity. Don't get me wrong: the Fiesta ST is an engaging drive - but it's a cheap plastic bomber car, with a pretty ugly and boring interior - something i liked when i turned 18, didn't give anything about all else then just driving, and couldnt afford more. When i made my choice earlier this year, it was between a 230i coupe and the jcw. I choose the JCW because it has the same tec., quality, service packages like any other 1/2/3 series with Traffic assist, Full matrix LED and other stuff, nicer seats, the same 2 + lugagge practicality, which is more, than the 0 day-to-day practicality of MX5 and co., and less, but lighter/not sort-of-bus-praticality of 5 doors/bigger "compact" cars - beeing "super boring" included, similar straight line performance but superior in corners - and a 60 year old design that still we be, when this - although very sporty/elegant looking - 2series coupe is long forgotten. And it also has the aluminium honey-comb crash barriers like other BMW's - not an empty plastic rear bumper like the cheap alternatives of same size. As this is a BMW that looks like a Mini, it's not either/or, but BMW + the ideas of the original. Availability: If you please, you can buy a hundred identical Coopers. Or BMW 318i'. Or whatever drives arounds in thousands to millions. The LCI JCW was built between March to June 2018 - so you can't go and configure one to buy new any more (i had luck...), you only have a choice between those which are around. If you are lucky enough to find one. Like any JCW, this is a rarity to enjoy. Whoever wants it, knows it and commits to it - ppl that don't enjoy just "any" car. Whoever doesnt want or cant afford it - should look elsewhere, and do what all the other "any model silver VW diesel" drivers do. So instead of taking that at least into consideration or mention it (nobody expects everybody sees, that this is already a classic like all its predecessors), ppl get negative conotations for the most part & believe this is a car review of a car you can buy - which makes this all a bit pointless. My resume: The spread this cars offers, is incredible. I can use it everyday with not bad comfort, low consumption, excellent materials, a fantastic infotainment&sound system, while it's comforting and easy on you even when you have a bad day/are not in good shape/lack concentration/have time pressure to do things around town, or cruise long distances on Autobahn with high speed and low revs, around 130km/h it's just like "idling" at 50km/h. Or get more than just complimenting nods of Motorcycle drivers when driving engaged on curvy alpine roads. Or eye-popping/unbelieving looks when you overtake cars costing almost double of this with the tachometer needle exceeding that 260 mark... While other cars offer more of one or the other, to me, it's a perfect blend of beeing a high-tech, but not overloaded, cost effective little sportscar offering refined quality. And in that, it's unique. Whilst i give a shit on beeing trendy or "lifestyle" - the posers you definitely find in other car models. Yes, it could use a bigger fuel tank and a little more room in the back - but then it would not be, what it is....but just another boring *insert your favourite car maker here* A Cooper/S is great, but the JCW is just so much more. Normally, you simply can't drive this without smiling constantly, even as a passenger sitting beside - oddly enough in this review i now found the first person to frown on it while driving ;-)
i hope so @@jonathang4882 (would like a 2nd one tbh...). Yes, because of WLTP and EURO6d (that can't be reached without OPF - which requires a lot of redesign), the same reason the BMW x40i's and other higher spec engines are not buyable (also Porsche and many others). Glad i have the real deal soundwise (=no OPF), and with 6c also no bad conscience - pushes out cleaner air than it sucks in driving in big, dirty cities anyway :D )
My brand new jcw arrives in September.. so as you can imagine the past few months I’ve seen a lot of videos, read a lot of info, etc about this car and it’s closest competitors. I test drove a few cars too. Your comment is the most accurate description I found online of this car, I salute you for being so honest about it without sounding like a fanboy or as the video author says a poser (not trying to be mean but he sounded like a poser himself). So thanks a lot, and happy trails!
I owned one for 8 months. it was the most fun car I'd owned in years. Never had the TC light on except when the temperature dropped to 1° Hardly any torque steer. But it was the 6 speed auto model.
"It's like a GTI, but less practical". Well...hhhuummm...no. I had a GTI before. It's fun, yes! But as much as a JCW? Nah, not even close. This thing puts a smile on your face each and every time you fire up the engine. Less practical? Well, yeah. But I added the roof rails, bought a Thule and it's perfectly fine for my needs. Comparing this car to the GTI is like saying "this Corolla is exactly like this Impreza, only not AWD". I really don't see how or why you compared them. THAT BEING SAID, I enjoy your videos anyway. :)
is this guy serious? from a guy who did a lot of car reviews i expected a lot more from him.. i drive a mini cooper f56 jcw myself, the same one as in the video and i agree on many things with him but about what he said about the artificial sound and the fuel economy is bad is just bs really. No i'm not fanboying, i love the car though but it sure has some minors like every other car out there but i just wanted to point some things out. The sound it gives inside and outside cockpit is one of the better sounds i heard from hothatches, it's brutal with pops and bangs in sport mode but is subtle and civilized if you drive it normally. Now what really grinds my gears is what he said about the fuel economy being bad.. i mean come on dude it's a HOT HATCH, not a fcking prius, but that said, when i drive normally during the week and go sport in the weekends i dont go above 8.5l/100km so what is this 10l bullshit. And off bloody course BMW says it can make 5 liters, they test the car in windless, almost vacuim conditions, offcourse it makes it than. get your facts straight boi.
Subtle and civilized yes, but as far as sport mode is concerned, sound is nothing special, which is why I suggested an accessory exhaust is probably an option to be considered. Fuel economy - as I said, I don't expect good fuel economy from a hot hatch. I'm sure driving this car every day gets old, so you ease off the gas. However I drive dozens of cars every year, and I try driving them in the same manner, and I have a relatively good idea of what fuel consumption they can realistically achieve. As I said, if you drive JCW the way it is intended to be driven, you'll be lucky to get 10. I'm sure you're very proud of your car, and I congratulate you on your purchase, but please accept other points of view.
You CAN do 5,5 l/100KM! I did it myself and yes the don’t lie about it! If you drive like a maniac you will get even worse than 10 l/100km... But if you have a light foot you can achieve the 5.5l/100km
I´ve had a 2008 Cooper S, and I´ve recently bought an 2018 JCW, and believe me, it´s awesome. The aesthetics is great, and the sound is just out of this world. I've had it for nearly 1000km and its one of the best things I've ever driven...
Ive got a grey 2016 JCW with an MST performance intake , goes like a rocket and will spin the wheels happily without TC on. This guy doesnt know what hes talking about its pretty quick trust me
Why not. Think of all the American cars with the stars and stripes on. I'm a uk citizen and would buy American car with the flag on. It just makes it seem more authentic. I think many nations have a flag on something that's unique to them. I think there is a car with German flag on.
Finally they removed chrome surrounding on the grill and made it black. So the front-end is not looking so long and ugly. Interesting how reliable this 2.0l turbo is comparing to previous 1.6l oil drinker and chain eater. Love the interior of F56, but still sure R50-R53 were the best looking MINIs.
The 1.6 PSA/BMW engine was great....but with ~200hp on it's thermal limits. With the damages to follow, which everyone saw. That also put me away from buying a Cit DS3 Racing back then.... While i like design/size of R50 and 56 - many tries/testdrives at dealership just put me off. With the F56 all changed, and i looked again - materials/quality now became worth the price. The proven B48, also working in any 1/2/3/4/6/7 25i or 30i BMW....i have no worries. That up-sizing of engine was the last key to saying myself: yes, buy it. And in the jcw, it even sounds better than on any of those.... :)
Thanks for the video! I have 2016 GTI with Performance Package. Since you mentioned GTI a few times, please tell me if VW GTI has more or less body roll compared to Mini Cooper S when turning or on curvy roads?
@@MarekDrives I see. This sprint/summer lease of my GTI will be over and I am debating between another GTI or Mini. I am happy with GTI, but when I go faster on the "S" road or cornering then I do feel body roll which to my taste is a bit more than I would have liked. I guess I will have to drive some miles to test drive mini. Thanks!
What about back seats? I am thinking about to buy one, I am pretty sure behind me as a Driver would not be much place but hope to get at least me and 2 other people on the front passenger seat and one behind
I don't agree with the Ford Fiesta comment. They're cheap looking it has a good chassis but wouldn't buy one over the JWC. If you were driving the manual version you would have enjoyed driving it somewhat more.
irs not a dct. or a 7 speed. they are 8 speed. these little cars piss all over the gti. the brakes are huge compared to other competitors. and it’s miles faster than anything in its class. you hate this car for other reasons and it’s a good review
Great Video! Love your honest opinion! I agree about staying away from the 231 HP version....not worth the hype.....Go with the 'S' if u want any type of performance...best bang for the buck in this case Thx again for posting
Have owned both S and JCW. Both quick but the JCW is noticeably quicker once you work the engine and sounds amazing in Sports mode. Also it handles better than the S.
I get the feeling you call it a poser car to trigger jcw owners. Stereotypes of car owners are plentiful. BMW, Mercedes, Honda... take your pick. I find it’s a rather childish way to look at the world or talk to your viewers, but to each his own. It does make your review sound unprofessional, which coupled to inaccuracies regarding this model paints a vulgar picture of your channel and yourself. Just my two cents.
I like the way you present and talk. But i don't agree with your review at all. I got JCW F56, so i'm a bit biased i guess... However, opinions differ.
Agree with your manual transmission only comment. That said, it's definitely a poser. I mean it's a British car that is actually German. I miss the prior gen, small size. BMW took an affordable, small, fun car that was not reliable, and made it big, expensive, and unreliable. No point
I think your style is particular. I don't know if i like it or not but i prefer people who talk straight. I have a R56 Cooper S, and i've been testing 2018 S and JCW and i don't think they are fun, you don't feel the road, and its front looks like a scared fish. I have the money to buy the new one, but i am not totally convinced. It has lost its personality. This is my first comment on TH-cam, because it is rare to see someone who dares to talk with no BS. People prefer to confirm their expectations than to hear the truth. What do you think?
Thank you. My thoughts exactly - about the car, and people looking to confirm their expectations. I refer to such people as "negotiators" (not necessarily shrewd :) ). You tell them something's bad, and they come back asking, if it's really as bad, because he said, she said. And it's not only cars. My gf has a blog about spotting fakes. When she tells someone "this is likely a fake, I do not recommend you buy it", people often reply "but does it look really fake, or do you think it could pass as the real deal in dim light?" :)
Definetly poser.... I see lot of them on street and allmost all even outside of city is rolling on road like "driving miss daisy" so i have complain more of owners... Thanks..
colinmason92 < Why os he a boring presenter? He's telling it as he see's it! Get your head out of your ass, & understand, he's trying to save you money! Are u a numb nutz? Geeze!
Chris P Bacon How can he save me money when he has stupid opinions about things that make no sense or is incorrect!! Plus he is so boring he is unwatchable and there are lots of decent informed presenters on here who know what they are talking about. You are clearly a moron!
Nobody with class wants to be seen in a fiesta... 💁🏼♀️
I had a Cooper S and it was one of the most fun cars to drive I have ever owned. I now own an RS3 saloon with 400hp. Yes it's fast but no where near as much fun to drive every day. The Audi is just too fast to get the most of out of it without losing my license.
I was choosing/testdriving between Abarth 500, MX5, BWM 230i coupe and similar.
Also S3 - where they gave me an RS3 to testdrive at the dealership. (wtf!)
Incredibly performance, super fast, that grip of the quattro - it was a breathtaking drive for ~30 minutes;
then on the way back to the dealership i realized the same (it's a hugly overpowered A3 you can't let run freely on a daily basis).
And when driven normally, the same feeling of "oddly perfect but boring" crept in, those sterile looks - a bit the same feel when going in our companies VW Passats.
In the end, my joy&playfull inner child won, and i bought the JCW. I didn't regret it one second... :)
While i enjoyed your Cooper review and many others, i really can't enjoy this.
Some points/facts are outright false, some are the complete opposite from what i experience.
Owning/driving daily one since May 2018, and also got feedback by others who i let drive with it.
8 speed gearbox:
First off, it's a torque converter auto, not a double-clutch auto.
That fits perfectly to that engine (regarding revs, torque and power delivery), as it handles torque much better by nature.
But also parking, slow or traffic jam driving - just superior in comfort and longevity to a double-clutch.
There are good reasons, manufacturers are coming back for torque converters for higher powered cars.....with the exception of high revving sports cars, pure track cars, and cheap entry level city cars, where the dual-clutch, and only there imo, makes sense.
And while i like manual (and have 2 other cars with manual), i couldn't imagine a shifter in the jcw.
The engine has so much torque, and it's way of delivering it, the 8AT is just so much quicker (and easier doing it) in real world vs me shifting - plus it gives better fuel consumption.
Doing the clutch 1400x on a single 1h ride in traffic jam, is definitely no fun and a thing of the past.
The spread is also fantastic - smooth shifts and low revs in everyday driving with Green/mid, absolute control with hard hitting and superquick shifts in sport/m&s mode.
Plus acceleration is perfect in any situation or speed (due to 8 gears).
It can hop several gears at once up or down (like you do with a manual) - and probably is the best comfort+fun experience i ever had - even compared to much pricier cars.
Practicality:
in real life is excellent (at least the hatch. The convertible: not so much).
You can put in a lot of baggage when going on holiday with 2 ppl or do daily stuff? Yes.
You can put in huge furniture when moving houses? No.
You can put huge furniture in any 5 door compact or station wagon? No.
Do those offer the same space in the front for 2ppl? In most cases: No.
So what's all the fuss about.
This is perfect for fun, also comfort & daily practicality.
If you want to move houses, or need to drive a football team: get a bus.
Fuel consumption:
after break-in period, and when the electronics release full power (~5000km),
i now experience real world consumptions from 5 to 11 l/100km, averaging on ~8l.
For a car, that's effectively as fast/has the same or even better elasticity/acceleration than others with 100 or more hp MORE (and sure: several hundreds of kg more) - this is just great.
You can get economy like with any other car, or performance (like other entry level sportscars) - with less consumption.
Engine:
while some still build on down-sizing, some start to revert to reasonable engines, this got up-sizing already since 2014.
You mentioned the B38 - which is indeed really good - for a 3 cylinder.
But it's no match in every aspect to the B48 tbh.
Having the same engine that powers the current 20/25/30i variants from 1-7 series...in such a compact car,
is quite a feature - and more than just noteworthy.
Seats:
Those with integrated headrest and Dinamica (a special kind of Alcantara, you can so far get only with BMW M Cars, Mercedes AMG and Mini),
are probably the most comfortable i've ever driven. Good sidehold if you drive like mad (not talking racetrack ofcourse, thats another thing),
yet cuddling and comforting for long drives too, plus comfortable at any temperature (a thing leather or cloth only seats can't do).
Sound:
Many friends feedback included, i can only say that this car has one of the best sound designs for beeing street legal and "out of the box".
Induction, turbo, exhaust, up/downshifts - all playing such a nice symphony with a lot of grunt and deep undertone - and not sounding only loud, or so trashy like many others,
or so lame (there are quite a lot of 2.0 turbos who sound neither sporty nor comforting, but are just meeeeeh), let alone those doing backgarage tuning.
It's loud, sharp&angry, but refined. If they had left out the bit of artificial sound out of speakers in Sport Mode - it would be perfect - because it actually doesn't need that.
Brakes:
You did not even mention those.
For a road car - they are incredibly good, in dosage and stopping power.
They last, they don't fade a little bit - there is a reason they barely fit under 17 inch wheels (not more than 5mm spacing).
With that, and the way it allows you to drive it, is miles ahead of an (already really good) Cooper/S,
and matches sport oriented cars which cost quite a bit more.
Traction:
is stellar for a fwd. This car is built for grip. Can do a lot more in corners than most people want to dare. Torque steer: erm....not really.
But i can imagine traction problems up to 3rd gear with 18"s like in the video, maybe even runflat tyres, maybe brand new and not broken in, and also the wrong tire pressure.
17" are optimal, where Y tyres should be on 2,5/2,2bar to have optimum surface contact - not the 3,x bar they suggest in the manual - due to legal/fuel economy reasons.
When even passengers, driving Audi, Benz and co. ask, if this were a rwd or 4wd, because they are amazed of the grip&traction....i guess that means at least something.
The combination of undercarriage, suspension and electronics is setup that good - i sincerely think no one, even engaged drivers, miss rwd or 4wd.
It's also brilliant to drive in winter, which i could already witness. Good for anything than the most steep alpine regions, and easier to handle than a 4wd.
How many fwd cars can say that from themselves?
BMW or original:
Whilst it's a super cute oldtimer, i would not want to drive a poverty driven post ww2 car these days.
But two big things hold up to this day: Achieve more with less, and a unique design, in practicality and design, that still looks great today.
I didn't like the 2 previous bmw generations - due to lack of quality and materials.
Technically it felt into the category a Fiesta ST, Abarth 500 and similiar still do today - great drive, but feeling cheap, and not the best in longevity.
Don't get me wrong: the Fiesta ST is an engaging drive - but it's a cheap plastic bomber car, with a pretty ugly and boring interior - something i liked when i turned 18,
didn't give anything about all else then just driving, and couldnt afford more.
When i made my choice earlier this year, it was between a 230i coupe and the jcw.
I choose the JCW because it has the same tec., quality, service packages like any other 1/2/3 series with Traffic assist, Full matrix LED and other stuff,
nicer seats, the same 2 + lugagge practicality,
which is more, than the 0 day-to-day practicality of MX5 and co., and less, but lighter/not sort-of-bus-praticality of 5 doors/bigger "compact" cars - beeing "super boring" included,
similar straight line performance but superior in corners - and a 60 year old design that still we be, when this - although very sporty/elegant looking - 2series coupe is long forgotten.
And it also has the aluminium honey-comb crash barriers like other BMW's - not an empty plastic rear bumper like the cheap alternatives of same size.
As this is a BMW that looks like a Mini, it's not either/or, but BMW + the ideas of the original.
Availability:
If you please, you can buy a hundred identical Coopers. Or BMW 318i'. Or whatever drives arounds in thousands to millions.
The LCI JCW was built between March to June 2018 - so you can't go and configure one to buy new any more (i had luck...),
you only have a choice between those which are around. If you are lucky enough to find one.
Like any JCW, this is a rarity to enjoy. Whoever wants it, knows it and commits to it - ppl that don't enjoy just "any" car.
Whoever doesnt want or cant afford it - should look elsewhere, and do what all the other "any model silver VW diesel" drivers do.
So instead of taking that at least into consideration or mention it (nobody expects everybody sees, that this is already a classic like all its predecessors),
ppl get negative conotations for the most part & believe this is a car review of a car you can buy - which makes this all a bit pointless.
My resume:
The spread this cars offers, is incredible.
I can use it everyday with not bad comfort, low consumption, excellent materials, a fantastic infotainment&sound system,
while it's comforting and easy on you even when you have a bad day/are not in good shape/lack concentration/have time pressure to do things around town,
or cruise long distances on Autobahn with high speed and low revs, around 130km/h it's just like "idling" at 50km/h.
Or get more than just complimenting nods of Motorcycle drivers when driving engaged on curvy alpine roads.
Or eye-popping/unbelieving looks when you overtake cars costing almost double of this with the tachometer needle exceeding that 260 mark...
While other cars offer more of one or the other, to me, it's a perfect blend of beeing a high-tech, but not overloaded, cost effective little sportscar offering refined quality.
And in that, it's unique. Whilst i give a shit on beeing trendy or "lifestyle" - the posers you definitely find in other car models.
Yes, it could use a bigger fuel tank and a little more room in the back - but then it would not be, what it is....but just another boring *insert your favourite car maker here*
A Cooper/S is great, but the JCW is just so much more.
Normally, you simply can't drive this without smiling constantly, even as a passenger sitting beside - oddly enough in this review i now found the first person to frown on it while driving ;-)
necro1970 good comment.. I believe it returns March 2019 as it was stopped production due to making it WLTP compliant for EU regulations
i hope so @@jonathang4882 (would like a 2nd one tbh...). Yes, because of WLTP and EURO6d (that can't be reached without OPF - which requires a lot of redesign), the same reason the BMW x40i's and other higher spec engines are not buyable (also Porsche and many others).
Glad i have the real deal soundwise (=no OPF), and with 6c also no bad conscience - pushes out cleaner air than it sucks in driving in big, dirty cities anyway :D )
My brand new jcw arrives in September.. so as you can imagine the past few months I’ve seen a lot of videos, read a lot of info, etc about this car and it’s closest competitors. I test drove a few cars too. Your comment is the most accurate description I found online of this car, I salute you for being so honest about it without sounding like a fanboy or as the video author says a poser (not trying to be mean but he sounded like a poser himself). So thanks a lot, and happy trails!
Just brought a Jcw yesterday and love it but I still like the video
I owned one for 8 months. it was the most fun car I'd owned in years. Never had the TC light on except when the temperature dropped to 1° Hardly any torque steer. But it was the 6 speed auto model.
Del Johnson wow 8 months is a lifetime....
Sold due to family illness
Del Johnson I hope everything is ok
There is only one poser in this video and it’s not the car.
"It's like a GTI, but less practical".
Well...hhhuummm...no. I had a GTI before. It's fun, yes! But as much as a JCW? Nah, not even close. This thing puts a smile on your face each and every time you fire up the engine.
Less practical? Well, yeah. But I added the roof rails, bought a Thule and it's perfectly fine for my needs. Comparing this car to the GTI is like saying "this Corolla is exactly like this Impreza, only not AWD". I really don't see how or why you compared them.
THAT BEING SAID, I enjoy your videos anyway. :)
is this guy serious? from a guy who did a lot of car reviews i expected a lot more from him.. i drive a mini cooper f56 jcw myself, the same one as in the video and i agree on many things with him but about what he said about the artificial sound and the fuel economy is bad is just bs really. No i'm not fanboying, i love the car though but it sure has some minors like every other car out there but i just wanted to point some things out. The sound it gives inside and outside cockpit is one of the better sounds i heard from hothatches, it's brutal with pops and bangs in sport mode but is subtle and civilized if you drive it normally. Now what really grinds my gears is what he said about the fuel economy being bad.. i mean come on dude it's a HOT HATCH, not a fcking prius, but that said, when i drive normally during the week and go sport in the weekends i dont go above 8.5l/100km so what is this 10l bullshit. And off bloody course BMW says it can make 5 liters, they test the car in windless, almost vacuim conditions, offcourse it makes it than. get your facts straight boi.
Subtle and civilized yes, but as far as sport mode is concerned, sound is nothing special, which is why I suggested an accessory exhaust is probably an option to be considered.
Fuel economy - as I said, I don't expect good fuel economy from a hot hatch. I'm sure driving this car every day gets old, so you ease off the gas. However I drive dozens of cars every year, and I try driving them in the same manner, and I have a relatively good idea of what fuel consumption they can realistically achieve. As I said, if you drive JCW the way it is intended to be driven, you'll be lucky to get 10.
I'm sure you're very proud of your car, and I congratulate you on your purchase, but please accept other points of view.
I think this JCW have a 8 sp auto, not 7 sp DCT...
Have 8
post 2018 8speed. Before 2018 - 6speed auto
This car is amazing. I have it manual, of course.
These cars are amazing fun! You are the most boring and depressing presenter i have ever come across and seem to think the opposite of everyone else!
And some people appreciate it.
Looooser marek
Loooser marek
He doesn’t even know it’s an 8 speed torque converter.. that just turned me off . Ford ST? He must have been paid by Ford.
This is a terrible review.
It's just a Union flag it's only referred to as a union jack if it's on a ship
Love videos man hope you keep doing them in English
boring? A JCW? I own one (F57) and it‘s pure fun!
You CAN do 5,5 l/100KM! I did it myself and yes the don’t lie about it! If you drive like a maniac you will get even worse than 10 l/100km... But if you have a light foot you can achieve the 5.5l/100km
Thanks for the honest review. I have a 2003 cooper s which I love, but it's getting old and wondering what to get next 🤔
I´ve had a 2008 Cooper S, and I´ve recently bought an 2018 JCW, and believe me, it´s awesome. The aesthetics is great, and the sound is just out of this world. I've had it for nearly 1000km and its one of the best things I've ever driven...
i had a 2003 jcw as my first car. still the best car i’ve owned and miss it like crazy 😭🤣
Ive got a grey 2016 JCW with an MST performance intake , goes like a rocket and will spin the wheels happily without TC on. This guy doesnt know what hes talking about its pretty quick trust me
I like your style. I also agree with you on poser thing. For that kind of money I'd go with Golf R.
Do you really want to drive around continental Europe with Union Flag tail lights? I wouldn't, not as an European resident.
They wont sell in Ireland, thats for sure
its an added option, you can have normal tail lights!!!
Who gives a fuck... get another car ... 2018 and people still behave primitively
Why not. Think of all the American cars with the stars and stripes on. I'm a uk citizen and would buy American car with the flag on. It just makes it seem more authentic. I think many nations have a flag on something that's unique to them. I think there is a car with German flag on.
Finally they removed chrome surrounding on the grill and made it black. So the front-end is not looking so long and ugly.
Interesting how reliable this 2.0l turbo is comparing to previous 1.6l oil drinker and chain eater.
Love the interior of F56, but still sure R50-R53 were the best looking MINIs.
makar126 They look much better with chrome on them!
The 1.6 PSA/BMW engine was great....but with ~200hp on it's thermal limits.
With the damages to follow, which everyone saw.
That also put me away from buying a Cit DS3 Racing back then....
While i like design/size of R50 and 56 - many tries/testdrives at dealership just put me off.
With the F56 all changed, and i looked again - materials/quality now became worth the price.
The proven B48, also working in any 1/2/3/4/6/7 25i or 30i BMW....i have no worries.
That up-sizing of engine was the last key to saying myself: yes, buy it.
And in the jcw, it even sounds better than on any of those.... :)
Thanks for the video! I have 2016 GTI with Performance Package. Since you mentioned GTI a few times, please tell me if VW GTI has more or less body roll compared to Mini Cooper S when turning or on curvy roads?
It's been a while, since I've driven both of them. I don't think there's a big difference. MINI simply has a harsher ride.
@@MarekDrives I see. This sprint/summer lease of my GTI will be over and I am debating between another GTI or Mini. I am happy with GTI, but when I go faster on the "S" road or cornering then I do feel body roll which to my taste is a bit more than I would have liked. I guess I will have to drive some miles to test drive mini. Thanks!
The Manual version is the best.
What about back seats? I am thinking about to buy one, I am pretty sure behind me as a Driver would not be much place but hope to get at least me and 2 other people on the front passenger seat and one behind
There should be more about rear space here:
th-cam.com/video/S1f5A5hADRU/w-d-xo.html
I don't agree with the Ford Fiesta comment. They're cheap looking it has a good chassis but wouldn't buy one over the JWC. If you were driving the manual version you would have enjoyed driving it somewhat more.
irs not a dct. or a 7 speed. they are 8 speed. these little cars piss all over the gti. the brakes are huge compared to other competitors. and it’s miles faster than anything in its class. you hate this car for other reasons and it’s a good review
Great Video! Love your honest opinion!
I agree about staying away from the 231 HP version....not worth the hype.....Go with the 'S' if u want any type of performance...best bang for the buck in this case
Thx again for posting
The JCW is way better than the Cooper S, albeit that the S is a great car.
Have owned both S and JCW. Both quick but the JCW is noticeably quicker once you work the engine and sounds amazing in Sports mode.
Also it handles better than the S.
I am waiting for 5 door John Cooper works. 3 door is totally impractical for daily driving.
Oh my goood! You're talking about the MINI JCW, so stop talking about the Golf GTI!!!
And the Steptronic has 8 speed, not 7...
Says it's disengaging to drive, doesn't even shift with the paddles but puts it in automatic instead (face in palm)
The exhaust is that stock or additional?
This is stock. There's an optional louder one, which you activate with a remote control.
3:08 Grill
Brakes are effective when you are stopping? Stating the obvious.....
Every commoner, simpleton’s dream is to drive a Fiesta ST.
It's a brilliant car, and offers better value, than the JCW. GP2 is another story.
I get the feeling you call it a poser car to trigger jcw owners. Stereotypes of car owners are plentiful. BMW, Mercedes, Honda... take your pick. I find it’s a rather childish way to look at the world or talk to your viewers, but to each his own. It does make your review sound unprofessional, which coupled to inaccuracies regarding this model paints a vulgar picture of your channel and yourself. Just my two cents.
I like the way you present and talk. But i don't agree with your review at all. I got JCW F56, so i'm a bit biased i guess... However, opinions differ.
first person to talk negative about this car
Agree with your manual transmission only comment. That said, it's definitely a poser. I mean it's a British car that is actually German. I miss the prior gen, small size. BMW took an affordable, small, fun car that was not reliable, and made it big, expensive, and unreliable. No point
I think your style is particular. I don't know if i like it or not but i prefer people who talk straight. I have a R56 Cooper S, and i've been testing 2018 S and JCW and i don't think they are fun, you don't feel the road, and its front looks like a scared fish. I have the money to buy the new one, but i am not totally convinced. It has lost its personality.
This is my first comment on TH-cam, because it is rare to see someone who dares to talk with no BS. People prefer to confirm their expectations than to hear the truth. What do you think?
Thank you. My thoughts exactly - about the car, and people looking to confirm their expectations. I refer to such people as "negotiators" (not necessarily shrewd :) ). You tell them something's bad, and they come back asking, if it's really as bad, because he said, she said.
And it's not only cars. My gf has a blog about spotting fakes. When she tells someone "this is likely a fake, I do not recommend you buy it", people often reply "but does it look really fake, or do you think it could pass as the real deal in dim light?" :)
"Mini"...they are bigger than bus now...Prefer a real hothatch with more space and comfort, like Golf GTI.
GTI is a size/class larger, but you're right, the Mini is not mini anymore.
This is a luxury car.Golf is an expensive common car.Dont compare different things.Thank you
I swear he didn’t tell anything nice about it..😳
48k ???????????????????HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA
Definetly poser.... I see lot of them on street and allmost all even outside of city is rolling on road like "driving miss daisy" so i have complain more of owners... Thanks..
Giving off hater vibes
Yup.
th-cam.com/video/UNEbwIhQFBE/w-d-xo.html
Fell asleep watching this. Boring and dry.
You are Rude !
No shit!
The most boring man on the planet thinks it's a good idea to present car video's!
Marek Drives < You are not rude at all.....Finally someone tells it like it is.
colinmason92 < Why os he a boring presenter?
He's telling it as he see's it!
Get your head out of your ass, & understand, he's trying to save you money! Are u a numb nutz? Geeze!
Chris P Bacon How can he save me money when he has stupid opinions about things that make no sense or is incorrect!! Plus he is so boring he is unwatchable and there are lots of decent informed presenters on here who know what they are talking about. You are clearly a moron!
all Minis changed to be boring cars, that feels especially too heavy, not "super-agil"
Sonnenschein Sommer You have obviously never driven one then!
Dreadful colour
R Mac Amazing colour