Mini F56 JCW or Z4C si

S

soz4c

Member
Hi all, newbie on here but a previous Z4R 3.0 owner a long time ago.
This is maybe a really odd cross shopping exercise and I'm not looking for a which should I buy exactly but interested in your perspectives, especially those that have owned or currently own a Z4 and F56 MCS or JCW mini.

As a serial multi car owner over the years (inc. 911, 944, Z4, 350Z, GT86, S3, Boxster) I have been saddled with 1 family car for the past 3 years and now looking for something fun again as a 2nd car.
Was dead set on that being a Z4 Coupe but recently had a drive in a JCW... I'm primarily looking for something that's just fun, lively, looks interesting and has some aural drama. 0-60 is irrelevant as long as it feels quick enough, handling, involvement and smile factor are the big ticket items for me. I'm genuinely stuck as both made me grin and for the moment there can be only one.

Z4c would be ideally 2008-2009 3.0si low miles (ideally sub 60/70k) good history.
Mini JCS would be late 15-2016 c. 40-60k
Reliability is important to me and apart from odd jobs I don't have time (or skills for much mechanical DIY.
So 2 seats, coupe, 3ltr six, bit old but... or, 4 seat hatch 2ltr turbo, bit newer but...
Budget there and I'd pay good money for the right car.

It's going to be a sat on drive car as no garage space, used for local errands and weekend drives. Mainly going to be me and son or just me, if family day out or holidays then we'll take family wagon (VW Arteon R - 300hp AWD and acres of space).

I know responses will be biased but been reading/researching lots on here for a while and as well as great knowledge seems like a super friendly forum so thought I'd canvas your opinions/wisdom 🙂.
 
You couldn’t give me a mini. Id choose any other hot hatch over one. If that is what I was in the market for.

Surely you would want a rwd car for fun?!
 
I agree you couldn't give me a previous model mini (on reliability alone!).
The relatively short wheelbase and pointy nature of the setup means the JCW felt fun, quite chuckable for what is now quite a big car. I've discounted other FWDs I.e.. Clio RS, hot Peugeots, TTs, S Audis ⁸etc. Im only really considering Z4c or JCW.
FWD vs RWD, natural leaning would be RWD, my GT86 rear slid round every corner and roundabout in the wet at genuinely legal speeds. But, I have had lots of fun in FWD too inc Mk5 GTI and used to race an Alfa33 = lots of smiles!
 
soz4c said:
I agree you couldn't give me a previous model mini (on reliability alone!).
The relatively short wheelbase and pointy nature of the setup means the JCW felt fun, quite chuckable for what is now quite a big car. I've discounted other FWDs I.e.. Clio RS, hot Peugeots, TTs, S Audis ⁸etc. Im only really considering Z4c or JCW.
FWD vs RWD, natural leaning would be RWD, my GT86 rear slid round every corner and roundabout in the wet at genuinely legal speeds. But, I have had lots of fun in FWD too inc Mk5 GTI and used to race an Alfa33 = lots of smiles!
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Both very different cars. It really depends on what you want from the car I guess.

Nice situation to be in though. Good luck with your choice.
 
I owned my E86 3.0Si Sport for about 10 years and I currently own an F56 JCW, which I've had for nearly two years. As I got rid of the E86 earlier this year, I owned both at the same time for a while. I would never have considered one or the other (I still have a modified MX-5 for RWD fun). I traded out of a 2016 M135i for my Mini because I wanted something that I felt was more individual, characterful, and quick but less likely to lose me my license when having fun. I often miss RWD when I'm in the Mini, though, so then I jump back in my MX-5 which is modified to my liking. Perhaps that answers your question :wink: Any specific questions you have let me know and I'll do my best to answer.

By the way, try an MX-5 if you haven't - lots of fun at legal speeds and plenty of options to modify for more power if you find it lacking.
 
@M1k3yC

Many thanks for the constructive feedback 😉. I was very near to a BBR 180 mx5 NC last year, it was just a borderline fit for me at 6ft 3, felt a little exposed safety wise on Motorway with my 10yo sat in passenger seat and I'm often out with him. Handling superb if a little slow but reckon a BBR 200 may solve that. The z4C answered the power, question and felt a little more 'substantial' with son riding shotgun, oh and better sound 🙂
If you could ONLY have the MX/Z4 or the JCW I'm guessing you'd go RWD then!
 
soz4c said:
If you could ONLY have the MX/Z4 or the JCW I'm guessing you'd go RWD then!
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Even before I had my MX-5 modified, I said that of the Z4, MX-5, and Mini, I would keep the MX-5 if I could only have one car. My MX-5 is an ND and I had a Super 200 conversion, some brakes and suspension changes, aftermarket wheels, and full exhaust at BBR. Turbocharging and supercharging are also options if you want to go quicker. Dealing with BBR could have been smoother so if I were to do it again I'd explore either getting their parts and having someone else fit or different aftermarket upgrades. I've also had the manufacturer's Apple CarPlay upgrade fitted. As a result, it's quite quick, feels quite modern, great fun, and still returns 40mpg or more on longer runs. The boot is small, but with some fitted luggage you can get a reasonable amount in without putting too much thought into packing.
 
@M1k3yC
Thanks again, great to get some real owner thoughts and experiences. Really liked the ND but found it even tighter for headroom than the NC, admittedly only a showroom sit in for size, the sales guy was very 'oooh, suits you sir, can you see yourself whizzing in this Sir...' I didn't hang around long :lol:
 
Got this for the wife recently, so far, it’s been a class act, family of 5 too.

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De chromed the front & bought her a plate :thumbsup:

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jock156 said:
Got this for the wife recently, so far, it’s been a class act, family of 5 too.
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According to one member above, Brian, that makes you stupid! :o :roll:
 
I have been stupid enough to buy and drive numerous FWD cars on the past... and even enjoyed some of them :D

It's all good, I asked about 2 cars that are polar opposites in some ways on a forum geared towards RWD 2 seaters, knew it might be a bit divisive and there may be strong opinion.
Better than getting no responses so welcome it.
👍
 
I've only driven an R50 Mini One and an R56 Cooper but they were both fun to rag around. I suspect an F56 JCW would be much the same just a fair bit quicker so probably great fun.

But as much fun as it might be I'm a diehard RWD fan (I sold my last FWD car in 2003) so I wouldn't choose one. Plus I prefer N/A engines to turbos. :roll:

And just getting into an E86 feels a bit special anyway.

But we all have our own preferences so you really need to try both before you decide.
 
[ref]soz4c[/ref], don't dismiss a nicely optioned Cooper S, by the way. My mum has a Cooper S on 17" wheels and every time I drive it I always think that it's a much easier car to live with than my JCW. You miss the extra power and beefier brakes of the JCW, but the Cooper S is a much more comfortable drive and still quick and entertaining in sport mode. I was also considering a Challenge 210 or a Works 210 when I got mine but never actually drove one - I wish that I had, they could well be the sweet spot.
 
There's a 1 owner MCS Works 210 with the JCW Performance (Bluetooth) exhaust for sale only 3 miles from me. Im going to have a look on Sun or Mon! 👍
I then just have to get out in a Z4C again to try and cement my thoughts.. its been some time since I was in one!
I have a feeling the RWD would swing it but if it did then the challenge would be patience to find a low miles, FSH, rust free, top condition one at the age they are now.
 
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