2013 Mini Cooper JCW GP - More FUN Than a Civic Type R?

I might've just found my new favorite (to drive) FWD car.
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Email me if you'd like me to review your car: [e-mail]

[@kingsunneyproductions5555]

What an absolute track monster. Mini isn’t making them the same anymore😢but even today it’s clear to see those R56 generation Mini JCW’s and GP’s were really something else. They kept the classic look and the analogue feel, and go kart characteristics. Just be ready to keep up with maintenance.

[@xeno1017]

Ain’t no Sunday until Zygrene releases a vid!!

[@exiong25]

I have a 2013 JCW. It has the more reliable n18 engine and all of the aero parts from the gp2. The only major differences from a gp2 is the 2013 JCW has the better, newer n18 as opposed to n14 engine, suspension, brakes (4 piston instead of 6 piston at the front), and it still has backseats. I saw you on the freeway this past week also. I was on my bike splitting through crawling traffic. Saw a blue brz and realized it was you when I rode past you.

[@DiViNiTY1337]

The R56 GP also has the N18. The JCW and GP both got the N18 for the 2013 model year, whereas the Cooper S had the N18 all the way from 2010 when it was facelifted. Supposedly there's some additional differences in suspension geometry between the JCW and the GP, not entirely sure what though, but the N18 JCW is essentially the same as the GP. That said, both the N18 JCW and GP are quite expensive for what they are (the Mini tax is real) so a good budget option would be to get a 2010+ N18 Cooper S and have it tuned. With an intake and exhaust you can expect around 240 bhp, if you want to keep it all stock a tune only will give you around 210-220 bhp so right around the ballpark of the stock JCW and GP.

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

I had a dynoed 296 whp R56 Cooper S, it is THE most fun car I have ever had the pleasure of driving, and the fact that I owned it feels like a dream now. I miss that car every day.

[@VQSeries]

Great review as always, ty Zygrene for taking us on this POV drive in this very much slept-on JCW MC

[@ChristianKeune]

Nice to see someone who reviewed the GP2 also today. Thanks for that. 😀👍🏻

[@tractioncontroldelete]

Love minis! Glad you did this review. This is a dream car for me

[@Datsun510zen]

I'm impressed by your reaction. So a Quaife ATB Helical LSD and a light retune would make that thing a mini monster. I wonder how competitive it would be in autocross? When I was racing my 510 back in the 80s it was always a ratted out British Mini Cooper that gave me the most trouble.

[@Modmaann]

Minis are very dominant or one of the top contenders in Autox

[@aroundomaha]

That was a really cool review out of the blue. Great to see your surprise. Now I’m curious about the delta between this and a regular GCW Mini.

[@Nitramgrob]

Picked up a GP2 last year…besides a SuperSprint cat back exhaust, mine is in stock trim…and it’s a blast. Drove a stage 2 tuned one with approx 278 WHP and it was a handful. There may be plenty of faster, quicker cars, especially since 2013, but these hold there own…and becoming highly collectible

[@christianherrera8359]

This was a really good review,im subscribing

[@jasswear8911]

Now it’s time for you to try the Fiat 500 Abarth.

[@alphonsemonthei8878]

Wow some high praise, I’m quite surprised. Great video

[@DriverMD23]

Unreal, I just saw one of these in the hospital parking lot tonight. First thought "what is that thing" ... now I know. Zygrene coming in clutch

[@Modmaann]

The regular r56 jcw with the n18 2013-2014 is such an amazing car I have the clubman slightly stretched r56 jcw chassis about 180 pounds more then a coupe but i get a 3rd door like the Hyundai Veloster n Btw the gp2 and 2013-2014 minis are very reliable btw

[@tri-pedaler6679]

Great review. Now onto the 500 Abarth and Fiesta ST?

[@Kdubzlovescars]

You deserve so many more subs!

[@web]

2:39 When you turn off the DTS you also turn off the LSD emulation via brakes

[@michaelstafford5945]

Yup - Must be left in GP Mode to use the eLSD and its very very very effective. DTC all the way is not very driveable.

[@Manu-pu7mz]

very 👌good car .I recommend it absolutely and congratulate you on the review👍😉

[@gatoraddison]

Great video. I love my GP2

[@wesleyrice2138]

My first car was a R53 2004 base Mini, and it is still the most fun FWD car I have driven to date. The steering feel was really good. Stock LSD.

[@ryanbennett1532]

So an r50, not an r53 then?

[@ivanromero4936]

Have you tried a Ford Fiesta ST? If not you should, the last gen comes with a performance pack that includes LSD.

[@VarioFelce]

short wheelbase is the key

[@Modmaann]

Video made me subscribe.

[@TornadoOfSouls777]

Looks like you had fun...isn't that what it's about?

[@Modmaann]

Have you reviewed a focus rs mk3 yet on your channel? Also would be awesome if someone lent out thier gp1 to get a review on that. I have a very built r53s 2005 300+whp big blower meth cam e85 built rmw head caged, upgraded just about everything. Also own a 2013 r55 jcw clubman n18 equipped car So much fun. Even the clubman only weighs low 2800 pounds so still relatively light for a wagon.

[@easycheddy]

I’m curious where he would rate this versus the integra type r in terms of fwd

[@nolahahnshouse3389]

I own a 09 jcw clubman which is pretty much a slightly longer version of this and it’s everything you say this gp is!

[@Modmaann]

Ha nice! 2013 r55 jcw clubman fully loaded here. Doesn't have sunroof though wanted it that way for weight savings

[@carterbliss484]

@@Modmaann 09 jcw clubman here too, you're lucky with the n18 xD

[@patrickbateman7122]

People take the p out of fwd until they drive a fun pocket rocket. Can be as much fun as rwd in a different way imo..

[@TheCmason13]

Thought the dampers on the GP were KWs as OE, maybe I’m mistaken? I ordered the previous generation MINI Cooper S (2005) with a factory-fitted LSD, which was a $500 option back then, which was no longer available a couple years later.

[@I.o.a.n.n.i.s]

Bilsteins oem.

[@icebrew]

have you ever considered reviewing a veloster n? I'm thinking about getting one and would love your input.

[@Zygrene]

I reviewed one in a comparison against an FK8 Type R a few years ago, check it out!

[@icebrew]

@@Zygrene Sick, thanks

[@SenSenSenpai]

my 2013 cooper s came with a mechanical lsd

[@HLinHD]

What about Vs a veloster N?

[@andycalifornia426]

You HAVE to factor in the inflation. There's considerable inflation over 10 years. According to an internet inflation calculator, 40,000 in 2013 is about 51,000 in 2023. So the car HAS lost 50% of its value.

[@MIXOHP]

Megane RS the Best!

[@fredericberthou]

😂🤮

[@typerfk8]

If you picture this car with much more power and an LSD you get the JCW GP3. The GP3 blows this car away performance wise. However most purists don't like the GP3 because it has an 8speed auto (it shifts quick and hard though). It has a mechanical LSD (302hp/332tq) and around 2800 pounds, proper beast on curvy roads and highway alike. I currently have a GP3 and love it, not the perfect vehicle but a ton of fun. The reason behind the GP3 having an automatic is that Mini did not have a manual transmission that could reliably handle the torque. It does not have a DCT because BMW did not have any transverse DCT transmission options and developing one would have been to expensive so they went with an Aisin 8 Speed Automatic (AWF8F35). It's a solid box and shifts quick, manual mode it will hold you in whatever gear you want and you can use the nice 3d printed paddles to shift. I'd highly recommend driving a GP3, however you may find that the GP3 is too fast for that road.

[@fredericberthou]

J’ai gp2 et j’ai essayé gp3 , j’ai trouvé train avant mauvais , boîte mauvais, son mauvais, suspension mauvaise , la gp2 est et restera la référence 👌

[@jjchockey]

Have you driven a Fiesta ST? Even more fun nimble and playful than the mini imo.

[@Zygrene]

I have, on track. Very fun car.

[@sanketsinha9488]

If only you could pit it against a Megane R26R

[@coldvaper]

Unfortunately we didnt get those in the US.

[@Hapkin]

My R56 Cooper S has Ohlins R&T. Way better suited for canyons than the Bilsteins on the GP. Wildwood BBK, RSW, alignment and PS4S transforms the car. Agree with LSD comment.

[@ytsux9259]

$40K in 2013 is roughly $55K today. So yes, it has depreciated more than 50%. Don't compare the money 10 years ago with today's money without accounting for inflation.

[@user-vk8uu9nv7n18]

MINI is high center of gravity car.

[@Vrtuned]

Not the gp it has aluminum frame and roof

[@user-vk8uu9nv7n18]

If you know marginal behavior,you will understand "It's not fun to drive".

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

What do you mean?

[@fredericberthou]

Tu n’y connais rien