2016 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Review - XCAR

[@christopherstorm83]

see a lot of negative comments about the mini. RS this, RS3 that....blah blah. these mini JCW's have always been quicker then they seem on paper. the last JCW 1.6 was spanking Uber hatches around a racetrack with almost 100bhp less and only FWD and no diff. The mini is about fun and speed. it's not about price or looks or spec sheets.

[@AMPATL]

Christopher Storm Odd is it not? Why do Ford owners click on videos about the Mini? I believe the term is 'inferiority complex'.

[@zohanthecspro]

You guys have knocked out the competition of Evo, Motortrend or Autocar magazine reviews as my favourite channels. Less bullshit, more substance. I absolutely love you guys :D keep up the great work!

[@lifenexus]

Kenneth Augustin I completely agree with you. The reviews are to the point, beautifully shot (Cant say this enough) and welldone overall! Keep pushing more content! +XCARFlims

[@Nihilism2011]

Kenneth Augustin I have to agree as well. There aren't many reviews that are just straight-shooting with no bullshit. This is what car reviews should be like.

[@dreamworks69]

Kenneth Augustin Agreed

[@emullen93]

Just ordered my 2018 jcw.... should be here in 8 weeks. Can't wait.

[@robbie9655]

how have you liked it can you share some plus and minus on the car

[@ben.aka.bigben]

Every once in a while I come back to watch this review, not only because its my near future car, but also because this guy and the way he reviews and speaks.

[@topdog19945]

+Behnam Izadi these cars are a blast to drive. I was surprised with my 05 base model convertible in Spring 2014 and I absolutely love it. But I must warn you that they're high performance sports cars and you must keep them well maintained or you'll find yourself paying hefty repair costs. I've learned that the hard way so if you still want one, be prepared.

[@ben.aka.bigben]

+Jesse Hooton Thanks for the info, though I don't mind a gorgeous baby like this to be high maintenance. Cheers and enjoy driving :)

[@74aamer]

i agree i do the same

[@Headxoxote]

Same here. Got a 2015 Cooper S :D

[@thisdanslife2167]

Same... from time to time I come back just remind me how good my car is. This is the video that tipped me over the edge of buying one.

[@sofiaskakalovaw4137]

I have a r56 S 2010 with a jcw software and I can say this car is so much fun to drive. It’s fast and very stable, plus even on my car the sports mode you can feel it when it’s on. The interior is like new every button is working perfectly. The music it’s good. It’s so much fun , when someone is trying to race me😂 I definitely have so much more respect for the brand , and with joy would buy the newer version. !

[@banddude121]

MINI makes some super good hatchbacks. Highest manual take rate of any brand as well.

[@someusername121]

Porsche Curves Shame the brand is going to die with their perpetual introduction of fatter and heavier cars.

[@Theoneandonlybay2345]

All this needs is an something to open the exhaust, I mean COME ON!

[@JonasRosenven]

Dean Baythoon A friend of mine has one of these. It comes with a button that opens the valves in the exhaust. It gets really loud and bangs and pops when activated. With the valves closed it sounds good but not excessively loud. I think it is a special exhaust he got from Works though.

[@andyross37]

Jonas Rosenven The exhaust you're talking of is on the Challenge 210 edition. It's an option for the S and the JCW, but isn't standard on the JCW. The JCW exhaust does pop and bang a lot though, it's just not as loud as the bluetooth exhaust, a £2000 option. You also have to sign a disclaimer to say you won't use it on public roads.......yeah right!

[@legendm0de]

Andy Ross is it available on the 2016 model well?

[@olenijboer3155]

I just got one..................................and it's brilliant, beyond good. The amount of lateral grip this thing has is truly astonishing. But the best thing is the sound this thing makes. No matter how shitty your day was, get behind the wheel of this thing and everything is forgotten. And yes: I got the automatic, first time ever actually, and the 'normal' auto is, on occasion, a bit too quick with downshifts, but the manual mode with the paddels is impressively good, lightning fast (and it has launch control, which was a big part for me to choose the automatic). There is one thing: I agree it is a bit pricey, but the next question would then be: is it worth the price? In my opinion: definitely. Unless you don't like the design of the car (I do, but can understand if you don't), then there are a lot of other options like golf GTI, Focus RS, or perhaps even an Audi S1. God, I love this thing..............:)

[@Eidrian111]

You bought an automatic. You have no business here.

[@AdvancedEliteGaming]

Absolutely love the variety of amazing cars on this channel. Absolutely amazing reviewer as well

[@CoopersSpecC]

This guy's gone to the Richard Hammond school of presenting/speaking.

[@nr1pimme]

Thought exactly the same thing watching this!

[@JavierCastell69]

It´s really amazing!!! THIS IS THE CAR.

[@karlx19]

Mini/BMW have just loaned me a brand new JCW for the day to see if it's worth selling my Integrale Evo for - I have to say I'm very tempted - you need to spend some time with the car (and not the usual 10 minute test drive a dealer normally gives) to fully exploit, push and learn how to drive it quickly and find it's limits - lovely thing.

[@IceFish.]

+Karl Shaw go get an m135i for that money!!

[@DBGMLV]

Hell no ! No Mini is worth selling an Integrale Evo. Keep you great car and enjoy it.

[@cadenguyen463]

Best electric steering 2nd to the Porsche Cayman 981. I test drove the regular Cooper S recently and it's a fabulous little car. The seats are perfectly ergonomic, the steering is delicious, and the turn in for a FWD is amazing. But that new front bumper....eeeeeeeek

[@mockngbrdy]

I just had this car on test for the past 2-3 days. I'm a believer now. I really want one.

[@georgehelliar]

I've just spent a couple of weeks with one of these, and, my god, it's fun. I'm not accustomed to high powered cars, so I'm glad to hear that a reviewer I admire tell me it's genuinely good. It felt like a small, angry dog looking for a fight at every corner, and manages to feel fast even when you're going slowly. I would never tire of the ridiculous exhaust farts. It's true, it's not so good on long journeys, but I still had a smile on my face every time I got out. Stupid, brilliant car.

[@Vidpenguin]

Good review vid. I work with this software program as well and didn't catch what all it could possibly do until I watched your review vid. Keep up the nice work and many thanks for the candid review. Best Regards Damon

[@harapaki3412]

The F56 JCW is more powerful than the previous gen Gp2. Ive got a 2016 model love it

[@contakagent7086]

This looks totally awesome, I have an old 210 cooper, I think it may be time to get this beast, I wish...

[@adam1othman]

these cars are a good balance of efficiency and fun... great daily driving car to blast around on the commute.

[@JoshuaPlays99]

Mini's are freaking awesome. Great video as usual!

[@andyross37]

I'm getting my JCW very soon. I'd love to know where these roads are, they look awesome to drive!

[@louie1086]

This man makes me laugh every time he makes witty remarks. Thank you.

[@shaneprendergast658]

Great review and finally someone who knows what people want to hear from a car review. Thnx.

[@madzangels]

Well if I wasn't excited 4 weeks ago when I ordered my JCW this sure has made me mega excited now! Delivery July 13th :D can't wait xD

[@mini4cooper535]

Excellent review !!! Every single of your reviews make sense and are the cinematography is entertaining and got to say you have a great choice of picking the right cars to review !!!

[@mojomaze]

What happened to this channel, their videos remain some of the best car videos on KZbin

[@bign3ck]

I prefer the R53 with the supercharger, suited the small dynamics and made it fly out of bends, so much fun.

[@qster315]

My dream car man I love this car but I don't know why

[@sobangcha4254]

same

[@MagazineMotorsport]

Nice

[@AGC828]

DIdn't mention anything about the "Driving feel" . Whether it had that German "connected to the road" feel. Do you feel whats going on under the wheels through the steering wheel? How does it compare to the 2017 VW Golf R? :) Like to see a head-to-head...

[@briansteele2723]

It seems to be a great car, the only thing I don't like is the over use of grilles and fake inlets on the front. When you showed the GP I really thought that looked the business.

[@isaac2152]

+Brian Steele On the 2016 JCWs, all the inlets are functional.

[@GatewaydragIN]

Nice review, Alex. I feel XCAR has found a nice rhythm/flow with their reviews and the cinematography is spot on in my opinion. If I could critique, I'd say there probably could be more diversity in location of the shoots. Seeing the same scenery over and over, despite the quality review and cinematography, makes the video a bit stale.

[@ConorHildebrandt]

I would change the title of this. I would call it 2016 MINI John Cooper Works. Even though it is a Cooper S with tuning and a body kit, it's technically it's own beast and not a Cooper S at all. Just a thought :) Loved the review, I can't wait till I get one.

[@piroonneerapitak1072]

Conor Hildebrandt jcw actually has different piston and boost profile on the b48 engine comparing to the cooper s. FYI sir

[@adastroke]

remember this video, my motivation for to bought my JCW, I love it ! Thanks for you content. Regards!

[@pablodunfee]

Greetings from Spain!, just got this car and it´s absolutely fantastic, a bat out of hell, and I must say your review was really helpful on my decision.

[@AryzenI]

Pablo Gil Does it suit the spanish roads well? I'm moving to Costa del Sol soon, and I've been thinking about getting one of these... Can it be gotten in diesel?

[@pablodunfee]

Hi! This car it´s just perfect for spanish roads, you get hundreds of corners here, and that means tons of fun with a JCW. In addition, weather in Costa del sol provides perfect driving conditions. There´s no diesel JCW, but you can get a Cooper SD with 170 bhp wich is quite good as well. Hope I´ve helped you in you decision, anything else you need please let me know.

[@AryzenI]

Pablo Gil Will people laugh at me for driving a "girl's car"? :D Or are people generally not accepting towards foreign cars (or cars from certain countries?) For example, I got many insults whilst touring around in a Renault last visit... As you can tell, I've never really lived in Spain, despite having visited many, many times. Also, thanks for the quick response!

[@pablodunfee]

They insulted you around here for driving a Renault...? that´s weird.... I think you have nothing to worry about, I´ve been driving minis for the past 7 years, I first had a R56 Cooper and I just bought a JCW... and so far so good

[@AryzenI]

Pablo Gil Hmm... Well, you seem to rather like it... I like it too, so this is certainly one of my first picks for a car then! Just one more question: How come people in Europe prefer to drive hatchbacks over sedan format? I just find it strange... But, thank you for all the answers you've given me thus far!

[@v_alexiadis]

Great car without a doubt but its direct competitor seems to be the S1 which is absolutely brilliant.

[@savoir0vivre]

Beautiful review and Mr presenter(for lack of a better word). You are like a fine wine. You get better with age! Keep going mate!

[@rfouR_4]

R53 > All following Cooper S. They got too bloated and softened afterwards. After owning an R53 myself, then moving to a bigger 4 door saloon highway missile for a while, I wanted to go back to a hot hatch. I missed that angry little car feeling. I could have gone with the familiar, with the Mini, but I went with Fiesta ST instead. I feel it's a lot more raw, more involved, more personal of an experience with the FiST. While it's great that Mini have gone a bit more towards that, it just isn't where it needs to be in my mind (and in the states your options are a bit more limited with the complete lack of French cars). Plus we only get a 4 door Fiesta ST here, and even so it's 5mm shorter and 110lbs lighter than the Cooper S 2 door (a further 79mm shorter and 245 pounds lighter than the Cooper S 4 door). It's got better braking performance, higher levels of grip, much more dynamic chassis, and for a lower price than the standard Cooper S you can get it with those lovely Recaros. Bar the sunroof, I got everything else, and it's still cheaper. Unless you're a brand loyalist, even as a former Mini owner myself, I simply don't see the point.

[@ZappBranning]

Rene Hourian A Fiesta are you really serious or you just joking right ?

[@rfouR_4]

Cooper 1019 Fiesta ST, apparently you haven't driven one. The ST is a hoot. Literally everyone who has reviewed one has said it was awesome. Hammond, Clarkson, Harris, Farah, Musto, even racing driver reviewers like Randy Pobst, Tiff Needell, and Jason Plato love it. It's a universally loved car. You're a bit late on the game if you don't know it's a serious contender in that field. The thing is a ball of fun and is the benchmark of driver involvement in a modern cheap hot hatch.

[@ZappBranning]

Rene Hourian I have actually owned an ST focus and a fiesta ST and i had these because of the Top gear reviews, But to me the Focus was like driving a sofa the volvo 5 pot engine was good but i hated the car, So i then got the fiesta I agree its value for money but the build quality and the look of the car was not for me so im back in a mini . Im almost sure Hammond and clarkson got paid a back hander from ford the way they spoke about the fiesta because its not like they say it is. The mini has got buckets of fun and class unlike the fords have.

[@rfouR_4]

Cooper 1019​​ These new generation ones are much nicer than the previous. The Fiesta ST is fantastic, I'm loving every bit of it. Quality has gone up quite a bit. And you can believe that if you want about reviewers, you can say that about anything, your basing it off of nothing, but as an owner myself, basically I can tell you everything they say about it is true. There is a reason why The Smoking Tire picked one up with money out of their own pocket and use it actually as a camera car because it's able to keep up with much faster cars in our California canyon roads due to its nimble handling and carries luggage, and for them, camera equipment, like nobodies buisness. It's an amazing car. 

[@TheHocmaster]

Great Mini BMW!

[@FelixIsMyName]

We have a 2009 JCW in the same colour scheme. Really fun car to drive and even makes my 350hp Impreza P1 feel a little dull at times!

[@shankarbalan3813]

Mini JCW is super. I have a 9 year old R56 Cooper S and that is indeed a lot of fun. But the JCW is on a different level.

[@HexaSquirrel]

Another magnificent review Alex!

[@jusa173]

Where was this video shot? I'm totally in love with the scenery and of course the Cooper!

[@Bluemoon_19]

2:05 I got that fuel economy once. When I got the car I had to drive it home on a near empty tank and managed 51MPG on the motorway. Now it has more fuel I usually average around 30MPG lol

[@tanner87]

Great review, I really want to like the new shape but it's mahoosive compared to my current MK1 S, that said the mpg would double and i'd get rid of the dreaded near £300 road tax bill

[@vwgolfer1873]

The Mini Cooper looks so much better with a nice set of wheels on it (not stock) ive seen a couple with some deep dish sets on them that make them so much better to look at

[@PineappleMelon]

I used to drive in the New Forest on a daily basis, now I live in a city campus. I miss those days :(

[@steviesmiler]

Own any mini in an auto, I'd chuck the keys in the lake 😄

[@TechnationXyz]

Nice video! Mini has knocked it out the park with this one. But that price might be to steep for most to swallow.

[@Sennbrink]

I drove this car today, had so much fun :)

[@oscardiaz7738]

good video and fantastic car congrats

[@babychubmonkey]

How does it compare to the audi S1? Tried the S1 last year and this mini yesterday. The Mini just didn't feel at all fast. Also with all the bits to make it special my spec came to £32,000. Thats too much for a mini. Going to try an S1 again next weekend then place an order....can't decide

[@louie1086]

Can u please do a review of the gt350 ford Shelby?

[@B3NSYY]

Would this be better buy than a gt86 though? I no it is a lot faster but if it is fun factor then I'd struggle to justify this over the Toyota

[@FXloaphy]

B3NSYY not actually that much faster tbh

[@motordude1234]

FXloaphy I have a '15 mini cooper with the WMW tuner, AFE intake, and remus full valvetronic exhaust, and it keeps up with a stage 1 Cobb tuned '14 STI.

[@FXloaphy]

motordude1234 video or it didnt happen lol. I really really doubt that. like REALLY.

[@kraenk12]

B3NSYY hardly comparable. totally different type of car

[@TheLobster033]

I'm thinking about buying a sport hatchback. Would you still suggest the JCW with all the new competitor around ? Especially with the Civic Type R which match the Front Wheel drive «territory» of the JCW

[@zillurrahman8461]

thea

[@dhirajkalita7364]

I am proud to own one recently from Bird Automotive, Delhi.

[@shinwatarufu7488]

my friend 岡崎勉明 loves minicooper, but older style is better, I like his 格言, looking forward to it.

[@eduardov5387]

Dear XCAR the Mini JKW or the Audi S1??

[@ivowillebald6184]

wow. amazing review! keep it up!

[@ivowillebald6184]

***** awesome playlist! Thanks

[@Steve-ob2zg]

Budget Richard Hammond 😂 Nice review though. Can’t deny his way of speaking works.

[@inchskater]

I think they make the lever for the automatic transmission look a little too much like a gear lever. it nearly looks like they would want to hide the fact it is an auto. Did you prefer this car to the Audi S1 ? Very interesting video!

[@fireslayerone]

inchskater I have the cooper s 210 works the gear lever is like a manual one but that’s because you can select manual shift or auto and also use the paddles so a choice of 3 driving options

[@LorenzoClara97]

@@fireslayerone 6 speed aisin auto? It is fast on multiple downshifts?

[@muhammadsurgasavero2206]

should i get 2010 cayman s with full option for the same price as new 2016 mini JCW. or should i get mini JCW instead ? with head up display and all cosmetic shit that i really wanted "the mini connected"

[@Driftin]

is this manual or automatic

[@JohnCarlyle]

Just got 64.2 mpg (UK gallons) from a 210 mile trip in one of these. Time to hand in my keys...

[@JohnnyZenith]

Waits to see if there is a HUD in your car. If not next review. You do. Good.

[@tomatoandsalad]

nice bos i want to try drving it

[@lloyddotimas6302]

Can you disable the auto-rev-matching in the M/T cooper?

[@1chris311]

As always.... Awesome!!!

[@WEIMYBIMMER]

The very stange one is the jcw coupe !!

[@74aamer]

what about the new jcw convertible

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Less expensive to buy a larger Focus ST or VW GTI and get it tuned with various stages of crazy power.

[@anove82]

No such thing as an f56 cooper s jcw?? Get with the times, these have not existed since the early version of the r56

[@TheDavisDennisShow]

I really want to like this, but I'm not digging both the front and rear bumper design, and this is coming from a Paceman owner!

[@iainmurray9961]

Davis Fang It's the oversized front and rear light that look odd to me - I owned the R53 Cooper S and loved the way it looked. The design has went downhill fast since then though...

[@heltonjrstognoli]

Davis Fang I agree with you. The bumpers dont match the car, and it gives a weird expression on the front. The S version too, I think that new bumper completly ruined the car. Still a fan of Minis though

[@x1pyroveride]

I was looking at getting a mini for a while now, until the ford focus RS was announced.

[@avrilcadabra]

x1pyroveride very different cars, do you want a classic nostalgia boutique car or an all out performance beast that no one will ever notice. (still unsure why they toned the new rs down so much, loved the mk2)

[@x1pyroveride]

***** Ive had a 1973 mini and a 2005, id like a great drivers car with power and decent gas milage. I really liked the mk2 as well, how did they tone the mk3 down?

[@avrilcadabra]

x1pyroveride spoiler kit is tamer, no hood vents. Disappointing colour range (5 shades of meh, no green). less interesting motor, the 5 cyl sounded better (not being biased there as my mk6 fiesta st runs the same block as the focus rs 2016). I'm sure this is all because it's a mass produced car instead of a very limited run like the previous model. So they made it appeal more to the masses. It will be a fantastic car that out performs the mk2, and im sure people will mod them to be nicer but stock it's not as appealing as the mk2 to me.

[@x1pyroveride]

***** Ahh ok, Im sure the after market will be able to do take care of the masses with things like that. Being from america im just glad its coming here, instead of just wishing it was here.

[@avrilcadabra]

x1pyroveride yep undertsandable, we got 50 of the mk2's in Australia, always nice to see them on the road (specially in green), I have a mk6 fiesta ST which was never in America. Nice to see how American embraced the mk7 though.

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

Do they have this In America?

[@TechnationXyz]

Surprisingly we do. Now do people by them at the same rate as they do in Europe, probably not.

[@SS8styles]

Ya I keep my eyes peeled and I have yet to see one in Southern California, outside of a showroom

[@TechnationXyz]

SoSickWidit You don't want to be the first?

[@grantschneider926]

+SoSickWidit really? I see a bunch of them here in the midwest

[@myjet4life]

Nice review, thanks for sharing!

[@yayo1977]

if anybody could do the new top gear... ill vote for you guys

[@barryphillips7327]

After seeing these new Mini,s in town, i would say they bear NO resemblance too a proper Mini Cooper in fact they are almost an insult to the old Mini Cooper size wise these cars are BIGGER than even a Corolla, the Suzuki Swift is much closer to what an old Mini would have evolved into.

[@BLAZOOR99]

is this thing reliable ?

[@CarTestr]

Awesome car!

[@FurkanCemTurfanda]

Is this faster than a GTI?

[@offlineforever9384]

I have one in my garage

[@vivigeos]

Having driven the 2015 Countryman JCW a few times in the past month, the automatic gearbox is one of the worst I've experienced, it's so slow and the paddles are completely rubbish! Obviously I can't speak for the Cooper but the Countryman has an outstanding lack of dynamic capabilities and it's just no fun to drive... at all! What's your take on the Countryman if you've driven it? Cheers

[@netfofficial]

This is not "Cooper S", it's a whole new model - "John Cooper Works"

[@echodanikusuma658]

Mau dong jcw

[@Beaubacon]

So this has uncomfortable seats?

[@reidmartin8753]

I don't quite get it. Here in Canada a JCW Cooper S goes for just over what a base STI will. Are there people who'd take the mini over the STI? Why?

[@MrJc9600]

Better fuel economy and more practical.

[@reidmartin8753]

Fair enough, just seems a bit overpriced to me. Cool car though.

[@CxCx13]

do these come in awd?

[@jonalynisidor4482]

wish I can have this car.i love mini

[@simoncrabb]

New Forest?

[@danielreckman]

I love MINI's....but they're simply overpriced

[@buildmorefarms1007]

+Dan E You've never owned one have you?

[@nonstop9907]

+buildmorefarms100 I haven't so tell me all about it, what's it like to own one?

[@danielreckman]

buildmorefarms100 I did, all through college. I loved the car too, but that was back when a Mini was at least niche, now they've totally lost their brand identity. The car is way bigger than it was in 2005 and the additional models are pretty odd and seemingly cannibalize each other. Mini Cooper S Base: $24,100 Volkswagen Golf gti Base: $24,995 The GTI, in my opinion, is much more car for virtually the same price. If your consider all the little things you have to add to your Mini to make it cool, those options are priced ridiculously.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Dan E The GTi is definitely much more car, I drove it when also testing the Mini. To me the GTi felt heavy and big and not as sharp in the steering and handling. These are things I noticed. I paid 24k and change and got a few goodies added: sport suspension, anthracite headliner center armrest etc..I have the 2 door hardtop. Mini itself says the name isnt the size, it is a brand name. They need to make $ so they are offering different things for different people: sizes, awd configurations, Cooper works etc. Im enjoying my car. But I get the car bug frequently and am always looking around.

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Non Stop 2 door hardtop (the original shape/configuration) is very nimble and yet somehow comfortable. It is quick and efficient. I prefer the manual transmission, seats are very comfy, it is small inside/no hiding that so if you carry alot of cargo you might not be very happy. Otherwise its been a fun car to own. Pleasing to the eye and not like every other car out there.

[@Mr.k3n]

I always get jealous when I see someone in one of these.

[@wonderwall135]

Good power, very fuel efficient, nice interior, and sexy as fuck exhaust note. jesus i should have paid more attention to this car

[@Mikeysnelgar]

This cars is cool and all, but I can't help thinking that it would have been more impressive last generation. I mean cars like the golf R have 300 bhp, and soon we'll get the RS3 and the Focus RS which both have around 350 bhp. After those cars, I don't find this that exciting, especially considering the price.

[@KarenRamone00]

that little shit sounds pretty damn good

[@simeonselmon8318]

My mini one d is twin turbo can someone tell me what it means

[@MrFrischi65]

This it is - everyday fun! I love my Mini...:-)

[@martijnkosters9024]

Proper Mini then, as I assume the sound is not faked via audio systems and nonsense. Yet one thing misses from the video, it does probably cost the same as two Fiesta STs, doesn't it?

[@simeonselmon8318]

I'm quite happy with my mini one d

[@splintertavish]

Its sound reminds me the a45 amg :)

[@TheCuriousNoob]

That interior is way nicer than the 2nd gen I had.