Mini Cooper JCW review | Wheels Australia

[@Centurion-yw5ky]

Bought a JCW in 2018. The most fun car to drive in 40 years of driving and I have had several sports cars, and cabriolets etc.

[@SharkbaitOhLala]

My wife wanted a Mini and I compromised by getting a JCW. Initially I wasn't sold on it - to me, it was "the wife's car". As I started to bring it out for drives, I quickly changed my mind. This thing drives like a go-kart. Its light weight means it turns direction on a dime, and you when you really grab it by the scruff and drive it hard, that's where that playful nature shines. I've had some high powered cars in the past but I reckon this one is the most fun. It's small as well, so when you are navigating mountain roads, there's space to work with. The interior has a premium feel to it, feels solid despite being such a small car. I now have a stage 2 down pipe, exhaust and tune on it, and it's simply mental. I finally get it, Mini.

[@philcourty]

Bought this as my first car last March, fun af, handles well when you swap tyres to Michelin PS4, turns a lot of heads & is deceptively quick. I bought this over the GTI/i30N/Fiesta ST as it is less common in the UK.

[@T_K_W]

Test drove one last weekend and placed an order same day. Was so much fun. Having test drove quite a few similar cars, it felt so much more fun that the i30N and a GTi. Not to mention how premium it is on the inside. Awesome car.

[@WheelsAustralia]

Nice one TKW, we hope you'll love it! - Mike Stevens

[@VPB1970]

Yes. Just yes. It's worth it. There's no comparison on the "feeling good for the buck" factor regarding the mentioned competitors. And you forgot the major plus of the resale value (not that you'll ever want to sell it). I have a much more sensible Cooper and I absolutely love it, as much as you can "love" a car (and being a car "lover" and having been the owner of many of them and motorcycles, for 35y....)

[@charliekuhn1544]

My 2017 JCW 2-door hardtop is my first Mini. Coming from a 997 turbo and E46 M3, I was looking for a daily driving car that would bring as many smiles when driving it as my Porsche and BMW provides and my JCW has not disappointed. It is the perfect daily at my stable. I look forward to many years of fun driving with my JCW.

[@mikejames8031]

Porsche and mini are the best and most fun driving cars

[@stephenagnew670]

Have owned 3 jcws every generation recently sold my jcw an purchased a renault megane rs 300 trophy a car that is praised by reviewers All over the world its cool but I do miss the minis great fun personalty funky styling most reviewers don't get it but owners do luv them bits go mini

[@dazzle62]

Love the tail lights

[@kimmywong9995]

Second fun hatchback I have ever owned. To me the most engaging hot hatch still comes to megane rs trophy, while the JCW is less harsh and demanding than megane does, striking good balance between daily use and fun.

[@Moonface00z]

My neighbor bought this and i get to drive sometimes . Its so fun to drive this You do not need that powerful engine available in countryman/clubman The engine is more than enough because the cooper weight is very light

[@mvnorsel6354]

When the $ was high I subscribed to an American motoring magazine. They had a long term test of a Mini for 12 months, what went wrong in that time was astonishing.

[@Mexxx65]

Underrated "Made in the UK" yotube comment.....

[@michaelbishop9157]

yeah I'd never buy a mini again after dealing with all the bills

[@TheHayabusa09]

Is it the same, albeit de-tuned engine found in the Clubman (179kws vs 225kws) or all together different motor?

[@WheelsAustralia]

Is the Mini JCW enough to draw your interest away from more mainstream hot hatches? Let us know in the comments! Read the article here: www.whichcar.com.au/reviews/2021-mini-cooper-s-jcw-sport-review

[@casperskestrel]

Most reviews seem to say this Mini JCW is one of the most fun and best quality hot hatches on the market, even though it isn't the most capable, spacious or cheapest. I don't need anything bigger than a Mini, so I'd be fine with the price for something that's well built, has decent spec and looks unique/not outrageous (e.g. I'm a previous Civic Type R owner, but wouldn't even consider the current version as I think it looks tacky).

[@YimingZZZ]

Why they don't have manual gearbox anymore? What a pity

[@Nick-dx8nn]

Can’t really compare JCW to other hot hatches as it is something else. It’s not the fastest not the cheapest but it is definitely the one with most stylish and one with character. Should have it’s own category call something like “small stylish fun and exciting car that make you smile when you sit behind the wheel”. People who drove it would understand. People buy mini because it’s a mini. Not because it is the fastest, the most comfortable or the best value. Very disappointed with the new GPF added to 2020+ model as it cut down the pops and bangs on the exhaust and BMW locked the bloody ECU so you can’t tune it just yet.

[@justinobrien5594]

Fair review ... not the quickest but great fun everytime you get in

[@iwx2672]

How is the reliability from 2018 onwards?

[@doneB830]

I have done a lot of research and I think it’s very good, I am a mechanic and have ordered one for my wife.

[@Alan-Aus]

i still owned and love my mini cooper s (2018)

[@edhjjyang]

Is current JCW comfortable enough for practical daily use?

[@jcn694]

Yes it is, as long as it has the adaptive dampers. In the US we have a choice of 17” or 18” wheels. Even with the 18” wheels, the AD system gives a ride that is definitely on the sporty side, but comfortable if you like a sportier ride.

[@edhjjyang]

@@jcn694 Thanks for your reply Chris.

[@BocaAtractivo82]

Unfortunately to insure a 2 door hatch where I reside is just bonkers. So I compromised w/a 2019 Countryman S All4 and it is much cheaper and well worth it on ice and snow

[@데브라이너]

great review mate

[@taffbanjo]

I'm a Brit and I love Minis but yes - the Union Flag brake lights are trying too hard.

[@michaelbishop9157]

yeah they are cringey

[@malcolmscott4150]

Having owned 2 x Cooper S Minis from an ‘05 to a ‘11 the dynamics are one dimensional as style over substance nature doesn’t allow for British innovation for true dynamic depth - yes fun to drive to a degree however ultimately inert - newer generation proving more reliable thankfully yet it would require a brand addict to pay inflated Australian pricing

[@kevinantoniomorrison2415]

Why didnt JCW design a manual straight cut gearbox like the classic and run it with the 2.0 Litre engine

[@ahh1180]

Like the car and great review but $60k will pass for an i30N all day

[@philcourty]

I bought the JCW last April, went to look at the new i30N in September....strangely I preferred the JCW. I was expecting to walk away with an i30N that day, but the Mini feels more special, mad to drive & interior is nicer.

[@michaelbishop9157]

good call and you'll avoid all the service fees down the line

[@Haztagz]

Im seriously considering this as my DD and as a companion to my 2017 Pajero - The only thing Im concerned about is that of 'image' - is the JCW a 40'year old straignt guy's car 😅 (My wife reckons Minis are 'girls cars' but I try explainaing the JCW's are different)

[@paulfitzgerald887]

I’ve just bought one , I got the same of a few friends and family .. 40 with 2 kids . I have a Toureg as well tho . Sold my Megan r/s for it .

[@dha588]

Sigh I miss my mini Cooper s.

[@fugawiaus]

There isn’t a single car you mentioned that I would pay those amounts for. I could buy a Kia stinger for those prices.

[@WheelsAustralia]

If a Kia Stinger appeals to you more than a hot hatch then the question wasn't really price, but segment. Obviously a fantastic car either way.

[@fugawiaus]

@@WheelsAustralia a hatch is just supposed to be a cheap small car. The stinger is better in every area. Larger, more comfortable, more powerful, quicker etc. you can get it cheaper than any of the “hot hatches”. The problem is these little hot hatches should be cheaper than a hot medium car.

[@WheelsAustralia]

@@fugawiaus Lotus would like a word! It comes down to what kind of experience people want. Me? (Chris, the one in the video!) am a 'small car' type of person and would happily spend $100K (if I had it) on, say, an M2 if given the choice between that and a larger car at a similar price. Hot hatches are usually much keener driving cars than a Stinger which, you said it, is more comfort-oriented.

[@fugawiaus]

@@WheelsAustralia I’m talking traditionally. Most buying a small car do so due to not being able to afford a medium car or not having the room for a larger car or find a small car within their comfort zone. Small cars should be cheap, micro cars should be cheaper, medium cars should be more expensive than small and large should obviously be the highest price. The stinger is somewhere between a medium to large “hot” car that is cheaper. Ps I’d kill for a lotus but a hot hatch for that high price? I wouldn’t waste my money. They’re not that hot. I currently have a z4, fpv gt, amg ml55, kisashi and swift. Also a Freelander and fg xr6. Kinda one of each.

[@aberdeen1021]

@@fugawiaus not true I could have bought a larger car as well but like the man said it's about preference. I love my mini and to be honest I don't miss my 2019 genesis at all.

[@ENGBriseB]

Why on earth do you pay so much. Is it TAX because them cars in England are 10 000 more especially the Honda Civic Type R.

[@BillyMildred-k2x]

Taylor Daniel Garcia Joseph Lee Larry

[@jonathanboreham8717]

You talk crap mate

[@aliibn-muhammadal-sharif8568]

Great! Now the car reviewer wears nail polish. Crap review.