Review: F66 MINI Cooper S JCW Trim Is The Best Cooper Sold - If You Can Get It

[@salpjs]

Now drive the 4 door with the JCW trim and review that. My dealer was impressed with it.

[@frequency2554]

so much helpful info here! Great job breaking this all down for us.

[@mars22872]

Among all generations of MINI, the R56 JCW occupies a sweet spot. It offers modern performance and power while retaining a playful, connected driving experience. Compared to earlier models like the R53, it is more refined and powerful, but it hasn’t lost the nimbleness that makes a MINI fun to drive. When compared to newer models like the F56 and F66, the R56 remains lighter, more engaging, and less dependent on electronics, which appeals to driving purists. The R56 JCW, in many ways, represents the best blend of MINI’s performance heritage and modern-day engineering, making it a favorite for those who want a fast, fun, and engaging small car that stays true to the brand’s original ethos.

[@G.Uppercut123]

Mini Canada has announced it will be coming to their market ( JCW, gas model )

[@ben_1970]

Regardless of where in the world it's being sold, putting JCW badging on an S is just stupid IMO. And yes, I understand the JCW trim offers upgraded suspension and brake pads but still. They could have had an upgraded "Sport" trim on the S but don't go sticking JCW badges all over it. Anyway, good informative video.

[@philipkeys3638]

Completely agree

[@archangelmichael8620]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking about the JCW package and I think I’m gonna go for it.

[@goldensonar]

I love the new design of the new Mini.

[@brassrox]

Great review! One question - I read somewhere that Mini switched from electric dampeners to frequency dampeners that aren't tied to a mode...can you confirm the set-up on these models?

[@fp5495]

The interior is unrewarding and sparse. There are no soft-touch plastics anywhere, anymore, just scratchy, cheap fabric panels taking the place of the once-BMW level plastics, instead. Worse, there are no longer paddle shifter unless you opt for the JCW package. Just bizarre, BMW.

[@ben_1970]

I agree. Plus removal of the climate knobs, driver's side sun visor gone, gear shifter becoming a switch, removal of instrument cluster in front of driver...lots of poor design choices. My 2021 2d ht JCW is still going along great and I plan to keep it as long as possible.

[@philipkeys3638]

Good video but I prefer the F56 over this model. Looks extremely cheap and doesn’t do it for me. I will be keeping my F56 ❤

[@alwong604]

2024 JCW 1to6 was the last best MINI. Prefer it over the GP3.

[@frankyfdp2594]

yes that's right. I have had 3 minis: the R53, R56 and the F56. The F56 was the best mini ever. After seeing everything about the F66, I switched to BMW.

[@MLion-t2f]

Lack of leather seats isnt good either. Other cars in the luxury market have them as an option. If they want to be green, that means green for humans too, Id rather breath in leather than some plastic chemicals. Yes, i know the other plastic parts off gas too, but I want the comfort and smell of leather. Its lux.

[@seanwoods1526]

Good video.. I personally and not a fan of the new design. There are things I like about the interior but as a whole I am not a fan. I wish I had a DCT in my 23 Clubman as I had a DCT in VW and liked it. For some reason the DCTs "Ive" driven always had that one thing in the lower gears that made it weird.

[@BPjtrj1989]

Great review, shame about the manual not being offered! Also I miss the bonnet scoop. But what brand are the glasses you are wearing, they look great.

[@MotoringFile]

Thanks! You can find them here: topdrawershop.com/products/heritage-sunglasses

[@stevelouie5928]

I had a 2015 f56. Unfortunately it was totalled in a low speed accident. Most fun car i ever owned. I have a bmw suv now and it's great but not nearly as fun. The actual jcw mini is coming and its only 40k msrp. Seems like a pretty good deal. Its almost pointless to get a jcw trim. The 4 door jcw trim is also 40k MSRP. Ar that point, you might as well get the countryman.

[@doncompton9453]

I feel sorry for dealers trying to sell these cars. They're taking the sportiness out of the car and have turned it into a cheap feeling econobox. I wonder how long MINI will be around in the US.

[@daemianevans9020]

No paddles, at all?! That’s outrageous. They really dropped the ball on the generation in so many ways.

[@MotoringFile]

100% agree it's outrageous these cars don't have paddles in the North American marketing. While that will change with the full JCW, we believe all MINIs should have them as standard.

[@PhonesOnaDailyBasis]

I have brand new F56 JCW.... automatic and i agree with power.... transmission is limiting all punch

[@Laurent.Elysse89]

I recently saw another video and obviously it was in Europe, but does the real JCW come with the single exhaust pipe right in the middle like as shown in the video I saw?

[@MotoringFile]

Yup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joSZmZqwjLyBh7c

[@soissoo]

If the next generation does not overturn the current generation's design and start from scratch, then there must be a problem within BMW. They must have hired a lot of people who lack ability and intelligence.

[@mikesabella8281]

no wonder i cant find any videos on it

[@stevelouie5928]

One thing i don't like is the gloss black.

[@cednicek]

Since F56 LCI2 dampers aren’t actively adaptive, electronically controlled, rather passive progressive, mode change is not changing ride quality. F66 suspension is more pleasant to F56.

[@ridgemanron]

How can you not have a manual transmission in a Mini ?

[@MotoringFile]

Great question. We do not have an answer.

[@rmeyer52]

At that price there are so many better options plus dealers want full MSRP.

[@allen7218]

Seems like they are designing it to transition to all electric. Might be the end of buying a Mini because it is a fun sporty car. Their four door models are more practical.

[@francescolamenza8778]

La mini attuale non convince