The Mini GP3 - Is it worth £40k?

Fun, scary, fun, scary and fun! Pretty much sums up the GP3.
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#Mini #MiniGP3 #joeachilles
I finally get my hands on the Mini GP3, I was keen to see what this car is like to live with and drive on a typical British A/B road. Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to get behind my buddy Imran from Evolve Automotive's GP3 around a small circuit, check his channel out for updates on their one!
Thanks for watching as always, see you at at the next video!
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DISCLAIMER:
*Some footage from this video may be edited and or sped up for cinematic affects.
*Some footage was also filmed on private land.

[@JoeAchilles1]

Thanks for your support in 2020, the channel is going so well and it's all thanks to you! Please remember to hit the Subscribe button if you've not done that already, bigger number of subs = more availability and therefore more content :-)

[@cfbm125]

Nice little road that isn’t it😉, the road out of burford towards bibury isn’t bad either.

[@bluelightning6167]

I am really enjoying video you making. I hope you will make more videos. I really do not know why car makers make fake vents. is it to just make the car look nice ?. maybe Mini should make the ultimate track focus car with proper body kit and manual gearbox

[@ZappBranning]

The reason they mad it an 8 speed auto is due to the power if it was a manual box and you boot it you really need both hands on the steering wheel 🚀🚀🚀🚀

[@nitromax77]

I own a GP3 quite a while, drove it through the deepest winter and I'm totally of Your opinion: It's definetly worth It's money 👍

[@cybercityoedo808]

I know its NOT the perfect car but I love my GP3, its the perfect car for my financial situation right now. I wanted something unique/limited and could not afford an M2 CS, M5 CS or M4 CSL... then i saw the Mini GP3 is radical design and dynamics sitting pretty with only 600 miles (when I bought it) right around 48k usd... I had to take it. It has cup holders, heated seats and all the other features I need... Not to mention it's power to weight ratio is INSANE. The Mini is perfect for me while I grind and try to put myself in a situation where I can afford an M4 CSL. Oh and great review, thanks Joe! Update: I'm close to 24k miles now, incredible car!

[@EvolveAutomotive]

Very accurate review as usual Joe! Welcome to come and test ours when the mods are done. Hopefully we can sort the ride for road and the torque steer.

[@Wearenotreallyhere]

Intelligent review, how refreshing! The GP3 is a real drivers car and you illustrate that beautifully.

[@funkychucker]

Great review Joe, really enjoy listening to your opinions. I’ve had my GP3 for 9 months now, first customer car in the UK I believe? It’s bonkers, the acceleration in 3rd gear is crazy and yes the torque steer is like wrestling a tiger but you summed it up perfectly, it’s FUN, amazing FUN. Don’t buy one if it’s your only car (I have 6 others!) but if you want a little fast toy that makes you smile every minute you drive it then this has to be on your shopping list. Incredibly I’ve averaged 45mpg on numerous long journeys too. Oh, by the way I have to say for me the luggage compartment is perfect for my golf clubs and trolley 👍

[@darrenwarrick8865]

Awesome video as usual, honest review and a pleasure to watch...

[@PetrolPed]

Great vid Bud. Can’t wait to finally drive it tomorrow 👍

[@Stretch1386]

I had a GP1, and although it wasn’t the fastest hot hatch in a straight line, it was hysterically quick down a good road - the speed you could carry through corners beggared belief, and the whine from the supercharger coupled with the natural pops and bangs from the exhaust was tremendous. I scared a lot of people taking them out in that car 😂.

[@michaelroberts7246]

Hi Joe, would you have any interest in borrowing a MK5 Supra to do a review for your channel? Cheers

[@henryhealy]

Would love to see this.

[@savethecars315]

Very honest review with pros and cons. you should drive a GP1, a lot slower than a GP3 (and slower than a GP2), but more focused in many ways in my opinion. Probably it could be an example that more HP doesn’t mean more fun...

[@colingreen2320]

Granted you haven’t got the exclusivity but makes me realise that value for money/smiles per mile what a great choice my Fiesta ST was...

[@stefanedmeades4298]

The effects of torque steer can be seen at the end of your video 😂😂 great review as usual Joe. There are so many better options for the same money or less. 👍👍

[@DamoDrives]

Great to see your opinion on this and have a feeling you won’t be swapping your M2 for 1.

[@BeardedAfrican]

Love your work Joe. Interestingly, I began following after seeing you on CarWow with Mat Watson. Keep it up Joe.

[@CarObsession]

Great video Joe!

[@PeakPerformanceReviews]

Great vid bud, really wanna have a go in a GP and review one day too.

[@user-fs8lz9re2q]

Drove a John Cooper Works 20 reg few weeks ago had 8t for a few days and loved it, sounded amazing and was quick I would deffo buy one as a fun car to go driving in. Not feeling the extra body panels on this GP though but the rest I like.

[@alistairholt]

Best ending to any of your videos.

[@carllamb6711]

Hi Joe Great review mate great feedback I like the car 🚗 a lot. must be great fun driving like that on them roads

[@stephenlane9168]

Another good video Joe Cheers

[@britishminiclub]

The GP3 is an incredible. We know a lucky who has the GP1, GP2 and 3. Is the Clubman JCW with the same engine a slightly better drive?

[@ScottPC]

How do you find the gearbox compared to the ZF? I hated it when I tried it in the M135i, it never got the downshifts correct.

[@simon_sjw9973]

Cheers Joe nice review

[@malcolmscott4150]

Great insight Joe as finally someone highlights the numb steering and one dimensional chassis plus fake scoop on bonnet - I love minis and have owned 2 Cooper S however my RS265 has dynamic depth that the Mini just doesn’t gave which makes me sad as BMW can and should do so much better with this brand - I just love gp3 and makes me nostalgic but too many driving dynamic compromises that just shouldn’t be there

[@scottiecopasetic8315]

It is after Evolve is done with it. Really fun little car that handles like it's on rails.

[@pjmoody]

Great job Joe!

[@JoeAchilles1]

Cheers Peter 👌

[@pjmoody]

Another great video

[@eastyorkshiremamil]

Were you in Yorkshire with this last weekend Joe? I had one come past me between Wetwang and Sledmere when I was out cycling last weekend.

[@focus550]

Looks like you got some Torque Steer at the end there . . .

[@JoeAchilles1]

😂😂😂😂😂👌

[@ConBeefdator]

(I have the M135i F40 and I am very happy with it. With something provocative, you can also perform small "all-wheel drifts" with the XDrive with front-wheel drive.) Mini GP and normal JCW are really nice cars, but the interior is way too small for me. I wish the M135i had an optional spoiler as large as the large spoiler on the GP. For me personally, the M Performance spoiler is too small, too less aggressive. And the Tourqe Steer (I think it's nothing bad and I've been lucky enough to test the GP and I think it's not too much) on the GP is, up to a point, something good that brings some 'emotion "brings. And the most important thing is that there is always a car that is faster. The car you buy has to make you smile. That is the most important thing, nothing else is important!!!! Best Greetings from Austria :)

[@callumrook2427]

I’ve never been in a fast mini but they look like so much fun , pocket rocket comes to mind 🌬

[@lovecarsTV]

In that car now. Watching the master for some inspiration 😛

[@colinmoore8553]

Hello Joe I maybe thinking of getting one of these later in the year you said torque stear is it that bad and quite bumpy on B roads I would use it mainly for everyday driving to work which is about 20 miles a day.

[@andymurdoch1346]

It's a lot of candy for a 2 seater toy. Those arches would put me off buying one. Sadly, many will be bought to try and make a few bucks further down the line. Does the cross brace tie on to the rear struts as it look too far forward?

[@jonathanprice2419]

II bloody love mine, utterly bonkers. Great review overall

[@reuben82726]

Hi Joe When’s the video on the M5 Comp LCI coming out? 👀

[@Bonnie_Shot]

if you were to choose either THIS or the new M135i as a daily, what would you pick?

[@Miguelito0oO]

I want a Yaris GR. If you had the chance to review it I would really appreciate it. You do great reviews! Cheers Joe!

[@Jgvideophoto]

You need to review the Hyundai i30N & the upcoming i20N, reckon you'd love them!

[@drivelinetime]

Definitely a car you buy as a future investment although that’s 10 years down the line!

[@LloydManning]

15:45 Joe activates 'Big Kid Mode'

[@SimartyPantz]

Very cool car. I find them a bit hard and cramped for daily use though. Feel a bit beaten up after a a few days driving around town.

[@grantblofield8218]

I had one on a test drive for 2 days and found the gearbox change down at low speeds into first horrendous!

[@popsbubbles1242]

When you talk of price, the main thing with any new car is resale value is it going to drop it's arse when you sell it or have you just purchased a limited car with more buyers than sellers

[@JerryFlint6]

Hah - Harrys bit of road near Charlbury. Good review.

[@Beardchanics]

As performance tiny car I would rather go for a Yaris GR at the moment. Mini are quite nice but the Yaris is pretty impressive considering the most expensive model is under 34K.

[@leechavarie4675]

The wheels are named 4 way bukkake totally fitting.

[@markpoxon]

Hi JA, I see your taking the mini down the same route used by Harry Metcalfe for his spirited drives, is it a well known road for KZbin’s? Cheers

[@JoeAchilles1]

Haha yeah you're right! It's only an hour from mine and I literally found it by accident a few months back, been filming lots there ever since.... I didn't realise it was the same road that Harry used until loads of people started messaging me a few videos back 😅 He literally lives 5 mins from there 👌

[@grahamlillis6184]

@@JoeAchilles1 lucky you Joe! Or is it lucky Harry lol!

[@grahamlillis6184]

Good spot!

[@Bordtea]

Charlbury TT 👀 Local to me as well...

[@leeellis6738]

Didnt the Focus RS have 300bhp back in 2009?

[@amgdev3291]

Great video again not sure on the looks of it

[@JoeAchilles1]

Thank you 👊

[@scottiecopasetic8315]

Joe, can you get your hands on Evolve's M2 GTS? (for a track outing)...

[@JoeAchilles1]

Imran has offered me that car a few times, but for the road not track, I wouldn't ever borrow s private car for track, too much wear and tear

[@scottiecopasetic8315]

@@JoeAchilles1 I understand (and I wasn't really expecting a balls to walls track outing). Just your thoughts on the general handling & performance without the risk of getting a citation. I'm sure your viewers would appreciate a road test. Imagining BMW actually made an F87 GTS. Love the channel & your reviews buddy. Keep up the great work! (have u ever driven a Z3M or Z4M coupe?) I'm thinking of buying a low mileage clown shoe just for kicks. No pun intended

[@Be22ThePig]

I love it but not 40k on a mini, Spencer up an M3 the other day and it was well on its way to 85k. Everything car wise is following the premiership footballs OVERPRICED.

[@76sagman]

Not so keen on those huge plastic wheel arch. things.

[@grezza3421]

Great honest review, not normally a fan of extravagant spoilers but I love the big wang on this. Unfortunately there's too many negatives, side blades look like cheap plastic, I'd prefer body coloured. Suspension sounds worrying from your opinion. And the fake bonnet vent is unforgiveable. Oh and no manual in a fast mini 🤷‍♂️. Shame really, great video nonetheless.

[@rootsmanuva82]

@10:49 Thats Harry's favorite corner ha ha

[@davidpatterson1398]

Just take the strut brace out. It's pretty easy to do

[@earni01]

Nice vid

[@JoeAchilles1]

Thank you 👊

[@ivangalea8628]

That’s a great review. It looks good but now I know that it’s definitely not the car for me!

[@SULKNATIONtv]

Really great review! 🔥👍🏻 I’m a R53 driver and the lack of manual on the GP 3 does make me feel a little uneasy, with it being marketed as the ‘pure drivers choice’ of the current Mini range... I’ll have to get some contacts, borrow one, give it a spin and see what you mean about the not great transmission!

[@darenderbyshire1089]

M2 comp or GP 3 🤔 ? Good review thanks Joe 👍🏻

[@JoeAchilles1]

Thanks man, M2 Comp by a country mile, but £20k more like for like 👌

[@darenderbyshire1089]

@@JoeAchilles1 been following your vids on your M2 stunning mate only car I’d trade my GP in for 😉

[@philbayf]

No way... You could get a nice real BMW for that! 😂

[@JoeAchilles1]

This is a BMW 😂

[@philbayf]

@@JoeAchilles1 emphasis on the word "real" 😂

[@bibby65]

Yep,128ti and save a lot of cash,or civic type r,or Yaris gr4,trophy r,i30n,in fact anything but a mini..😆

[@dm9817587]

Fwd and auto ... I'll pass

[@GabrielGalvan]

@@bibby65 Races on car wow show why this car is above those all my friend 😁

[@plugsocket9432]

No the Mini GP3 isn’t worth £40K. If you’re a Mini Fan Boy then yes but I personally would rather be interested in the Toyota GR Yaris Circuit Pack (with 5 year warranty) at £34K and its 4WD (257bhp and 6 speed Manual).

[@Frank-1978]

Not a hope 😂✌ and I've only just started watching

[@rare6499]

All the owners seem to think so. Personally I don’t think it’s as special as a GP1, but then I have a particular fondness for those. I also think, it’s supposed to be the ultimate drivers MINI - but it doesn’t have a manual box, the suspension setup sounds like a step backwards from the GP2, and poor steering feedback/torque steer? Hmmmm....But I would love a go in one. From everything I’ve read about the GP3 it sounds like it seriously needs a set of coilovers, which might go some way to helping it steer/ride better.

[@cjt150]

Check the Evolve video, they’ve changed the springs on their GP3

[@ZappBranning]

Worth every penny 👌

[@jacobrev6567]

I think want mini cooper gp3 one day

[@pierluigicassano6253]

It's always worth when we speak about MINI...... ❤❤❤💪💪💪👍👍👍🔝🔝🔝

[@peterwatson9047]

Very nice video going into some good detail about the car and characteristics of driving it on the road. Do you think you will get some time in a 128ti?

[@peterwatson9047]

Exhaust sounds good then? Maybe I should get a supersprint or something like that for my 66 plate 230i which has the B48.

[@CraftyKiller1]

Mitchelin PSS Tyres make a huge differance

[@garymorris801]

Should I get one

[@nickolauser]

Of course it worth!.... especially if you think that VW T-Cross 1.0 L is around £ 27k...

[@cybercityoedo808]

And other mindless crossovers here on the US and UK cost more than this unique beast. I love my GP3, daily drive it everyday including winter. Gonna make sure I get my money's worth out of it.

[@carcreationsyt]

Awesome video! You got a subscribe from me!

[@TheWretchedWorld]

its funny, in australia these are way more expensive than trophy r

[@samphillips3405]

Harry's Garage roads?

[@cooperSpartan117]

Apparently faster around the nurburgring than the M2 comp. Not sure if it's true

[@JoeAchilles1]

I couldn't argue with that, but requires much bigger testicles in the GP3 😂

[@markrhoden68]

I'd like to see it up against the megane trophy r

[@JoeAchilles1]

Would be a good comparison, think this would be faster in a straight line, the Trophy would destroy it everywhere else

[@markrhoden68]

@@JoeAchilles1 really....wow interesting stuff

[@wolvoman1]

Those stone collector wheel arch spats, spoil the car imo. I would have preferred flared arches instead, but definitely not those spats. Imagine driving down a newly re surfaced road with all the loose chippings stuck in the gaps.

[@paultw3326]

Its a shame Mini didn,t follow the recipe for the 2017 JCW Challenge edition. Manual Gearbox, even if it meant slightly less power , Nitron coilovers , and some integrated wide wheelarches that don,t look like they,ve been knocked up in someones garage!! what a wasted opportunity. The fact that you can still buy them speaks volumes. My local Mini Dealer had 3 a few months ago !!!! And I,m a massive Mini Fan (but not so much of the latest F series as I sold mine) The R53&R56 were a much better drivers car, the F56 has a more ordinary chassis/suspension which needs modding heavily to get it nearer to the R series in the handling department. Oh and for 40K you could but Two Fiesta ST,s Have one as a daily and mod the other for weekends !!!!!

[@Scala598]

Better call Matt Watson and arrange the carwow m2 comp vs mini gp drag races 🤞🏻

[@justinobrien5594]

Interesting review and well balanced. So want to love this car but.... too much of a whiff of marketeer about it.... shame

[@jasontate1135]

Ha ha. Quality ending :-)))))

[@davidprodger9694]

I have a GP3 most of the comments I must agree with , however let’s let the track do the Real talking

[@JoeAchilles1]

Yeah definitely much better on track, especially with some proper tyres on it. Just a pity about complete lack of steering feel.

[@sparkplug964]

I think there is far to mush marketing in this car than drive ability, and that stupid red bar in the back sums that up perfectly.

[@numbereightyseven]

Carfection thought there were too many relevant cons, too.

[@fredericberthou]

J’AI ESSAYÉ CETTE GP3 et j’ai vraiment détesté 😵‍💫😵‍💫

[@phillipchandler8862]

Big rear wing and sideblades are garish/boy racer with a just out of Halfords look. Can't say I like Mini dashboards either. M135i surely a better car for grownups.

[@jolark2259]

The JCW does the job for less money. Silly looking spoiler too.🤔

[@zzhughesd]

Joe. Yup. Mini specialist seller has one. Looked at the offcuts of i3 carbon for rear wing blades. Not for me either. The car otherwise cute. It’s fast. 40k isn’t that worrying. 50k be. 40k seams about right given pricing other modern fast hatches. This isn’t for me tho. Whatsoever !!!! An ex M140i owner in your combo. Dolphin G over Oyster leather manual. Didn’t like it much , that manual box. I’m much more an Elise Exige owner drive a Pug 107 Aygo C1 in the day. I’m a car trader.

[@adamfreeman3000]

Anyone recognise the roads which this was shot on?

[@designanddevelop585]

Would love to know too, looks great for a fun drive

[@MrMacroJesseSky]

I’ll give this car the same criticism I gave the VW Clubsport s. Hot hatches are supposed to be practical fun. Once you take the rear seats out, it’s not practical. You might as well get a two seater roadster

[@hughclarke1643]

Think I’ll stick with JCW 😂

[@brucekendall52]

Nice car but I think your money would be better spent towards a suitable BMW long term.Thks.

[@DjNikGnashers]

Thank you for the review Joe. £40k is crazy money for a MINI. Much better cars for that sort of dosh. And for not too much more, you can buy an absolute hyper hatch, especially as there is a new RS3 coming out I suspect some great deals on the out-going model, and the A45s isn't that much more.

[@timsutherland4033]

There’s 4 rs3s in my street tells me all I need to know .

[@lotsofcurveslover]

Mini’s, just like every European car p, are best served used. They are truly depreciation poster children.

[@markahomer]

A think a 2019 M2C auto with 11k on the clock a better idea.

[@ZappBranning]

It’s a bargain 👍

[@davidcupra4913]

Looks like u didn’t really like this car at all joe. At least I can respect ur honesty. Yet an other great review 👌🏼

[@randomsurfer3963]

I don't think I've ever experienced torque steer and said "yes..this feels sporty" It's just one of those things that is too unpredictable, never know which way it's going to pull you, into the hedges or towards on coming trafffic..nice review and the last bit was hilarious, might be the next AD for Mini..:P

[@simmysommy]

If someone can sort it to manual I wouldn't hesitate to buy, auto takes all the fun out of driving...