The MINI JCW Review | Is it as fun as it looks? | Driven+

[@bonestorm9109]

When you own a car you don’t stare at the tach when you’re driving. You learn what redline is by sound and feel.

[@Simonchrismasdoherty]

You don't look at a rev counter to change gear 😂

[@StevenAnderson-v1z]

Agreed I have a manual JCW and you just know, same as on my bikes

[@teggsy2165]

The massive media screen centre dash lighting can act as your huge rev counter or other functions and colours can be configured. You can use your ears to change gear too as it will be hard to over rev any modern car with the rev limiters we have fitted these days,car will hit the rev limiter to protect the engine unless somebody is daft enough to map out the feature.

[@J1N5]

agreed, also you can hear when you need to shift without reading the actual rpm

[@Oplix]

Looks, refinement, and sportiness perfectly define the third generation MINI.

[@pdnpatrickmitchell691]

In Sport mode, the rev counter appears in the heads-up display, along with the gear you're in.

[@DrivenPlus]

Didn’t see this… will have a look

[@pdnpatrickmitchell691]

@@DrivenPlus If you don't see it, it can be added using Bimmercode, but the JCW should have come already set that way. You have to add it on the Cooper S.

[@BBQ_T_Bone]

Can also change the light in the center display to be the rev counter instead of the same color as the ambient lighting. Go into the settings and lighting.

[@dubbadude]

As said above, in sport mode the rev counter displays clearly in the HUD or central rim LED. Agree on heavy steering in sport mode, so I personally prefer Mid mode and paddle shift. Same performance nicer feel. PS. Superb car btw.

[@JohnCarlyle]

Rev counter in the HUD is an option in the menus.

[@peewhee22]

I’ve never heard someone complain about how heavy a steering wheel feels. Seems like the only issue you had which is a personal preference. I’ve had 4 minis and they all were S or JCW and all spectacular.

[@ady1435]

Naa I drove one today the steeering is wayyyy to heavy. Stupidly heavy

[@StevenAnderson-v1z]

Nah steering is exactly the right weight in all modes

[@mrcannongg]

@@ady1435 It isn't heavy in Mid mode on an S.

[@elijahcarr4137]

@@StevenAnderson-v1z My e92 BMW has very heavy steering but in a tasteful way. I'm guessing it's similar to that? After driving VW polo, the polo felt very light and uncomfortable at high speed. Toyota Auris too but nothing as bad as the polo and fords steering are generally good like BMW but lack the feel.

[@galpy8990]

Genuinely struggling to believe this production quality is from a channel with 5k subs. Unreal stuff, well done.

[@DrivenPlus]

Thank you! That’s very kind of you 😃

[@joshedw116]

slight error, these cars have a steptronic 8 speed, not a zf 8 speed.

[@Oplix]

Mate I believe you were using the firmer Dynamic Damper setting. The wheel will feel like that when that's on. In regular mode, it's very comfortable. That can be changed in the Sport Mode settings.

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks for the info!

[@FabMartiniTube]

Exactly, I wouldn't say it will be more comfortable :) but yeah, in Sport mode my F56 get more stiff.

[@TheEasilydistracted9]

I personally like that when I activate my sport mode, it tightens up the steering a nice touch. When I'm having fun in the car, I want that extra sense of control. Not a big fan of the super loose, gliding power steering most modern cars have though, so take this with a grain of salt as a whole.

[@just_swartz]

Stop putting the cam straight to you we wanna see the front and the speedometer Man

[@Thuds593]

Why does it make you erect ?

[@hahasosedgee]

okay fed😭😭😭

[@JohnCarlyle]

Great review, spot on about the appalling rev counter, it's better when it's slightly dark outside and the needle lighting is on.

[@DrivenPlus]

Totally agree

[@Tonycrossfit]

Nice video and nice car 👍. I just bought a 2004 R53 with the six speed gearbox. The car is playful, nimble and agile. I bought the R53 with 63,000 miles and in very good condition.

[@DrivenPlus]

Very nice!

[@muratbeyaz6882]

Sure about the ZF gearbox ? Or is it an AISIN ?

[@kona328WH]

It's aisin. This guy has no clue

[@elijahcarr4137]

@@kona328WH Is it any good?

[@spudvader]

Couple things I don't like about the Mini, 1. You can't get the seat low enough, even when bottomed out it was still to high. 2. you can't turn the rev matching off unless you turn off traction control... I'm not that brave lol. 3. No Apple carplay on models under 2017. A part from that, car is perfect

[@casperskestrel]

Bought one new in June 2022 and sold it in April 2023. Liked everything about it apart from the lack of grip in the wet. Would probably have kept it if it was AWD.

[@FabMartiniTube]

Maybe you needed a better tires. Never had a problem.

[@FabMartiniTube]

The sound doesn't change externally, unless you have the JCW pro kit and you press a button on a separate remote control. In sport mode you just turn on the fake sound from the speakers. Same for the steering that get heavier in sport mode like the adaptive suspensions. If you keep the Mid and the Eco mode the steering and suspensions are more comfortable and you don't have the fake sounds from the speakers.

[@eagta3347]

I disabled the Active sound with coding.

[@FabMartiniTube]

@@eagta3347Well, I barely hear it. Some people hate it but for me, it’s very subtle on my 2017 Cooper s.

[@JonHorgan-hd5wm]

Just got the 24 plate black magic cooper s with all the jcw options. Twin turbo 2ltr. Lovely car

[@DrivenPlus]

Nice!

[@roskes]

Loved the sound of the engine. Thanks, great review!

[@DrivenPlus]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Rage40001]

wheels are 18" not 17" you can read it from tyre when you are already next to it... gearbox is not ZF... weak prep for review...

[@zzokre_9228]

don't talk if u dont know sh*t, standard wheels are 17's u pay extra for 18's

[@MoldyWormStudios]

Thinking of buying one of these not too bothered about the stiffness but I will be going for a manual, not a fan of flappy paddles. Love the stock pops and bangs

[@DrivenPlus]

Manual good choice 👍

[@j8ssp]

The rev counter does go in the heads up display?! .. mine does

[@Cardoza.Nsmg3]

I saw mini cooper 2017 or 2016 or 2018 and it was a S But it had a jcw bodykit and the color base was black and a hot orange or blood orange or red line on the middle of the hood to the back and I think the top hood didn’t have the red mark it was clean afffffff!!!! I wanted a gti two door or the mini cooper and the gti was like 300 to 400 or 500 hp so it was used. I eventually got a gti 2018 or 2019 but I really wanted that mini cooper s with the jcw bodykit

[@mrcannongg]

The steering wheel is heavy only in sport mode on my Cooper S. Idk how it is on a JCW tbh.

[@potatochobit]

Put it in normal mode to change the steering feel.

[@deljules1383]

It rides too high, need to get BC racing coilovers makes a huge difference even when driving it normal just simply deals with all of the bad roads we have plus when pushing it hard wow the difference is amazing

[@GarroLegionofOne]

Short answer, YES!

[@mikegirard4388]

Its an auto with a turbocharged engine tuned more for bottom end… do the RPMS really matter much… not really. Even with a manual and B38 I barely ever look at it. But I dont disagree, the tach would have been more “fun” as the center gauge and make the digital readout larger.

[@johnlavery6116]

I have this in the same colour but in the sport model...awesome car,..very fast....Ireland.

[@GarroLegionofOne]

Got those seats they are very comfortable

[@dazaasusgamer2713]

What year is this as I’m hearing pops and bangs from exhaust which they have done their best to remove now?

[@JohnCarlyle]

Number plate gives the age away, 2019 ;-)

[@ericcarson342]

I'm assuming the suspension is not adjustable. Is the Mini S a softer suspension setup? How about seats, less comfortable than the 's' ?

[@hunterbrantley9974]

When comparing the jcw to the s you need to know if you are gonna modify the car get the s if your gonna leave it alone get the jcw

[@JonHorgan-hd5wm]

I’ve got 6he cooper s but got the premium extra package, has the jcw seats sounds (harman kardon } and all the other extras , the seats are good in my opinion though. Would worry too much

[@IraklisThaTsogkas]

​@@hunterbrantley9974how so? Thought the b48 in the JCW is alot more tunable?

[@hunterbrantley9974]

@@IraklisThaTsogkas pretty much the same engine the older s even had the b48 they updated the s to the b46 for emission

[@IraklisThaTsogkas]

​@@hunterbrantley9974oh shit had no idea. Thought they come with a N variation. Interesting 🤔

[@neilbaggott410]

Ps. Those are 18 inch alloys 😉

[@antonyjames744]

Nice review

[@DrivenPlus]

Thanks!

[@edhjjyang]

The wheels are 18'' IMO

[@vasilisconstantinides7950]

Only 228hp? Such a nice car but seems a bit underpowered when compared to other hot hatches

[@mahmudswalkman]

Mini is also lighter than ST or GTI

[@StevenAnderson-v1z]

Mine is mapped straight through Remus and filter it’s a monster and manual too

[@spudvader]

On the Mini forums, they say that they are down-tuned BMW engines that they have in other BMW models but if you get them remapped you can easily get 300hp.

[@peterbustin2683]

Ive got a 2019 MCS, and im thinking about the JCW, but that gearbox...

[@DrivenPlus]

Go for the manual if the auto doesn’t interest you?

[@peterbustin2683]

@@DrivenPlus You can’t get one!

[@2schrag]

im 6"4' - would I fit?

[@DrivenPlus]

You would but I don’t think you’d be comfortable

[@spudvader]

I'm 6 foot and 17 stone (108KG), I use to put my seat a good bit back but still had extra to go. I'd say you'd fit but you ain't getting no one behind you. Go and try one out, such great cars. I just gave up my MCS but looking for a JCW already lol

[@tapster15]

Good review, thanks!! :o)

[@DrivenPlus]

Thank you!

[@Oplix]

Those are actually 18 inch wheels. They don't make 17's for JCW's because they barely clear the brakes with 18's that stick out.

[@GarroLegionofOne]

JCW come standard with 17’s wheels, pay extra for 18’s.Mine has 17’s

[@zzokre_9228]

cap, they are 17's

[@jonosmith4919]

R Kid just bought a 2024 model all singing and Dancing told him RS3 but ya beat a 1100 clubman we RC 30 WE LONG BRANCH MANIFOLD EXSUST SYSTEM LOL CHEERS FOR THIS VIDEO SON ME PERSONALLY YA CAN'T DRIVE FOR SH.T LOL❤

[@JonHorgan-hd5wm]

Remember Tottenham?

[@samuelhall2397]

Would you be interested in the GP3? Let me know if so.

[@DrivenPlus]

Yes definitely! 🤩

[@samuelhall2397]

@@DrivenPlus Great will message you on instagram 👍

[@nesw0]

mini but great , thank you

[@DrivenPlus]

You’re welcome

[@jonosmith4919]

Rev counter r we Deaf son lol😂

[@jsmittyspiritualjedi511]

I want one....

[@Crylhound]

Best car ❤

[@DorethaGubbins-c8p]

Douglas Causeway

[@kona328WH]

Ditch the crap factory tires. And it's not a ZF gearbox.

[@Oplix]

I find it very odd you're in a RHD MINI that displays speed in MPH.

[@DrivenPlus]

Normal in UK

[@ugghhhyoutubeisawful646]

own the car for a week and if u cant know ur rpm within 100 ur doin it wrong

[@eddie_cooper]

Needs rotiform BLQ wheels 🛞 👌🏼

[@Simonchrismasdoherty]

Show me a car that corners better.....

[@classicminicooper]

These cars are junk. Over hyped and not worth their price tag So please. Just sell me them for a far undervalued number. Thx (For context this was a joke for all the people that will read the 1st line and atrack in the comments with their Cooper S cars defending a JCW)

[@xxxmarekxxx505]

SUPER!!!!!!!!!!!