Click above for a high-res gallery of the JCW MINI
The intrepid (and trustworthy) scribes over at MotoringFile have confirmed with their sources that the softest available suspension tuning in the brand's lineup will be standard on the high-performance John Cooper Works model, while a sport suspension or a dealer-installed JCW suspension kit will be optional equipment. MINI cites the fact that it wants the JCW to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible as the real reason for the decision, though it's a choice that's causing some ire among diehard MINI fans. Some are going so far as to suggest the brand should drop the car's brake upgrade in favor of an actual sport suspension as standard equipment.
[Source: MotoringFile]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mcheddadi @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:24AM
ok...
YourNameHere @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:25AM
give me a stripped down JCW mini. steel wheels, standard suspension, brakes, etc. take a few thousand off the MSRP and let me buy the aftermarket parts. im going to anyway and at least this way i can save a few bucks.
psarhjinian @ Apr 2nd 2008 10:54AM
Is the new JCW going to cost less than it's predecessor? If the new one is cheaper by approximately the price of the suspenion upgrades (and let's be honest , the old JCW had a suspension hewn from granite, which isn't everyone's thing) then this is ok.
Travis @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:08AM
ummm, April Fools? at the *very* least this is coming with the stock Cooper S suspension so that owners aren't forced into the JCW setup, but to have the stock soft base suspension has got to be untrue. spring rates and ride heights are free for a manufacturer to change, so at the very best consumers would be saving a small bit on the shocks themselves... I have a feeling autoblog fell for a practical joke, though.
SPG @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:12AM
I'm just surprised that the JCW package does not have the JCW suspension as standard.
However, as many have pointed out the JCW suspension is too firm for some and the naturally aspirated Mini's are a bit too slow for some as well.
Even though I drove an old Cavalier on the freeways for years which as a worse power to weight ratio.
S1500 @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:04PM
How about a JCW power steering pump that doesn't leak?
indymcsc @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:14PM
that's a feature ;-)
Throwback @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:24PM
I see this as a move to keep the price reasonable. It also allows dealers to make a little extra profit with the retro fit. If someone wants the JCW spec why wouldn't they want the suspension also?
tenfifteen @ Apr 2nd 2008 1:57PM
Reported on 4/1. Let's just say highly suspect.