Collected the JCW GP ...

[Adamm.]

I don't really know much about these, but what is it like compared to the clio 1*2? Completely different world and league of performance?

 

[Mork of Ork]

I really like the wheels, they are like a modern version of these.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Am I the only one that thinks these look unbelievably tacky?

Not a fan either, much preferred the other one.

Not at all, i tend to agree in the photos lol. But in real life, it looks epic!!

Old one looks a bit 'ordinary' now imho, although far classier/less in your face lol.

Is this one going to be kept clean Dave .... :quiet: ?

Funny you should say that, but i do plan on keeping this pretty clean - the colour looks soo much better when not dirty!!

Me being stupid here but what engine is in these and how bhp do these produce?

1.6 supercharged, 218bhp, 184lb ft, 1095kgs, LSD, circa 200bhp per tonne.

That doesnt look much like a 4 bed house...lol

The 4 bed house next door was £1.1 million, & i dont fancy spending £300k on a 1 bed flat, not because we cant afford it, but it doesnt make financial sense imho (our rent is currently £250 a month less than if we bought our flat!!). So thats on hold for the moment, just continuing to save for a proper family home in a couple of years time. Not in Weybridge lol.

Lovely car dude.

Must be still so tempting to mod though. Swapping out for pole positions will save you 30kg easily. 17" wheels and non RF tyres shed another 8 kg. Get some 2 pc discs for the front wheels and it will totally transform it for the better.

Have to say though the way a works revs around the clock as standard compared to a stock s is night and day. It's addictive!

It is tempting, but im just spending money on things to make it mint now instead. I want a daily, not a trackcar these days, 17's im still tempted by, but i like the fact that its instantly recognisable as a GP, Turinis might lose that a little. You are right about the revving though, feels far less 'strangled' than the other one, despite only having 20bhp more.

Love it Dave! How does it feel compared to your other one?

Far tighter. Just a little bit better in every area to be honest, but it should be, it cost 3 times as much lol!!!

 

[Cup_Phil]

I just couldn't own a mini. And I can't stand those wheels. But aside from my personal opinions, enjoy!!

Exactly this.

I watched them racing at Knockhill and seen a few in time attack. Seem very capable cars and cheap to get big power from, but they'll always be a german ripoff of a classic british car for me. Bloated.

Those wheels aswell - what the hell were they thinking?

 

[Munson]

Nice. True ballers roll in limited run cars.

The only thing I wouldn't be happy with is knowing the strut brace is fake.

 

[Herr Flick]

I thought you didn't want one due to the extra money they cost over the normal version BUT yet you know own TWO MINI's... No matter what you say to me know, we both know you are worse than me!

(Is this your expensive way of coming out??)

 

[Thrust-Rated]

I love these. How many were made? Don't they have a number on the roof near the doors?

 

[Sir_Dave]

Bloated.

It weighs less than a 182 ... but with 40bhp more lol.

Wheels are incredibly easy to clean, & look totally different in the flesh, naturally the camera pics up the polished bit.

Nice. True ballers roll in limited run cars.

Agreed. There is a certain level of awesome that comes from owning a special car imho

I thought you didn't want one due to the extra money they cost over the normal version BUT yet you know own TWO MINI's...

1st part of the sentence is true, but my reasoning was that hopefully the depreciation on this will be less than the non-recoverable cost of modifying my normal MCS up to an acceptable standard, i.e. labour costs associated with fitting coilovers/cam/remap/bodykit, etc. The other one is sold to a friend, he's just buggered off on honeymoon so hasnt collected it lol ...

I love these. How many were made? Don't they have a number on the roof near the doors?

2k made, circa 450 in the UK iirc. Mine is number 1379.

 

[Munson]

IIRC more than 450 UK units mean you may as well burn it out when you're done.

 

[_Tom]

IIRC more than 450 UK units mean you may as well burn it out when you're done.

Hopefully 350 of mine have been written off if thats the case..

The GP looks much better than the old one when theyre side by side. Are they the same colour? Looks different in the pics. Not by much mind you..

 

[Gally]

Utterly awesome, and by far the only car i've ever been jealous of you owning.

Oem+ is the only way for these. Wheels are awesomely don't give a f**k spec the whole car is a bit like that. That's what makes them feel special.

Before I bought the TT I went as far to look into everything involved in fitting the back seats as I felt it was the only car I could buy after the Frp and give a similar feel.

Oh and needs Eibachs and decent non RF tyres. Then you have a car!

 

[The Chubby Pirate]

324 Mk1 GP's on our roads at the moment and 23 sorn'd.

​

 

[Ian_182]

I bet most of those 23 wont be seen for 20 years and brought out again for a premium.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Utterly awesome, and by far the only car i've ever been jealous of you owning.

Oem+ is the only way for these. Wheels are awesomely don't give a f**k spec the whole car is a bit like that. That's what makes them feel special.

Before I bought the TT I went as far to look into everything involved in fitting the back seats as I felt it was the only car I could buy after the Frp and give a similar feel.

Oh and needs Eibachs and decent non RF tyres. Then you have a car!

Cheers Gally

I do agree though, OEM+ is the way. Non-RF's (probably Hankook V12's) are close to being ordered already, whilst the ride was ok on the roads in France, it is quite frankly horrific around here lol. Only thing im not sure on is the move from 205/40/18 to 215/35/18 as i prefer to keep tyre widths the same as standard. Eibachs/coilovers im not sure on to be honest, the car is pretty low anyways (& scrapes on speed bumps already) and i dont really want to mess with day to day usability.

 

[Wick]

Nice buy Dave and glad you're enjoying it. I'm a fan of these as well.

 

[Gally]

Forget coils that's a silly way to go. Eibachs or don't bother.

I never understand people who replace RFs for RFs, horrible horrible tyres! Ruin so many good cars. Good tyres and you know it'll transform the feel!

 

[cat171]

I think they look pretty funky. I'm not keen on the interior, it looks bland comapared to the outside of the car.

Will you be doing anything to it ?

 

[JD]

Just seen a mk2 in Ambleside. Made me look, but only for geeky "I know what it is" reasons. Still couldn't own one. I bet they're a hoot, but too... Mini.

 

[JD]

f**k about, these (new ones) are £23-27k? Holy crap, who the hell buys them?!

 

[Wick]

f**k about, these (new ones) are £23-27k? Holy crap, who the hell buys them?!

They command such a premium over the equivalent 200/st/208 and even focus/Astra/Megane!


My mrs had an r56 standard "S" and it was specced up to just shy of 29k from the factory according the the original invoice! Bonkers.

Absolutely every option box ticked apart from nav!

 

[MarkCup]

f**k about, these (new ones) are £23-27k? Holy crap, who the hell buys them?!

People to whom £22k for a new sporty Clio is about right.

​Looks nice Dave...the only Mini I'd own.

 

[JD]

People to whom £22k for a new sporty Clio is about right.

​Looks nice Dave...the only Mini I'd own.

That's new and five k less. But I understand your point. Utter madness in my eyes.

 

[cat171]

The Mini will hold its value a lot better than the Clio, still a fair bit of money though.

 

[Sam]

I love this.

My urge to get a mini grows more and more.

 

[Christopher]

Very nice!

...the fake strut brace is an awkward one though. Kinda laughable considering the people the car's aimed at.

 

[Sir_Dave]

The Mini will hold its value a lot better than the Clio, still a fair bit of money though.

Well there's a blast from the past!! Good to see you back ...

You are correct though, the GP's may cost more, but my goodness they hold their value!! £22k in 2006, & i paid £10.5k with 46k on it (48% of its initial value, now minimal from now on, perhaps it will even appreciate as they're stayed firm for approx. 2-3 years now).

To compare, at the same time, a 197 was £16k, & now worth approx £4.5k (28% of its value).

So in effect, with the benefit of TLC servicing, a rather good BMW warranty & no cambelt to worry about, the GP1 would probably have cost the hot hatch buyer in 2006 less money over the following 7 years than the cheaper Renault option ...

 

[jamier27]

Only mini I'd have too, looks great!

 

[Adam.P]

Looks awesome dude, such a soft spot for these.

That camp site, is that in Châlons-en-Champagne?

 

[cat171]

Well there's a blast from the past!! Good to see you back ...

You are correct though, the GP's may cost more, but my goodness they hold their value!! £22k in 2006, & i paid £10.5k with 46k on it (48% of its initial value, now minimal from now on, perhaps it will even appreciate as they're stayed firm for approx. 2-3 years now).

To compare, at the same time, a 197 was £16k, & now worth approx £4.5k (28% of its value).

So in effect, with the benefit of TLC servicing, a rather good BMW warranty & no cambelt to worry about, the GP1 would probably have cost the hot hatch buyer in 2006 less money over the following 7 years than the cheaper Renault option ...

Thanks Dave

Do you have any plans for it?

Did you see what I mentioned about it earlier ? I think a nice set of buckets would work well inside, I don't get why they put those big chairs in there, I know they're Recaro's but I reckon they weigh a fair bit. That's my two cents anyway.

 

[Darren S]

They have the boot spoiler of win. Love the absence of rear seats too.

Not a mega fan of the Bini's - but I have to applaud ones like this. Infinitely more than those awful barge Countrymans..... :dead:

​D.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Looks awesome dude, such a soft spot for these.

That camp site, is that in Châlons-en-Champagne?

Its actually the Municipal campsite in Macon, but we were going to stay in the one Chalons-Sur-Marne due to its proximity to Reims! Have you stayed there before then? Always useful to have a good list of campsites in France - if you're ever in the Dordogne, search out the 'Chateau du Gibanel', absolutely gorgeous!!

Thanks Dave

Do you have any plans for it?

Did you see what I mentioned about it earlier ? I think a nice set of buckets would work well inside, I don't get why they put those big chairs in there, I know they're Recaro's but I reckon they weigh a fair bit. That's my two cents anyway.

Plans wise, just going to try & keep it mint & OEM really. Which means that whilst Pole Positions would save about 25kg (!!), i dont fancy going back to driving around in a suit in a fixed bucket seat again lol. I still have to use this for work, so the occasional 600 miles in a day isnt unheard of!

Have ordered some new OEM GP floor mats, top mounts, upper engine mount & Parrot Mki9200 with MSFW interface today, but am so far resisting temptation to 'f*ck about' with it :clown: Well, bar getting rid of the run-sh4ts at some point lol.

 

[_Tom]

Pole positions really aren't practical seats..

 

[Stu-]

Hope you like :star:

This picture taken in Challons-En-Chamapgne ?


Starting to really like these, seen a lot at the ring this weekend and they were really flying!


**Edit - Never mind, just read above haha**

 

[cat171]

Plans wise, just going to try & keep it mint & OEM really. Which means that whilst Pole Positions would save about 25kg (!!), i dont fancy going back to driving around in a suit in a fixed bucket seat again lol. I still have to use this for work, so the occasional 600 miles in a day isnt unheard of!

Have ordered some new OEM GP floor mats, top mounts, upper engine mount & Parrot Mki9200 with MSFW interface today, but am so far resisting temptation to 'f*ck about' with it :clown: Well, bar getting rid of the run-sh4ts at some point lol.

Yeah if you've gotta wear a suit & drive that many miles etc I don't blame you for keeping it stock in there.

 

[Sir_Dave]

So the last week or so, has been spent tinkering :star:

1st up, old floor mats (& their holes) were upsetting my eyes:

BMminiparts had some of the genuine GP ones for just under £50 (how much? For 2 mats lol), but they have the red stitching, so i got them bought:

Much better!!

Then Saturday was spent changing the N75 valve and battery on Sarah's TT, then doing the upper engine mount on the GP. Unfortunately, it had decided to spew its insides all over the engine bay whilst we were on holiday so needed replacing - the black gunk wont come off with just water/rag though, so any idea on what to get it off with?:

New mount from BMminiparts, circa £70 for genuine iirc, only took about 30 mins to fit:

Then yesterday i fitted a Parrot Mki9200 with MFSW interface & no holes bracket from newministuff:

The interface allows me to control the Parrot from the left hand controls on the steering wheel, so a little more OEM than having the controller stuck on the dash as well. This is my staple installation in all my cars, so whilst i did briefly think about an Alpine headunit with bluetooth, standard looking won through yet again

Next on the list? Well the engine mount didnt completely cure the clonking i get from the front right wheel over bumps, so need to work out what that is (probably the wishbone bushes, although could be due to a slightly torn top mount) and the timing chain tensioner has started rattling a little on startup. Think i'm going to just take a day off and get it up to 1320 for some pampering ...

 

[Nick172Cup]

And here's when it becomes a money pit!

 

[_Tom]

Easiest engine mount to change on any car ive worked on. Ours went. Quite common I beleive.

Parrot looks good too. They easy to fit? I have a Alpine head unit with BT sat here but I dont like changing from oem.

 

[Craig.]

Absolutely love it, I've got a massive urge to get rid of the 197 for one.

I didnt no they came with an lsd though is that standard dave?

 

[Sir_Dave]

And here's when it becomes a money pit!

lol. Hopefully not!! Only spent a couple hundred on it so far :rasp:

Parrot looks good too. They easy to fit?

Really easy!! The lead i got from Newministuff (http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop.php?action=productshow&id=761) combines both Parrot wiring, SOT lead & MFSW interface into one loom, so makes for very easy fitment. Only difficulty is finding somewhere to put the blue control module for the Parrot, although i found a little space up behind the dash for it. I followed the fitment guide on MT: http://www.minitorque.com/forum/f845/review-installation-guide-parrot-mki9200-newministuff-15336/

Absolutely love it, I've got a massive urge to get rid of the 197 for one.

I didnt no they came with an lsd though is that standard dave?

Do it. Much better than the 197 imho! Well, not as revvy, but better built & doesnt have a gaping hole in the power band at 3k rpm!! But yeah, GP & Checkmate have the LSD as standard, with it only being a £100 option on Chilli pack cars from '05 (i think), so quite a lot of the later ones have it - 99% of the owners just dont know it lol.

 

[Sir_Dave]

Went for a little drive with some Pistonheads guys on Sunday morning (prior to the Sunday Service at Rolls Royce) and was very very impressed with the car. Certainly didnt feel like anything needed modifying that's for certain, & i was able to keep pace with some rather more powerful machinery ... not on the long straights, but through da twisties innit (most of the route). Btw Escort Cosworths with straight cut boxes sound immense, GTR's spit nice flames, & 911 Turbo's are certainly quite mobile on the limit

Got courtyard parking at RR as well which was nice, only FWD allowed in lol

So was it worth the extra money over the normal MCS? Imho, absolutely, its simply a better car in every way. The fact I don’t now have to pour money down the toilet modifying it is even better, especially considering im in money saving mode permanently now lol. Also, I really don’t think a normal Cooper S (no matter how modified) would get as many nice comments & interest from other car enthusiasts - some of which own considerably more expensive toys. For me, it’s a most suitable replacement for the Trophy. Halo model ftw

PS. Ive given up on the cleaning lark already.