JCW as a Sub-brand?

Nathan · 01-25-2012, 08:48 PM

The blog over at Car And Driver has a posting today about MINI positioning JCW and MINIs ///M brand.

Quote:

Prior to his current job as head of Mini, Kay Segler ran BMW’s M division. It seems almost obvious, then, when he tells us that he wants JCW to serve the same purpose for Mini that M does for BMW.

Once the JCW Countryman arrives, Mini will offer John Cooper Works packages for all of its models, but Segler wants to further differentiate JCW products in the future. This means that cars wouldn’t so much be equipped with the John Cooper Works package, but rather positioned as standalone models.

Read the full article over on the Car and Driver site then pop back here to discuss...

What do you think of such a move by MINI?

Minidave · 01-25-2012, 10:08 PM

Well, it makes perfect sense to me, unfortunately.....

I'm already on record as saying MINI has priced itself out of my league for a new car, they're simply following the model Porsche, Mercedes, Audi and BMW have used for years.

Porsche really has it down, to the point of being able to offer less equipment on limited models and charge more for it!

The coupe and roadster are good examples of MINIs following the model set by Porsche.

I think I'll be buying used cars from here on out, myself........

**Jason Montague** · 01-26-2012, 01:12 AM

Sort of but not exactly like Chevrolet and Corvette where the employees insist with a turned up nose that they don't work for Chevrolet, they work for Corvette. One car with 2 levels of brand as opposed to one car with several levels of options. One Mini for the regular people and a different one for the high and mighty? I don't know. I think that I'll stay out of this one and listen to y'all.

Jason

ronnie948 · 01-26-2012, 06:33 PM

Yep, Engine made in Germany, Different gears in the Transmission, Different axle ratio, Brembo Brakes, Different suspension. The Factory JCW is not an "S" with a bunch of stickers stuck all over it. It is a truly different car.

I drove an "S" and it was not the same car as my JCW.

The "S" is good but not the same.

I love them both but I love my JCW a little more. (FOR ME)

Now I'm sure there are going to be some of you that will say they can soup up an "S" to out perform a JCW but that is not the point. The point is that a 2009 up factory JCW is just in a more high performance class stock for stock then a Mini "S". They are Mini Coopers but just not the same.

**Jason Montague** · 01-26-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnie948

Yep, Engine made in Germany, Different gears in the Transmission, Different axle ratio, Brembo Brakes, Different suspension. The Factory JCW is not an "S" with a bunch of stickers stuck all over it. It is a truly different car.

I drove an "S" and it was not the same car as my JCW.

The "S" is good but not the same.

I love them both but I love my JCW a little more. (FOR ME)

Now I'm sure there are going to be some of you that will say they can soup up an "S" to out perform a JCW but that is not the point. The point is that a 2009 up factory JCW is just in a more high performance class stock for stock then a Mini "S". They are Mini Coopers but just not the same.

I have an 08 R56 MCS/JCWm and although "them there's 'fightin words'"

, they are true(to me).

Jason

ronnie948 · 01-27-2012, 09:28 AM

I do like the "S" and will probably end up with one with an automatic Transmission if my hip & legs get any worse. Of course I will need to install the JCW performance kit, Brake kit, and a set of Michelin Exalta PE2 245/ 17 tires on it.

The car would be as close to my JCW as possible but it still won't ever be the same.

I sure wish somebody would come out with a beefed up Automatic Transmission for the factory JCW's.

All of the Corvette tuners have access to beefed up automatics when they super tune a vette.

**Rixter** · 01-27-2012, 11:08 AM

I think it would be a good move, as long as it doesn't push the price through the stratosphere. MINIs are already overpriced. Ideally they should drop the price of the Justa and 'S' and keep the JCW at its current levels. That likely wouldn't happen though

**jbewley** · 01-27-2012, 12:29 PM

It seems OK to me. Make the JCW a top notch, one of a kind stand alone and if you can afford it great. If not go with the "S" and be happy with it. Honestly, most of my friends look at a car, like what they see (or can live with it), buy it and never do another thing go it. They look at me with a blank stare when I tell them what I have done to my MINI.

With that said, the MINI is a fun car, right out of the box and base price, plus a couple (key word couple) of options is not bad. It is when you start loading those fun to have, but not really necessary options that the price climbs fast.

Jim

Steve · 01-27-2012, 08:47 PM

I see no reason for it. Assuming they actually physically separate things they won't save anything in terms of development or production costs, will they? I think it's all about creating snob status and justification for increasing prices and, more importantly, justifying an increase in profit margins on the JCW.

Does it really take a separate division to improve the breed? Maybe those working on the JCW are held back somehow by having to play nice with others?

Cone Assassin · 01-28-2012, 11:15 AM

If we had the One here, that would put pricing in a whole new perspective. About the level and cost of a 500, yet the Mini would still be the better car.
I have a hard time justifying the purchase of a FWD car at that price, especially when the focus is on performance - the negative.
It could mean the release of more AWD platforms into the hatch and BMW engine sharing (N20), which is the positive.
Either way, I will continue