I did some research after I stumbled across my GP. The 2006 GP went through the same type of "constructive comments" that the 2013 is now. Its kind of funny how many of those same individuals actually want one parked in their driveway now. I guess there are hits and misses like the Original. I love the interior, the rear diffuser is awesome and the rear spoiler seems more functional than the Original. The coil overs and the brake upgrades are a nice touch but they still fell short in more than one area that was an issue with the 1st Gen. With all the bragging about how much time they had for developement, you would think that the HP would have increased, just my opinion. I will give them kudos though for keeping the GP logo on the hardtop and a limited production number.
the differences between the GP's is night and day the R53 GP was a one off design that made people want them because it was a giant leap forward after years of the same design the R56 GPII is 75% identical to a standard JCW...the GPII is starting to remind me of the WC50 more and more just with a few extra options
Let's not get carried away. It wasn't a "giant leap forward", nor did people particularly want them. When the R53 GP was introduced, there were huge complaints about how little change it was over the standard models. It also wasn't a big hit. It took quite a while before it finally sold out.
I do like the inside a little but why would you put in seats without holes for racing belts if the car is a OEM / track car? :idea: Does this new GP have the same rear "fake" brace to you can't even attach real belts too? Its a nice effort to keep the GP name alive and change extra for it, but it is not really worth anymore then any other R56 JCW.
In a word.... Liability They can't put in prep for race type belts without it passing the myriad of worldwide regulations.
More likely it was to keep the cost down. They didn't want to create new seats just for the GP, so they just went with the factory Recaro seats. Which in themselves appear to be overpriced posers.
WOW! I just got the first-hand visual on the new GP. It is frigg'n awesome!! While this picture certainly does no real justice to the beauty of this car, the metalic color scheme is perfect and the graphics are a perfect match. Sorry, but I guess I don't see the dislike for them... IMHO, they work well on the car. Thanks Norm, for whatever it took to get that car to Laguna Seca. This car may have to be put on the top of my bucket list. What a great time it was for everyone who made the event.
Local pricing in Australia for the lightweight, track-focused MINI Cooper John Cooper Works GP has been announced, with the fastest factory MINI ever built to be priced from $56,900 - $6500 more than a "regular" Cooper Hatch JCW. Based on the MINI Cooper Hatch, only 30 cars out of a global production run of 2000 will head to Australia. Remember this is Australian pricing and is not directly transferable to US dollars as there are various import duties and taxes in other markets that cause pricing not to be directly transferable.
the rate of exchange puts this at: 56,900.00 AUD = 58,805.92 USD as of today's exchange rate 1 AUD = 1.03350 USD if you adjust and take out certain duties and taxes still looking at somewhere between 45-50 grand for us...
You can't directly compare AUS and US car prices. Much like you can't directly compare UK and US car prices. Take your basic Coupe S, no options. US price $28,850. In the UK, same car, £19,780. That works out at today's rate to $31,664 In Canada that same Coupe S is $31,150 and the Can and US dollar are darn close to parity. It converts to $31,867 USD. I'm sorry I even posted the AUS pricing because you cannot compare!
From AutoExpress in the UK "Only 2,000 units of the MINI JCW GP will go on sale from November, costing from £28,790 - £6,335 more than the standard JCW hatch - although only 200 of those will make it to the UK." The conversion puts it around 46K -10K more than the standard JCW. I am interested in seeing the rest of the numbers, the UK received 437 of the 2006 GP. MINI JCW GP revealed | Auto Express
As others have said, you can't just do a currency conversion. By straight conversion, prices for all models are significantly higher in the UK (actually, worldwide the US has the lowest prices by far). You can do a rough extrapolation. £28,790 for the GP and £6,335 over the hatch JCW means it is a 28% premium. For what you get, a 28% premium seems excessive and overpriced to me, but if you apply it to the US price for hatch JCW ($31,300) it works out to $40,064.
One reason car prices, when compared to other countries, are lower in the US is the volume of cars sold here. Things such as marketing and warranty costs are spread over a larger number of units than in other locales. This allows for a lower final cost on a per unit basis.
So for $10,000.00 difference, you get some special tires, different front brakes, coil-overs and exclusivity over a fJCW. Bunch of other stuff like stickers, different wheels, paint, but the little differences are a wash. The first three items add to the performance. Not much difference than what the aftermarket can provide for a lot less. But that's not the point I guess. BMW/MINI is capping off the R56 with their halo car in preparation for their move over to the new F56 platform. Just closing another chapter. Hope better things are around the corner....
After spending a few years overseas and purchasing things at almost double the price of what the going rate was here in the states I would have to concur. The value of the US dollar fluctuates daily, some times it works for you, but most times it works against you. What I found intresting was the markup form the standard JCW hardtop. Yeah it's a special edition. Sure there are a few things that set it aside from the standard JCW, but that markup seems a little crazy. And for it being a MINI the UK seems to be getting the short end of the stick on the units being delivered.