Nah the JCW is quicker. It's either 230bhp pre 2019 facelift, or 300bhp if it's the 2019 onwards facelift. Personally, I don't find mine to be harsh at all, but it's always best to test one out yourself to be sure as everyone has different tolerances for comfort. Can't really say much about issues though as I've only had the car for 9 months, but I am really enjoying it.
Who here owns a Mini?
- Thread starter ScoobyDoo69
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Nah the JCW is quicker. It's either 230bhp pre 2019 facelift, or 300bhp if it's the 2019 onwards facelift. Personally, I don't find mine to be harsh at all, but it's always best to test one out yourself to be sure as everyone has different tolerances for comfort. Can't really say much about issues though as I've only had the car for 9 months, but I am really enjoying it.
Mine is the 2019 facelift, and I get around 30.6mpg, which I think is pretty reasonableWhat year is yours? How bad is your mpg
Don
Anyone registered a replacement battery in a Mini?
Got a battery ordered but now realised my R56 has IBS so should be registered.
Was planning on using Bimmerlink as this is supposed to do registration but just wondering if anyone had experience and knew for sure?
I've bought this adapter in preparation which looks to be supported by most apps
Got a battery ordered but now realised my R56 has IBS so should be registered.
Was planning on using Bimmerlink as this is supposed to do registration but just wondering if anyone had experience and knew for sure?
I've bought this adapter in preparation which looks to be supported by most apps
Associate
I’ve done it before but used Carly to do it.
I was very lucky just before summer and won a 2020 JCW for a few quid on a raffle. Absolutely over the moon with it and became besotted with the Mini very quickly. I then went down the rabbit hole of learning about the differences in LCI and LCI2. Ended up trading the car I won in a week later for a 6 month old LCI2 JCW with all the trimmings. I think the newer bumpers and slight incremental improvements meant a lot to me and would mean I'd keep the car longer.
It's marvellous! Can see the old car to the right.
A couple things I really wanted from the LCI2 was the bumpers, radar cruise and "digital" dash. As you can see by the JCW steering wheel that was added at factory it hasn't got the distance control buttons on it. Had a very confusing drive home trying to change the distance. Couldn't even put it into dumb cruise control without radar without the buttons. The dealership were very good with my concerns but they did seem initially like it was something they wouldn't sort. A week or so later they had it in and replaced the buttons on the left with the extra buttons. It's strange a LCI2 can be factory specced with a LCI wheel/buttons that don't come with the radar buttons from factory.
Drive is great, feels very premium and enjoy my time in it. I sort of wish the auto was dual clutch but for every day wafting it's fine. I would like to try the manual just to see what a spirited drive is like as I find with the auto can take away from the experience. The heads up display is brilliant. The economy on a long run is ok but on the shorter runs to work it's a bit lower than I am used to. I wouldn't say it feels that fast but guess it's quite heavy for 230bhp. The rear seats are superfluous as being 6'3" you wouldn't ever be able to have someone in the back. The boot is tiny!
Definitely been bitten by the mini bug!
It's marvellous! Can see the old car to the right.
A couple things I really wanted from the LCI2 was the bumpers, radar cruise and "digital" dash. As you can see by the JCW steering wheel that was added at factory it hasn't got the distance control buttons on it. Had a very confusing drive home trying to change the distance. Couldn't even put it into dumb cruise control without radar without the buttons. The dealership were very good with my concerns but they did seem initially like it was something they wouldn't sort. A week or so later they had it in and replaced the buttons on the left with the extra buttons. It's strange a LCI2 can be factory specced with a LCI wheel/buttons that don't come with the radar buttons from factory.
Drive is great, feels very premium and enjoy my time in it. I sort of wish the auto was dual clutch but for every day wafting it's fine. I would like to try the manual just to see what a spirited drive is like as I find with the auto can take away from the experience. The heads up display is brilliant. The economy on a long run is ok but on the shorter runs to work it's a bit lower than I am used to. I wouldn't say it feels that fast but guess it's quite heavy for 230bhp. The rear seats are superfluous as being 6'3" you wouldn't ever be able to have someone in the back. The boot is tiny!
Definitely been bitten by the mini bug!
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Nice, I agree I prefer the latest LCI2 as well. Get it on some b roads and it comes more alive! What I would say though, as soon as those Pirelli PZeros wear out, get rid of them
. I found them to be useless unless the conditions are pretty much perfect, which for me in Scotland is a rarity. I owned the manual JCW hatch and currently have the same auto in my clubman. The auto is sometimes a bit lazy compared to a manual, but a lot of that can be mitigated if you decide to go for a drive. When you switch the auto into the M/S mode, this allows you to either use your paddles to shift, or it will do it automatically and it seems to shift more aggressively. More important though, is that it will hold the RPM for much longer, giving you a chance to get back on the throttle before it decides it wants to shift to the highest gear. I find the eco mode to be far too unresponsive when doing city driving, so generally leave it on normal on my commute. The auto makes such a difference in busy traffic compared to a manual, so there is always a compromise.
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Nice, I agree I prefer the latest LCI2 as well. Get it on some b roads and it comes more alive! What I would say though, as soon as those Pirelli PZeros wear out, get rid of them
I owned the manual JCW hatch and currently have the same auto in my clubman. The auto is sometimes a bit lazy compared to a manual, but a lot of that can be mitigated if you decide to go for a drive. When you switch the auto into the M/S mode, this allows you to either use your paddles to shift, or it will do it automatically and it seems to shift more aggressively. More important though, is that it will hold the RPM for much longer, giving you a chance to get back on the throttle before it decides it wants to shift to the highest gear. I find the eco mode to be far too unresponsive when doing city driving, so generally leave it on normal on my commute. The auto makes such a difference in busy traffic compared to a manual, so there is always a compromise.
I have a modified Fiesta ST that I keep in storage for perfect weather so a lot of b-road driving is saved for that. I guess the Mini is a very nice daily! I'm not over the moon with the run flats. The JCW I won didn't have run flats and the drive felt totally different, not sure if this was because it was on the 17s instead of the 18s this newer one is on or the adaptive suspension. Look forward to going through them and getting some Michelin Pilot Sports on it!
I feel I need to work with the auto and have had to learn it to a certain extent to understand what it's going to do in certain situations. If I ever put it into sport on the gearstick I will usually always go for the paddles to engage manual as the find the auto sport just a bit too aggressive and makes the car feel a bit unhinged on upshifts. Does seem to hold revs a bit too long for my liking but guess it's just learning the nuances of the gearbox.
As you say, the eco has comically poor throttle response! You're right, the trade off for a manual would be how good the vehicle is when in busy traffic. It blew my mind the first time I was in a queue or moving traffic and set the radar cruise! Bit of a party trick that wins over people nervous of radar cruise.
I actually much prefer the LCI2 having an electronic parking brake also as the manual handbrake fouled the armrest. Whilst nowhere near as good as VAG offerings with the auto handbrake it's very good and does automatically disengage when pulling off for the first time.
Probably won't map this car after devoting so much time and attention to the Fiesta. I am a bit jealous of the Clubman having 300bhp and seems a weird omission for the Hatch JCW not to have this slightly different engine. Interested in what the All4 feels like.
EDIT - Is anyone else apprehensive about the wireless charger for their phones in the centre arm rest? In the summer I lost count of the time it overheated my phone.
Before I forget, the Harmon Kardon is sublime in it. Very impressed with how detailed/balanced the sound is. Not had to change the EQ at all and left it flat.
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There's no radar on the F56 Mini the adaptive cruise is camera based. It works ok but can have issues in bright sun. Rarely use it on mine as I don't find it to be particularly good.
The new J01 Mini coming in 2024 has radar though.
Ah yeah, Fiesta's could be speced with an LSD from factory couldn't they? I feel like Mini missed out there. Your Fiesta must be a lot of fun to drive.
Yeah I know what you mean. It's seems like it's more for launching/from a stand still. I've noticed if I power through some corners not using the paddles and it changes midway through, the front end tends to jump out, like it's understeering? Yet with the gearbox set to regular, no issues.
I wasn't a fan of having an electronic handbrake at first, but it has really grown on me. Very simple to use and no issues so far, other than the car being overly safe and not allowing me to make a minor parking adjustment unless I have my seatbelt on.
I would try to stick it into drive, but as soon as I lifted the foot off the brake, it would go back into neutral. I swear I thought the car was broke when it first happened lol.Those B48 engines in the JCW hatch have a lot of potential. People easily reaching 280bhp without other mods. That said, I never felt the stock car lacked power on the twistys. It could have been more planted though. Maybe lowered slightly on some decent coilovers would have made a big difference? Yeah the Clubman has plenty of go. No issues with grip. Just point and go! I do like that the exhaust has a valve on one side, so when you change modes it will sound depending on the situation. Sport = nice exhaust noise when cruising/going for a drive, Eco for the neighbours sake and when you are on the motorway to get rid of that droning noise.
Can't really say much on the wireless charger front. My clubman has a wireless charger built into the armrest, but it is too small for any modern smart phone it seems. Yours must be an updated one I'm assuming?
I've always went with the Harmon Kardon system myself. I've always been happy with the sound quality and as a factory option, you can't go wrong.
Associate
I used Bimmerlink/Bimmercode and that exact same adapter. I bought it in 2021 and coded a new AGM battery for my Mini. Much better doing that than paying out the arse for a Carly or a dealer.
Have also used the same adapter on various cars for friends/family members. I even used it yesterday to turn off the auto stop start on my parents X4.
Ahaaa! That explains why it is called active cruise control!
It’s definitely not as good as VAG versions but do find it quite good for what I’ve used it for thus far. I did notice that when you’re stopped in traffic the stop start would start up when a car started to pull away in front. I may be imagining it though but thought it was clever.
Ah yeah, Fiesta's could be speced with an LSD from factory couldn't they? I feel like Mini missed out there. Your Fiesta must be a lot of fun to drive.
Yeah I know what you mean. It's seems like it's more for launching/from a stand still. I've noticed if I power through some corners not using the paddles and it changes midway through, the front end tends to jump out, like it's understeering? Yet with the gearbox set to regular, no issues.
I wasn't a fan of having an electronic handbrake at first, but it has really grown on me. Very simple to use and no issues so far, other than the car being overly safe and not allowing me to make a minor parking adjustment unless I have my seatbelt on.
Those B48 engines in the JCW hatch have a lot of potential. People easily reaching 280bhp without other mods. That said, I never felt the stock car lacked power on the twistys. It could have been more planted though. Maybe lowered slightly on some decent coilovers would have made a big difference? Yeah the Clubman has plenty of go. No issues with grip. Just point and go! I do like that the exhaust has a valve on one side, so when you change modes it will sound depending on the situation. Sport = nice exhaust noise when cruising/going for a drive, Eco for the neighbours sake and when you are on the motorway to get rid of that droning noise.
Can't really say much on the wireless charger front. My clubman has a wireless charger built into the armrest, but it is too small for any modern smart phone it seems. Yours must be an updated one I'm assuming?
I've always went with the Harmon Kardon system myself. I've always been happy with the sound quality and as a factory option, you can't go wrong.
The new mark 8 Fiesta could but my older 7.5 didn’t from factory. I have however had a quiafe fitted and it’s totally changed the dynamics of a FWD car. Surprised a JCW doesn’t come with one, would definitely benefit from it but can’t say I really want go through the hassle and cost of that again.
Yeah, I find regular gear changed much more reliable and predictable when pressing on.
Not sure how lowering plays with the dynamic dampers. May just leave it alone…the less I touch the better!
The phone size is a iPhone but think it’s at the maximum size it will take.
The colour combo on this clubman is an absolute beauty.
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Don
I ended up using Carista in the end as was £10 for a month (Vs £31.49 just for Bimmerlink to register battery, and another £35 for bimmercode if i wanted that) and I will probably use it to code a couple of things as well.
Hardest part of changing battery was resetting the clock! Will need a "new" scuttle panel at some point, as realised while removing it to get ay the battery that the rubber that seals against the windscreen is perishing.
Also replaced the fuel cap tether - a little tidying up job that had bothered me since I got the car, but hasn't got round to doing until now
I've been looking into this recently. Would like to code out the ASD/fake engine sounds, as well as tweak a few other things, so I wonder if it would do that or am I left with no other options other than Bimmercode.
Don
At least for the R56 mini, Caristas list of things it can code seems to be the same as bimmercode.
Both miss a few things like enabling mpg computer for mine, and that would need Inpa/ista software I think with a laptop and cable to change the "build data"
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