This exact car was mine FROM NEW! So wonderful to see it again!

This is why I love your channel, James. As you said, variety and a focus on car enthusiasts. Not reviewing brand new supercars or stupid crossovers or classic million dollar exotics, but rather all kinds of cars that are PURE FUN yet affordable to the average, hard-working petrolhead. Keep doing what you're doing man, love from Portugal!

Why I like this channel, Jay PUTS emphasis very on THE wrong words OFTEN. HE also tends TO also say HIS words CONFUSINGLY back to FRONT and HIS sentences also TOO. Lovely STUFF!

Bought mine 10 years ago 90k later still a hoot to drive!

Lovely review! I'm a former 2012 JCW Clubman owner and when I heard your bit about the insurance cost and the parts availability, I laughed! My car was in constantly for repairs and the F'n cost was the reason I sold mine, but it was wicked fun when it worked. My Mini and I had some adventures we did.

Never knew about the potential timing chain worries. Thanks to all the watchers who have pointed this out,knowledge is power when buying a car.

Absolutely top tier review of one of these, feels like the type of reviewer that has 1+ million subscribers

Nice one James, you just helped convince me to keep driving my 2010 Cooper S, and not give up on her. Had her 5 years, depreciated in value right to the floor, but I can confirm as you say in the video, it's a lot of fun. Done a few laps of the Nurburgring, on the way back from a road trip to monaco and all the way back to Bristol, and she's done that journey 3 times now, never missed a beat. They have their issues, and some stuff is twice the price you'd pay for a Fiesta or MX-5, but the mini really is an amazing car. Minor mods bring any Cooper S above 200 HP, and honestly, unless you're on a track, that really is plenty, and long journeys they hold 35-40Mpg, what's not to love!

I have a 2013 R56 JCW with the revised N18 engine and encountered none of the problems many are mentioning and I’m on 60k now. It does like to chew up wheel bearings however to be expected with the amount of B road blasting you do and changing a wheel bearing on these things is a pretty simple job for any diy mechanic. It’s an awesome little car which I can’t see me parting with for some considerable time

just want to say you are the only car reviewer where i watch half during my shower, and then the next half on the following day shower. keep up the great work.

I just found your channel from KZfaq's recommendations and im subscribing 👍

I love my N14 engined JCW Coupe, it's an absolute riot. It's standard apart from a resonator delete, but it's got such character. Still turn around and look back at it when I park it up, that's when you know you've bought the right car. 😊 (Same colour scheme as this R56).

Love my Mini! I'd recommend them to anyone looking for a unique hot hatch.

I do like and enjoy your vids. Keep on going. You will make it big. I’m sure.

Great review James but always worth noting that the later N18 engine was much better than the N14 in the car you've just been driving. Revised pistons & rings, uprated timing chain tensioner and, crucially, much altered PCV (positive crankcase ventilation system) which went a long way towards curing the oily intake valves and high oil consumption which bedevilled the earlier version of the Prince engine. The N18 was fitted to all Cooper S models in 2010 but didn't make it into the JCW until later in 2012.

I bought one after watching this video. Mine is a bit uprated with a front mounted inter cooler and a few other mods. It had very low suspension when I got it which was no good for the crappy roads around Lincolnshire. It is now back to standard height. It is an absolute hoot to drive and being nearly 60 with donkey's years of no claims bonus insurance wasn't too bad. I don't do many miles a year, which helps a lot. My dyno sheet shows 221 bhp and 318NM torque - up from 208 brake and 280 NM for the standard JCW. Thanks for the review, James, it helped a lot in my decision making.

Great to listen to your observation and testing the Mini I was very pleased. just bought a 2010 Mini Cooper S coming from SC hope I will enjoy it am a BMW guy!

Have a 2007 R56 Turbo ...big front mount..all the turbo piping has been changed...no cat ...Borla exhaust...lowered...big brakes...hot tune from M7 Speed...carbon GP wing...and carbon everywhere...21psi...240 hp..N14....run like a top...have had it since 2010...105,000 mi...ice cold air...changed T-stat...pass axel..easyjob...oil sep...this frikin car is a blast to drive...plus reliable...never had an issue that stranded me...short throw shift..I love this car....Paul.

Ugh, I just sold my r50 and I already miss it. It wasn't my intention to fall in love with it when I bought it, but it was so much fun all the time. Already thinking about getting an r53 or a newer JCW. Great review.

Have a 2011 JCW as an evening back road toy, love it

More affordable cars like this please. Loved your cupra review how about the Leon fr this time? I have 2.0 tdi and would love your opinion on it. Great video 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Looking for the eBay app has become a habit after watching so many of your videos!

Love my Cooper S, but I made sure to buy one with the later N18 rather than the N14 that's found in that JCW. Touchwood nothing has gone wrong on it for now, but I'm keeping an eye on it like a hawk! Lots of fun, easy 40MPG+ on a longer run, and they corner amazingly. Just make sure one you look for has had no expense spared with the maintenance.

Love the outro music!

As a 2nd gen MINI N18 owner myself. I think they are potentially the best combination of comfort/performance of the current three generations of MINI and I do love mine. The 2012 and later fast 2nd gen MINI's are generally much better engine reliability wise (so much so, i think the true value of them has been impacted by the reputation of the pre-facelift cars ability to throw timing chain sized bills often). But, the rest of the car is more or less the same and oddly for their weight they are very hard on their consumables, can/do leak from pretty much everywhere and service intervals are really every 5000 miles (oil is literally black in roughly this mileage even with fairly sedate driving, drink oil too so its very important to check levels regularly). I would strongly advise only to buy one as a primary car if you must have a 2nd gen MINI and as others have suggested look for one that hasn't been run on a tight budget in its life (you will need an annual oh S*** fund, regardless). If you just want the MINI experience buy a 3rd generation F56 may cost more to get into one, but will be cheaper and less agro in the long run (and they hold there value, really quite well).

I have the same car exactly it is a riot an so much fun had a heap of more exspensive cars but none have been as much fun great review watch out for timing chains there a pain

I found a 1 owner, very clean factory (vin certified ) with 84k on it. I had given up on finding a good one, turned off ALL notifications and ~ 6 weeks, this showed up... So I call him Mirrical Max. paid 6k. LOVE this R56 over my previous R53 that I had more in mods than I paid for it. Pullys, remap, injectors, head, ported supercharger, JCW suspension, AEM cowel ram air. Milltek big mouth sport cat back. The '09, AEM ramair, down pipe and a re program. LOVE LIVE LOVE my JCW!!!!

Be a treat to see a GP2 , honestly the most fun fwd car I’ve driven

Nice 👍 Like those pretty good value for money. Definitely a car I’d have for the daily commute.

I love my r53 jcw! Wish we got the classics in the states!

Starting in 2005 the R53 could be purchased with a JCW full kit installed at the factory. My 2006 came with a numbered and signed certificate to this effect.

Glad to see Ricky LaFleur is doing car review videos.

My girlfriend had one, absalute riot. Downside was on long motorway journeys that exhaust drone and gearbox was just horrible.......but that aside it was just so much fun for blasting around A and B roads. Fun memories

Yeah yeah very good, but I was really looking forward to the Integrale? Have I missed it?

Well said Jay Emm. Everyone and their Grandad talk about Mini and it’s Go Cart handling. Well, I ve driven some go carts. And I own an R56. Yes indeed, it is a great handler. But it decidedly isn’t a go cart.

Nice video, as usual. I've owned this car for a year now and will say that it sounds fantastic with a Remus exhaust (if not a little anti-social loud). I will also say that I have 8 years of no claims bonus and I renewed yesterday at 300 pounds. Cheapest car Ive insured. You also didn't mention that the biggest separator is that there is an Ediff that is activated when you turn the TC and ECS off. It can be very playful, definitely turns me into a hoolingan (I even chose to sell my Cayman GTS) P.s, I drove one with the Billstein Coilovers and it makes a HUGE difference. Can't wait to get some for mine.

I own the exact car an love it more than my kids so much fun great video

Watching the New Zealand film Pork Pie made me want a Mini so bad. It's a great little road movie with the bright yellow Mini Cooper really becoming part of the cast with its own cheeky personality. The crazy driving and numerous stunts certainly help too (including jumping the car onto and later off a train)

I picked up a r56 Mini Cooper only a few months back, i had planned on picking up the Cooper S (or even a JCW) but their related R56 engine faults scared me off - perhaps why they are so cheap. The Cooper for me is cracking and great to through around the B roads where i live and beats most off the line which gets a surprised shock from the younger generation trying to show off to their mates!

One question did the normal cooper s r56 good an overboost function to or?

Love the D'artagnan in Pit Lane look.

I actually drove one of these last year and they are huge fun imo but I went home in my MG TF 160 and even hood up, it was more fun and actually felt quicker lol. Different markets though obviously ☺

How reliable are these cars? Looking at buying a 2012 R56 at 57k miles with a stage 1 map and custom induction kit. Is it worth the risk? I know how fun they are and i want one! :)

Good vid :) I'll stick to my Mk7 Fiesta ST MR230!

Great review, and agree with your conclusion that the JCW is a bit too bouncy, hence I bought an R56 Cooper S. On non-runflat tyres it is a great B road car and still comfortable.

People ask me if my mini is fast or if I think I could beat them in a race...of which of course I tell them don’t need to race anyone or prove anything. It’s just a blast to drive lol. Best car I’ve ever owned.

Heaps on the market? Where I live (Sweden) there are like 5 for sale, they all have the most basic equipment and are pretty expensive.

Good on a back road, but more importantly this is the BEST car bar none in the city. Not many cars are fun in the city, but this is the one.

Either have pockets for some big engine maintenance bills for the older N14 cars or get a post (late 62) N18 engined car, alot more reliable and stronger I believe.

I have a 2011 JCW (N14 Engine), just had to replace the head gasket at 83k miles, had the valve stems and timing chain done too, cost be approx. £1,600 to replace in all, however, I still have the odd bit of smoke out the back - I have nothing bad to say about these cars, they are really solid, but can be pricey when things go wrong.

Amazing cars great handling and nippy, sadly they’ll cost more in repairs than fuel, tyres and brakes together per year. (Speaking from experience)

Been lusting after a 2012 N18 in Clubman version with the Recaro and HK hifi for years now. Re-inforced gearbox and engine block, forged pistons etc. "It's a Mini exotica!"

Even the later n18 engines have some flaws. The timing chain issue is seemingly resolved, but they can still burn oil at an alarming rate “ they all do that sir”: BMWs tolerance is 1L every 1K miles: i drive mine quite hard and I use somewhere between .3 and .5 per 1K miles. I bought a 2013 JCW last January as my station car (it’s on about 50K miles now). So far I’ve ditched the run flats and changed the suspension after the front shock starting spewing oil (took the opp to upgrade obviously £1K ), and changed the PCV which is known to split (can be done for £20-70 depending on how heavy handed you are - cost me £70 🙄) burns less oil, but still gets through it. The oil buring is an irritation to an otherwise fun car, but if you dont mind checking every couple of weeks its not a problem (dip stick is very difficult to read though - which doesn’t help). The boot is useless as are the rear seats tbh but most of the time it’s only me in it. Child seats are a pain as they place kids forward so there is even less leg room. wouldn’t want one as my only car but as a fun thing to jump in every now and again. recommedned tyre pressures are 37psi which makes it feel like your driving on ice ~32 is much better.

I own one of these: Main issues is timing chain, high pressure fuel pump and oil starvation. I've had the timing chain and all part associated replaced as well as the high pressure fuel pump. So far oil starvation has not been an issue as I check it every 3 weeks or 1000 miles. If it's low I top it up. Other than that its been a pleasure to drive one.

I used to have factory r56 jcw many moons ago (2009 n14 model.) Loved the car but always worried me that something was going to go wrong and felt like the 1.6 was at its limit at 210 bhp. After a few minor issues and clutch was on its way out it had to go. Too many horror stories put me off.

I'm on my second timing chain already! I love it though! That's pretty much identical to mine apart from the fact mines a coupe

Any cars MY 2011/2012 with the n14 engine had a recall for the electronics that control the turbo cooling, lots of cars caught on fire. Check this has been done as my car burnt to the ground. I also had £6k worth of warranty work in 2 years prior to this. Timing chain, electronics, interior falling apart. Buy an F56 JCW not as fun as the R56, but way more reliable and will probably cost less over 3 years

Had a mini one with a 1.4 engine...timing chain needs replacing at 110k....mind you it ran very low on oil on several occasions..lost a litre in less than a week...not convinced timing chains are the best idea ever. I had a 120d with the N47 too.....😁

Fabulous car.

It’s like marmite. Love it like I do or others hate it sadly that others do 😂

I had a 2013 Mini S with all the dealer added JCW parts. Yes, the dealer added program existed even after factory JCWs were available. It also had the fun GP parts like aerodynamic pieces, spoiler, and rear seat delete. Great car, it was only let down by its open diff, which I fixed with a Quaife Torsen unit. With the diff and some good tires, it was an autocross monster. I got rid of it due to fear of maintenance cost after the warranty was up. I replaced it with a well worn 1999 M3 (US spec). It's been far more reliable than the Mini and maintenance parts quite a but cheaper. However it isn't quite the autocross monster the Mini was.

I wonder what the owner's driving history is like with insurance costing over £1k. I have a 09 JCW with 4 years no claims and I'm paying £800 for 10k miles per year. Great seeing a video on an r56 JCW Jay!!

Love it!

Beautiful. Can you tell me where you bought the side skirts, front lip and spoiler?

Is a 2009 jcw reliable?

The AEM kit without doing a re-map is an odd modification set, are you sure it hasn't been mapped?

great review, i've owned one of these cars for about 2 years now & the only thing i disagree with you on is the cost of the insurance. Personally this has been the best car I could have picked for insurance. I'm 23 with 3 years no claims & my insurance was £550 this year. I think the chap who owns that mini may need a new insurance provider if he has 8 years no claims discount.

Does anyone know the best year to buy second hand and where to get the best prices for them

Isn't that the engine that had problems with bursting into flames in the Mini? I admit I'm biased, as I still have one of, if not the, most reliable turbo 4 cyl engines ever built. Any guesses? ;-D

Have Always been completely underwhelmed with the r53 and r56 minis. Didnt find any model exceptionally fast but steering was very direct and the chassis playful. Fast and Mini doesnt go together until the F series.

It was very nice to watch your competent video. It could have been much better to try all these types of cars on circuits and with good weather and not on limited speed country roads. Here we have Misano, Imola, Mugello easy to be reached. Even Monza is not too far. Best regards.

Always remember hearing these would rust themselves to bits

🚨 James in your opinion which did you feel is more of a drivers car..the R56 or R53?. I personally feel after ownership of both the r53 feels that more special, more character, better steering-hydraulic steering, instant supercharged power delivery.. and just overall a stiffer chassis.

Como faz o escape assim

do the megane rs 275

Do the f56 next m8

So you are saying it's not a good car for hauling my two Irish Wolfhounds around it. I desperately want to find a solution that is not an SUV or Minivan in the US. In context for insurance with a clean record on my Honda Element, I pay $800 year with no coalition.

I never used to like mini because i thought it was a girls car, (I know, typical) but since my girlfriend bought one and she let me have a go, first few minutes in one it changed my mind, The handling is great, powerful even just a normal 1.6 petrol, although they are full of problem including timing belt, thermostat housing, head gasket and burning oil and terrible on fuel.. 😂 Such a shame, I wish it was more reliable.

A bought a Cooper S at the same time a friend bought a JCW similar to this. Both great cars but I feel mine is a bit easier to live with on a daily basis. Slightly softer suspension makes all the difference. Not sure what happened to mine in a previous life buts its faster too. Lol

I've got to ask. Do you still ride bikes?

I’m picking up a mini clubman copper for the Mrs tomorrow as a first car If you fancy the oddity let me know

Great video, just got slightly bored of seeing the same camera views, namely the wheel and rear wing constantly throughout. Would have been nice to see a view inside facing the dash.

I drive a cooper s and whilst it's nice to drive it is constantly broken. I spend hundreds every month in repairs

If you've not driven a mapped one you need to. Completely transforms them.

Loved mine until at 50k miles it cost me £1000 for new front suspension & the engine had started to sound rattly. Sold it after the "they all sound like it sir" excuses & an oil change made no difference despite the (main) dealer saying it had. Could have been great - drove fantastic, but was beginning to cost more than my 130k mile Porsche 996 which is ridiculous for a mini.

Loved my gen 1 mini cooper s , shame it had a rover gear box with most internal components made from dark chocolate

I'm something of a 'chunkster', too.

Great car,but going up in price be quick ,they will not build anything like this again,you did review the Clubvan Peugeot engine ..2012 on better engine..

I think this is the best looking new age Mini,the following F56 just looks a bit too bloated for some reason. Just curious,I know there is a big difference between this JCW and the GP2 as well as price but does the GP2 also potentially suffer from these various engine issues that people are talking about in the comments? Or has that got the later N18 engine fitted?

I like the R53 but my mates in the trade recon that although a good car, the R56 had a less than reliable engine. . Don't touch it!

I think the JCW are awesome 👌

2013 JCW owner Big turbo stage 3 tune Can’t complain about the reliability as it’s been good to me And the furthest I’ve driven it is from Tampa Florida to tail of the dragon NC in one shot (10hr drive) perfectly comfortable😁 and my average mpg of the ENTIRE TRIPwas 35mpg😳😎😎😎

All fun and games until the timing chain inevitably snaps, a few friends and I experienced this ☹️ great fun though

Got the prince engine though. 🙄🤣

pretty sure there was also factory JCW R53s, although they are rare.

I went to see one earlier this year only had 35,000 miles on it was burning oil The paper work should had been taken to the dealer which showed the current owner had been fobbed off with its normal keep an eye on it as near the end of its warranty I walked away

How reliable are these ?

This made me think about a new series: Nice to drive cheap cars. I think many young enthusiasts like me don't want or can't spend money on a proper fun car and need only something practical enough that will drive nicely and do 80mph on the motorway comfortably, so that commutes don't last forever. Something like an Ibiza, a Swift, a Polo, with practical interior space, a decent engine, some key features, but more importantly a good suspension setting, and a comfortable driving position, because otherwise we'd just hate the car. Personally, I'm really picky about how a car feels and drives: I'm scared if the steering is too filtered or light, annoyed by gearshifts that feel too vague and my right foot aches if the pedals don't allow easy heel and toe, as I use always a bit of it. If a car feels more on the bad than on the good side, it'll make me hate commuting even without traffic.

Super Auto 🤩

I sold a JCW Roadster for an S2000. Miss the torque a little but overall Honda is better car