December 4, 2006 - I thought the Cooper S Works GP was the top of the new Mini heap?
Unfortunately, only the U.S. and U.K. markets go that lightweight, race-prepped John Cooper Works model. Maybe to make amends, BMW Canada decided to offer exclusive to Canada one, last full-blown model of the current JCW equipped Mini that landed at the top of our 2006 Straight-Goods Sports Compact category. The JCW Competition Package takes inspiration from the classic Mini’s historic win at the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally and the JCW-equipped MINI Cooper S that successfully defended its Open Division title at this year’s Targa Newfoundland driven by automotive journalist Jim Kenzie with rally veteran Brian Bourbonniere as navigator. One of the 64 exclusive Competition Package cars started this year’s rally as the pace vehicle, but ended up competing in the Touring Class when the Mini USA’s driver put their rally-prepared Mini Cooper S JCW Targa class car into the Newfoundland woods on the first day.



OK, so it’s no Works GP. What does the JCW Competition Package add?
Obviously, you get the JCW Engine Tuning Kit, now producing 208 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. To balance out this newly found power, a JCW Sport Brake Kit with larger 294 mm front brake discs and high-performance pad compounds in both front and back, along with a limited slip differential and dynamic stability control and the JCW Sport Suspension Kit with re-tuned struts and springs, and a 10mm lower ride height are thrown in as well. Outside, there’s an aero body kit and two-piece 17-inch alloys and front and rear fog lights. Inside, fuzzy Alcantara leather is wrapped around the steering wheel and can also be found on the six-speed stick’s shift knob, hand brake and roof liner. Each car will be uniquely identified with a sequentially labeled JCW Competition Package tachometer indicating the car’s sequence in the limited production run. Basically, you’re getting all the JCW goodies for $9,390 on top of the base Cooper S’s $30,600 base price.

Can I get more?
Of course! My test car came with the $2,990 Premium Package featuring a glass sunroof, power folding exterior mirrors, heated front thrones, rain sensor with automatic headlamps, on-board computer, Harman/Kardon sound system and chrome line interior.



“Power folding exterior mirrors?”, dude, what’s it like to drive?
I had the JCW Competition Package during the last week of October while attending AJAC’s Test Fest. First impression: here was a Mini that had enough power to utilize the full potential of the ground sucking chassis. BMW Canada says that with the JCW power upgrades, there are only gains of 40 horses and 28 pound feet of torque over the cooking Cooper S. But like the new BMW 335i, it definitely felt like there’s more under this Mini’s hood. Kudos can be sent to the JCW’s flowed cylinder head, larger-capacity supercharger and better breathing exhaust system. What really jumps out is the available grunt down low. With the Cooper S, you really need to get the revs above 4,500 rpm before you feel it in your back. With the JCW, the noted push starts as low as 3,000 rpm. Keep in mind, the JCW engine makes more torque from 2,500 rpm all the way to 6,750 than the regular strength S does at 4,000 rpm. At elevated speeds, fourth- and fifth-gear can now be used effectively, whereas in the S, after third-gear, the fun was kind of over. Zero to 100 km/h times drops about a half second compared to the Cooper S’s 7.2. If anything, the JCW Competition Package feels even quicker than these numbers.



But are 208 ponies too many for the small, front-drive chassis?
The LSD does a good job of quelling the inevitable torque steer. But it’s only during low-speed/high-torque situations that there’s any tugging at the tiller. At higher speeds, feel is not diminished in the steering, and if anything, the standard 205/45R17 run-flat radials combined with this suspension setup combine for and even more compliant ride than the last Cooper S I drove. Having said that, you could see that BMW may have maxed-out this first gen Mini chassis. Any more power increases will have to be saved for the forthcoming Mini 2.



Still, is this super subcompact hatch really worth $40 large?
On a twisty back road, from A to B, the Mini JCW Competition Package will thoroughly embarrass some so-called sports cars costing twice as much. However, with only 64 copies in Canada, the question may be moot, as most have been snapped up by now. However, any recent Cooper S with the JCW Works engine upgrades will have similar driving impressions. If you come across a Cooper S JCW in BMW Canada’s MINI Next certified pre-owned database with all the right boxes checked off (JCW engine and suspension, LSD), go for it.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher, straight-six.com