Color Conundrum

17744 Views 38 Replies 14 Participants Last post by jeremybingham, Jan 4, 2017

rtowell

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2016

Time to make my final decision fora JCW order. Color choice has been my biggest issue as I have history with Minis and want to pick the right combination. Below are my options ... appreciate your inputs:

- Pepper White / Chili Red ... my personal favorite, but no history

- Chili Red / White ... matches the vintage race car I ran for years and is true to the Monte Carlo winning Minis of the 60's ... also matches the flame trim of the 90s

- Rebel Green / White ... matches the WC50 colors and the 1960's racing cars ... also matches the 1990 "Racing Green" special that my wife had and loved ... also is the classic JCW combination

- Rebel Green / Red ... looks great but no history other than looks great

- White Silver / White ... no history, but beautiful combination

Appreciate your inputs ... need to make a final decision soon.

21 - 39 of 39 Posts

six2one

· #21 · Dec 30, 2016

rtowell said:
Part of the problem is that almost all of the combinations look great.

Meeting with my local (60 miles away) dealer this weekend. Asked to drive JCW with sports suspension, and any car with DDC. Also asked for extended test drive ... waiting for approval for that ... very disappointed if not since we have bought two cars from them in the past.

I was wanting to drive both the DCC and particularly the sports suspension. All said and done I was never able to drive a DCC jcw due to lack of availability, but after the drive in the sports suspension I was sold. I don't think I'm missing too much in the name of comfort and I feel like you may have more body movement. I do think you may notice the smaller sway bars on the DCC, I can't get over just how flat the sport suspension handles.

I thought it had just the right amount of compliance and control without being too stiff, coming from h&r supersports on my gti which were certainly too stiff (like a mine cart). The chassis tuning on the jcw is just fantastic, I knew it was what I was looking for once I grabbed it by the neck and tossed it into a roundabout.

A coworker has a new '17 wrx and he said the jcw was more plush and comfortable. Chassis tuning is everything, no lipstick on a pig with this car.

I hope they give you the extended drive, odds are good you would want it after that.

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02fanatic

· #22 · Dec 30, 2016

six2one said:
I was wanting to drive both the DCC and particularly the sports suspension. All said and done I was never able to drive a DCC jcw due to lack of availability, but after the drive in the sports suspension I was sold. I don't think I'm missing too much in the name of comfort and I feel like you may have more body movement. I do think you may notice the smaller sway bars on the DCC, I can't get over just how flat the sport suspension handles.

I thought it had just the right amount of compliance and control without being too stiff, coming from h&r supersports on my gti which were certainly too stiff (like a mine cart). The chassis tuning on the jcw is just fantastic, I knew it was what I was looking for once I grabbed it by the neck and tossed it into a roundabout.

A coworker has a new '17 wrx and he said the jcw was more plush and comfortable. Chassis tuning is everything, no lipstick on a pig with this car.

I hope they give you the extended drive, odds are good you would want it after that.

DDC is a nice feature for some, but I am extremely happy with my sport suspension.....it's just right for me, and I'm personally glad I didn't get the DDC (even if I had known about it, which I didn't). Keep in mind also, if you want to make your own suspension improvements in the future, the DDC may need to be disabled anyway, so that would be throwing away $500.

Jelster

· #23 · Dec 30, 2016

I never use my DDC. It's set in the middle for all modes, but if I'm honest, I can't tell the difference when it's on the harder setting....

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rtowell

Discussion Starter · #24 · Dec 31, 2016

The real objective is to finalize suspension choices, seats, and color options. They have a good selection so, hopefully, I can narrow my choices. Of course, I could end up even more confused. Wish me luck!

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KYDan

· #25 · Dec 31, 2016

Good luck, it will be fine whatever you choose and make it yours!

Reactions: 1

rtowell

Discussion Starter · #26 · Dec 31, 2016

Talk about perfect timing ... the dealership was practically empty this morning, so I was able to get a lot of time to go over options. I was able to drive three cars over a range of road surfaces, on the same route back-to-back so it was easy to discern the differences. Also, they had several of the colors options I am considering, so that was perfect as well. All-in-all, I had almost three hours of personal attention. Impressions:

- Colors: They had both Chili Red/White and Pepper White/Red on hand ... both favorites. They also had Rebel Green/Red as well, but that was a bit much ... at least according to my wife. They had a pure Pepper White as well, which was very nice. Looked at all of the colors, so I should be able to narrow down my final choice soon.

- Sport Suspension vs DDC: Drove both back to back. Both cars had 17" wheels so it was a good comparison. Neither were harsh, even on bricks and rough pavement. However, since I live in FL and twisty roads are rare, I think the DDC wins out for my use and environment. It was noticeably smoother over rough patches in Normal mode, and plenty tight in sport mode (in fact, pretty close to sport suspension in feel).

- The bonus: They had a used BMW M235i on the lot (traded in on a JCW), so I took the opportunity to drive it as well since my primary non-Mini option is the M240i. Very nice car, great engine, but almost too normal after driving two MINIs. On the same roads with normal traffic, I have to admit that the MINI was just a lot more fun.

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Jelster

· #27 · Jan 1, 2017

Coming from an M135, that 6 pot makes a fantastic noise, but the BMW did get a bit boring, sort of a one trick pony; very quick at the traffic light GP, but it never gave me the feel of my old JCW.

The biggest problem with Mini's is that you can work out all of the spec, but the colours are the biggest challenge. It took me a long time at the dealers to eventually go for Lapis/Red, as there's not many of them around.

Whatever option you go for, it will look great....

Reactions: 1

Evlkarl

· #28 · Jan 1, 2017

RTO glad to hear you gave it a good tire kicking. Nice too know that there are still some great Mini Dealers and Sales People in this world.

rtowell

Discussion Starter · #29 · Jan 1, 2017

Coming from an M135, that 6 pot makes a fantastic noise, but the BMW did get a bit boring, sort of a one trick pony; very quick at the traffic light GP, but it never gave me the feel of my old JCW.

Sadly, the M235i made almost no noise. You could hear a bit on hard acceleration, but the salesman pointed out that it was all synthesized. That was a real disappointment because I know how good they can sound ... or how they used to sound.

mtbscott

· #30 · Jan 1, 2017

I had an E46 M3 and later a Z4MCoupe, both with the S54 naturally aspirated motor and they sounded like God's Own Chorus. The newer turbo'd ones no longer have that raspy metallic sound. Other cars I've owned that sounded great all the time were an Audi TT-RS with the 5 pot, and the car I traded in for my JCW, a 991 Carrera with the 3.4 flat six and manual.
I will say the new JCW has a nice growl, fitting for the car without being droning.

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rtowell

Discussion Starter · #31 · Jan 2, 2017

Sound is important. My Z3M Coupe had a great growl and my E39 M5 has just enough attitude to be righteous. Really disappointed in the M235i ... seemed way too sterile after driving a JCW and MCS.

MINI Mia

· #32 · Jan 2, 2017

So you like pepper white /chilli red, how about white silver / chilli red? I think the combo of metallic and flat colour is nicer than having 2 flat colours together.

Reactions: 1

wwleone

· #33 · Jan 2, 2017

Between Pepper White & Chili Red or White Silver & Chili Red I definitely prefer the second ! Although I prefer dark colors, than light colors for JCW.

Reactions: 1

rtowell

Discussion Starter · #34 · Jan 3, 2017

Down to three combinations:
- Chili Red / White
- Rebel Green / White
- Pepper White / Red

brandonbardsley

· #35 · Jan 3, 2017

rtowell said:
Down to three combinations:
- Chili Red / White
- Rebel Green / White
- Pepper White / Red

Rebel Green / White, go for it!

wwleone

· #36 · Jan 3, 2017 (Edited)

Among the 3 colors, I choose Rebel Green & White Roof

This is the JCW to a friend of mine (the Italian Forum: megamini)

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rtowell

Discussion Starter · #37 · Jan 4, 2017

Final home vote is: Rebel Green / White

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wwleone

· #38 · Jan 4, 2017

rtowell said:
Final home vote is: Rebel Green / White

Very, very, very well

jeremybingham

· #39 · Jan 4, 2017

Looking forward to seeing some photos of it-interesting and unusual too! Well done.

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