MINI John Cooper Works

The other day, a friend purchased a BMW MINI JCW (John Cooper Works), and I had the chance to take it for a test drive.

This time, I wanted to review it with as few preconceptions as possible, so I didn’t do any prior research before the day arrived.

The JCW I saw for the first time had a completely different vibe from a regular MINI. The first things that catch your eye are the large cooling grille and radiator. At the rear, it features a dual center-exit exhaust.

The 18-inch wheels look very substantial and large, perhaps because the car itself is small, and inside them are large red brake calipers. The size of the calipers relative to the wheels is just right, making it clear this isn’t just for show with oversized wheels and brake calipers.

Inside, there are impressive sports seats that clearly set it apart from the standard MINI model. The seats offer strong lateral support, with thick cushions that are very comfortable. Personally, I really like BMW-style seats.

First Impressions from the Start

When starting the engine, I expected a more aggressive sound, but it wasn’t that intense. The engine wakes up with a slightly louder-than-usual startup noise.

The parking brake is electric, as this is a latest-generation MINI. When shifting the selector lever into D mode and starting to drive, I was surprised by how comfortable the ride was. Of course, the good road conditions helped, but it was comparable to my sister’s beloved MINI Cooper D.

Given the JCW grade, I expected a much stiffer suspension, but it’s not that extreme. Of course, it is firm, but there’s no harsh jolting, and unlike a GT3, the body doesn’t shake much at low speeds.

Compared to my Porsche 991.1 GTS, the ride quality seems better. This means it could easily be used as a city date car without complaints.

The engine feel at low RPMs is also very manageable. From what I heard, it’s a four-cylinder turbo with 231 ps and 320 Nm of torque. It’s probably possible to increase power further, but this slightly restrained tuning seems focused on everyday usability.

Turbo lag is minimal, and acceleration from deceleration is smooth without jerking. The transmission is BMW’s well-known torque converter sports automatic, which does an excellent job. Torque delivery is smooth with no slipping, and gear changes are seamless.

Impressions of Sports Mode

Now, this is where the John Cooper Works really shines. When you engage Sports mode while stopped, the engine’s character changes dramatically. The change is quite noticeable—not only does the sound get louder, but you can feel engine vibrations through the steering wheel.

In Normal mode, you don’t feel any engine vibrations, but in Sports mode, the steering clearly transmits vibrations.

These vibrations are different from those of a diesel engine or an old four-cylinder engine without a balancer—they’re not unpleasant at all. I believe this is an intentional sporty effect, which alone lifts your spirits.

Pressing the accelerator deeply, the MINI JCW accelerates briskly. Being front-wheel drive, it seems electronically limited a bit to ensure torque is reliably transmitted to the road. The acceleration and power feel correspond to the 231 ps rating.

It’s not violently fast, but it’s quick enough that you’ll rarely feel stressed during everyday sporty driving.

The engine sound becomes a pleasant roar as the revs climb. In an era when many cars are overly quiet due to noise regulations, this car offers a satisfying volume and tone.

What’s especially enjoyable is the sound during upshifts.

With the paddle shifters, every upshift is accompanied by a loud “BANG!” shift sound. This sound, also heard in Porsche’s PDK, creates a very racing atmosphere that brings a smile to your face.

By the way, the shift speed is sufficiently quick. Upshifts are particularly fast, comparable to dual-clutch transmissions like the PDK. However, downshift response feels a bit laggy.

This might be because I’m used to the PDK, but if the engine rev-matching and downshift operation were a bit quicker, it would better balance the upshift responsiveness.

How About Handling and Brakes?

As for handling, in a word: it turns sharply. Compared to a normal Cooper D, it feels like it aggressively dives into corners. However, perhaps due to torque steer or electronic controls, it’s sometimes hard to get the steering angle exactly right on the first try.

While the Cooper D is nearly neutral steer, the JCW feels slightly tuned toward oversteer.

It’s quick and agile, but there’s a slight disconnect with the driver’s feel, requiring subtle correction at times. In a way, it’s reminiscent of Italian cars, especially Ferrari’s handling style.

The car tends to add a bit of its own agility to the driver’s input, so it’s not easy to drive through corners with one hand on the wheel, humming along.

You need to keep both hands firmly on the wheel and take control of this mischievous car’s reins to drive it properly.

At least, that’s the character of this car’s setup.

This also applies when driving fast in a straight line. The Royu Tunnel is ideal for testing due to its uneven road surface, and here the car feels like it’s correcting the course slightly rather than running solidly.

The body roll in corners is moderate. The suspension isn’t rock hard, so it doesn’t corner flat like you might imagine from the term “go-kart feeling.”

The MINI’s “go-kart feeling” really just expresses its excellent agility.

As for the brakes, I personally rate them very highly. The stopping power is more than sufficient, and the pedal feel and natural control through pedal pressure make braking genuinely enjoyable.

It’s one of the few brakes that make you want to use them to control your speed.

I felt this quality is similar to Porsche brakes.

Overall Impression

After driving this JCW grade, I think it’s a model that enhances agility while ensuring everyday comfort. It felt similar to Porsche’s “GTS” models.

At first, I expected a more hardcore tuning-machine feel, but it’s not, so those who don’t like overly stiff cars can rest easy.

On the other hand, if you prioritize GT-car traits like straight-line stability and natural handling, the standard grade might be better.

I think this car suits those who mainly want to enjoy driving on mountain passes and winding roads, while also using it as a daily driver.

If you’re considering circuit driving, I’d recommend the limited “John Cooper Works GP” model or other more enhanced versions.

Rather than a pure sports car, I personally feel the MINI JCW is best described as “the ultimate sporty car.”