MINI Convertible John Cooper Works

Expert Rating:

Introduction

BMW removes the roof from the facelifted MINI and then adds some serious pep in the guise of the John Cooper Works edition with entertaining, but flawed, results.

What are its rivals?

It says something about recent market trends that there aren't that many soft top rivals for the MINI in today's market place. Instead, the majority of the most popular offerings are of the folding hardtop configuration and of these it's probably VW's Eos and Peugeot's 308 CC that compete most closely in terms of image and quality with the MINI.

It's worth noting though that neither of these offer such a performance orientated model as the JCW and you need to think a little farther away from the mainstream, given the JCW's more driver focused remit and the premium pricing, to draw up a list of such rivals. One leftfield choice that's a little less obvious would be the wonderfully involving, but rather impractical in this company, Lotus Elise S. More worrying for BMW would be the proximity of this MINI to the entry level Audi TT Roadster.

How does it drive?

Amusingly. There's no doubting the propulsive abilities of the JCW's engines' 208 ponies. It punches hard from low revs and continues to pull through to the red line endowing the MINI with some serious pace, accompanied all the while by an entertaining soundtrack from the large twin-outlet exhaust. It's a tad unruly though; that torque tugs at the wheel rather more than is ideal.

As usual chopping the roof off robs the MINI of badly needed rigidity and the additional power and focus of the JCW goodies exposes this shortcoming. The chassis shimmies and shakes over anything other than smooth surfaces, where it can deliver. That's not to say that it isn't entertaining, because it is, but the lack of stiffness, and a propensity for understeer, rob it of the same dynamic indulgences offered by the hatchback version.

What's impressive?

It's still very hard to argue with a MINI from a style and fun perspective. To the solid aesthetic base of the Cooper S the JCW adds a few tasty pieces of addenda including that low slung, purposeful front spoiler, some nice alloys, brakes and a rather naughty big-bore twin exhaust. These combine to give the MINI something of a cartoon appearance such is the pumping-up effect.

That steroidal impression is carried over under the bonnet with the turbocharged lump giving power and pace that appear somewhat at odds with its modest capacity. Rest assured though that the on-paper stats feel entirely realistic on the road and this MINI can be hustled along at a highly respectable pace.

What's not?

Unlike rivals' integrated approach to roof stowage the MINI sticks with an old school design. Unfortunately this lends something of a pram-like appearance externally and undermines the image a touch. It also eradicates much of the rear visibility, which reduces the practicality. Being picky, that exhaust note can be a little tiresome on a longer run and we could live without a G-Meter in preference to an uninterrupted flow of air from the dashboard vents. And while we're on the subject of the interior, it doesn't look like nearly £25k's worth now in terms of plastics; and the rear seats are only for the vertically challenged.

Should I buy one?

For some, the lure of the range topping features and badges will be too much to resist and the MINI JCW has enough about it to appeal in that respect; the spec sheet translates into an entertaining car on many levels. However, for many the standard Cooper S should offer all the performance required for a fun-day drop-top; it could also be argued that the chassis is less challenged and corrupted by the less powerful engine.

Dave Jenkins