2019 Mini Cooper JCW Millbrook Edition Review
Content
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
- How practical is the interior space? 7/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 6/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 9/10
- Verdict
- Can you stomach almost sixty big Minis with tricky stickers?
The phrases "Special Edition" and "Mini" have been close friends for almost five decades. Many of these are sticker and spec packs, and the recently released Millbrook certainly is.
The fact is that it is installed on a powerful Mini John Cooper Works (or JCW) machine. It's also a good way to celebrate Mini's 60th anniversary, as the company did at the 50th JCW World Championship in 2009.
Minis are not cheap, and because of this, they are sometimes hard to justify. However, the Millbrook does have a couple of little touches you won't see anywhere else, like mint-fresh "Ice Blue" paint and a couple of rally-style stains on the grille.
The JCW is a great car to start with, but the Millbrook adds a substantial $4875 to the car's already high cost. Maybe it's worth it?
| Mini 3D Hatch 2019: John Cooper Works | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.0 L turbo |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 6l / 100km |
| Landing | 4 Places |
| Price from | $34,200 |
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10
Let's talk about the price right now. The JCW car is $52,850 before you tick any additional boxes, while the manual is $49,900. Millbrook's car-only cost is $57,275, excluding travel expenses.
Millbrook's car-only price is $57,275 excluding travel expenses.
From a perspective perspective, that's not far from the turbocharged six-cylinder BMW M140i. Only 20 Millbrooks will be available in Australia.
You get 17-inch alloy wheels shod in a lovely set of Pirelli P-Zero Run-Flat tires, a six-speaker stereo system, sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, a rearview camera, keyless entry and start, adaptive dampers, cruise. control, automatic LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, wireless phone charging, automatic wipers, head-up display, leather trim, automatic parking and a two-piece sunroof. Since the car is used, there is only a repair kit under the trunk.
The car comes with the aforementioned Icy Blue paint that Mini says is heritage and exclusive to Millbrook, a set of rally spotlights with Mini branded covers, various blacked out details, a sunroof and some decals that come off with surprising ease.
The car is painted in Icy Blue, which Mini says is heritage and exclusive to Millbrook.
At the center of the circular interface of the large center console is a 10.0-inch widescreen display with a smaller version of the BMW iDrive software. It's very good and Millbrook has Apple CarPlay and DAB.
Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
Oh yes, the one that upsets most people. I think this new Mini looks just as good as any other. After an initial period of thinking about Union Jack taillights, I settled on them and decided I really liked them. They are a bit of cheeky fun.
The blue Millbrook paint is quite eye-catching, although some have complained that it looks a bit like toothpaste. I like the stripes, I like the black roof, I like the stains, I think it's odd that the left one covers the John Cooper Works badge, and I really like the blacked-out headlight surrounds and grille. They are cool.
The interior is based on the Lounge specification available in other Minis, which means lots of leather on the seats. It looks pretty good as it is, although it's a bit dark. More Union Jacks and a lot of glossy black plastic, which could be less.
There may also be fewer marketers who don't spend enough money on Millbrook stickers. The one on the dash came off when I looked at it, which is a bit mean. Spend money or don't do it at all.
How practical is the interior space? 7/10
For its size, the Mini is predictably cramped. Passengers in the front seats are fine, although if both are a little too wide, you will literally rub against your shoulders. You'll also be banging your elbows against the narrow armrest, which has a wireless charging pad that won't fit large phones.
Yes. It's annoying. The glove box is predictably small but comfortable enough, and there are slim pockets in the doors.
There are five cup holders scattered around the car somehow. Two in the front seats, one each at the rear end of the center console and along the edges of the rear seats. Ahead of the front cupholders is a tray and two USB ports and a 12-volt port.
The trunk is small, yes, but it also has a raised floor that can fit a spare tire instead. There is enough space for a laptop bag or backpack. Trunk volume starts at 211 liters (more than the Mazda2, by the way) and tops out at 731 liters.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is the same as the JCW and delivers 170 kW/320 Nm. An eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF sends power to the front wheels and has launch control.
Mini reckons you'll hit 0 km/h in 100 seconds and a top speed of 6.1 km/h.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is no different from the JCW.
Fuel saving measures include regenerative braking and start-stop.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
The official JCW combined cycle figure is 6.0 l/100 km. I doubt anyone who buys JCW has any intention of pursuing that figure. So I didn't bother either, consuming 9.1 l / 100 km in a week of fun driving.
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 6/10
The JCW comes with six airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, a rearview camera and tire pressure monitoring.
The Mini received just four (out of five) ANCAP stars in April 2015. Annoyingly, Millbrook is missing out on a recent range update that adds front AEB, forward collision warning and automatic high beams.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
3 years / unlimited mileage
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
The Mini's warranty is still a thing of the past: a three-year/unlimited mileage warranty and roadside assistance for the same period. Five years would be nice.
The JCW Millbrook Edition comes with a three year unlimited mileage warranty.
There are no service intervals per se - because the Mini is a BMW, you service it when the car tells you it needs it.
You can get coverage under the Service Inclusive program, which covers five years/80,000 miles. The Basic is $1425, and the $3795 Mini will add pads and discs, wiper blades, and spark plugs if needed.
What is it like to drive? 9/10
Minis are very funny. I have ridden many of them over the years and I have never, ever been disappointed. I recently drove a Cooper S and found that something has changed - it is a little more civilized, a little more suitable for everyday driving.
My wife, who never liked Minis because she found them peppy, said the Cooper S was a Mini she could own. Big call, she's a tough marker. It bothered me a little because I like the way the Mini bounces.
Everything is fine. The JCW bounces around just as much fun as the Mini always does. Adaptive damping helps make riding smoother in the suburbs, giving you an amazing platform when you're looking to crack.
Smooth and dynamic, the turbo has little lag.
The JCW is equipped with 17" alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero hard sidewalls for excellent traction.
The 2.0-liter engine is the one you'll find scattered across the Mini and BMW lines, and it's absolutely peerless. Smooth and dynamic, the turbo has little lag, and the power delivery is amazing when you stomp on a slipper.
The JCW is truly designed for point-and-shoot driving, and the popping exhaust announces your arrival long before you arrive. It has a lovely, sharp front end, but it's not intimidating. I wish the steering was a little lighter when I'm in sport mode, but I'm absolutely nitpicking here.
Verdict
Like any special edition, the Millbrook retains the grandeur (or vice versa) of the car to which extras have been applied. I'm not entirely sure the extra five thousand is well spent because I don't like things like a sunroof, but you'll certainly have something custom.
I like Millbrook because it's JCW with its own personality. Stripes, blemishes and blacked out details set the car apart from the rest of the JCW crowd.
Can you stomach almost sixty big Minis with tricky stickers?
