The A3 is going! & Bluefin query

[Matt]

Hi all. My A3 is going later this week to be replaced by a brand new Mini JCW... going to miss the Audi but thought it was time for a change.

I've got a bluefin remap on the A3 at the moment. Is there anyway I can legitimately sell the bluefin unit and who ever buys it can have it programmed for their car?

Cheers.

 

[Wai-Fan]

Nice! I've been looking at Cooper S's and JCW's myself and thinking of maybe getting one as my next car.

Did you test drive an S as well, was there a noticeable difference? Would ask you what the running costs are like but guess it's too early.

 

[davej_anderson]

You can have the bluefin unit reset by Bluefin for a fee then the new owner can have a map loaded. Not sure of the cost though.

 

[ste]

hi, if you put the modified map back into the handset, superchips will have it back and knock some money off a new unit. the handset can only be used on your a3. ive done this before and got about £200 quid off a new handset

 

[Matt]

Nice! I've been looking at Cooper S's and JCW's myself and thinking of maybe getting one as my next car.

Did you test drive an S as well, was there a noticeable difference? Would ask you what the running costs are like but guess it's too early.

My cousin has an S so been in that and that is perfectly adequate to be honest.... but I made the mistake of driving a JCW and it's the most fun car I've ever driven. The steering, the noise, the looks... all on another level! Just a lot more hardcore driving experience, it's like a go kart.

Having said that if I had gone in and driven an S and ignored the JCW I would of been happy with an S.

On the running cost side of things it's the same to tax as my A3 (£155), 5 years free servicing. And I remembered that Evo magazine ran a long term test on a JCW so looked that up to give me an idea on MPG and even with the hammering they give their cars and a few track days it averaged 33.5MPG over the course of 18,000 miles! I wont be doing trackdays or abusing quite so much as they no doubt do. I think that's pretty respectable MPG for what it is.

 

[Wai-Fan]

My cousin has an S so been in that and that is perfectly adequate to be honest.... but I made the mistake of driving a JCW and it's the most fun car I've ever driven. The steering, the noise, the looks... all on another level! Just a lot more hardcore driving experience, it's like a go kart.

Having said that if I had gone in and driven an S and ignored the JCW I would of been happy with an S.

On the running cost side of things it's the same to tax as my A3 (£155), 5 years free servicing. And I remembered that Evo magazine ran a long term test on a JCW so looked that up to give me an idea on MPG and even with the hammering they give their cars and a few track days it averaged 33.5MPG over the course of 18,000 miles! I wont be doing trackdays or abusing quite so much as they no doubt do. I think that's pretty respectable MPG for what it is.

I see, sounds pretty good! I did test drive an S about a month ago, but it was the worst test drive I've ever had as it was proper chucking it down with heavy traffic!

Would you say the ride comfort is better in the S or JCW???

I suppose the JCW gives better results after it's been remapped! So a lot more fun than the S!

 

[Matt]

The ride is better in the S, the JCW is a bit more raw but to be honest I thought the ride was still as good if not better than my S-line. I like a hard ride anyway...

 

[NHN]

I like a hard ride anyway...

Glad you've let us chaps know, Aythreeeee will be along shortly............................

 

[antmax7]

why not get in touch with superchips they do a map for the JCW don't they you should be able to carry it over for much less than getting a new map from elsewhere????

 

[bo]

great crs had one and it was properly quick and really good on the fuel! I do miss it but one major thing you need to consider is ditching the run flats. Transforms the car! Also P torque remap on it works wonders!

 

[Matt]

Bluefin don't do a remap for the Mini Cooper S or JCW according to the listings on their site. It's got more than enough power at the moment, it's a relatively light car, I will probably get in enough trouble with it as it is!

My Dad has a 140CR Black Edition A3 coming in January so he might buy the bluefin off me!

bo - what sort of MPG were you getting out of interest? Not that it matters that much as I'm getting it anyway! Doesn't seem to be any popular or busy Mini forums around? I found a couple but they don't look very active at all.

 

[Matt]

I have the JCW... what a car. The look, the noise, the performance and handling is amazing. The interior quality is pretty damn good too, I was surprised as I didn't expect it to be a patch on my A3. The leather seats are actually better quality leather than those in the A3... I know people with Audi tinted glasses on wont want to hear any of that but hey I'm not blinkered to any one make when it comes to cars so I'll tell it how it is! Got a pretty big spec on it.

Don't expect any good comments on here about it now I've said that! Still loved my A3 though if that makes it any better? :thumbsup: I appreciate the colours I've gone for are might not be to everyones taste but I love it. Its Eclipse Grey with a Chili Red Roof & Mirrors, Black Challenge Wheels, JCW Bonnet Stripes and its got the Championship Black/Red Leather interior.

 

[PaulAr]

Glad you've let us chaps know, Aythreeeee will be along shortly............................

 

[Ads]

Well I like it. And quite a lot actually.

Only slight dislike for me is I've never been fan of black wheels. Get them sprayed red to match your roof??

So is it true that they've made it so the exhaust crackles between gear changes??

 

[jungleman]

I have the JCW... what a car. The look, the noise, the performance and handling is amazing. The interior quality is pretty damn good too, I was surprised as I didn't expect it to be a patch on my A3. The leather seats are actually better quality leather than those in the A3... I know people with Audi tinted glasses on wont want to hear any of that but hey I'm not blinkered to any one make when it comes to cars so I'll tell it how it is! Got a pretty big spec on it.

Don't expect any good comments on here about it now I've said that! Still loved my A3 though if that makes it any better? :thumbsup: I appreciate the colours I've gone for are might not be to everyones taste but I love it. Its Eclipse Grey with a Chili Red Roof & Mirrors, Black Challenge Wheels, JCW Bonnet Stripes and its got the Championship Black/Red Leather interior.

looks stunning mate!! loving the colour scheme as well!!
now you just need to get it mapped to really make it fly!!

 

[NHN]

I think its looks great, until you open the door, the interior for me is to retro, maybe its just the pics & a fully featured test drive will change my mind , but hey your car, you like so who cares what we think, bet she goes like **** of a shovel after a dodgy curry.

 

[Beardo]

Nah, red alone would be too much.
Have them black with red trim.

 

[Matt]

So is it true that they've made it so the exhaust crackles between gear changes??

Yeah it pops and crackles nicely. Even if you are just going along slowly say in traffic in 1st gear then let off the throttle it's burbling and popping away. It's quite addictive, I find myself putting the window down to hear it and turning the heated seats on to keep me warm... The good thing about it as well though is that its loud when I stamp on the loud pedal but if I drive it normally its civilized. Cruising at 70/80 mph you get minimal engine intrusion, thats another thing that surprised me about it.

NHN agree the interior design is quite retro and does take some getting used to, its certainly different!

 

[Ads]

Have them black with red trim.

 

[Khufu]

I think its looks great, until you open the door, the interior for me is to retro, maybe its just the pics & a fully featured test drive will change my mind , but hey your car, you like so who cares what we think, bet she goes like **** of a shovel after a dodgy curry.

I'm wth you Nigel, I've driven one & dont like the interior styling at all though the exterior of yours looks pretty good Matt. I dont doubt for a second that the leather of the seats is better than in the A3! Audi's is shocking.