Some names become inextricably linked to a particular badge as the reputations of the vehicles they touch grow in stature with each passing year. You only need to mention Carroll Shelby, and the thoughts of most enthusiasts will turn to some of the most desirable Mustangs ever built. Similarly, John Cooper took the original Mini, weaved his brand of magic, and transformed a humble shopping trolley into a genuine giant killer. His son proved that such abilities don’t skip a generation, forming John Cooper Works in 2003 to enhance BMW’s New Mini. This 2008 Convertible features the full-house package, producing a car with excellent power, handling, and braking. The seller believes it may be the only one of its type in North America, and it comes with a known ownership history. They have listed the Mini here on eBay in Cape Coral, Florida. The seller set a BIN of $18,900 but is willing to consider offers.
BMW purchased the struggling Rover Group in 1994 and began planning a successor to the Mark VII Mini. It wished to remain true to the original design philosophy but felt the market was ready for a Mini that was physically larger and more lavishly equipped than its predecessors. The New Mini appeared in showrooms in 2001, with BMW discovering it had created a sales success. Our feature car rolled off the line in 2008, and its presentation is hard to fault. Its Pure Silver Metallic paint shines nicely, with none of the patchiness of matte areas that can plague this paint shade. It cloaks panels that are laser straight and feature the tight and consistent gaps you rightly expect from any car associated with BMW. There is no evidence of rust, which is unsurprising considering the company’s attention to detail and comprehensive anti-corrosion strategies. We receive no information on the state of the Black soft-top, but if the rest of the vehicle is a guide, it shouldn’t provide any nasty surprises. The trim and glass are excellent, and there are no signs of physical damage or issues with the 17″ aluminum alloy wheels. The seller notes that the car comes with a bumper to bumper lifetime warranty, which should help keep repair costs to a minimum and is a nice bonus.
Original Mini owners from the 1960s would have been staggered if they examined the interior of the later BMW-developed examples. Interior equipment in those cars represented motoring at its most basic, with the company offering few luxury appointments to reduce the vehicle’s weight and cost. The New Mini took a different tack, with enough creature comforts to satisfy most potential buyers. This Mini features power windows, power locks, power mirrors, heated seats trimmed in Midnight Blue leather, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio/CD player. The overall condition is in keeping for a car with a five-digit odometer reading. The driver’s seatcover is stretched, but that is typical. However, there is little wear and no physical damage. The remaining upholstered surfaces look excellent, as does the carpet. There are no signs of abuse, neglect, or UV damage, and while it isn’t showroom fresh, the condition would not cause its new owner any shame should they take this classic to a local Cars & Coffee.
The late John Cooper had performed miracles with the original Mini, extracting impressive performance from a modest package. His son, Michael, continued carrying that torch, forming John Cooper Works (JCW) in 2002 to follow in his father’s footsteps. The business remained an independent entity until purchased by BMW in 2008. The standard Mini powerplant was the 1,598cc “Tritec” four-cylinder unit producing 114hp. The company’s supercharged version found its way under the hood of the Cooper S, lifting the output to 168hp. However, this car features the “JCW 210” Tuning Kit, and, as the name suggests, various upgrades have pushed the engine’s power to an impressive 210hp. The package includes an upgraded cylinder head with larger ports, a smaller pulley to increase the boost delivered from the replacement supercharger with its Teflon-coated core, upgraded injectors, an improved intake with a pod-style air cleaner, and a remapped ECU. That power feeds to the road via a six-speed manual transmission, with enormous cross-drilled Brembo brakes bringing things to a safe and sure stop. This Mini is in excellent mechanical health and has been meticulously maintained by its four owners. It has a genuine 69,900 miles on the clock, and the seller believes it may be the only Convertible of its type in North America. It runs and drives well, with everything working as it should.
This 2008 Mini “JCW” won’t appeal to everyone, but it promises excellent performance and comfort in a package that could be an accomplished and practical daily driver. Recent sales suggest the price should be competitive, especially if it is confirmed that it is the only vehicle of its type in the country. If you crave a Convertible that can spring a surprise at a “Traffic Light Grand Prix,” this Mini could be the car of your dreams.
I was wondering when and if one of these would come up. Kind of in the middle of the road here. One one hand, imitation, sincerest form, blah, blah,,on t’other, its blasphemy. It always grinds my gears, when companies can’t think of new ideas, and try and capitalize on a “refurbished”, almost antique design, and it’s a flop. The original Mini was such a neat car, for what it was, putt-putting down European 2 lanes, taking mum to Aunt Hildas cross town, but, aside from racing, was never popular here.
Enough kvetching, I think with global warming, and newer safety features, ragtops are making a comeback and don’t get me wrong, this has summer fun all over it. I have a friend, his wife had a new Mini, lot of problems, very unsatisfied. Between oil leaks( the dealer mysteriously couldn’t find) breakdowns, they went back to Asian cars, and that was enough of that.
About the only thing this car shares with the original Mini is that it has four wheels. These are nice in their own way, but lack everything the original Mini was all about..simplicity, economy and in the case of the Cooper-Climax, power. I personally wouldn’t mind owning either but I’d never confuse the two.
We’re on our second Mini after loosing the first one in a hurricane. Great cars for around town running around and plenty of storage for a week’s worth of groceries. First one was an ’03. Only problems were keeping the headliner in place and having to put in a new AC compressor which required taking everything off the front of the car to get to it. The 2011 we now have is solid but have to chase a small clicking sound in the engine. It’s turbocharged and really goes so don’t need clicking sounds in it.
Everything is complicated in the front of these cars to say the least.
That doesn’t look like an afternoon job!
Cadmanls…20 min to change the compressors, 2 days to get to it and put it all back together.
Hey Bob,
We always seem to be looking at the same vehicles and I guess we have the same tastes. I too have a ‘new’ Mini in my stable and it’s a blast to drive. It’s unique in that it’s a 2002 and it has the Dinan package which includes a modified supercharger pulley, fuel regulator, JCW gauges and a few other goodies and it had spoilers (which I took off that keep it looking like a sleeper sleeper. It develops 207 HP (like a JCW) and is a pocket rocket. I too have had the front end off ( alternator). Not a fun job but a learning lesson!
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Fun to drive, but like your crazy college girlfriend who you would break up with because she was temperamental (to use politically correct terminology) but you would go back for more based on how much fun she could be. God help me, my wife just talked me into buying a Mini convertible
Add says don’t be shy make a offer, ok $5,000 that’s my offer I know its $13k below your buy it now listing but I’m going off of 3 previous owners you don’t know how they drove it or took care of it . your in Florida so its highly likely its been stuck in the rain with the top down at least once.and Florida cars rust faster than most.
It’s a BMW, not a Mini. The current ones are about the size of a Maxi!
Combining the worst of BMW and Mercedes ( Chrysler) motor , I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.
Don’t know where you inserted Chrysler into the Mini but our engine is a Renault Turbo. Not that I think it’s the greatest engine in the world but it will take the car to 140.
Hi
This mini is Rust Free and been stored in Climate controlled Garage.
This Mini has been very reliable, fast, Fun factor is a 10 plus)
Like any car it is how it has been maintained…
Keep in mind this mini has a platinum warranty very extensive coverage.
Drive worry free)
Hmnnn curious about the “lifetime bumper to bumper warranty”. Is that for real? Nothing is cheap on these, I have had my ‘03 A since ‘07. It ate up $6900 Can$ last year alone, and it’s only got 115k km on it. The supercharger service is like $1100. No idea what a clutch is but it’s gotta be close to $3-$4k right? So again curious what that warranty covers and for how long!
I’m with Terry, but: I may think I know everything, but I’m pretty sure that there was never an Austin/Morris Cooper Climax. That said, there exist today some truly frightening Minis, one of which may truly be powered by a Cooper Climax. If so, I would give my right arm to have a go.
The original Mini was tons of fun, could be fixed with pliers, a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and a shovelful of bravado and daring-do, and were built to be repaired/maintained by the unsophisticated. Did you know that 89% of British family men are unlicensed mechanics?
For their size, body and engine, they went like stink, and were a package of unmitigated joy. When the BMW Minis pass me in my Caravan, and I look over to observe that the roof is higher than my window-sill, ILMAO. Not for me. Ever.
The repair stories are VERY entertaining, so thank you all.
The essence of the original Mini was that it was fun to drive. Rover and BMW re-created this in the new MINI. We currently have nine MINIs in the family, including a 2008 S convertible. They all put a smile on your face.
Yes Sir..
The warranty is with American Auto Shield top tier platinum warranty…
I have the same warranty on my Range Rover paid out $29k over the coarse of 2 years.
This Mini has been serviced at Fort Myers Mini, Nick is the Service advisor he can tell you how good.
The warranty is Golden and you are correct like any high-line car repair are costly.
The Ferrari of all Minis,
A True full Blown Factory John Cooper Works “JWC” performance package, Extremely rare and sought after.
This Mini is part of my collection stored in climate controlled facility.
go to http://www.iconicpremier.world
Mini’s Are the best kept secret….
The S model is the way to go.
My sister has a 09 S model with 150k miles and runs a like a champ.
Like any car requires maintenance and frequent oil changes, if you take car of most car they will go for a long time.
This Mini is one of a kind and will not be duplicated, Last year for the R52 with a full blown out “JWC” performance package collector owned in immaculate condition. Extremely rare Midnight blue full leather interior.
We just bought a new Porsche Macon Turbo, this mini on the highway handle better like it is on tracks and the Super Chargers sounds amazing, note; this car has a JWC full exhaust with with black chrome tips.
This mini in this condition will only go up in value)
I looked high and low did not see another 08 full blown JWC mini convertible out there.
Many minis have the JWC appearance package, not the full performance package.
Who ever buys this car will truly own something no ones else has..
Always kept in climate controlled garage adult senior owned.
A Must See)
Hi Again
Many people are asking what performance Mods have been done.
For starters all the performance modification have been order from the factory from “JWC” nothing after market.
List of some factory “JWC” mods I can think of:
*
*Brembo high performance brake calipers, same brakes on Porsche
*High performance headlining package from JWC
*17 inch lightweight alloy rims
* Full “JWC” High performance exhaust with Black chrome “Jwc” exhaust tips
* Limited Slip Differentials
*Uprated cylinder head, gas flowed and ported
*11% Reduction of Super charger pulley
I have a spec sheet that list all upgrades..
This is to name a few Factory “Jwc” Upgrades..The Ferrari of Minis
Reference 2008 mini “JWC”
If anyone needs to contact me my number is 954 560 2466 David