Yearly Archives: 2015

BMW M4 Convertible Ignition Fault (Again) & Service

BMW M4 Convertible Ignition Fault (Again) & Service

I have had the ignition fault again on my BMW M4 Convertible. On the 14th December I started having problems starting the car. On the 15th December I drove to Surrey to look at a Lotus Exige S and again I had problems starting the car. On the 16th December I decided to clean the car but after cleaning it I could not start it at all so I made another call to BMW Mobile Care.

The engineer came out and again I had to take it into the Birmingham BMW dealership. Whilst they had the car I asked them to perform its run-in check / service and I also reported the damage to the wheel.

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Track Car Replacement: Lotus Exige S

Track Car Replacement: Lotus Exige S

So the hunt goes on for a replacement for my Renault Clio V6. I want a car that I can use at the weekends, attend car club meets and race events in as well as take part in track days. Initially I thought that the 2013 Mini JCW GP would be an ideal car it had performed well in many car magazine road and track tests and seemed to be track focused. But after some research I was not convinced that it was the right car for me (see previous posts).

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Mini JCW GP2 Review & Thoughts

Mini JCW GP2 Review & Thoughts

So after deciding that the Mini JCW GP2 may be a suitable replacement for my Renault Clio V6 I arranged to test drive one at my local dealers.

Apart from the stickers and the aero kit it benefitted from a programme of upgrades: new adjustable-ride-height coilover suspension providing increased camber and reduced front toe-in for greater agility, an all-new braking system featuring six-piston calipers and 330mm front discs, GP-specific and super-sticky trackday tyres, and reconfigured stability control functions including a more aggressive Electronic Differential Lock Control. Also there are no rear seats, just a brace. So, the Works GP had all the makings of a new hero hot hatch.

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Track Day Car Replacement – Mini JCW GP2

Track Day Car Replacement – Mini JCW GP2

After searching for a replacement for my Clio V6 I have stumbled upon the 2013 Mini JCW GP. It has performed well in many car magazine road and track tests and seems to tick most of the boxes I require, including being track focused.

The 2013 Mini John Cooper Works GP is known as the Mini JCW GP2 as it is the second generation JCW GP to be launched. The mini weighs around 165kg lighter than the Clio V6 at 1235kg and has its engine in the front. Performance wise it has a 1.6-litre engine that has been tweaked to produce 218bhp but taking around six seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph ranks as average progress these days.

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