If you’ve followed my journey of modifying my Mini Clubman JCW, you’ll know I’ve been on a mission to make this car the ultimate GT-style Clubman. My last post, The Hunt for the Perfect Spoiler for the Mini Clubman F54, detailed the challenges of finding a spoiler that wasn’t just functional but also added to the car’s sporty aesthetic. After much deliberation, I decided to go all in on the GIOMIC GT Style Wing, imported directly from Japan.
This post will walk you through the entire process, breaking down every cost and hassle I encountered. Spoiler (pun intended): it wasn’t cheap, and it wasn’t smooth sailing.
Why I Needed a New Spoiler
The Mini Clubman JCW already comes with a slightly more aggressive spoiler cap compared to the Cooper S, but it still fell short of matching the car’s performance and personality. At one time, this was the fastest Mini ever produced, and I wanted the looks to reflect that status. However, aftermarket options for the Clubman are far more limited compared to the hatchback.
The GIOMIC GT spoiler stood out as the perfect choice. Its design is bold yet refined, enhancing the car’s sporty look without looking like an afterthought. To me, it felt like the spoiler the JCW should have had from the factory.
Researching My Options
When I first explored spoilers for the Clubman, I looked at options from Maxton Design, Duell AG, and GIOMIC. Maxton Design offered subtle extensions that didn’t quite have the wow factor I was after. Duell AG was more aggressive but outrageously expensive, with a lead time that felt like a lifetime. GIOMIC, while also expensive, struck the perfect balance of design, fitment, and quality.
But here’s the catch: when I ordered the GIOMIC spoiler, it was only available for the Cooper S version of the Clubman. For some inexplicable reason, GIOMIC hadn’t yet developed a spoiler for the JCW model. This meant that to fit the spoiler, I’d need to replace my JCW spoiler cap with one from a Cooper S.
The GIOMIC Spoiler Journey
Ordering the Spoiler
I placed the order directly through GIOMIC’s official website. The spoiler was priced at $1,153.80, which converted to approximately £905.56 at the time. It’s made to order, with an estimated lead time of 1–2 months. GIOMIC insisted on using DHL for shipping, which added another $391 (£306.91) to the cost.
Total cost so far: £1,212.47
Importing and VAT Costs
When the spoiler arrived in the UK, I had to deal with import VAT and a small DHL handling fee. The total charge was £280.29, of which I estimated £181.11 related directly to the spoiler.
Now, the total cost to get the spoiler into my hands stood at £1,393.58.
Sourcing a Cooper S Spoiler Cap
Since the GIOMIC spoiler wasn’t designed for the JCW model, I needed to replace the factory JCW spoiler cap with a Cooper S version. Thankfully, these aren’t too hard to find second-hand. I managed to pick one up on eBay for £134.10, including delivery.
Total so far: £1,527.68
The Fitting Process
Preparing the Spoiler for Installation
The GIOMIC spoiler arrived unpainted, so I needed to have it painted to match the car. I also wanted the end pieces of the spoiler wrapped in the same blue as my roof, a custom touch that ties everything together. My brother-in-law Daoud (@thatsignguyuk), who previously wrapped the roof, kindly did this for free.
Professional Painting and Fitting
I took the car and all the parts to Start to Finish, a highly recommended body shop in Cardiff. Scott, the owner, clearly knew his stuff. The job included:
- Painting the GIOMIC spoiler in gloss black to match the car’s trim
- Fitting the Cooper S spoiler cap to replace the JCW one
- Securing the GIOMIC spoiler
- Dropping the rear headliner for proper installation
Scott also painted a bonnet scoop for me as part of the job (more on that in a future post), but the bulk of the work was for the spoiler. The total cost for painting and fitting was £300.
Total now: £1,827.68
The Curveball: GIOMIC’s JCW Spoiler Announcement
Halfway through the process, GIOMIC announced on Instagram that they were releasing a version of the GT spoiler specifically for the JCW. This could have saved me the hassle and expense of sourcing a Cooper S spoiler cap and the additional fitting work.
View this post on Instagram
I immediately contacted GIOMIC to see if I could switch my order. Unfortunately, their customer service was unhelpful. They refused to modify my order or send me the JCW brackets, which were the only difference between the two versions. Their reasoning? Their manufacturing process didn’t allow for it—unless I wanted to spend thousands more on a full body kit. Needless to say, I wasn’t impressed.
The Results
Despite the frustrations, the finished product exceeded my expectations. The GIOMIC GT spoiler looks incredible. It’s aggressive yet cohesive, transforming the Mini Clubman JCW into the ultimate GT car. The colour-coded end pieces perfectly tie in with the blue roof, making the spoiler look like it was always meant to be there.
Was It Worth It?
Here’s the final breakdown:
- GIOMIC Spoiler: £905.56
- Shipping: £306.91
- VAT: £181.11
- Cooper S Spoiler Cap: £134.10
- Painting & Fitting: £300
- Wrap for Spoiler Pieces: FREE
Total: £1,827.68
While I’m thrilled with the results, the experience with GIOMIC has left me hesitant to order from them again. Their lack of communication and unwillingness to accommodate my request soured what should have been an exciting project.
So, was it worth nearly £2,000? For me, yes. The spoiler has completely transformed the car and made it feel more unique. But for anyone considering a similar project, be prepared for the extra costs, time, and potential headaches.
What’s Your Verdict?
Would you spend this much on a spoiler, or do you think it’s madness? Let me know in the comments, and if you’re tackling a similar project, feel free to ask for advice!
