Just measured -

25.7" front

25.9" rear

Standard suspension - measured from the ground to the center bottom of the wheel arch.

If anyone has a stock R56 could we compare? :-)

 

I'll get back to you - The JCW I saw was lower then my 07 S by an inch - No JCW suspension listed on the sticker - Dealer didn't install one either - Factory ringer?

 

I'm curious about this as well, looking at the pics that Adam posted of his car it looks like the ride height is lower than my stock 07

 

I haven't measured but mine definitely looks lower than a stock S. Maybe it's just the JCW Aero.

 

Mozza,
Did you get all the painted pieces on your JCW yet? Can't wait to see the pics...
Thanks~

 

Doing it Thursday night. Carbon fiber side markers, gas cap and door handles will be going on then too.

 

cool...look forward to seeing it!

 

Yeah I'll make sure to bring my camera and post pics. I'm all giddy waiting for my Advan's to get here now.

 

I just measured my stock [standard suspension] '08 MCS today [level ground to bottom of wheel arch apex]:

Front = 26.0"
Rear = 26.1"

This is again a standard suspension MCS with no sunroof, LSD, Hi-Fi, Cold pack, Xenons, and cloth seats [minimal added weight over a no-option car].

This is incidentally about a quarter inch lower than my similarly equipped '07 MCS. It appears MINI is finally admitting the R56 is too tall even in standard suspension guise.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

My 07 MCS, with the factory sport suspension, 17" runflats, and with nearly every option except PDC and the ipod adapter is:

Front: 25 5/8"
Rear: 26"

Measured on level ground, through the center of the wheel, to the bottom of the arch.

 

Similar thing was observed with mk4 veedub gti's... the US and Canadian cars were significantly higher than EU cars. Introduced that way early in the production cycle and sent to crash test certification with taller springs, which helps get a better side impact score. Vociferous complaining from enthusiasts and many VW OEM euro spring kit sales later, GTI's started quietly showing up with noticeably lower ride height.

I have always suspected MINI followed a similar route with the R56 in the NA market and the more recent cars are demonstrably lower than earlier build cars (ones the crash test rating are based on), as Ryephile vouches for above.

It is just a shame there are so many 4x4 R56's running around already!

 

So wouldn't the tire size circumference have an affect on the measurement from ground to wheel arch? My 07 justacooper has 195/60/15 tires and the measurements are 25.5/front + 26/rear.

 

Yes, the loaded radius of the tires used can make a difference. Your tires however are only two tenths shorter in diameter than the factory 16" tires, which may account for a tenth, maybe two, in terms of measured wheel arch height.

It's very interesting to see the variance in ride heights. It figures I get shafted with the 4x4 ride heights. I must keep accidentally checking the "lift kit" option somewhere on the order sheet.

 

Have we got a definitive answer on this yet? How does the JCW compare with a stock R56?

My main concern is the wheel well gap. I was looking at getting a regular R56 and later swapping out for some good coil-overs to bring it down, improving the looks and hopefully also the handling. But if the JCW has somewhat of a handle on this, then I might pony up for one as I really like the wheels, brakes and of course the HP that it offers as well.

Or is the optional JCW suspension the thing that is required to do that?

 

Looks like the JCW and the MCS (and MC) have the same wheel gap, which they should since they have the same springs. If you want to lower it you need new springs, it's that simple. Different springs lower it different amounts. The JCW suspension springs lower it the least I think, just over an inch.

 

JCW springs lower 10mm, about 0.4".