The guys at the local dealership don't seem totally dialed in on JCW R56 performance parts, mostly because they are not available yet. According to JCW's section on the MINI UK site, you can add the lowering springs if you have the Sport Suspension option. I'm hoping I can do that since I already paid for it. I definitely want to go lower but not as much as the H&R springs or coilovers go.

Anyone know if this is possible and how much it will cost?

 

Yes....like in the JCW suspension, it doesn't come with springs, you have to order them separately...they're $125 a spring and lower about .4 inches I believe.

 

I would imagine it's possible... but at dealer prices ($125 PER SPRING!!! + tax and install)... what's the point? To say you have JCW springs? I wouldn't do it.

Les than a half inch will be visually undistinguishable from stock.

JCW parts are primarily desingned to work with JCW parts. What I mean is, for the suspension the valving/dampening on the shocks is set up to work best with a specific spring size and streangth of spring. Not that big of a deal going stiffer on stock or sport suspension... but the key product in the JCW kit is really the struts, not the springs.

I would seriously look at Mach V Dan's springs through his company www.fastmini.net (https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=110239). Not as agressive of a drop (just under 1-inch), and not as stiff as the H&R's, but still a sportier spring... for less than half the cost of the JCW set: $200 vs. $500!!!

That is, unless the real reason is badging... then go for the JCW's.

 

Well put msh441. I have the JCW suspension for my R56 MCS, and didn't get the JCW springs. I ordered the ones just released by Mach V Dan, which make for an awesome handling car combined with the JCW shocks and sway bars.

 

Scott48, what was the part number of the kit you had installed?

My sources put the JCW suspension and the factory sports suspension different by only the springs. THe rear dampers and the sways are the same as the factory sports.

my sources put this as part 30.50.0.429.708 which includes the JCW springs.

which are parts.
front
31.31.6.782.720
31.31.6.782.719
rear
33.52.6.782.741
33.52.6.782.742

 

part # 01290391593

 

That is part of BMW US part number for JCW/Sports Suspension Retrofit.

[Description:Stick On Label] [Supplement: Sportfahrwerk] Qty:1

 

So in other words, if I got the JCW springs added to my factory sport suspension, it would be identical to ordering the full JCW suspension kit?

 

And that's what it said on the box. Open the box, and there's all the stuff that comes in the new kit: shocks, sway bars, dampers. Plus, there's a sticker that you put on drivers side door jam that says "Attention: John Cooper Works Sport Suspension Installed".

 

No...the JCW sway bars are bigger, and the shocks are different.

 

JCW seemed like a good idea so the car doesn't look lowered but gains the benefit of a slightly lower center of gravity (that with the 215/40-R17 tires I'm putting on will bring the car down about 2/3" total) and no warranty issues. The big issue was one I was previously unaware of... astronomical price! So I'm sold on your idea

 

How big are your JCW sways, my understanding is that they are the same as the sports. 18.5mm rear 24mm front. My parts lists shows them the same.

THe front shock is JCW part but i have not checked to see if it is the same as the sports shock, but the rears are the same shock.

 

Check this out on motoring file: http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/05/...s-install-pdf/

 

That installation is the same for all R56's. My notes show the sways to be the same on the JCW sports suspension as the factory insatlled sprots suspension.

EDIT:

Infact the only difference listed on the JCW website is the springs;

"These short, stiff springs reduce ground clearance and ensure even more exciting cornering – without compromising safety. Available for the new MINI One, new MINI Cooper and new MINI Cooper S"

 

Thanks for the info. $125 per spring !!! JCW tends to be a little higher in price than aftermarket equivalents on most parts, but that is insane!

 

just thought I'd update this thread with new information

The JCW springs are $105 each and there are three different choices based on the weight of your vehicle as determined by which options you have specified on the car.

These are a higher spring rate then the sport suspension although I don't have any specific technical details. Someone on the inside may need to chime in, it is not published information to my knowledge.