Well, it's not just that.... If the MINI sat like an M5 from the factory, then ride height (lowering) wouldn't be so much of an issue, but they all come stock with a little too much altitude and too little attitude (especially the R56).

 

what about aftermarket springs on the JCW shocks?

 

Why? I gotta think that the JCW springs are the perfect match for the JCE shocks.

If your goal is "low", avoid the JCW stuff altogether.

 

Great pix.. I like the look; too bad ya didn't get one of the back - lots of controversy about the back of the R56 Works kit.

I use my MCSa as my daily driver, and I'm not planning on putting it on the track. Therefore I'm hesitant to swap the springs for something shorter, since the car runs stiff enough with the runflats as is. I also have speed bumps in my neighborhood, and the last thing I want to do is leave Works scars on the tops of those asphalt bumps.

I do like the way the body kit gives the car a lower appearance, but for $3K (with paint and installation), I believe I'll have to pass.

Or... maybe my ship will come in and I'll find some extra bucks to play with..

 

I'm running TSW springs with JCW struts (again, on an '03, not an '07). Works great.

Handling-wise, they're a good match, but my JCW/TSW combo handles as well, if not better, and rides MUCH better. And, yes, part of the reason I swapped springs was to get the car a bit lower, but it still doesn't sit any lower than the '05 and '06 JCW suspension cars.

BTW, scott48, I'm just on the other side of the lake from you, in El Dorado Hills. If you want to get together sometime and see how my car rides/looks/handles, shoot me a PM.

 

Uhhhh... aren't the JCW springs a progressive wound spring? They sure look like it to me.

 

Nope. At least, not the ones for the R53.

 

Is it 1" lower ride height? I was under the impression it was 1/2".

All that aside, how do you like the ride? How about a quick review or summarization of your impressions. What about an approximation of the cost? I'm still trying to decide between JCW or aftermarket coilovers w/rear swaybar and any info would help.

Your car looks good. The blue one in the pic, is that on a JCW suspension as well?

Cheers

 

I thought I'd update my thoughts on my JCW supension with Mach V springs, so here goes:

So driving home to today from school, I felt like driving faster down the little windy road that I take daily...I noticed the same thing Gabe or one of the other guys from motoringfile noticed when comparing the M3 to MCS....when I was in the turns, I was like "This doesn't seem to have much more grip than stock suspension did." Then I look down at the digital speedometer, and I'm going like 10mph faster in the turns!!!!!!
Took a 140 degree tight turn which has bumps in it...car ate it up like it was nothing, bumps didn't affect me in the center and accelerating hard out of the turn.
So definitely love my suspension upgrades that I did, car has sooo much grip it's awesome, would recommend it to anyone. JCW shocks and sway bars + Mach V springs = FUN!!

 

I must admit there certainly is an appeal to getting a suspension kit (JCW) that was fully engineered to work with the particular car you're adding it to.

Scott, how do you find it rides in the not-so-exciting daily grind of basic day to day driving?

 

Not too bad, but obviously it rides harder, stiffer....I don't really care about ride quality unless it's really bad, which it's not, I'm about handling....plus straight line acceleration is increased more than you would think cause the stiffer springs and shocks cut the weight transfer to the rear down A LOT, so you can get the power down much better.

 

My goal is to NOT lower the car. I like the fact that the JCW kit doesn't lower the car that much. I'd like a stiffer, better handling car with a minimal amount of lowering. Sounds like this is the way to go.

Just to let everyone know. When we were at Mach V Mini, we noticed that the earlier production cars sat about a 1/2 inch higher than the latest production cars. Both had the same suspensions. Can anyone confirm this?

Also, why is everyone saying the JCW suspension kit costs so much money? It can be had from Morristown Mini for $1,036. That's for new struts, new springs, and new sway bars. If you go aftermarket I'm sure you'll get to that price very easily. Just my .02 cents.

 

"$1,036" Man, I wish. I'm in Vancouver Canada and I just got a quote out of one of the two dealers in town ... $3000 installed.

Or I can drive down to Portland Oregon and get Alta to to install H&R coilovers with a 19mm RSB and endlinks for $2000.

 

Their listing (link) says "coil springs need to be ordered separately". This would match Gabe's comment on MotoringFile that the parts cost $1200-$1500 depending on the dealer.

 

I just checked my MINI (very early build) against one that was built within the last 3-4 months and they were the same (measuring from the ground to the jack point).
Mine has sports suspension and the other one had normal.

 

I took that to mean that you just had to let them know what options you had so they could give you the correct springs. I'll have to call them and get the real price.

I'm talking about one that was built 3-4 months ago and one that was built 3-4 weeks ago. They both have to have the same suspension. We measured about a 1/2" difference so I was just curious.

 

The correct procedure is for your dealer to use your VIN to determine which springs are ideal for your car.

 

Exactly...so I'm assuming the $1,036 from Morristown Mini includes the springs as well?

 

FYI...I just got a response back from Morristown Mini...

"the springs are included in the price. so struts, springs, and stabalizers are total 1036.00. thank you."

 

Wow, that's not bad! Too bad I'm not too handy with a wrench, and my dealer wants $600 to install the JCW kit!!!

 

Shoot, my local dealer has a terrible parts department and couldn't help me out what so ever to be able to get the jcw suspension. It took 3 phone calls and about 6 or 7 hours after my original phone call for them to pretty much tell me they can't get it for me. Heck, I even tried to give them my business on driving lights, and they gave me some for a 02-06 model that I had to return and just get my money back after dealing with them and their lack of help.
So I took my business elsewhere.

 

Yeah, don't ever get the dealer to install anything. They usually charge over $100/hour on labor. They also go by the book for labor time. If it says 5 hours for the total install then they charge you for 5 hours even if it only takes them 2 hours. That's how some mechanics can get over 20 hours in an 8 hour day .

 

I am willing to help anyone who is in the Portland/Metro area when installing JCW suspension or H&R springs. I am not saying I am an expert at this but I am willing to lend an extra set of hands.