JCW Aero with JCW Suspension doesn't make sense.
 

I've read several post and it just doesn't seem that having the 07 JCW Aero kit and dropping it even .4 inches using the JCW suspension kit will not work with all the rubbing. Reading the articles where it says at stock height you will rub every once in awhile and with the suspension expect to rub all the time, why even bother?

I figured even when you sit in the car at stock with the JCW, you will already get your natural drop so it could look pretty decent than add any type of drop kit like JCW and you may drop almost 1 inch and expect to rub all the time.

Would just putting 18 inch wheels on instead of the stock 17 give you the low profile look anyway without need of suspension change? It seems that would be my only option.

I'm looking at coilovers, JCW suspension and just straight springs...but all have the same story if you have the JCW Aero.

I still can't decide...

i couldn't really understand precisely what you were trying to say/write. are you saying you're looking for a combo that doesn't rub? occasional rubbing is ok and when you get the factory/jcw 18" rims they recommend you also install steering stoppers. i don't think the aerokit will affect rubbing that much, since when the tires rub it's mostly against the wheel wells. looks like your car is still on order; i think if you the jcw suspension and 18" rims when you order it's pretty safe. even when you get aftermarkets it won't be that much of a problem as long as you stay w/ the popularly recommended wheel size. as far as lowering the car, i'm a bit wary about that. i dunno about r56's ride height, by r53 is already a bit low at stock and i rub the front at dips and some speed bumps already. suspension kits lower a bit for functional reasons. if you just want to do it for the look, i'd say don't for reasons of convenience

Well the article from the motoringfile about the JCW Suspension that lowers it .4 with the JCW Aero Kit that I have installed scared me a bit.

The quote:
"One thing to watch out for with the suspension kit is ride height. While 1 cm doesn’t sound like much of a drop, it’s enough make the car bottom out on a daily basis. This is specifically the case with those who have the JCW Aero-kit. While the kit lowers the ground clearance on both the front and side of the car, it’s the front air-deflectors that take the majority of the impacts. In fact I’ve taken enough of them that my driver-side deflector finally gave up somewhere on Sheridan Rd. just north of Chicago last week. Luckily replacements are all of $9."

The link: http://www.motoringfile.com/2007/08/...-at-the-track/


Are you saying there would be less bottoming out with 18's vs 17's??

The front deflectors will brush against the ground when you are running the JCW Suspension Kit, JCW Aero Kit and 215/18/35 tires/wheels. If you stay with the stock 205/17/45 there is hardly even rubbing. When you move to 215/18/40 there's even less rubbing.

So what type of tire/wheel combo would haunt me with a lot of rubbing.

215/18/35. You can see the full range of diameters somewhere on MINI2.

Those which have a lower tire diameter than 205/45-17.

You can use a Tire Size Calculator to compare diameters on various size tires:

215/35-18 = 23.9"
205/45-17 = 24.3"
205/40-18 = 24.5"
215/40-18 = 24.8"

Yes, but in relation to the JCW Aero Kit with the JCW Suspension so that you don't tear up your Aero kit.

The JCW Aerokit does nothing to change the wheel-well openings so there's no change in this area from stock. The suspension kit doesn't cause any rubbing on either of my tire/wheel set-ups: 215/18/35 or 205/17/45.

I guess I will try the 205/17/45, because that 18/35 is just a stretch too thin for me.
I would like some comfort in the ride. Washington DC is not often kind to low profile

The lower the diameter of tires the greater the chance of scraping the front lip deflectors on the ground.

If you're going with 17" wheels you can run 215/45-17.

Looking cool and being practical don't get along.

Sure it can...It did with my BMW 335i

Gabe, I read somewhere on NAM that 235's will fit the R56. I'd really like to use those also. Do you think that size will work?

I've had my MCS for over a month now ... complete with JCW Aero and 215x45zr17 tires. The suspension is stock. Last weekend I removed the front air deflectors since they were both broken and flapping around. I remember scraping them _once_ pulling in to my driveway, but no other times that I can remember.

I can't imagine running lowered suspension with the aero kit and still retain the air deflectors.

Jeff

Yes that works too. 235/17/40 is the size.

Another Question for Gabe
 

Gabe:

Several people have said the front deflectors on their JCW Aero Kits have been damaged or broken off. How safe do you believe those deflectors would
be on an R56 MCS with 17" X 7" (stock size) OZ Ultraleggeras with 205/45 X 17 (again, stock size) summer performance tires?

Thanks, in advance, for your input.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y24...eupcloseup.jpg

235/40R17.

--Dan
Mach V

No one has mentioned offset...

Pretty safe. But the thing you have to remember is that the deflectors are easy to replace and are under $10 a piece. In 4 months of driving in some of the worst roads in the nation, I've lost one.

235x40R17
 

Dan, what wheels and tire brand are you running?, what is the rim offset? please :nod:
More pics would be nice :thumbsup: Thanks

Hey Gabe or anybody else,

If I go with the Hamann HM4 thats 17x8 along with the JCW sports suspension with the JCW Aero kit, what is the best tire size for not rubbing and the safest and decent ride? Thanks.

The HM4 has an offset of 43mm. Once we hear back from Mach V Dan you should have your answer.