I have a 03 MCS. I found stock 05 JCW shocks/struts, springs and control arms for sale. Are these an upgrade from the stock parts on my 03? They are super cheap but I wasn't sure. Thanks.

 

Yes it would be an upgrade. The JCW springs are a little stiffer than stock and will also lower your car about 5/8". The shocks are valved to match the springs. The 05 rear lower control arms are adjustable (at least a little) so that you can reduce the amount of negative camber induced in the rear by the lowering (shorter springs).

I believe the 05 adjustable rear lower control arms can be adapted to an 03 but I am not positive. Make sure you get the adjusting bolts with the control arms.

 

I think the lower rear control arms have different sockets as the bushings are huge in the 02-03 in comparison to later years.....may have to swap out more than just the arms.

I have an 03 with the kit it dropped my car 1/2 inch, and I run with stock rear control arms and powerflex inserts...I have no issues with abnormal tire wear whatsoever.....

Only issue you may have with the kit you are looking at is that each JCW kit ( Eibach Springs ) are custom tuned to the factory specs of each car. (has to do with weight distribution) Depending on your transmission type, with or without sunroof ect. will depend on which kit the dealer orders for you.

Maybe if you can find out the specs of the MINI the kit came from, you would have a better idea of how well it will work for you...

I can tell you this, I got my kit from Inskip MINI, and this JCW kit ROCKS ! Best ride ever and handling is awesome.....

 

I just found out the same people have the front and rear sway bars from the same car. Will those be an upgrade and fit? I also found out the car they came from didn't have a sunroof and mine does. Will the springs still work?

 

Sway bars should be the same.

From what I understand, Mini had three different JCW spring rates (stiffnes) that they could install depending on the options (weight) of the car. I have never seen the three different rates posted. I do not know how Mini decided what spring rate for what options. I would guess a basic MCS with or without a sunroof might have the lowest rate JCW spring, an automatic MCS would have the middle rate, and a convertible would have the highest (stiffest) rate spring. However, I have no idea how Mini actually determined which spring for which vehicle, maybe someone has the info. I believe the different rate springs have a different color stripe. My GP came with JCW springs with a yellow stripe.

The springs from the 05 MCS will fit however it could be that the spring rate might be a little softer than would have been put on your sunroof car (but maybe not). In any case it will still be an upgrade from your stock springs. The JCW shocks will also be an upgrade if they do not have too many miles on them.

 

I just got those parts and I'm still confused. Could a 05 JCW come with the same suspension as my 03 MCS. The shocks/struts are delphi. The front springs have a grey strip on one coil. The back springs have a grey and yellow strip on one coil and a blue strip on another coil. I got the stuff for free so if it's the same stuff as stock I won't be upset. I got a Dinan throttle body too in the box of parts too. Thanks for the help.

 

An 05 JCW car could have just the JCW engine parts and not the suspension parts. Are the spring black or red? If the springs are red with a small stripe on one of the coils they are probably JCW springs. If the springs are black they are probably stock S springs. The JCW shocks are from Delphi. My JCW springs have a 3/8" wide yellow stripe on one of the bottom (or second to bottom) coil. My front shocks have a white bar code sticker that says Delphi and has an LJC (left) and RJC (right) in large letters. I would guess that stands for Left/Right John Cooper.

 

The springs are black and the struts have a L15 and R15 on them. Well at least I didn't pay for the stuff.

 

Sounds stock to me. At least you got a T/B in the box.

 

Thanks for the good info!

 

Yeah sounds stock, but at least they are newer.