I have installed the JCW suspension. I put on the springs and struts so far and then an H-sport competition bar instead of the 18.5mm JCW rear bar. I have not put on the front swaybar yet but intend to, it's a big job for me.

After only limited testing the car is a little flatter through the corners. The excessive dive and squat of the standard suspension is reduced. I was really expecting it to be reduced more than it is though, but under heavy braking its much more controlled.

You can feel its stiffer on the road but by no means harsh at all. Many people have complained about it being really harsh and I don't think so at all. Was expecting more really, but it obviously is balancing street drivability and performance.

It will be interesting to see how the car feels after doing the front swaybar.

 

Hmm, you don't sounds too impressed by it. That was a mod I have been seriously considering, so it's nice to hear your thoughts. Thanks for sharing.

 

I am betting the front swaybar will bring the rest of what I am looking for. I assume it will flatten out the turns even more and make the front feel even more like it goes where you point it.

But all in all I think it's worth the money so far. Anything else is gonna cost more unless you are talking cheap parts like Megan coilovers or other economy parts. And I did not want to really lower the car so the JCW springs are perfect with only 10mm of drop.

I am getting it aligned on Friday.

 

Be sure to knock out the plastic spacers by the front structs to allow for a bit more negative front camber. Heck they may have come out when you put the new suspension on.

 

What is your alignment settings?

 

It was a good move to put an adjustable rear bar on. It is likely that you will need to stiffen the rear bar to balance out the larger front bar. When you install the larger front bar the car will tend to understeer more than the original bar.

Have fun,
Mike

 

The more I drive the JCW sport suspension the more I like it. It has brought a lot of fun back to the car that was missing from my 2003 MCS in the handling department. Don't get me wrong a 2012 JCW is far superior compared to my old 2003 MCS but the 2012 was really missing something compared my old car with sports suspension. I would not buy a MINI again without at least the regular sports suspension having actually lived with the standard...

At certain speeds (higher) the 2012 felt floaty and did not give a lot of confidence. Now its a lot better. I bet when I finally put the JCW front swaybar on it will be even more confidence inspiring.

When I had my 2003 I chose to drive that over an old 86 Porsche 911 Targa because the MINI felt so much more fun and "go kart like". Then came the 2012 and I found that when I drove the Porsche it was more fun than the 2012 due to the soft nature of the standard MINI suspension. The addition of the JCW sport suspension has changed that again... I highly recommend it...

 

I have the sport suspension and 22mm rear sway bar - I am really considering summer tires - it is all that is holding this monster back