I'm looking for a set of JCW springs for a 2006 R53 (factory JCW, but without the optional JCW suspension) - the problem is I've read that these came in different rates depending on options (i.e. convertible or coupe, sunroof or not... I have a coupe with panoramic sunroof).

One vendor is selling 2 options, MINI part numbers 31336768414 or 31336768415 for the front, and 33536768417 or 33536768419 for the rear.

Anybody have any idea what the correct part numbers are, or how to find which are a match to my VIN?

There are a few reasons I'm set on these in particular - the subtle drop and increase in stiffness, so it's still a handling improvement but very streetable / not too low for winter driving in the Northeast / not going to pose wide tire fitment issues / so I can pair with Ireland fixed front camber plates / so I don't need adjustable rear control arms to take camber out...

Any help is much appreciated.

 

Also wondering since I bought a non-used set from someone on board. I am guessing that since there are two version that having a sunroof versus not is the cutoff for the different springs. I supposedly bought the ones I have based on having a sunroof from the seller.

 

That was a nice find, I saw the posting too. Let me know if you should decide not to use them

 

You can go to any MINI dealer parts dept, give them the last 7 digits of your VIN, and they can look up the correct springs for the R53 JCW kit for your vehicle. There were 3 versions produced for the 1st generation MINI, some of which are no longer available.

31336768414 - Front
31336768415 - Front
31336768416 - Front (NLA)

33536768417 - Rear
33536768418 - Rear (NLA)
33536768419 - Rear (NLA)

 

So I did call the local service dept, they were helpful enough to look up the spring #'s on my VIN (2006 R53 with sunroof) and they came up with:

31336768415 - Front
33536768419 - Rear

Now, interestingly, in doing other research I found reference to the numbers for a 2006 GP (here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...springs.html): -415 Fronts (same for my VIN) and -417 Rears (NOT the same).

At first I thought the GP would NOT have the same springs spec'd as my car, since it's much lighter (no panoramic sunroof, plus the other GP changes), but if that info is correct it DOES have the same front springs. Maybe they were going for the higher front rate for performance on the GP, but didn't need the same high rate on the rear? I could make sense of that.

The other interesting note is there is a pretty big price disparity between the 2 versions of springs that are still available, like literally one of them is twice as expensive as the other. I was thinking maybe one is a more rare option... but then the #'s for my car include the MORE expensive Front spring, but the LESS expensive Rear... weird.

 

One more update, that rear 33536768419 may also be off the list now... nobody has it in stock, and the parts dept says it's showing zero even back in Germany, so I wouldn't be surprised if it gets official NLA status next.

That would mean only the GP springs are still available.

 

Confirmed that the 419 are NLA. Will update my prior post in this thread. Dealer is checking to see which set is on my solid roof 2006 JCW.

It is frustrating how many 1st generation accessory parts are NLA. The list is growing with each passing year. Steering wheels, strut bars, suspensions, tail lights, and more.

 

Agreed, my main question now is what the actual difference in rates is between these different JCW springs... but I doubt anyone has an answer to that.

I'm debating going with Swift Spec-R springs, or the last available JCW set (correct fronts, incorrect rears). I'll probably just go with the Swifts to keep things consistent, but I do have a big (25mm hollow) rear sway bar, so I would probably be ok with rear JCW springs that are just a little bit too soft (with the stiffness of the swifts I'll likely have to go down to a 19mm bar to keep the car balanced) - in my case I imagine the correct JCW rear springs would have been a bit stiffer than what's remaining, due to my having a sunroof. But maybe the remaining ones aren't that far off... I don't have an automatic, which was even heavier.

JackMac I'm curious to see what comes up for your car. If you have a manual and solid roof that should be the lightest option, which seems to be the -414 fronts and -417 rears, if my process of elimination is correct.

 

Which rears do you need. I supposedly bought ones for sunroof but if they are for a hardtop we can work something out

 

I would need 33536768419's, for sunroof. PM me if you have them.

 

OK, you have a sunroof car or hardtop(slicktop?)? I am also planning to buy a second set since I have 3 mini JCW's and I love the suspension on a car I test drove. Just need to do some more shopping .

 

Yeah I have that big heavy panoramic sunroof - you bought springs for sunroof model?

The more I read, the more I just want to go with Swift Spec-Rs, but do let me know if you have them.

 

Lots of the springs went NLA, we have people call in and can give them the springs based on their VIN. Both those ones listed above are still available that are not marked NLA.

Based on what we found over years of selling these, the heavier and more options the car the higher the part number is for the front ~14 to ~16 and rear ~17 to ~19. But its seems like its always a mix dependent on the model.

Some people in the short run just went down one part number if the higher one was NLA, but that might have a small effect on the ride height.

Going from a ~19 part number to a ~17 pat number when the car request is a ~19 rear might be a little too soft and then the ride height might be a reverse rake by mm's, we have not seen anyone test this theory yet, but that's my guess.


If you need the part numbers just send in or email us, if its one of the NLAs, you can either step-down parts numbers or try to go with H&R or Turners or another brand.