Might just need to shop around, it's not hard, just takes time. I bet you could find a MINI owner who has done them local and could do them for you for less? Coilovers > Stock suspension. Getting Ohlins soon and after driving MINIs with them, they are great. Hopefully, Ohlins comes out with some soon for the Gen 3 MINIs.

 

That's theft! The install doesn't take long at all, I did the springs on my JCW in a couple of hours, coilovers would take about the same time, aside from adjusting the ride height and dampening. That's a terrible deal. I would either try to do it yourself, or shop around. A shop in my area did a coilover install on my last mini for 3-400 bucks.

 

Some MINI member I have heard even do it for free beer.

 

Can any vendor out there send me an installation manual for JCW coilovers? I have a coil compressor from "back in the day" still looks new, it's my body that's rusty.

 

Personal install:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-unboxing.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...installed.html

Other info here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-prices-8.html

If i can find the official, i will post up.

 

That 2nd link BeerChan is way to low for my taste, looks bottomed out.

 

 

Just pulled the trigger on a JCW Pro Kit. Did you folks out there get buy without the chamber kits, if so how/why? Fronts are on backorder so I'll try without for now.
Thanks to ECS Tuning!

 

You are welcome.

 

Questions:
What is the black plastic split washer below the bump stop on the front strut for? Assume dirt/bump stop catcher.
Which side does the large washer on the bottom of the rear shock go? Washer seems like it'd be happier on the inside to assist turning of the bolt.
Last time I saw front coilovers there were 2 threaded settings: one for preload: one for height- entire strut threaded into itself. This only looks like it's preloading the coil for height adjustment.
No instruction torque/spec sheet provided.
Thanks folks

 

 

Hey Mike,

Yeah I'd have the same guess on the plastic thing.

The washers- I also put mine inboard. Same thought as you. Plus keeping the bushing intact?

Right, these kits adjust height via the spring perch. No separate threaded body. So you're a bit limited to the height it was designed for, however anything lower probably isn't a good idea for other reasons too, like issues with CV joints. The shock body itself is shorter, so it's already set up properly for a +/- 1" lower height.

This thread has good install info, including my notes and tools needed:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...install-2.html


Questions for you-
Did your kit come with a TUV certificate? Curious to see the specs in there, if it exists...

And a favor to ask... if you have a micrometer, that is... can you measure the spring wire diameter? Been curious how it compares to other KW kits =)

Thanks

 

No TUV cert. Rear = 11.5mm Front = 13mm. Photo's attached .

 

Awesome, thanks! I think you've got that backwards, though... but that seems to jive with my theory that the JCW is closer to the KW Street Comfort than the V1. Both use a 13.1mm front spring, but rear is 11.9 on v1, vs. 11.6 on SC. Seems like that's what you're reading as well =)

 

JCW coilovers installed lowered 1cm of my original height.

 

Plenty of info here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-unboxing.html

 

I finally got the front and rear sway bars installed, with adjustable end links in the rear, and new front end links. Took it for a test drive last night, and holy **** it was amazing. SO flat in the corners. SO planted. So fun!

 

Any parts recommendations? I'd like to put at least a RSB on mine.

 

Both the Eibach and NM Engineering sway bars are good. You will definitely want to get a set of adjustable rear end links, and the NM Engineering ones are what I went with.

 

Is the 22mm NM Engineering bar actually an upgrade over what the JCW has stock? The price on their 25mm bar is nuts.

 

Yes, the stock sway bar is a 22mm hollow bar, the NM Engineering 22mm bar is solid, and will definitely make a difference.

 

I posted this in the suspenion section too:
Eibach F/R sway bars installed. Tech said it all went to getter fine. No squeaks, rattles or really anything negative, maybe a little front wheel lift off in a turn when you hit a bump, slightly stiffer ride. Much flatter in turns tho.
My thought now is I should've done these first before the coilovers.

 

I went to the track yesterday, and it took me some time to get the hang of how the car handles at the limit now. I definitely need some stickier tires, but until then, I was doing a decent amount of sideways drift on a couple of corners, and it was really predictable and easy to control with the throttle. It's just super flat and neutral now in the corners! I love it!

 

That's awesome! Glad you like them. For tires, I run the Falken Azenis RT615K+ which currently costs $145 for a 215/40/17 and is a 200 treadwear tire. I actually did did the full 6,000 miles of MTTS on these tires and after next Thursday, I will have gotten 4 track days out of them. They have worn perfectly even and give very impressive performance for the cost.

 

I am getting a second set of wheels, so the TD 1.2s can be dedicated for the track, and will be getting the Federal 595 RRs for them, all 4 mounted and balanced for $400.00.

I had the Pilot Sport Cup 2s for about 9 months, but they were sooooo soft and sooooo awesome. But crazy expensive