1. What is the difference bettween a JCW Sports Suspension $945 and H-sports springs ~$250. I'm thinking of lowering my 2005 MCS but don't know much about springs, struts, coilover, etc.

2. After you have installed a new spring set, how do you know what +/- camber you have? I've seen people mention they have 1.5 or 2.0 negative camber after installing. I will be having the mechanic install the springs so maybe I don't need to know about the camber settings.

 

The JCW suspension upgrade will barely lower the MINI a noticable amount. If you want to "look low", the JCW kit is not the answer.

The JCW kit includes springs and dampers (struts) - which is part of the reason why it is much more expensive. There's some debate about how long the stock dampers will last with aftermarket lowering springs.

 

After having my H&R springs for a little over a year y struts were pretty useless....i only found out after i took them out to put in my Konis. Getting struts will be a good thing to have with your springs after a while.

 

So struts, dampers, shocks are the same thing, different terms. It looks like it's cheaper to buy springs, and get struts later on when the stock one goes bad.

Looks like most ppl on this board went with just aftermarket springs instead of the JCW suspension. I can see why since it lowers only 10mm (0.4 inches)

Now I'm thinking if I should get M7 or H-sports. Reading the forums, it sounds like either choice is a good one.

 

You are correct in everything you said. The M7's will be a very comfortable ride that lowers your car nicely. The H&Rs are a stiffer but sportier ride and lower the car about the same amount as the M7s

 

Don't confuse H-sport springs with H&R's...two different animals. The H-sports are more often recommended by people in the know (as are the M7's).

 

just had the JCW put on mine. I would reccomend it more than aftermarket. I have driven two with aftermarket and hated it. The JCW is tailored to the weight of your specific car, NO aftermarket spring can do that! Plus this reduces rattles dramatically, leaving you with a solid ride and couple this with a rear swaybar and you'll be set. I have driven M7s and H-Sports, oh and also the Dinan Kit w/konis, none of them have the overall performance and drivability of the JCW. The JCW has progressive rate springs just like the M7, so escentially if you go with the M7s your only getting a piece of the JCW puzzle.

Oh and believe me, until I drove my car, I second guessed it two, because I would rather have an awesome car than an expensive but because of the warranty and seemlessness that it performs I would reccomend the JCW.

Guys please, I'm on your side, don't flame me, I just found a product I like!:smile:

Thanks
Mikey

 

If I were you, before I bought anything, try reading this http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspension.htm

When your ready to buy, you need to rememeber that every vendor wants to sell THEIR product. Everyone exists for one an only one reason, to make money.

Nobody here can tell you whats best for you. Everyone likes different things for their own reason. For example you might notice that some people have H Sport Sway bars, Eibach springs, Koni Shocks, etc. Notice that they are all piecemeal or put together for their own purposes.

JCW suspenion is the factory works car designed to work effectively with the MINI. For example, the spring rates are tied to your VIN.

Which is better? Only you can decide. Everyone likes different things

HAVE FUN

 

I have the jcw suspension, and love it for the street, firmer, much better than my previous mini s with sports suspension II. A more controlled ride. The JCW suspension is in no way a track suspension, but just an improvement toward sportiness, similar to the way a BMW sports suspension tightens up a standard sports suspension. Droping 1/2 inch is great if you have to deal with steep driveway angles and poor roads as I do in Boston. I think the MINI is low enough not to need 1+ inch drop. On the flip side, if you want to be very agressive, live with smooth roads, and track frequently, I'd go aftermarket (probably H-sport).. I have done both in the past, dropping my 91 bmw 2 inches, which was awesome on the track, but less than fun on the street.... Do what seems most fun to you... as all options are good in my humble opinion... Another option is to do nothing and put the money toward driving schools... If you do the JCW suspension, get the old parts back, and you can sell them for about $300, which offsets the cost...

 

...ah, technically a strut, as in MacPhearson strut is a damper and spring combo, a damper is a damper, and shock absorbers are tires and or springs...technically

Too low is no good for more reasons than just travel...the JCW folks know this.

Sorry to barge in, carry on.

 

For one.....JCW kit is over $1120 plus install for the homie sayin it was $945.i know its only a $75 difference.....just wanted to clear that up...lol.....and 2...You cant compare the JCW kit to teh Dinan system when there 2 totally different kits......JCW uses MacPherson struts ( which are used in mostly everyday car n truck you see driving around) and Dinan uses Koni 3-way adjustable struts ......teh Dinan kit also has a rear sway bar that is also adjustable. Id never compare Koni to Macpherson......thats like sayin my snow tires are better than my slicks at the track....NOT IMO

Not to flame you....lol

 

Ahh ... NO. Wrong prices dude.

JCW kit for MCS is list $945. I have the bill in front of me. From that take 10% of so its really about $855. Want to have it mailed to you, try $804 from Sterling. Your way off in prices... Sorry. That makes it about $300 cheaper than Dinan. I'm also sure installation costs are identical. Is Dinan offering discounts on their list prices?

Second, the Dinan sway bar is extra, optional not part of your Stage 1 suspension

 

What you could do, is get the JCW struts from MINI Sterling (I think they are like $500) and then put the H-sports on them. Totaling like $750...not bad

 

thats funny......i have to check my price sheet then being i sell both....the JCW kit is listed as $740 plus the springs which are $95 ea plus the alignment for 7/04 and newer.. to me that equals $1120 less the alignment....you must of got a good deal then. And i meant we offer a sway bar which is adjustable. And your buying macphersons instead of KONI....BIG difference in products. And if you use someone elses springs with the JCW kit, you have no warrenty.

 

Good price but why would you mix and match different components from different vendors? Just to get the car lower?

If you really want the car lower, you could say cut and inch of the roof

 

...it's still a MacPhearson strut...refer to above. The damper in the Dinan MacPhearson strut just happens to be adjustable. A MacPhearson strut employes a lower control with one or two locating points, and, the strut/damper assembly as the third...not to be confused with a double wishbone system where there are two sets of control arms, upper and lower, that define suspension geometry. Everything made for a Mini will indeed be a MacPhearson strut, adjustable dampers and ride height or not.

 

Crazy! I know!

 

I was kidding ...

 

You know what... I think if you use tires other than the OE runflats, you lose the warranty too. Just something I heard...

Everyone, keep those runflats on! Don't void your warranty!

 

Here you go:

Retro sport susp: 565
Front springs 190
rear springs 190
total $945

Dealers around us give your 10% off for being in a MINI club. so whats that? 945-94= 851.

Remember, MCS price is cheaper than the MC price because the MCS has a rear swar bar.

Sterling offers for about $804 mail order. Not sure what Classic is offering.

Installation is Installation.

As for the Konis, no argument they may be better but then again, it cost $300 more so it all comes out in the wash.

good deal? Sure. One advantage of a forum like this is to find where the good deal is. A 10% discount on $2K in work is MORE than worth it and thats parts AND labor.

 

I have H-sports and think the ride is stiff but fine. Very glad I went with them. M7's are a good choice as well, both are progressive You are only voiding your warranty if the aftermarket springs cause I problem (magnuson-moss act), and I don't know what that would be. Also if your springs bust (which is very rare) the company would replace them for free. IMO H-sports or M7's are the way to go. Good luck!

Mark

 

The Cooper has a rear sway bar stock too (and front even). The increased MC cost is only applicable if you do not have SS+ on the Cooper... if you have a Cooper with SS+ you don't get / need a swaybar upgrade, and the price is the same as the S.

 

My bad....ill admit i was wrong being the price i was looking at is for the MC not teh S.

And changing your tires will not void any type of warranty. Mix n matching the JCW kit will.

JCW still sux....
Flame on!

 

How much does the dinan suspension lower the car???

 

I don't have any suspension upgrades but read these boards quite frequently/ obsessively and it seems the consensus is that the Billstein PSS9 are the way to go... although they are more expensive than the JCW suspension they do give ride height and dampening adjustability.

Erik