Does anyone have the JCW suspension package? I ordered the Works package; but not the suspension. Any thoughts?

Joey

 

I have thoughts... and the JCW suspension upgrade.

Good ride, good track / autocross performance, still have ride height for those bumpy roads and travelling through the snow. You get to know that the struts / dampers are designed to work with the springs instead of having to guess that they will.

Have any more specific questions?

 

--SNID--

Could you please give us more details comparing the JCW to the stock suspension regarding ride, handling, ride height, noise, etc?

Anything that the stock stuff does notably better?

THANKS !!

 

A lot of those things are subjective, so what I think is "good" might not be good for other people. Anyway, you do notice more of a cringe-worthy sound when you hit expansion joints and such with the JCW suspension. I don't think it feels any harsher, but it does sound harsher. Ride comfort will vary from person to person, though.

The "balance" of the car, in terms of understeer / oversteer did not seem to change much when I went to the JCW suspension... but I am able to go a little faster before I get to understeer / oversteer. The most noticable thing was that there was less front / back weight transfer during braking and accelleration. I've heard that from a few other people who had the JCW suspension upgrade done, too. So, it's not like I hade to get used to a completely different car... I was just able to go a little faster.

The ride height only drops a quarter of an inch or so. This was a plus for me. For many people this is a negative becuase they want the car to "look low".

Not that I can think of.

THANKS !![/QUOTE]

 

Snid - Precisely the info I was looking for!

This confirms what I expected, and probably represents exactly what BMW/MINI really intended for this upgrade kit to do - not too stiff, not too low, not too obnoxious.

Rather, it sounds like it provides a mild (yet noticeable) increase of the car's natural limits, instead of trying to 'reinvent' the existing geometry or character.
.

 

[/QUOTE]
Thanks snid. I think I will wait on the JCW suspension upgrade. Great info, and much appreciated!

 

snid, I agree with everything you said except above. I think the JCW is softer. The bumps less harsh than stock. Now the difference could be the tires as in I still got RFs. Its still harsh compared to most cars but just not as jarring as before

 

Joey,

The JCW Suspension is a Dealer Installed Option (doens't come installed from the factory) ! You can order it and have it intalled anytime you want.

I ordered my 2006 MCS with JCW engining tuning kit (installed at the factory for 2006) and was planing to install the JCW suspension as well when it arrived (by the dealer). However, after riding in my friends 2006 MCS with the sports suspention, I may forgo that suspenion upgrade. The factory MCS sports suspenion that came on his car seemed pretty stiff.

Unless you plan to do some a lot of racing, you probable won't need it, but it's like anything else. . . . you got bragging rights if you have it on you car.

Again, I'm having second thoughts, but that's just me. Oh, I pickup my 2006 MCS~JCW this coming Tuesday, 22 Nov 2005. Can hardly wait too.

 

To each his own but I think the JCW Suspension package further enhances the drivability of our little go carts without damaging the ride quality, even with 18" JCW rims & run-flats. As been mentioned earlier ride height differance is suptle but still noticeable. Will be putting S-lites with RSA's on for the winter. Ride should improve even further.


NICE

 

Sorry but have to disagree with this. There is a reason why JCW produces the suspensions and that is to complement the TC. With the just the TC you have an unbalanced car. The car is MORE than just HP. Its also brakes and suspension and they are designed to work together.

 

What's "TC"?

 

Tuning Kit

 

I've got it, and I think it's some of the best money I've spent. The thing that I appreciate about it is that it's a set-it-and-forget piece. Unless you're really into tweaking, I'd just go with the JCW package because it's been thoroughly tested, even to the extent that there are different springs for the cabrio and the mcs due to weight issues.

One caustionary note: if you order it, make sure you get an accurate quote from the dealer. When I ordered mine, was told at the last minute that the original price was for the struts only--the springs were supposedly extra. Aparrently, there is some confusion about what you actually get. The website would have you believe that you get the springs and struts; some dealers seem to think otherwise. Well, after a lot of back-and-forth, the dealer and I worked it out and we split the difference plus some other parts.

 

Actually, the JCW suspension is tuned to your VIN, not to body type. They look at the "original" weight of the car based on options (e.g., sunroof is extra weight) and then match the springs to the exact weight of your car. Pretty cool, huh?

 

Actually, the JCW suspension is tuned to your VIN, not to body type. They look at the "original" weight of the car based on options (e.g., sunroof is extra weight) and then match the springs to the exact weight of your car. Pretty cool, huh?

Hmmm~ now I am undecided.

 

Correction, Johnny: The JCW Suspension is not available for the cabrio (officially). It's a hardtop option only. That is why I take issue with someone who says they have a "full JCW" convertible. A convertible can have the engine kit (except for automatics of course, for the time being), the brakes, the strut brace and the wheels... but NOT the suspension.

Now, there maybe MCSC owners out there who have managed to get the parts and put them on, but JCW did not tune it for the cabrio.

As I understand it, there are 4 spring rates available with the JCW suspension, and yes, which ones you get are tied to your VIN, which tells them what options you have. The more options you have, the heavier the car is, and the higher the spring rate they select.

 

Hi.. I had a 2004 with stock sports suspension 2 and now have a 2005 with jcw suspension...

the jcw set meets my needs, and I feel the cost is competitive $945 plus install...compared to other spring/shock combo prices (plus you can sell your stock system (as new condition with 20 miles) if you get jcw installed prior to delivery.. I sold mine quick for $300, which lowers the cost of jcw supension to $645 plus install.. or you can save it and install in 60,000 miles and really have some subjective comparison information

It all depends on your needs and wants....

The system is better than stock in my opinion, ride is tighter more responsive without being more harsh... just a bit better in my opinion by being confidence inspiring due to higher handling limits

lowers about 1/2 inch is as much as I want, as I drive on real roads, that have dips, potholes, and driveways with abrupt transitions...

It is not a track suspension, but simply an improvement over stock...

 

I understand what you mean when you say that... it is not a track specific suspension. But, the JCW suspension is better suited to the track than the stock suspension.

I just didn't want anyone to think that the JCW suspension would not work on the track.

 

that the jcw suspension is better on the track than the stock suspension, in my opinion.... but still retains very reasonable drivability around on public roads...

 

I'm thinking JCW springs (with rates tuned for my spec) and Koni FSDs...

 

That sounds like a pretty good plan!

 

I heard of one customer asking for jcw with specified front spring rate based on vehicle options/weight and then asking for stiffest rear spring available from jcw/bmw/whoever actually makes the springs.... to reduce understeer...

 

Not sure you can just buy the springs. You might ask your dealer ... Wait a sec, your buying MORE CRAP?

 

Darling, one can never have too much JCW crap on one's Mini Cooper.

 

Wait until the Interior JCW CF bits arrive in a month. Thats a whole BOATLOAD of new crap