I've been doing a ton of research on what type of suspension mods I want to do. I was really gung ho about going with one of the reliable aftermarket tuners...but then I spoke to the Service Manager, and read the reviews about the JCW Cooper. I am now leaning towards the JCW suspension...only because it was tuned specifically for the Cooper and quite possibly would be the best way to improve handling overall.

Let's throw cost out of the window...would you still have gone aftermarket, or JCW? Besides cost, are there proven tangible benefits with going aftermarket over factory tuned upgrades?

TIA

 

If you are happy with a 10mm drop and foresee no need for height or stiffness adjustability, get the JCW suspension. By all accounts, it's a nice performing setup.

If you want to go lower than 10mm, I would get the Cross coilovers.

I have the Cross coilovers and I love them. The ride on the street is great and the handling is superb.

 

Thanks Wolfgang for your response...I love the lowered look too.

If JCW only lowers 10 mm...but most spring kits go 1 inch or more...is that merely for asthetic reasons then? Does going 1 inch lower have a negative effect on your handling?

 

Spring kits are an 1"+ mostly for aesthetics because the majority of people buying springs are doing so because they want the lowered look. I don't know what the ideal drop is. I'm not timing laps so I have it lowered to a point where looks and drivability intersect.
I would venture to say that the JCW kit is only 10mm lower because it won't throw alignment specs out of whack and it won't dramatically affect everyday drivability.

 

Aftermarket.

I got the JCW suspension. It's not bad, but it's not necessarily that fantastic, either. The drop is minimal (I thought I wanted that, but I actually wanted it even lower), the spring rates aren't much different than stock. I still have the JCW struts, but I switched to some TSW springs. The car now rides better than it did with the JCW springs (it's stiffer, actually, but the bumps aren't as harsh - overall ride quality is better), and the handling is great.

And, as stated above, if I were starting from scratch again, with the benefit of hindsight, I'd spend the extra money and get the Cross coil-overs. I would like to get them eventually.

I just noticed that this is in the 2nd gen. forum. In that case, I'd DEFINITELY skip the JCW, for the sole reason that the R56s sit so high to begin with. They NEED a 1" minimum drop, imo.

 

yeah... i was wondering the same...
I would really just like to lower my car a little though. and i dont really do much racing.. so i may just go with buys some springs.

 

Coilovers seem to be the best of both worlds...especially since you can control the amount of "drop" you dial into your suspension.

Daily driveabilility is definately my concern...that's why I want to be careful what suspension mods I go with. Anyone know of springs that drop only 1 inch?

The other thing is the JCW Rear Sway is 18.5mm....But I thought the SS Sway was 19 mm

 

The H&R springs that ALTA sells for the R56 drop the car about an inch. There were a couple cars at AMVIV with those springs, and the cars sat really nice. Not super low, but definitely noticable, and a good stance.

 

Yup...those were the ones I was considering...but I also want rims...and I also want exhaust...where to begin

 

I hear ya.

A lowered car on stock wheels looks better than a sky-high car on custom wheels. Probably costs less, too.