Got a quote of $1,154 from Brecht for the JCW suspension parts, which is somehow actually higher than the MSRP on their own accessories web site!

Anyway, more interesting is that I was told the rear control arms might need to be replaced when they installed the suspension. He said it didn't say that applied to only certain manufacturing dates, so that threw out my first explanation.

Has anyone encountered this before? Any idea why the control arms would be replaced?

I've seen suggestions to change them when going to a lower suspension, but never with the JCW (which is one reason I like the JCW idea).

(No, I'm not actually going to buy it from them at that price.)

 

I have JCW suspension on my JCW car...

The installation PDF says to install smaller bumpstops onto the tops of the rear control arms (not to replace them). Sounds like your dealer is looking at the pictures & not reading the instructions.

on a side note, my dealer didn't install the reduced height bump stops when installing my kit. I pointed it out & they said newer JCW suspension kits rely on the bump stops on the shocks (not on the control arms.

 

Be careful with Brecht. Their service advisors arent' that sharp. Some are outright liars looking to boost their salary through ill advised services. Been there done that... used to live in SD.

 

Bumpstops are on shocks not control arms...

 

kit only lowers your MCS 1/2 inch. Adjustable control arms not needed.

When you purchase the parts thru the dealers Web site, payment ect has nothing to do with the dealer per se.

If you make a purchase thru the dealers accessory web page, the order goes into a central MINI Parts clearing house. An email will be sent to the dealer with an invoice and payment/shipping info. It has nothing to do with the parts employee.

When a parts dept employee looks up a part for you, the part no's and prices are not from the same source.....hence the difference in prices.

Check with Morristown MINI in NJ. Even after shipping costs you still make out better as you don't have to pay sales tax if its mailed to your home and you live out of state.

 

Morristown MINI has them for $931

 

I've seen bumbstops on the upper control arms also. Not sure it was continued throughout the years. May only be an '02 thing.

JCW suspension hardly lowers the car. Anyone telling you that you need new control arms is just looking to take your money.

 

Thanks. I had seen that, too, but figured I'd check locally before ordering the lowest internet price.

By the way, anyone know the part numbers for the struts and shocks? I got the spring numbers from Brecht.

 

When first installed, be prepared to be disappointed if you are expecting it to look a lot lower... it probably won't... however, the JCW set-up does seem to "settle" a bit after a few months of driving. At least this has been the comments from owners I know... Most comment the ride is improved over stock.

There are bump-stops in the kit that goes on the control arms. Whether or not they're really required is up for debate...

 

Yeah, I'm not looking for lower, just better. "Better" should be a given compared to a stock suspension with 86,000 miles on it!

 

"Better" is what it will be versus stock.

The JCW is smoother, leans less and doesn't pound as much as the stock suspension.

Hope this helps...

 

Better also means a bit firmer