I am fairly new to Mini. I purchased my first JCW last year and slowly making upgrades. I am wondering if I'm able to lower the stock JCW suspension without having to upgrade or purchase any additional parts to modify it. Just wondering if this can be done until I can afford to spend more into the suspension. Overall, I want to decrease the space in the wheel well with 17x7 wheels.

Any recommendations would be helpful!

Thanks

 

The cheapest way is to change springs. This will be about $250.00 or less. The only way to do it for free is the old torch method which is a really bad idea so I wont go any further.

I am using NM springs on sport dampers for the last 20K miles and I am still happy with that choice. It gets rid of that rubbery feel of the stock suspension and is actually smoother than stock sport suspension even though it is lower. I dont think it will be softer than stock standard suspension though. Not sure where you are starting from?

The NM will lower the car about 1" after it settles. When you first put them on the drop is almost not noticeable, but after about a month it will settle down and stay put.

TSW makes a similar spring but some say the drop is uneven. SOme swear by them. The drop is about .75" Price will be about the same as NM.

H and R springs might be found for less if you look around. Those will drop the car 1.5".

Some people have concern over damper wear after installing springs. It sounds like you have future plans of more work (like me). I can vouch for at least 20K miles of trouble free performance. I am going to go with Bilstien sports when mine go.

Good luck SandraP and welcome to NAM!

 

did you cut your bump stops smoke?

 

Good question probably not safely. Need more info Sandra.

Do you have the standard Sport Suspension in that JCW or a JCW Suspension ? If you modify your existing springs, you will be driving outside the parameters of the ASC and possibly to some degree the ABS system. Merely cutting a few sections of OEM springs is not suggested so the best route is to spend some $.

Normally unless ordered, an R56 JCW did not come thru with a JCW Suspension, just the sport suspension the S models come with so there is no drop.

An JCW suspension will lower the MINI a bit ( over 1/2 inch) and as a plus, is a total suspension package designed and tuned for your MINI's weight distribution.

Thing is, when mixing various springs and struts there is no exact science for a optimum handling and ride comfort as design, and drivers opinions can vary. So it's imperitive that you thoroughly research and if possible, drive a MINI with the modified suspension components before spending $2-3K. Otherwise it can be a shot in the dark as to what parts you choose/mix up.

I have MINI's JCW Suspension upgrade in my R53 losing just enough wheel gap for a daily driver and ride comfort and handling improved tremendously over the harshness of the original stock Sport Suspension. I don't eat up tires, and alignments are done with out the need and cost for adjustable suspension components.

 

Are you sure? When I ordered I had the option to add the Sport suspension or the JCW suspension. Mine definitely rides softer than the loaner S with the Sport suspension I had. Mine also doesn't look any lower than a Clubman with the standard suspension.

 

Don't forget to get an alignment. And for me to get a good setup... Had to purchase rear linkages... FYI

 

Best suggestion bar none!!!


Mark

 

Thanks, and yes I cut the bumpstops.

 

thanks.

 

I'm running NM as well. I was running Mach 5 and although it looked cool with the pretty low drop the ride was too much for me for a daily.

I also have Koni yellows.

 

do you have aftermarket lower control arms?

 

I do not.....yet.

 

Me neither . . yet

 

thanks guys, im thinking of doing the same so just trying to see what i need