I have a 2006 Factory JCW with the Sports Plus Suspension. I was planning on upgrading to the JCW Suspension- Springs and Shucks. That said, does anyone have opinion of JCW shocks compared to say the B8's? I am not considering lowering it anymore than the 10mm that the JCW springs indicate.

Thoughts?

 

I'm running the B8s, despite having also ordered the Sport Suspension on my 2018 Works hardtop. The OEM shocks are in storage.

But so what?

I've never dyno'd either shock, don't know what the qualities of the OEM shock are.
Since I do autocross, and knew I'd be adding a 25mm rear bar, and do not appreciate a soft chassis, I adopted the Bilsteins almost on reflex.

Not too scientific, huh.

Do they work? Oh heck yes.
Are they stiff? Damn right!
Are they digressive? So they say, but I don't have their dyno data either.
Are they better than the OEM? I really could not say - depends on what we mean by "better".

Got smooth roads where you go? Going racing?

Cheers,

Charlie

 

If it helps with the decision, the JCW shocks and springs for your 2006 are no longer available. If you are lucky enough to find a set, they will be used. So the comparison becomes old/used suspension vs something new. I do have the JCW suspension in my 2006 JCW and they are just okay.

Depends what you are after. Coilovers are better and offer more ability to adjust height and comfort. B8 or B12 are supposed to be an improvement from OEM and are a good alternative.

 

Thanks for the replies. I had the idea to keep it essentially "stock" since I am not racing. But I like driving spirited in the twisty roads here in NC. Agreed, the parts not being made does help with the decision.

 

I am sort of with you on this too!
I have more miles that my suspension is happy with, but
I will most likely go with coil overs in the long run.I really wanted to keep it all stock, but I guess this will need to be done, now that parts NLA.
(It still handles well, but I can tell the shocks are getting weak!

 

If you are not going to lower it go with the Koni FSDs as they ride great and still perform. Also have a lifetime warranty, I've installed more of these than I can count and always have happy customers.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-s...0-r52-r53.html
If you do want to do a little lowering we have our TSW springs, that you can match with a set of Koni yellows or Orange and these combos still ride great, but up the performance as the springs will out perform the stock with their linear rate setup.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-mi...e-springs.html
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-s...0-r52-r53.html
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-y...rt-shocks.html

We offer the Bilsteins, but had customers not like the ride, and Bilstein always seems to be out of parts
https://www.waymotorworks.com/bilste...0-r52-r53.html

 

I refreshed my 06 JCW suspension this spring with Koni Yellows and Swift Spec R springs. I went that way since I wanted some adjustability (the Yellows allow to dial set rebound stiffness) with a slightly stiffer spring than JCW OEM red springs. Very happy with the setup.

 

I also had the sports suspension plus on my 06 JCW. I replaced all 4 corners with the Koni reds. I think it has improved the ride with less jaring. Part of the effect could be from replacing 13 year old shocks with 75,000 miles on them. None the less it was a noticeable improvement. Adding an Alta 22mm rear bar was done at the same time but that contributes differently. Not so much with the straight line performance as it does cornering.

 

With the Koni Yellows and Swift Spec R springs, How much did the Swift Spec R springs lower your car more than the JCW springs?

 

Yes. That is my situation also. I believe the shocks are originals. I am the second owner but original thought they were replaced but had no record so I am assuming they were not. With the larger 22mm RSB are you tracking your car?

 

Not much. Maybe half to three quarter's of an inch? The JCW Springs are shorter than the normal OEM springs so the loweing caused by the Swifts is minimal.

Here is a recent photo:



Please note that the car is sitting a little low in the rear due to being loaded with some gear and attached to the trailer.

 

I have not but I have considered SCCA autocross. My son did autocross in his Miata and said he learned a lot.

 

Thanks. The TSW springs is interesting. I am trying to get this done before MOTD in April In another post you had mentioned getting new rear lower control arms if lowering. I noticed both 2 or 4 on your website, Do you have a recommendation?

 

I’m sure Way will chime in, but if you go with the TSW springs you won’t need the adjustable rear control arms. Those have a modest 20mm drop in the rear. Your 2006 R53 has some rear camber adjustment available from the factory and will work fine with that drop.

 

That is such a cool "get my gear to the track" set up. Love it....and may steal that idea next season! Question - how did you hitch up to the trailer? No ball hitch available on R53's due to the centre exhausts....or am I missing something?

 

Here's the original thread announcing the swift spec R springs: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...g-springs.html
Can't tell you relative to JCW springs but from stock, the Swifts do lower approx. 1 inch. With the KONI Yellows, they're a great combination.

 

We have the springs in stock for the R53 and ready to ship so getting it done is no problem.

For rear control arms we recommend just the 2pc set you need them no matter how little or much you lower the car as the MINI already as a lot of rear camber just being able to adjust it and get it right will save you tire wear. So when you lower, it needs to be adjusted more to save those tires.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...ber-links.html

 

I got this one (but for my R52 S.)

https://new.minimania.com/part/NMX61...-Back-Up-Light