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I recently bought a slightly used 2024 JCW Clubman with the "sport suspension". I didn't configure the build or I might have selected the adaptive dynamic option. (my daughters clubman S has that and its soft enough to not be bumpy in non-sport mode). Around town I think the sport suspension is pretty great, but on the highway on roads with moderate consistent bumps it gets unsettled and bouncy. On a recent holiday visit trip I received a low enough wife approval factor rating that she actually blessed me changing the suspension.
So, The question I have is what are my options? I did look around a bit and the KW comfort v2 coilovers caught my eye. They offer a very small minimum drop (a tiny bit lower would be ok, .5" but I don't want to drop it much, i need clearance). The main thing I am looking for is comfort. I don't plan on tracking the car, it will just zip around normal streets (aggressively). Does anyone know how the spring rates compare on the KW comfort v2? How are the shocks compared to OEM? You can only adjust rebound, so I am curious how they have the compression setup on them.
I found someone discussing the kw comfort coils on a bmw 2 series describing the same bumpy problem and they said it fixes that issue, but its so hard to shop for this stuff without any numbers or specifications comparing things. So looking for any info I can find.
Also interested in any other options as long as it doesn't loose me suspension travel or much height.
If I don't get a lot of info I am fine to be a lab rat and test it out. I don't mind the price of the kw, but I want to do as much research beforehand so I am not wasting my time. I don't want to end up with something worse for street comfort.
Its not so much the springs rate as if it has adjustable dampening or not. The rear on the MINIs need to be dampened all the way out or near it on adjustable. So the front you click out half way on total click and the rear almost all the way. This creates a smoother then OEM ride and i would compare it to a small sedan. If you click it in then you can dial to the comfort you like. On the F54 and F60 systems they set higher then the F56 normally as the suspension is set up for ALL4 set up. The F54 and F60 normally have a smoother ride then the F56 if that makes sense. Also I believe the DDC/EDC on newer 2022+ MINIs is now built into the damper and not fully electronic with the wire on the struts so the PIN size on the strut might be the NON EDC/DDC. Check that top strut cap under the engine.
Most systems can go much lower then what they say if they have the extra threads.
Its not so much the springs rate as if it has adjustable dampening or not. The rear on the MINIs need to be dampened all the way out or near it on adjustable. So the front you click out half way on total click and the rear almost all the way. This creates a smoother then OEM ride and i would compare it to a small sedan. If you click it in then you can dial to the comfort you like. On the F54 and F60 systems they set higher then the F56 normally as the suspension is set up for ALL4 set up. The F54 and F60 normally have a smoother ride then the F56 if that makes sense. Also I believe the DDC/EDC on newer 2022+ MINIs is now built into the damper and not fully electronic with the wire on the struts so the PIN size on the strut might be the NON EDC/DDC. Check that top strut cap under the engine.
Most systems can go much lower then what they say if they have the extra threads.
Thanks for the reply. So in your opinion getting the KW comfort v2 would solve my issue and allow me to setup an comfortable/compliant ride? When you say "all the way out", do you mean all the way soft? Do you know if I have to worry about tire clearance or spacers for the front wheels? I currently have the stock 18" pictured.
I don't have the EDC/DDC on my F54. just "sport suspension". So I assume I would just get the non EDC/DDC version of the kit? I wouldn't want to lower it much at all, to maintain clearance and shock travel. I am looking for very small lowering/drop but with best possible ride quality, but also not totally ruining the mini sporty ride. The main thing I can't have is bouncing and shaking the wife in her seat on a road trip to the point of making occupants car sick.
Yes should be NON DDC/EDC and the factory dampers are tighter with a tighter spring rates slightly. But MINI like to change things now all the time. LOL
On some systems it will be noted or include spacers. Its the perch design per kit and if needed they note or include them.
The factory tire make a huge difference on ride also, runflats are know to be hard and change the ride considerably
Most colovers will not have a bouncy ride if clicked out. Ebay and noName brand will as the dampers are not that good. All the ones we carry are good.
If the ride is too soft just click it in 5 or so clicks on the back and you are good. I have had multiple coilovers (high end and basic) on both my MINIs and have tested this theory and it works even on convertibles/coupes. Your car should have even a better, easier ride to dial in to what you need.
What you will find is most coilovers in this set up are far better in ride (control and comfort) then any MINI factory shock/strut combo.
Yes should be NON DDC/EDC and the factory dampers are tighter with a tighter spring rates slightly. But MINI like to change things now all the time. LOL
On some systems it will be noted or include spacers. Its the perch design per kit and if needed they note or include them.
The factory tire make a huge difference on ride also, runflats are know to be hard and change the ride considerably
Most colovers will not have a bouncy ride if clicked out. Ebay and noName brand will as the dampers are not that good. All the ones we carry are good.
If the ride is too soft just click it in 5 or so clicks on the back and you are good. I have had multiple coilovers (high end and basic) on both my MINIs and have tested this theory and it works even on convertibles/coupes. Your car should have even a better, easier ride to dial in to what you need.
What you will find is most coilovers in this set up are far better in ride (control and comfort) then any MINI factory shock/strut combo.
Awesome. That sounds great. I will probably pull the trigger on this fairly soon. The engineer in me wants to take some measurements on a set of roads at specific speeds in both my 24' JCW Clubman and my daugthers 19' Cooper S clubman with DDC/EDC in both modes and then take the same data on the KW comforts later. I'd like to be able to share actual data with the community if possible. (I am wondering about securely mounting my phone to the car in the front and then rear and recording the accelerometer data via an app like "physics toolbox sensor suite".
Thanks again for your help. I will definitely be purchasing a bunch of parts and toys from ECS.
BTW, when I click on the link you gave me I don't see the v2 comfort kw coilovers. And actually, I can't even select a 2024 F54 from your vehicle selector. I would imagine not having the parts compatibility and listings correct will cost a lot of business. Just that bit of confidence of knowing a part will work for a vehicle is important and will likely cost you sales in terms of a sales funnel. People will do a search or browse and not find something or not know if its compatible with a newer year and just bail from the site.
After doing more reading and research on these options, as well as going back and forth with someone from KW, I decided to get the KW V3 kit. Primary reasons being I will have more ability to tune the suspension, via compression and rebound and also it is possible to adjust rear compression and rebound without removing the rear shock.
The KW rep said that it should be possible to get a more composed and mini like ride with the v3 than with the comfort v2. They said the comfort v2 has soft springs and soft compression. It very well could be great, but in the end I decided to try v3.
From a height perspective (I am not trying to lower it any more than I have to) I think it might only be ~.5" lower because my JCW on sport suspension is at least .5" lower than my daughters 2019 F54 with adaptive suspension. I don't know what they based their numbers on, but they state 1.2" front and 1.0" rear as minimum drop. That wouldn't be too bad, but I am hoping it ends up less than that since I am coming from an already lower setup than normal suspension and adaptive suspension options. (their site/data doesn't seem to account for which suspension, just that its an F54, they don't even account for all4 vs fwd. or clubman vs countryman... so who knows what it will be...)
Yep, more adjustment. Its the Non EDC/DDC vs the EDC/DDC :: EDC/DDC has a larger rear pin size for the shock. Thats the main rod that goes to the sock mount bushing.
Updated the site, watch for each version as their is an EDC/DDC version and not of each level. To confirm EDC/DDC look at the front strut mount/cap, if their is a wire coming out from the cap/rubber boot its EDC/DDC
@ECSTuning Would you be able to provide me part numbers/listings for the OEM parts I would need for the KW kit? I'd like to avoid disassembling the stock shocks so they can just be left as backups in case I need to service the kws or some other scenario.
KW sent me this list of parts required.
-Factory Top mounts front and rear
-Top of the Dust Cover
-Original Spring Support
Of course, take your time. It will take awhile to get everything and then i'll have to find time to install it.. plenty of time.
Thanks again for the help!
It's been crazy cold here, so no rush, but just wanted to check in with you on the suspension refresh kits. I even picked up a new passthrough wrench set for struts. I am hoping for OEM/OE parts if possible on those top mounts.
Thanks. So I see the kit ES#4753160 with the top mounts and all sorts of bolts. Do I need to replace all the bolts or can I just do the top mounts? Do I also need something else for the "Top of the Dust Cover" and "Original Spring Support" I was planning on not disassembling the original shock assemblies. Does it come with those paper gaskets for the top mounts?
I haven't looked to see exactly what is there from factory yet. So still trying to learn what I need.
What you see it what it comes with, paper gasket is not need on the F54 and F60 anymore. They update the part and states to not use it going forward with new mounts. We include the hardware needed per kit.
Some people do the dust and rubber, but not much on the F56+ platform. Also if you are going coilovers the rubber boot and rubber bottom is not needed as its replaced
For the rear,
I guess I can easily reuse the plastic thing, 13.
The gasket, 11 I hope comes with the top mount.
I am wondering about #4, The KW V3 has little rubber things on the top of the rear struts, so maybe don't need that, it also has the bump stop foam thing already.
I guess the spring support, 7, is easily reused.
For the front
I probably need the top of the boot, 3
and I assume it comes with the gasket 7
What you see it what it comes with, paper gasket is not need on the F54 and F60 anymore. They update the part and states to not use it going forward with new mounts. We include the hardware needed per kit.
Some people do the dust and rubber, but not much on the F56+ platform. Also if you are going coilovers the rubber boot and rubber bottom is not needed as its replaced
I see. It is ok to have metal spring directly on the top mount? The instructions state to cut the top off of the top dust boot in front.
edit: it looks like there is rubber on the top mount, so that doesn't seem needed afterall. must be generic instructions from KW.
Last edited by OtterClubman; Jan 25, 2024 at 11:35 AM.
Yep, when going to coilovers it takes most of that stuff out of the equation. #7 and #11 looks like they dont use anymore with new mounts. The hardware is the critical part as some are TTY.
So, to conclude the thread. I highly recommend the KW V3 coilovers. They completely solve the bumpy unsettled highway ride issue. I did some testing at the recommended default settings Front: rebound 9 clicks open from hard. Bump 7 clicks. Rear: rebound 9 clicks open, bump 6 clicks.
The car just doesn't bounce any more, it stays composed, planted. It honestly feels as compliant as the normal/mid mode of the adaptive suspension, but actually even better... it is more dampened. The front springs are progressive, but overall the springs feel softer to me, with just much more high quality control over the damping. I didn't swap rear sway bars yet because I want to get a feel for it and just see how it does. I am not really going for a hard track car kinda feel, I want it to be optimized for aggressive road use in Iowa of all places.. so it needs to handle some occasional rough roads.
I was really nervous that doing all of this wouldn't be a huge change or could even make it worse, but I am super happy with it. I also get a little bit of a drop which makes the car look way better. I plan to let it settle a little and then get it aligned and then I may slowly test some other compression/rebound settings over time. Happy I didn't go with the V1/V2 options though because with this I can easily change the settings without undoing the rear struts (and the v1s have no adjustments).
Also put it on new wheels... 19x8.5" O.Z.Superturismo EVOLUZIONE ET44 offset. Coilovers gave a 1 1/8" drop in the front, 1" drop rear. 245/35R19 michelin pilot sport 4s. No rub, plenty of room actually. Weather has been crappy so I don't have great pictures yet.
Couple of the photos are from before I finished, don't worry, i didn't forget to put it all back together.. lol.
2024 JCW suspension issue - low wife approval
