I'm sorry, I still haven't posted a picture of my car. I'll do that here since I have it on my computer now. (Note, I re-screenshotted this from the Instagram post I made when I bought it, that's why there's a caption)


One of the problems it had when I bought it was a leaking front damper, however judging by the way the front end floats and bounces over bumps, neither corner is great.

In looking for replacements, one problem I've had is that parts vendor databases have no idea what to do with this car. Mini Mania doesn't even allow you to search for parts for a 2013 JCW, the closest you can get is a 2012 Cooper S. Autozone lists a ton of options, but when you actually look at the descriptions you find that a lot of them are actually for a base or S, and the ones that are for a JCW often specify with or without a Sports Package. This is delaying my purchase as I now have no idea whether a JCW is supposed to come with stiffer shocks than other Coopers or not, and given that the front already feels underdamped, I don't want even softer ones made for a base or S model.

Currently my shortlist is Bilstein B4, Blistein B6, and Koni Sport Struts. The Konis would be my first choice in a vacuum because they are adjustable, but they are also very expensive for a full set (would like to do both front and rear). B4 is the cheapest by far, which is very attractive because I don't know how long I'll be keeping this car but would still like to make some other improvements like camber plates, but I need to know how they stack up to the stock dampers. Comes in two variants, one for standard suspension and one for sport suspension. B6 is closer to the Konis in cost but not adjustable as far as I can tell; would again have to know how they compare to stock.

These will be used with stock springs, and based on other threads I've read, I feel like I should include that my springs (at least on the front) are painted black.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Nice car!

All R56 will have interchangeable struts. If I were in your position, I would get the Bilstein B6 and the installation kit from ECS. The B6 will pair nicely with the OEM springs. I personally have a thing against Koni. Even though the yellow shocks are adjustable, they need time to get adjusted in. And once they are adjusted to your liking (if at all) you’ll never touch them again. So why pay more for that. The B6 will install and be great right out of the box.

 

I figured they were all physically interchangeable, I was thinking more in terms of settings. Unless they are literally all the same strut with the same valving & stiffness, in which case, no wonder the JCW feels underdamped.

EDIT: I just realized the ones on Mini Mania are B6 HD and significantly more expensive than the ones found at Autozone etc., are they set up differently?

FURTHER EDIT: I found the B6 HD ones on ECS Tuning and the part numbers are the same as "regular" B6 at autozone so it does look like they are indeed the same, and AZ can get them here quickly. (Or not because the only one they can even order is the right front for some reason)

Which installation kit would you recommend, and would it be more efficient to install front camber plates at the same time?

 

The B6 are considered a “Heavy Duty” (HD) option because of their damping profile.

I have no problem ordering from Autozone, just triple check the part numbers before ordering and when you get them. I’ve heard of them getting confused and sending out Countryman suspension parts.

ECS has assembled a nice shock installation kit with heavy duty front mounts:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...1306772749kt4/
Their kit is nice in that it includes all the bolts and nuts that you’ll need.

If you want a front camber kit for use with OEM parts, I would suggest this one:
https://www.iemotorsport.com/product...6-r57-r58-r59/
The use of OEM rubber mounts means no harshness that would come from bearing style mounts. You can also gain about -1/2° on each side by removing the plastic locating pin on the stock mounts. Removing the locating pin and pushing the mounts will net you about -1° on each side. That, matched with the IE camber mounts, will get you in the -2° range on each side. Set the rear to match, and you’ll have a great handling Mini.

 

I ended up having to order from ECS anyway, like I said Autozone only had one corner for some reason.

I'll have to look it up but removing the locating pin sounds sketch unless you can put it back in at the new setting. How does it then stay in place?

Since I've already gone inverted once due to losing the back end on a bumpy road, I do have to ask, is adding extra camber on both ends going to make the car twitchier or the opposite? (Mainly trying to solve the bump torque steer where when I go over a bump or dip on throttle it wants to turn even more in whichever direction I'm already turning)

 

The locating pin on the strut mounts just help line things up until you can torque the mounting bolts. Once the mounting bolts are tight, it’s not moving. Once you get in there, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Unfortunately, not much you can do about the bump steer. The new dampers will help, but it will still be there. Balanced camber front and rear will help keep the car in control in the corners and make the car hold better when turning. Too much toe out will make the car twitchier. Make sure you get a good alignment when you’re all done.

 

Is there an alternative or equivalent somewhere else? My ECS order has been delayed due to the dust sealing gaskets being on back order, and now has a projected shipping date of August 20th

 

If you click the link, at the bottom it lists out the “Kit Contents”. Follow each of those links to get the part numbers, and then you can buy from your favorite parts store. The advantage to the kit is its simplicity and packaged price.

 

I'll definitely be ordering this kit.....

 

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I agree 100 % witheverything njaremka said.
Bilstein B6 with IE fixed camber plates along with stock springs. ECS is reliable source.

On a side note, both standard and so-called (factory) sport suspensions springs are black in color. Only the dealer fitted (aftermarket) so-called JCW sport supension springs are red colored. You might consider them, slightly stiffer and perfect at ~15 mm lower, but $$$$$.
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