I did not want to start a discussion on some one else's sales thread. But in reference to https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=56495 I thought JCW suspension was tuned to individual cars based on options. Woudln't buying someone else's JCW suspension defeat that purpose? Just a thought.

 

Yes, there are 4 different spring rates, and JCW chooses the spring rate based upon your VIN... from which they can determine the options on your MINI, therefore the vehicle weight.

So in effect, yes buying someone elses JCW suspension will possibly not be the "right" (according to JCW) spring rate for your vehicle weight.

 

Huh. I didn't realize that. Just one more reason I'm glad to be JCW all around.

So on a related note, is this a setting that can be changed by "us" or is it something where they have four different spring sets and they pick one of them? If it's changeable then I would imagine you could buy someone else's and have it set to the setting of your car - just find someone with a comperable options package to yours.

 

when i bought mine, i was asked my vin, so if i do remember correctly, it is the springs, not the shocks that is being tailored. Oh anyways, i sold my set. Funny enough, I wish we all pay attention to the spring rates when we buy aftermarket springs. I called couple of dealers today and told them about the situation, and they all said that it would not make any noticable difference putting the susp. kit on a different car. Thank you for the attention on this matter.

 

I'd be curious as to how much of an actual difference you'd really feel amongst those four settings.

 

Prolly Kenchan knows the answer, as always, i better not say anything more

 

The JCW folks will not release spring rate info.

If the spring rates differ based upon engineering and not marketing, they more than likely differ by 25-30in/lbs. Supporting my thinking; the dampers are identical. A larger spread in spring rate would require different damper valving.

And, in theory, the softest springs should be longer than the stiffer springs. Remember too that JCW say the springs drop the Mini by 10mm - the rates have to be very close to achieve this marketing number.

These two thoughts above make me believe the difference in rates is perhaps noticable to a machine and not the butt dyno.

I wouldn't have any trouble fitting any of the four rates to any car. I would prefer the stiffest spring be installed in the lightest car, however.

 

Would the car not be as low then?

 

If you are referring the the last statement, a stiffer spring will keep the car from bottoming. So, you can actually set the ride height lower with stiffer springs. This is all relative.

 

But, if youre talking about a suspension where you cannot adjust ride heights, and have two different springs that have the same height (stack height? how long the spring is) and different spring rates... one any given car the stiffer spring will result in a higher ride height. Same car weight, more pound / inch compression = less compression = higher ride height.

That's for a suspension where you cannot adjust the ride height in other ways.

 

Yup!

 

Thats what I was thinking.

 

So, I've just ordered an '06 MCS with minimal options to keep the weight down (defo no sunroof or S-Lites ).

I'm also contemplating swopping out the OEM X-Lites for a set of 15" forged wheels and Toyos which will shed around 44 lbs. I may also do the rear seat delete. If I keep the stock MCS suspension with a "significantly" lightened car, will the handling suffer in normal "spirited" daily driving (not talking track or auto-x here) ? Would I benefit from the JCW suspension I wonder?

 

I drive an 03/03 production mcs with stock suspension. I love the stock handling so I'll wait to get the jcw suspension when I've finished the life of the oe setup. I'll love the lower stance and enhanced handling every time I drive the car just like I do now but slightly sharper. JCW stuff, I love it.