Hi everyone, I posted this question over in the JCW garage, but it's possible I may get some more opinions if I open it to the larger R56 group. I'm currently waiting the production and arrival of a 2012 JCW Hardtop, and as I get the options get finalized, I have a question that I was hoping some of you could help me get a definitive answer on.

Standard suspension vs Sport suspension:

1. For a daily driver and a good mix of smooth and terrible roads, is the sport suspension a MUST have option? I've done as much research as I possibly can and it seems like there are quite a few opinions on this. For example, the website motoringfile.com seems to think that sports suspension is essential, while others on forums/boards seem to think the standard suspension is just fine. I'll be coming from a few Porsches so I'm used to very stiff suspension. At the same time, reviews of JCW cars often berate the suspension as being borderline unbearable (can't tell if these reviews are with standard, sport, or JCW sport suspension). Any opinions you guys can offer on the matter would be very helpful.

2. Does the sport suspension (not the JCW sport suspension) lower the car in ANY amount over the standard suspension? I love the aerokit but commonly deal with steep driveways—I will be okay with the standard suspension (I think), but don't want to risk a lower ride height if I can help it.

Thanks in advance, and I'm really excited to join the JCW fold.

(Moderators, I apologize for the double threads—I hope it's okay to post the same topic in two different sub-forums, but if not, let me know and we can delete one of them.)

 

Porsche guy here (09 turbo cab), with '08 MCS ordered w/sport suspension, mostly street use. It's tight, it's fun, it causes major sphincter pucker the first few days while you get the hang of it. The run flat crap tires are probably the culprit more than the suspension, so avoid runflats if you can, and you should be just fine.

Yes, it can rattle fillings out, but I've driven worse. Not sure I'd really want the non sport suspension. Did you drive both? That's really the only way to know for sure what you would feel most comfortable in.

 

+1 on the fillings!

That being said, I still think the sport suspension is the right choice if you are into a bit of spirited driving here and there, and the RF tires are likely a large part of the problem.
I am still mixed on getting rid of them when they are worn out due the safety factor - the goo cans just don't inspire confidence... I still have a year or 2 before I have to decide on that.
Enjoy the JCW!
E

 

We've got the sport suspension in both our MINIs, I like it. Having said that when I have driven a MINI which probably doesn't have it (loaner etc), I haven't noticed that much difference.

 

Welcome, Chulander!

I have the JCW suspension on my 2012 MCS, and it is very firm, but I also suspect that the runflat tires are as much to blame. I can't wait to get rid of them! That said, I think the JCW suspension is amazing. Love it!

Also, to your other question, it does lower the car about 1/2" or so. Not a huge amount, but it does help with the awful stock wheel-gap. Here is a pic to give you a bit of an idea. If you have any other questions, shout!
Jon

 

I have the sport suspension, and its awesome at speed and on a smooth road. It does outhandle the regular suspension when on the limit, at 7/10's its the same as the regular suspension. The harsh effect of the runflats are felt more, and this can get annoying. If I were to order again, I would pony up for the JCW suspension, however I have never driven with it. By word of mouth it seems to be a good bet and lowers the car just a bit.

 

Ok, I'll be the contrary... No. It's a joke. The same crappy shock valving, and not enough spring rate.


Save your money and buy some Koni or Bilstein sport shocks, and TSW springs. Add a 19mm H sport rear bar and call it a day.

 

I will agree with Richardsperry. My feeling is if you want to have height adjustability put a set of coilovers on. If you don't need the adjustability then go with a good set of springs and shocks, I have used both Koni and Bilstein, I like the Koni's better because you can adjust the preload which is a very nice feature. I personally wouldn't choose a non-sport suspension model, because I think resale value when I go to sell, sport will most likely have a higher value and probably attract more buyers. Just my 2 cents.

 

Don't mean to thread jack, but this question may be helpful to the OP if he wants to upgrade:

Anyone have eperience with a coilover unit where the threads stand up to the salt/sand/grit that my New England roads are covered with? I would like to go with coilovers but have seen some shock bodies deteriorate too quickly.

 

Add me to the P-car camp as well. (Old 911, older 914s.)

I have a '12 Justa with the sport suspension and the base non-runflat tires. I do not feel that the sport option is an absolute necessity, the base version suspension still grips the road pretty well. I do still have all of my fillings, even driving on some of the worse roads we have in the SF Bay Area (up in the Santa Cruz mountains).

The ride is better than the lowered CRX I used to drive (with middle-of-the-road spring rates and slightly-harder-than-stock shock valving). It is not as responsive nor communicative as the Porsches, and is about as comfortable as the stock 82 911 on most roads.

If you can, try the car both ways and see. And do so without the run-flats if you can.

 

I appreciate all the responses. I might have been too vague in the original post, but I don't have any plans (at the moment) to get a coilover or adjustable setup. As this will be my first Mini, I want to stay with stock suspension options for a while to get a good feel for the car's habits and capabilities. If I decide a more aggressive suspension setup is necessary later then I'll approach that as it comes.

I mostly wanted to get opinions specifically on the sport suspension option—is the improved roll/torque steer worth the stiffer ride? And whether it would lower the car by any margin (I'd likely need the ride-height to stay stock with the aero kit.)

But I will try to stop by the dealer as soon as I can to test out both (I think I only drove the standard one last time).

Eric, it's good to hear from you! I bought a set of plugs from you for my 911. Such an awesome product.

 

With all due respect, Richard, do you like anything? I can imagine you winning a jackpot in Vegas and finding a way to b!tch about it.

You are entitled to your opinion, but to state that it's a joke is, in itself, a joke. The truth is that the JCW suspension is great, and is a nice option for those people who want good performance with VIN-matched springs, full warranty, and to keep their car within the JCW family. Perhaps it's not up to your lofty formula 1 driving skills, but for all but .01% of the posters on this forum, it is great.

Again, I respect your right to an opinion, but I'm waiting for the day that I see a Richardsperry post that doesn't play the contrarian...

 

Just reading you say it's great make me disregard what you say. I guess if harsh and non compliant are great, then yea...


There are lots of things I like. The stock and sport suspension are not them.
as I said above, they don't have enough spring rate, and the valving is wrong. Save the $500 and get much better aftermarket parts later.

F1? Nah, I'm good, but not that good. Just 10 years of SCCA national comp, along with 15 years of race engineering in IMSA back in the day.