I am looking to order a 2013 MCS and I wanted to know what some of you think about some of the options. Is the "Sport Suspension" worth the $500? I am really thinking on this car of not doing alot of Mods. I have had a WRX that I did alot to like Coilovers. Does the Sport Suspension really make a difference or not really?
Also looking at the "Sport Package" with adding the "Black Headlight Housings" any option on that?
I was thinking about getting a new WRX but the wait is to long and they want MSRP in my area and with bad MPG, just has me looking at the MCS. Just got a countryman for my wife and its very nice. Hopefully will be ordering a MCS this weekend.

 

Also wanted to know if the "Sport Suspension" lowered the ride height of the car any?

 

You'll find threads on here that discuss sport suspension vs. not, and sport suspension vs. aftermarket, pretty exhaustively.

I bought my 2012 MCS in March, with Sport Suspension, and I definitely think it's worth $500. It's springs, shocks, and swaybars all for $500 installed, and driving a MCS with / without back-to-back it's very noticeable. You can't do better than that, *installed*, on the aftermarket. I don't find it too harsh for the roads I use around here, others have had different experiences / opinions / expectations.

*If* you do your own mod wrenching, then...it can get a bit more interesting, as you can have the "put the $500 towards better/different aftermarket choices" discussion. A bigger rear bar at $200'sh, someone's aftermarket springs at $200'sh also, then a set of shocks perhaps. More than $500, but you'd be specifying exactly what you desired (more rear rotation is the usual aim). Or coilovers versus springs/shocks, etc., also discussed lots here previously.

Sport Suspension doesn't lower the car, at least not on my 2012.

 

I have then Sports Suspension on my 2012 MCS. It is a great improvement over the '07 MCS that I had without it. I have found it to be competent for track days and autocross with my only mod being a set of wheels with a 38mm offset.

 

Also get the optional traction control (DTC I think it is call). It has electronic limited slip that is well worth the money.

 

Do the shocks have adjustable dampening? I figure it does not but wanted to findout. Is SS kit the same for the MCS and the JCW?

 

While it would be nice, it doesn't have adjustable shocks, they are just a bit stiffer than the stock shocks. Basically the SS is the same for the two models.

 

Go for the SS and get yourself a JCW strut brace. It's worth it! Don't forget to get the xenon lights w/black headlight housings

 

I have not seen any with the Black Headlights. Does it look really good? I am looking at the White Silver color, Black Roof, Black Racing Strips, and Black 17" Wheels. I think the Black headlights would look nice just something I have not seen. I love the JCW just don't know about the jump in price. I have a long drive from work to home about 80 miles a day, so the MPG I need.

 

No end-user adjustment on the shocks in either case.

According to my reading, the springs have slightly different ratings from the MC to the MCS, and possibly from the MCS to the JCW, even if all are using the sport suspension option.

Note that the JCW Sport Suspension is a separate dealer-installed option. It is somewhat more expensive than $500 (labor rates vary) but uses different springs, anti-roll bars (AKA sway bars) and possibly shocks as well. Since it replaces the parts that would be installed with the "regular" sport suspension, you wouldn't get that one if you were getting the JCW upgraded one.

...I hope that makes sense!