So My 2009 Mini Cooper JCW R56 has 80K miles and i would like to refresh the struts,shocks and springs. My vehicle is equipped from the factory with sport suspension and delphi sport struts. i do not track my vehicle its a daily drive but I like spirited performance and feedback. I would like a set of struts and shocks that would give a controlled ride, good handling but not punishing . I was thinking of running the bilstein HDs and JCW springs from their kit. Has anyone gone this route? Would you keep the stock sport springs and then add the Bilsteins? I think the JCW springs only drop it by 10mm which is fine for me. Are there better struts and dampers that work with the JCW spring set? Please advise.

 

I have limited experience with suspensions, but I too am looking at refreshing and slightly improving my suspension. I have a R53 JCW and unlike you I bring the car to the track every year (5 or 6 times) and autocross regularly with out local motorsport club. The JCW is my-almost-daily driver from April to October as well, so I want a suspension that will handle better during performance driving but that will still give me a compliant ride while driving around town.


I have been looking at many options out there and I think I have finally decided on the way forward. I was originally thinking of going with coilovers but I've decided that I will be getting Koni yellows. They will allow me to dial in the level of rebound I need for the type of driving I'm doing. I'm going to pair the Konis with upgraded springs, either the Swift Spec-R Sport Lowering Springs or TSW Lowering Springs. Haven't decided yet.

 

JCW spring and Koni yellows. Some people like the Bilstein B6s.

 

Koni Yellow with Swift Springs!!

 

Yeah I just heard from another avid mini enthusiast that the Koni Sports go well with the JCW springs. I assume I'll have to call to place the order since you need my vehicle vin# and feature options. IS that correct?

 

I would just go with the Koni yellows if you are going to change springs as they have been better than any of the other shocks we have used and they are adjustable.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-y...5-r56-r57.html

But if you stick with the springs you have and don't lower it the Koni FSDs would be really great. These can't be used with lowering springs
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-f...5-r56-r57.html

 

If you want the JCW springs, yes. I just wanted to let you know that some JCW springs are NLA dependant on the model and options. MINI is cleaning house on some JCW stuff. If they are NLA we have other aftermarket options like swift, AST, etc...

 

So I called ECS this evening with the intention of ordering the JCW springs. The Sales associate Jeff was not sure how to handle the order being that there are a number of part no.s So he said that he would have to speak to a product specialist to determine what to order. So we will see what he comes up with tomorrow.