Anyone else find that their JCW Sport Suspension has dropped more than inch since the initial drop of the advertised of 10mm since installation ?

 

The JCW suspension on my GP is about the same height as originally with 66,500 miles. I did replace the front top strut mounts with adjustable camber plates.

Has the front, rear, or both ends dropped? If just the front, you might want to inspect the rubber top strut mounts to make sure they are not ripping/tearing.

 

Both front and rear have dropped over an inch equally....sorta perplexing.

The mounts are original. The set up has also lost some of it's stiffness in the corners and over bumps it feels more like a R53 sport suspension, bit less forging and more harshness.

JCW springs were just replaced hoping that was the cure, but after a very short period has dropped back to over 1" drop.

 

I remember when the shocks were starting to wear-out on my 03 MCS, the shocks seemed to get stiffer (added harshness) but that still does not explain your suspension drop.

 

Yeah that is my quandry.

As far as I know, these springs are made by Eibach....and their springs have about as much drop as I have now....

And we initially thought the springs would have more to do with the ride height. But since these are gas pressurized struts ( Bilsteins ) was wondering if maybe the pressure in the struts actually bring the cars ride height up some.

This can be seen after a MINI has been up on a lift in the shop. Then takes a bit for the valving and gas pressures to settle into normal ride height.

Only in my case, they are settling a bit too much. Had to shave off the bottom of my Aero bumper lip this summer......

 

When I put the FSDs in my car, keeping the sport springs, the car sits higher. I did add IE fixed plates, but to me, the height seems higher than just that. I never thought of shocks as having an effect on ride height, but I'm not so sure now.

I guess what I am saying is maybe the shocks have something to do with it.

 

You are right about how the car does not return to a normal ride height after being jacked up and then lowered back down. I never really thought about it much but it does take some shock cycles to get the car back down to a normal level so there probably is some validity to the shocks actually holding up the car a little (which should be the job of the springs). You might be on the right track with the thought that the shocks have lost some pressure and let the car sink a little.

 

This is what I have found so far but would love to confirm here:


"In my experience, fresh gas charged inserts will raise the ride height by 10-15mm over non-gas, or gas-charged inserts that have lost their charge...."


Forum here on gas charged struts

 

gRay rAvEn
My GP also is the same height as original. I only have 19,000 miles on it and in the winter it is off the road and up on jack stands with the wheels removed to relieve the weight from the suspension.
Just a quick question. Are you sure that the JCW struts and shocks are made by Bilstein?
Thanks, Steve


[quote=-=gRay rAvEn=-;3286356]Yeah that is my quandry.

And we initially thought the springs would have more to do with the ride height. But since these are gas pressurized struts ( Bilsteins ) was wondering if maybe the pressure in the struts actually bring the cars ride height up some.

 

Thanks Guys

Yeah when MINI came out with the kit, they advertised it as having the springs specially made by Eibach and struts by Bilstein....but who knows.

At this point I guess I should be looking into adjustable CO's.