I have an '07 S with the hyper-sport package (which includes some kind of upgraded suspension).

How to these two compare...?

I'm looking to upgrade my suspension, and I want two things out of a suspension upgrade, better handling, and a lower ride (maybe about an inch or so).

Given that I already have the sport/hypersport (or whatever it is) suspension, will a JCW suspension upgrade achieve my goals, or will it not make any significant difference compared to my current setup?

Thanks!

 

Wow, 51 views and no one knows?

Anyone... help?

 

Not sure specifically how different they are, but the shocks are different, sway bars, and springs if you get the JCW ones.

 

That kit comes with the sport suspension. No comparison between the JCW Suspension it is night and day. Lower springs stiffer rates, Struts are matched to the springs, and both sway bars are larger. The difference between the stock suspension and the sport that you have is a little different but the difference between sport and JCW is much greater. I owned the stock suspension and JCW and my friend has the sport so I have a lot of comparative experience. I have also been on a ride along in a car with JIC Cross Suspension with the car dialed in with negative camber and that is by far the best suspension for a MINI but the JCW rides very smooth and makes the car feel very tight and well balanced.

 

So in your opinion, its worth the $1295 and installation?

 

$985+shipping from Morristown Mini

if at all possible you should try to find a car with JCW or CROSS and ride in it to see what you think. It would be really disappointing to shell out that kind of cash only to feel like it only took you half way to where you want to go.

I also have the sport suspension and have been totally unhappy with it. What a waste of $500. I tried lowering springs but I just didn't think that ride quality was for me. The 22mm rear sway bar I have made quite a difference.

I'm having the struts and springs from the JCW kit installed Friday. I'll let you know what I think.

 

FugitiveAI: Hey...I just noticed you are fairly local to me. How much was shipping from NJ? And who is doing your install?

 

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...egoryID=126740

^^Morristown has some of the lowest prices I've seen

 

It appears the price went up about $50.... still a good deal though. I think Im going to take the plunge and get it too.

 

I drove a JCW and for me as a daily driver, the ride was a little stiffer than what I would like.

I had the sport suspension so I settled on a happy medium which worked perfect for me in the end.

I didn't change struts but I did add the JCW springs. It lowered the car almost enough from an aesthetic point (.4", I think an inch would have been better looks-wise)

but more importantly, the handling improved. For the few track days I do a year and spirited driving, it works perfect.

I think if you go to the track on a weekly or biweekly basis, this setup may not be enough for you and the complete suspension upgrade will probably work better.

I'll only do perhaps half a dozen track days a year so this setup works perfect for me.

Just a suggestion.


Mark

 

I believe that the $985 price is without the springs.

There is a night and day difference between the factory Sport suspension and the JCW suspension. I made the change and am glad I did. The JCW suspension is what the Sport suspension should have been.

Just my .02.....

 

It includes springs if you order it on the web for that price but its $1036 now...

I agree. I have absolutely nothing nice to say about the Factory Sport Suspension... the least unkind thing I can say is it was a total waste of $500... which led to wasting even more money trying to get a decent suspension solution.

But the end result for me, the JCW shocks and springs and 22mm Alta Rear Sway Bar is quite the combo =)

 

I think shipping was $65-ish. I ordered the JCW strut bar and shift **** at the same time and the total ended up being $73

BRR Performance in Los Gatos did the install (along with all the poly bushing upgrades, new tires, and alignment). I can't recommend a more fantastic shop. None exist. These guys did a big install for me in one day, stayed late to keep their promise, and kept me updated along the way, followed up after I left, and discussed all the options to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted out of it. They also have the best labor rates and will try to give the best price on parts they supply as well. The have a MINI they race, so they're very experienced with our cars. If you do call, ask for Bruce and tell him Kevin K. referred you.

Best Wishes!

 

JCW springs with Koni yellow adjustables works well for the R53. You can crank them up a notch for the track, then detune for daily driving.

 

Really? I like the sport suspension. (I guess in comparison to the stock suspension)

When I went to Roebling Rd in GA, the difference between my car and the fastest car in the pack (a factory JCW) was less than 6 seconds in a lap. (I didn't have the JCW stage I kit at the time)

I thought the car handled phenomonal for a stock car.... sport suspension with runcraps....

Obviously it's no comparison to a well setup race car but to be able to take a daily driver from the street to the track and drive it home, I was thoroughly impressed.

Mark

 

Thank Kev...I wish I was a little closer though.

 

Where are you at? There were also highly recommended shops north and south of here... Edge Motorworks in East Bay and another shop I can get the name of in the Monterey area

 

I got a call into Gordon and Erik at Edge...they used to service my old E36 M3.

 

Congrats on keeping up with a factory JCW, you are a good driver

I just wanted more than the sport suspension offered and regret paying for it. It's totally a personal preference thing and I didn't mean to knock your choice and imply there is anything wrong with it. The MINI's are just amazing. I love how competitive I can be with this little car up against high performance sports cars. This little machine really rocks!

 

You already have the sport suspension with the Hyper pkg.
If you want better handling the JCW is tops, match with H&R springs which is what I run on my MCs JCW Stage1, and carves like a knife, I never really notice the difference even after countless test drives of MCs with stock suspension, but where I made a big observation was when I got the JCW factory with sport suspension and Eibach springs....at first I though wow great! it does feel better just because it felt like, well...cushy, but now after almost a month of driving the JCW factory MINI with sport suspension and Eibach springs.....I can't wait to get the JCW struts on the newer MINI and have my flat cornering and direct response to steering back!
It will be a trade off and may miss the cushy ride of the sports BUT! for me is all about the performance.

Sport suspension is great but JCW is TOPS!

If you like about an inch drop, get the JCW springs they match your set up just right it is a little pricey but worth it.

H&R springs lowers the MINI the most
Eibach are softer than H&R's and does not give you the H&R stance
JCW springs lowers the MINI 1" - perfect match stut/springs.

I hope this helps.

 

I understand completely, if you are looking for more, then you're right, it's really a waste to pay the extra 500 bucks to upgrade to a sport suspension only to remove it all and install you own parts.

Tis cool, I didn't take it as an insult. I was just a little surprised. However, as I said, if you're looking for more, it definitely makes sense. Fortunately for us mini drivers, there's as many choices for suspensions as there are colors for minis.


COMPLETELY agree.... I've had many different performance cars and though the mini may not excel at any one thing. (eg. not the fastest, not the best handling, blah, blah, blah) It's definitely GREAT at everything... I've embarassed many so-called "sportscars" in the twisties.

I LOVE MY MINI.....


Mark

 

Just for the record, I went back and reread my post. I wanted to make sure I was clear on my use of numbers. I typed .06 seconds.

I meant that as in 6 seconds...


I didn't mean to make it sound like I'm better than I am...lol, just wanted to clarify.

I'm sure I could have done better but I was running the AC the entire time and I'll bet I could have closed that gap by turning off the AC... lol.

Now that I've got the Stage I kit, I'm sure it'll be closer.

Mark

 

Just to add my 2 cents; I have the JCW suspension and am happy with it. I ordered my car with the standard MCS suspension since I knew I would be upgrading; so I don't have a basis for comparison with the factory sport suspension. My original upgrade was the JCW suspension with Mach V sport springs; which lowered the car more than I liked. (For some reason that I have yet to understand the Mach V springs lowered my car more than others with the same spring modification). I changed out the springs to the JCW springs that I should have installed in the first place and am very pleased with the result. It may not be lowered quite as much as I would idealy like but the car handles great, and the ride quite honestly is not much stiffer than the base suspension. My lesson learned here is that there is definately some value (for me anyway) in going with a suspension upgrade that was engineered as a package by the people that know the car best (JCW). (If anyone is interested in a set of gently used Mach V springs send me a PM).

 

Does anyone know the actual specs for each suspension kit?

1. $500 Sport Suspension - from what I gather on the website, this is just thicker sway bars

2. $1295 JCW Suspension - looks like this kit is shocks and springs?

They both look to be different parts because they are also both offered as options on the factory JCW car.

I got confused when some of you said that you run the JCW suspension with Eibach, H&R, etc. springs.

 

javablaze: you can buy the shocks and the sway bars for the JCW suspension and customize it with your own springs...It is something I'm pondering now.