Hey Guys,

I am seriously considering upgrading my current suspension setup on my R56. I currently have the sport package along with Eibach lowering springs. While I'm very happy with how this setup looks and feels on perfectly paved roads I am beginning to believe the rough northeast roads are not cooperating with my current setup. Also, I've been told that I may be due for new shocks/struts. I have just under 60,000 miles on my car right now.

I was originally thinking of adding Koni FSD's in conjunction with my Eibach springs but have heard conflicting opionions of whether it is recommended or not...

SO... I am thinking of moving towards a less aggressive setup - JCW full suspension. The big downside here is the cost. I was quoted about $2,500 for parts/labor and an alignment for the JCW suspension and springs.

I'm not thrilled with this cost but feel that it will be a more attractive option once I decide to sell the car down the road. Also, it will most likely give me a more comfortable ride without sacrificing sporty handling.

Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks,
Steve

 

I have this kit with with some ABF spec Eibachs and really enjoy it. It does provides decent handling and the ride is nice for the street. I've tracked the car several times with this set up, although I could pull better times with full coilovers, the JCW suspension Eibach combo is pretty impressive in it's own right. With some nice camber plates I would probably forgo swapping to the coilovers ever again, but that's me.

The draw back is like you said though, the price is a bit high in comparison to other options that provide things like dampening and adjustable height / camber.

 

Just replace the sport package shocks with Bilsteins and you'll be happy. Those sport shocks are junk. I don't know about the JCW shocks, but Mini has not been great about providing good shocks so I wouldn't bother when Bilstein and Koni do a better job for cheap.

Eibachs are a little low but should be fine with Bilstein Sports.

The price on that JCW package is insane. Give me 2500 and I'll fly out to where you are with some parts and do the install, and it will be a better package.

- andrew

 

So here is the latest...

After doing a ton of research on this forum I decided to go with the following suspension setup from Way Motor Works: Koni Yellow Shocks, NM springs, 19mm rear sway bar, and a few other small things Way suggested.

I'm totally stoked to get this installed next week!

Thanks for the feedback guys! $2500 for JCW suspension is crazy.

-Steve

 

Good choice, you wouldn't be happy with Bilsteins and lowering springs. They ride on the internal bumpstops. They are probably good with stock springs.

 

^ Do you know that the internal Bilstein bumpstops are longer than the stock ones?

- Andrew

 

I do KNOW now. I installed a set of Billy's (HD's), on a friend's Justa,(had already installed TSW springs on the stock shocks), There was no suspension movement in the front. I suspect that they suffered the same development as the Billys for the BMW E36 M3. The internal bumpstop was huge, and the car was awful. I bet you could take the Billys apart and cut the bumpstop, (like you should with the BMW). Anyway, my friend didn't bother, he ordered a set of Koni's from Way, and is now very happy. We had the chance to drive his car with Billy's, and TSW's, back to back with my car that has the Koni's and TSW's, and the difference was night and day. The front of his car would just bounce as the spring rate of the bumpstop went to infinity.

So in my opinion, if you want Billy's get the Sports...

And no, we didn't forget and install the stock bumpstop with the Billy's. lol

 

Interesting about the HD bumpstops.

So, Koni Yellows sound like they're the way to go with TSW/NM/H&R springs.

Richard, how much did you cut the stock bumpstops with Konis and TSWs? Or did you get the shorter ones Way sells?

 

koni yellows + NM springs is it a better setup than KW V1 coils?

 

Good to know.

- Andrew

 

I cut the stock stops about 1/2 way. We installed the ones Way sells with the new Koni's and I'll probably order them for my car. They are about an 1"-1 1/2" and fit fine.

Just another excuse to pull another suspension...lol

 

I regret not cutting the stock bumpstops on my R53. I preach a lot about it and I just plain forgot. Stupid. My springs are a super mild drop, but still, it would make it a little nicer. Just don't feel like taking everything apart again now.

- Andrew

 

Sounds like buying the ones from WMW are the way (no pun intended) to go.

That way I'll save the stock ones in case I ever need them.

 

It seems high... but you do get , two sway bars , the red spring JCW Suspension that is matched together with all the parts that you know will fit. And it is Mini installed, warrented and aligned.

 

But they are still crap shocks.