I've had my JCW suspension installed for a few months now, and absolutely love it. Today I'm installing 205/45/17 Michelin Pilot Super sports. I have the print out of the alignment suggestions from the JCW suspension installation. What I'd like to know is should I have this alignment done at the dealer or can I have the tire shop do it? I know they offer alignments at the tire shop but they're far from and kind of performance shop. I know, at least I think, there are alignments and there are ALIGNMENTS. Is it really not a big deal to do this or should I wait till I go to the dealer?

Thank you!
-Gene

There are the settings I'm going to go with...what Mini suggests..

 

Ask your local MINI club about good independent shops for alignment. Dealer is probably going to charge you A LOT, but they'll do it right.

 

I'm guessing you mean 205/45/17. No one makes a 205/25/17.

 

Haha yep. Thank you! 25 might be a little rough.

 

I would do the free camber mod up front and run less camber and toe in the rear.

- andrew

 

Excuse my ignorance but what will this achive differently than the above stats?

 

More grip up front, better turn-in, and likely more even tire wear.

The mini prescribed alignment is geared heavily towards understeer. On top of that, the front alignment settings are designed for ultra stiff run flat tires that do not have much grip. With a stickier, but slightly softer, tire like the Michelin PSS, a little more front camber will match better. The rear is just too much camber.

Although it's tempting to think that "Mini knows best", they have their own design goals and limitations.

- andrew

 

If you can get around 1.5 degrees of negative camber in the front, and reduce the rear camber to between 1.0 and 1.5, it will likely suit your tires better than the factory settings. My local MINI dealer followed my request for alignment, not forcing me to use the factory specs.

Mike

 

 

Thank you!

So sadly I'm not very knowledgeable with the science of suspensions. I'm going to take my car to the dealer tomorrow for the alignment. As I've discussed it's a JCW hatch with JCW suspension and a 19mm RSB all sitting on 205/45/17 michelin supersports. My car is driven many miles a day on the highway and driven hard on the twisty roads around my house. I'd like to get as much "feel" as possible without having to run through tires every month. I also want it plenty safe at very high speeds (not sure if this matters). That said I'm willing to get new front tires every season. $400/year is a small price to pay.

What are the suspension numbers I should print up and bring to the dealer, slap down on the counter and say, "do it like this because people who know their stuff said to do it like this"

THANK YOU!!!

Best,
Gene

 

TTT heading to the dealer.

 

I'm also in need of an alignment, any idea on what the dealer charges? Thanks

 

Its a little late but I have have an 09 JCW hard top with the JCW suspension installed for over 4 years now. I have had alignments done at the dealer 2 times and at my local Mavis Tire 2 times. Mavis was able to do the alignment no problem. I did tell them that I had the JCW suspension installed and I did provide them that same print out.

Save some money and go to Mavis. They charge $79. My local dealer had a special one time and I get them to do the alignment for $125.