Hey guys,
I have a JCW suspension kit on the way for my 2003 R50 and I also currently have the red JCW springs for the front. I wanted to get some of y'alls recommendation on a good pair of camber plates. I used to have a set of Ireland Engineering Fixed Camber Plates on my R50 but they ended up getting damaged after I over tightened these screw adapters for the strut tower defenders by craven speed (DO NOT BUY). Any who, I don't take my R50 to the track at all so I don't want an adjustable pair of plates but I do make turns at 30+ mph. So, What kind of fixed camber plates would y'all recommend?

 

Any reason you wouldn't go with the Ireland engineering again. I had a pair of the fixed and loved them but my control arm bushings killed them and I haven't been able to get another set.

 

I was actually planning on going with the IE Fixed camber plates but on the WMW website it says they're meant for stock springs now lowering springs as the JCW set up does drop the car some (IDK exactly how much at the moment). Funny you mentioned your Control Arm Bushings. I ordered a new pair as my current ones were very loose. I wonder if It was because of the IE Plates. Do you know exactly what happened with your bushings and IE plates?

 

I have a set of IE fixed camber plates on my MINI, I also have the JCW suspension including struts & those red springs. Works well for me, I see no reason not to use the IE fixed plates again.

 

The lower control arm bushings just die over time. Don't waste time putting stock rubber back in there. Get the poly bushings. They last far longer.

I don't see why the IE fixed plates wouldn't work on a JCW setup unless they used different plates for it, which I doubt. Maybe check the IE site and see if they say anything different. That's where I got mine from.

 

Just speculating but the result could be too much negative camber and no way to adjust it. Lowering a vehicle that has a strut suspension will add negative camber to the front wheels. Plus the fixed camber plates will also add negative camber.

That said JCW springs are only going to lower the car about 1/2 inch so the combo might be alright...

 

I just ordered the IE fixed plates from Way, and it says *not* to use them with lowered springs at all. I'm guessing even 1/2" lower springs will exaggerate the -1.25 degree camber of the plates to out of spec.

 

I have the JCW suspension with IE fixed camber plates. The springs dropped my car 1/2". I added H-Sport adjustable rear control arms so I could dial out excessive camber in the rear.

I have -1.9 & - 1.8 camber in the front. It helps the handling a bunch & helps with my tire wear.

Remember to have your MINI re-aligned after bolting your new parts on. Lowering a MINI makes the front end go toe in & that will need to be corrected with an alignment.

 

Thanks for the input & speculation guys. I guess the decision has been solidified! I especially appreciate the input from you ashchuckton with the rear control arms. Ill definitely keep that in mind. I think its going to cause uneven tire wear but ill compensate that by rotating my wheels often. ill post a picture once assembly takes place! Wahoo!!!