I've got the TSW springs with stock sport shocks and they work just fine for my liking. My concern was to not go too stiff. My wife still likes to ride in the R53 and I like that even more...
The JCW suspension was a dealer added option. Yes it is about 1/2 inch lower than the MCS suspension. The springs are stiffer and the struts are firmer.
I have the JCW suspenders on my MINI. It lowers the car about 1/2" although that is just an eyeball estimate. Didn't measure it. I really like the JCW suspension, money well spent for me. I bought it here eMINIparts.com great folks to deal with.
When you order the JCW suspension they want to get your VIN so they know which one to sell you. This takes into account what options are on the car. It isn't a one size fits all, more of a custom fit.
You have to remember that the H&R springs are a progressive spring and the OEM's are linear. So the H&R's would probably appear to be the same height off of the car but would more easily compress the first section of the spring, thus lowering it a bit more while on the car.
There are three different JCW springs that were used based on the weight of the vehicle. The H&R springs will drop the car about an inch compared to the JCW 5/8" drop.
The JCW springs on my GP (not sure which of the three Mini used for the GP, I suspect the stiffest) are actually stiffer than H&R springs.
The unloaded height of a spring will not directly equate to the loaded (installed) height (drop) on the car because the spring rate will also determine how much the spring compresses when installed on the car.
Depends on what your are trying to accomplish. Are you interested in better handling, looks, or both? Also depends on what size wheels/tires in have on the car, from a look standpoint. Are you planning to replace the shocks also?
The JCW springs improve the handling without dropping the suspension so far that you do not have any suspension travel left.
The 1" drop of the H&R springs is about as much as you want to go with springs because you end up with very little suspension travel left. But the 1" drop looks nice.
There are some aftermarket options that are about 3/4" drop, such as TSW springs sold by WayMotorWorks.
Well it was for me. I wasn't looking to lower my car, but my suspension was well & truly worn out. Rather than trying X springs with Y struts & hoping they'd play well together I chose the JCW kit, because I knew all the parts would play well together. No guess work on my part. I'm very happy with the results, although stock ride height would have been fine with me. There are times I miss that 1/2" of clearance.
The OEM Sport Suspension Plus springs are linear, but the JCW springs are progressive. I agree with the 1/2-5/8 measurement for lowering. It's not much of a drop, but there is some. It also seems to be lower in the front than the rear.
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