2nd Gen JCW Most liked posts in thread: New JCW Coupe Order - need perspective

I got mine with stock suspension and then change to NM Springs and Koni Yellows. Added a 25mm competition sway bar and adjustable lower control arms. It now handles like it is on rails.

 

Just make sure what your future plans are for the car. Way too many people buy the sport suspension, and then in less then a year put a bigger sway bar on and then end up with different springs or coilovers shortly there after. They ended up wasting money on the sport suspension and are paying for it monthly for the next 3-5 years and it's laying on the garage floor.

 

So true save the money for mods

 

Beware J997tt Dave O. Doesn't have any love for Minis unless it's an R53.

 

:lol::lol::lol::lol: I do like the Coupe and Roadsters when they are lowered a little and done right.

 

JCW suspension isn't installed at the factory. It's a dealer installed option and $1,377 doesn't include installation. Expect the final cost to be over $2000! You need to ask your dealer about installation charge. There might be a small discount if you can have it installed at the port (during car preparation after unloading off the ship).

MotoringFile has some information and reviews of JCW suspension on the hatchback:
MotoringFile » Archive » JCW Sport Suspension Official Information
MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: R56 JCW Sport Suspension
MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: JCW Suspension at the Track
MotoringFile » Archive » JCW Suspension One Month Review

The bottom line: Whatever the performance benefit, you can't ignore the high cost.

 

Lowering springs (Swift or NM), Koni Yellows, Hotchkins 25mm Competition RSB, camber plates. It will handle like its on rails and much better than JCW suspension.

 

Call eMINIparts.com for your suspension. They are a forum sponsor & very friendly to deal with. Great folks.
I would go with the JCW suspension. I have one on my R53 & it is great. You might consider adding a rear swaybar.

 

Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.

 

:cornut: I'll take a stab at this although I'm merely spirited street and not a racer. I have MINI Margi (08 R56 BRG MCS/JCWm) and in these days factory JCW were not available. The dealer added any and all JCW kits. I had your choice of JCW greatly lowered suspension or the $500 sport suspension. I chose the sport suspension and have never regretted it. The tires on 17in wheels are usually 205 or 215 45 R17 and have more height and spring for racing. The JCW suspension wheels are usually 215 35 R18, not much spring there although if looks are important, they look more aggressive. The sport suspension is lowered about 3/4 in but the JCW suspension is lowered closer to 1 3/4 in. As the center of gravity is lowered, the roll point actually raises making the lowered suspension not as good in the turns unless heavier antiroll bars and shocks are tuned to the car. So it's all about money and looks. One isn't better than the other. One just looks more aggressive than the other. Now I'm sure that this will start a controversy so keep checking back to get all the information.

Jason

 

^^^^ and I can say your car looks and handles very good from what I could see on the Donut run last year.

 

Welcome to m/a.

 

Where are you located? I thought I saw a Coupe like this in Columbus..

 

Cool another Philly guy. Oh and I agree with getting rid of the stripes.

 

Pretty sharp looking Coupe.

 

Looks very nice, good start on the mods, tastefully done.