Has anyone got the JCW suspension package and is it worth it? I was wanting to lower my Mini with aftermarket products but as this may void the warranty I am thinking whether I should go with the JCW package to make it all easier.
I want that low look but the warranty issue concerns me.
Any thoughts out there?

The JCW suspension kit will not make the MINI "look low". If that's what you want, you'll be dissapointed. If you want it to handle better, go right ahead and get it.

Here's a picture I made that does a poor attempt at showing the drop I got from the JCW suspension (a before and after picture superimposed):

http://www.mini2.com/forum/attachment92366.jpg

Here's just the after:
http://photos21.flickr.com/24678781_bb17955def.jpg

I'll second the relative lack of lowering.

It does significantly improve the ride as well as the handling when compared to SS+ with 17" runflats though.

I think the car is lowered by 1cm-so hardly noticeable!

That pic doesnt show much difference does it snid? :(
I was hoping for a little more than that. Thanks for sharing that pic with me.
Lowering springs will affect the warranty though, so I guess its a matter of how much I want that look. :confused:

Something about big 18's and a lowered car that stirs the blood!!

I have the kit, and MINI say that it's a 30 mm drop. I don't have a before-after photo of my car, but I believe you can tell a difference when you look at a typical MCS with 17" wheels. I think that you can see more of the wheel well with the SS+. You can see some pics in my signature link.

It's a very sporty ride, and I'm very glad that I got it. As Mike says, it does seem to improve the ride; I don't notice the rear-view mirror rattle nearly as much. I would order it again in a heartbeat! :)

Is this available in AUS and anyone know the fitted price here?

Thanks JohnnyL for the advice. BTW nice pics too!


As for AUS price,the dealer I spoke to mentioned a figure of around $4000 :eek:
Not sure if it is right....some of the things he has told me don't gel with what I see on this forum.

So when you add it all up it becomes a BIG decision ( price vs looks vs warranty)

Still, I tyhink I am leaning towards aftermarket lowering springs because the look is very important to me :cool: and I believe that the ride won't be compromised. The JCW kit just seems over the top price wise. As for warranty........what can I say?

Coach

Any excuse to post another photo of my MC. Here's it is lowered with Aussie King Springs, about 20mm drop all round. :cool: My 20 cents is go aftermarket, Kings are about A$250 for supply only, Eibachs are about A$500 for supply only.

Chris

http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/6286/59800.jpg

:D No excuses needed XMINIX post away :D

Looking very fine indeed. Tell me, are those 17's or 16's?

Between $250 to $500 is a big difference from the JCW option isn't it.
I must confess though that I will have to resort to a specialist doing it for me,
I'm not that mechanical :rolleyes:

Looking very fine indeed. Tell me, are those 17's or 16's?

Thanks Coach. The wheels are 17's

I must confess though that I will have to resort to a specialist doing it for me,
I'm not that mechanical :rolleyes:

I believe the going rate for an install is about $300. I am sure others would be able to confirm.

Good Luck
Chris :cool: :cool: :cool:

Great pics, XMINIX! I really like those BBS Rx wheels, too!

$4000 for the JCW Kit? That's robbery. Mine was $1250 USD. That includes struts and springs. Does the Oz kit include tower braces as well? Also, are you talking MINI Cooper or MCS? (It more for the former because theres an anit-sway bar included).

Aftermarket might be the way to go, especially if can't get a better quote than the 4K. One thing to mind is that the JCW kit has been very carefully callibrated for the MCS--there's different springs for a car with a sun roof and a car w/o.

Anyway, either way you go, I should think that you're very unlikely to experience warranty issues. Good luck!

Hey coach... as far as I heard there are only about 5 cars in OZ with the suspension... it is approximately $2500 fitted.

Warped - mini2 username - has JCW kit and the suspension - as far as I know he is the only Oz mini2er with the suspension.

What state are you in? If you have a look over here in the Aussie section (mini2.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=595) someone will be able to help you. If you have trouble posting (it is closed forum) you will have to contact a moderator for permission (the reason is a long story)

I would go JCW if you are worriedabout warranty... but I would put it on afterwards to avoid the luxury car tax for all the add ons pushing it over the $55k(?) cut off.

Todd

Great pics, XMINIX! I really like those BBS Rx wheels, too!

Thanks Johnny

The wheels are actually BBS Rx replicas, made by CSA :cool:

Chris

Johnny L and Mike Edwards,

Both of you say that the JCW suspension improves the ride. Could you elaborate on this? I expect the JCW to improve the handling, but it is counter-intuitive that both the handling and ride could be improved at the same time. Do you mean that you don't feel small bumps as much?

True - you don't feel small bumps.

You also don't feel potholes as badly.

It doesn't seem to follow changes in camber as much either.

As damping effect is proportional to frequency, the damping will get stiffer the faster the suspension is made to react, but the rate at which this happens can be varied by using different oil viscosities and valving. Hence, it is possible to build 2 dampers that offer the same resistance when compressed/extended slowly, but with big differences in how much resistance they offer when compressed/extended quickly.

What they seem to have done is adjust the damping effect such that it remains more linear across the frequency range. At low frequencies (rolling undulations) it doesn't wallow, while at higher frequencies (potholes etc) the damper doesn't lock solid.

A considerable improvement on the SS+, and all but the most expensive after market set ups I've had on previous cars (So Bilstein's PSS9s give a much nicer ride than their "Sprintline/Sportsline" dampers - independent of the springs used).

Hey Todd! I'm wondering,if only 5 have the suspension, is this a reflection of its value? :confused:
Even at $2500 its still alot of moolah ! :eek:
Good point though about the tax issue. I guess its hard to know if fitting aftermarket springs to lower your car by 30mm or so is going to be the problem that I'm thinking it is as far as warranty goes. I mean I really like the low look..... :D

The suspension is all Spax from my knowledge anyway, so its not that bigger deal to be honest.

Some mini2ers have Eibach springs on their cars that have been fitted at dealerships... Where are you buying your car from?