JCW springs and Koni FSD

[camini]

Not sure if this is possible.

My 02 Cooper has SS+ (type 1 - early models).

I would like to:
- take away some of the harshness (although not a must) - Koni FSDs?
- slightly lower the car (10 to 15) - JCW springs

Do you know if JCW springs and FSD mix and would fulfill my requirements?

[Stevie B]

Quote: Originally Posted by camini

Not sure if this is possible.

My 02 Cooper has SS+ (type 1 - early models).

I would like to:
- take away some of the harshness (although not a must) - Koni FSDs?
- slightly lower the car (10 to 15) - JCW springs

Do you know if JCW springs and FSD mix and would fulfill my requirements?

Sounds perfect. Anything lower than the JCW will surely present problems with the FSD operation.

[Cooper54]

How much are JCW springs? Will they fit a cooper and will the warranty remain?

[scuderiamini]

Well, i have been thinking about this mod for quite sometime, but from a price point, buying the JCW suspension comes to the same, at least here in US, i am thrilled by the FSD technology, but yet to experience a car with the set-up. That is the dilemna, JCW kit or the KONI FSDs with JCW springs?

[camini]

I got a 679€ quote for the FSDs alone.

Didn't ask my dealer about the JCW springs.

By the way did you read this other thread on FSD and lowering springs?
True, JCW are hardly lowering anything, but, then again, it's really making the ride more comfortable I'm after.

So I think I'll go for the FSDs with the stock SS+ Cooper springs.

[Stevie B]

Quote: Originally Posted by camini

I got a 679€ quote for the FSDs alone.

Is that the Euro list price? That's about 30% more than many US retailers are selling them for. In the US, list is $900 USD. I paid $630 plus shipping.

[Stevie B]

Quote: Originally Posted by scuderiamini

Well, i have been thinking about this mod for quite sometime, but from a price point, buying the JCW suspension comes to the same, at least here in US, i am thrilled by the FSD technology, but yet to experience a car with the set-up. That is the dilemna, JCW kit or the KONI FSDs with JCW springs?

Price may be near the same, but the affect created isn't. No need for the lowering springs really with the FSDs. I think for some it would be just so you can say it's lowered. I had a RX-7 with lowering springs and I got real tired real quick of hitting the nose into curbs and scaping the bottom over some speed bumps. I was at my MINI dealer today and they have a full race dept (owner holds time records with his MINI S at Nurburgring). They have the KW coilovers on display, among other things. Pieces of art for sure but I try to get beyond that and see it for the affects-based tool they are. I don't want a stiffer ride where the smallest bump rattles everything...therefore easy decision for me to steer clear of options that worsen the ride quality (i.e., coilovers that lower/stiffen the ride).

[camini]

Yeah, € stands for euro here in euroland.
679€ is the first price I got, don't know if that is fitting included or not.
I'm going to look for around for a little more.

So how do you get them cheaper than list price?

[Stevie B]

Quote: Originally Posted by camini

Yeah, € stands for euro here in euroland.
679€ is the first price I got, don't know if that is fitting included or not.
I'm going to look for around for a little more.

So how do you get them cheaper than list price?

I live in Germany, so I'm familiar with Euros . I found you can barter a bit. 679 Euro is about $800 USD, so I'm sure there's room to wiggle. Best thing is to come up with a price with installation. Plan on 3 hours labor charge on average. My dealer's local labor charge is 75 Euros/hour including 16% tax. I imagine the 679 Euros is including tax too? Still, make a resonable offer to the business you settle on and see what they'll do. I know Europe isn't the most flexible place when it comes to discounting.

[camini]

Oops Stevie B, sorry, living in DE you must know what € are..
Are you happy with the FSDs? Bought them in the states or in Germany?

Not sure about the price/tax yet - too much work and not enough time left to give MINI-rel phonecalls.

[Stevie B]

Quote: Originally Posted by camini

Oops Stevie B, sorry, living in DE you must know what € are..
Are you happy with the FSDs? Bought them in the states or in Germany?

Not sure about the price/tax yet - too much work and not enough time left to give MINI-rel phonecalls.

I bought the FSDs in the States (mail order). Saves a bit usually. FSDs are great, but I installed them while my winter wheels/tires are in use so it'll be spring before I can really test them. So far so good though. I can still push the winter tires a bit as they're 195/55/16 Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip runflats on R84s. I've been over 200 kph on those tires.