JCW Suspension on Factory JCW

[MACKIT]

Has anyone driven/own a factory JCW with the JCW suspension?

I'm becoming increasingly disappointed by my cars composure on uneven road services under medium to heavy acceleration whilst in Sport mode. I have the standard suspension on mine, i.e. not even Sport. My car has 18” wheels but this was noticeable when I had the standard 17” wheels.

Over small bumps or holes and the car squirms quite violently…it’s a real struggle to keep the car in a straight line.

I have no issue going around bends and general ride composure, just issues with acceleration. On smooth roads it’s obviously much less noticeable.

I know some reviewers have commented on this aspect of the car.

I’m just curious about whether the JCW suspension helps the car be a little more composed under acceleration.

Has anyone any views/experiences on this?

[Roma]

I have a factory JCW with the JCW Sports Suspension. Coupled with Continental SportContact 3 SSR runflat tyres, it is absolutely superb. Points to note are:

1. The ride was quite bad when the stock Dunlop runflats went 'off' after around 8,000 miles.

2. It is imperative to get the custom wheel alignment done after having the JCW Sports Suspension fitted.

3. I'd get your tyres checked - my Dunlops had tiny cracks due to temperature cycling and this was partly to blame for the awful ride.

[MACKIT]

Thanks Roma.

I have the Pirelli P Zero runflats. I have found they are much improved in the DRY over the Contis i had on my 17s, although worse in the wet. However, they both struggle from the issues i mentioned above on uneven roads.

Did you drive your car on the standard suspension and notice a reduction in the squirming when you had the JCW suspension fitted?

[jodunca]

I have a JCW and it came with the sports suspension which was about the same as what you currently describe on anything other than smooth freeways.

First thing to do is get a new set of rubber, I got Kumohs and love them.

Then get yourself down to you local Pedders or similar and get a set of coil-overs and a larger rear bar. Don't worry about adjustable top plates, you don't need them.

And throw in a JCW strut brace while you are at it.

You still won't have the smoothest ride over rough roads but you will get rid of most of the toque steer and you'll have an absolute ball on your next track day!


Rgds

John

[Roma]

Quote: Originally Posted by MACKIT (original)

Did you drive your car on the standard suspension and notice a reduction in the squirming when you had the JCW suspension fitted?

Only for about a week - my car had the factory 'sports suspension' which is basically very poor.

Remember that the JCW Sports Suspension includes new anti-roll bars and the springs are based on your vehicle specification. It really does transform the car completely.

I have little or no torque-steer or tramlining now - and that's with a P-Torque remap so there is plenty of power going through the front wheels.

I'd say get your tracking checked. That may be your problem.

[MACKIT]

Ordinarily i would have this checked but i had my R113s fitted late last year so this was all done.

I think i'm going to seriously think about the JCW suspension kit as i have toy'd with the idea of tuning my JCW. At the moment....i wouldn't consider it as the car cannot really manage the current power on poorer surfaces.

Wollaston's tend to offer great deals. They are selling the kit for around £580 but the fitting is £800! 9 hours work apparently. Yowser!!!

Thanks for the feedback guys.

[Roma]

It should be 4 hours fitting according to the installation instructions. Then up to 2 hours for the KDS alignment. The JCW Sports Suspension has a completely different wheel alignment requirement to the stock suspension.

You should be looking at the £1,100 mark for fitting and alignment if your dealer gives you a bit of a discount.

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Roma (original)

It should be 4 hours fitting according to the installation instructions. Then up to 2 hours for the KDS alignment. The JCW Sports Suspension has a completely different wheel alignment requirement to the stock suspension.

You should be looking at the £1,100 mark for fitting and alignment if your dealer gives you a bit of a discount.

Thats a rip off. You could get coilovers which will run rings round any spring and damper set up for a lot less than that. Not only that but it'll cure the wheelgap issue properly. If I were you I'd get a set of KW V1s - much cheaper and much better.

[Fozzy]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

Thats a rip off. You could get coilovers which will run rings round any spring and damper set up for a lot less than that. Not only that but it'll cure the wheelgap issue properly. If I were you I'd get a set of KW V1s - much cheaper and much better.

Any info on where to buy them/get them fitted.

Wheel gap issue?: is that the big space between the wheel and the arch?

or width betweeen the wheels?

Thanks!

[M.O.S]

Quote: Originally Posted by Fozzy (original)

Any info on where to buy them/get them fitted.

Wheel gap issue?: is that the big space between the wheel and the arch?

or width betweeen the wheels?

Thanks!

You can buy them from fomsport (FOMSport | Scotland's Independent MINI Specialists), lohen etc...

Wheel gap is indeed the big gap between the wheels!

As you're in Scotland I'd recommend Fomsport - based in Scotland just outside Edinburgh. Every where else I can think of would be at least 250 miles each way from Edinburgh. They do fitting, although I'm not sure how often etc...

If you're not on mini torque, I'd recommend it as thats where fomsport mainly are, and the members on there are very knowledgeable on this kind of thing.

[Fozzy]

Quote: Originally Posted by M.O.S (original)

You can buy them from fomsport (FOMSport | Scotland's Independent MINI Specialists), lohen etc...

Wheel gap is indeed the big gap between the wheels!

As you're in Scotland I'd recommend Fomsport - based in Scotland just outside Edinburgh. Every where else I can think of would be at least 250 miles each way from Edinburgh. They do fitting, although I'm not sure how often etc...

If you're not on mini torque, I'd recommend it as thats where fomsport mainly are, and the members on there are very knowledgeable on this kind of thing.

Thanks for the info!