[Ivan1]

Can anyone tell me what the average installation cost is to fit JCW Suspension on a MINI 2005 (R50)Cooper??

And also what the average cost for installation of the JCW Brake Kit is??

I have phoned dealerships to enquire but they never phone me back with a quote for installation costs. They probably dont know what to charge or Do they just not want my business....

I believe the cost of the actual JCW Suspension is around £650 Is this correct?? and the brakes are of a similar cost??

I am seriously considering getting this done but worried that installation costs will be a lot of money...

Hs anyone had this done? or help me with my enquiry with install costs as would be much appreciated

[SteveM3]

Try contacting Chris he will almost certainly stick to this deal. I fitted mine it was very easy.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/group-buy...brake-kit.html

[GTT 280]

i think all of this can be done in around 4 hours (so should be around the £200 mark for labour).
If you want to go with JCW brand, then cool. Otherwise you may consider alternatives that will perform better for the same cost, or similar for a lower price.

I also beleive Chris responds quickly and accurately to messages directed at him. Call him and discuss.



Cheers,
K.

[SteveM3]

The advantage with the JCW is that it comes with uprated rear pads and allows the
greatest range of alloys to fit. See Testing Brakes with StopTech
for the importance of brake balance front to rear. If you want something better then
the Willwood kit is the next best in terms of ease of fittings alloys over and a good price.
Professional Motorsport Parts, Spares & Rally Equipment from Rally Design
You can use spacers of course if you get problems but that can restrict the width of the
tyres you can fit and big spacers will put stress on the suspension. The JCW will give
you a surprisingly better performance on the road but I wouldn't recommend them for
track work.

[batou]

Quote: Originally Posted by GTT 270 (original)

i think all of this can be done in around 4 hours (so should be around the £200 mark for labour).
If you want to go with JCW brand, then cool. Otherwise you may consider alternatives that will perform better for the same cost, or similar for a lower price.

I also beleive Chris responds quickly and accurately to messages directed at him. Call him and discuss.



Cheers,
K.

I was looking at a 2nd step in terms of a brake upgrade and from what ive seen most kits are well in excess of the JCW kit...

• AP Racing - approx. £700+
• Willwood - approx £800+
• Brembo - approx £1,000+
• Stoptech - approx £1,400+

From what i can see the JCW kit is under £600 from woodmans, from what you were saying about fitting costs the JCW kit could be fitted for a similar amount to what the others cost in parts?

This is something I will be looking into this year so I'd be interested to see some cost effective alternatives. I'm not saying I'm putting less value on my life, I would never out drive what the car is capable of I simply can't justify shelling out the initial cost plus the hike in servicing for such an expensive kit.

P.S. I'm looking at sponsors for prices here...

[GTT 280]

the debate for BBKs is quite vast on MINI2 (search and you will find).

However, i've had the OEM 1 pot kit, the AP 304mm BBK, and the GTT 341mm BBK.

The only kit that worked to the quality i had expected was the BBK.

Don't fit an intermediate kit and think it will be an all powerfull stopping machine

However, anything is better than the OEM brakes - for a car like the mini, they are drastically pathetic. Looking at the JCW brake upgrade, i still fail to see how this can perform with such a small caliper and small rotor.

Unfortunately, car modding is not a cheap sport LOL

PS. You may just be as well fitting some Spiro Slot rotors and some ceramic pads (that''d be a really cheap alternative to an actual BBK upgrade). You can get your front OEM calipers coated in red too if you want the 'modified' look.

Give Roland a call at GTT, he demands no commitment and offers superb advice. His products are of excellent quality and function and can provide the above cost effective alternative i describe.

.... I'm getting my rear calipers coated red, and some spiro slots fitted. Not sure i need ceramic pads on the rear though.

Cheers,
K.

[batou]

Ok, I've already changed to grooved / dimpled discs & uprated pads and changed to non-runflat Eagle GSD3's as a first step braking handling upgrade following my intial engine mods. Which are adequate for the odd thrash but not a prolonged pounding.

I'm looking at a few more power upgrades in the near future so brakes and suspension will be looked at. Don't get me wrong I'd absolutely love a BBK but it's just got two many flaws, the servicing costs are increased, wheel size/type becomes an issue, I already run 215mm wide tyres so using spacers may cause an issue and for some people when you come to sell the car your potential buyer is greatly reduced... wheres with a JCW I'm sure it would be increased. Then theres the initial cost... I planning on keeping the car for a good while so I'm not totally against a BBK it's just the ongoing service costs I'm worried about.

I imagine the guy is in a similar boat so is the JCW really that bad, surely it must be better than just uprated pads an discs? Is there a sealed JCM alternative?

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by batou (original)

...I'd absolutely love a BBK but it's just got two many flaws, the servicing costs are increased, wheel size/type becomes an issue, I already run 215mm wide tyres so using spacers may cause an issue...

Having a BBK brings none of these issues. I have one of the larges kits you can get 341mm rotors, with 11.34 inch calipers ! I have totalyl no issue with servicing them, my wheels are 17" with very minimal spacing. I run 205 tyres ;-)

Cheers,
K.

[MINI-Morgan]

Ummm isnt the JCW brakes suppose to be not much better than standard??

Personally I run Spiro Slots front and back with Race pads. They work great on the road and as they heat up they get fantastic! I gave them death in the summer at the track and no loss of braking. EBC Yellows and Spiro slots are the best of the standard I must say so must be mental in BBK kits!!

[GTT 280]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINI-Morgan (original)

Ummm isnt the JCW brakes suppose to be not much better than standard??

Personally I run Spiro Slots front and back with Race pads. They work great on the road and as they heat up they get fantastic! I gave them death in the summer at the track and no loss of braking. EBC Yellows and Spiro slots are the best of the standard I must say so must be mental in BBK kits!!

The JCW brakes are probably some what better than OEM, but only becuase of the rotor surface and pad surface.

As for GTT MBBK, then these are sicko. You can litterally display all your bodily organs through your rib cage !!!! My mate describes the stoppage power like death standing in front of you..... or a brick wall, which ever excites you most!!

...but you get that performance more and more the more you use them, and they NEVER fade. It is in my opinion, the ultimate upgrade. They look amazing, and they work as though someone has put a stick in your spokes. Quite annoying to most drivers, and you have to be carefull about tail gaters !!!

They are also very well balanced.

as for OEM - well i am still pondering as to why HSSE have not banned them !!!!

Cheers,
K.

[MINI-Morgan]

Yeah I guess they learnt the lesson and made them slightly better on the R56 though.....

I would go bigger with my brakes and only because they look good but cant really warrant the money right now.