Comments on: JCW Suspension Kit US Availability http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/ MotoringFile | MINI news, reviews and opinion. MINI Cooper, Cooper S, Clubman, Countryman Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:14:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Apex http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10747 Apex Tue, 21 Sep 2004 19:50:47 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10747 <p>Another MA here who drove in MN. The suspension was noticeably stiffer (therefore better suited for track duty.) There are a few things that people need to remember when reading our posts when considering purchase of these springs. One: the cars we drove back to back were an '05 S (with sport package) and in '05 JCW S (with the suspension). However, the JCW car also had the 18" JCW wheels. Nice looking, and nice to drive the car with them , but it was not good for comparing the JCW suspension to the Sport suspension as wheel and tire dynamics play a large part in that. Two: I would be hard pressed to give a customer a real answer as to if the suspension is too hard to everyday driving since we only drove the car on the autocross course for 1 lap (while trying to get the best time) so we were only driving the car for less than 40 seconds. That all said, It seams like a good kit for someone who wants a little more for the track. But, that is all I can say. I do not feel like I have had enough "seat time" to give any more information than that. Unfortunately. So even though we have technically driven a car with this set-up, we certainly do not know how it behaves on the street, or how it is to "live with".</p> Another MA here who drove in MN. The suspension was noticeably stiffer (therefore better suited for track duty.) There are a few things that people need to remember when reading our posts when considering purchase of these springs. One: the cars we drove back to back were an '05 S (with sport package) and in '05 JCW S (with the suspension). However, the JCW car also had the 18″ JCW wheels. Nice looking, and nice to drive the car with them , but it was not good for comparing the JCW suspension to the Sport suspension as wheel and tire dynamics play a large part in that. Two: I would be hard pressed to give a customer a real answer as to if the suspension is too hard to everyday driving since we only drove the car on the autocross course for 1 lap (while trying to get the best time) so we were only driving the car for less than 40 seconds. That all said, It seams like a good kit for someone who wants a little more for the track. But, that is all I can say. I do not feel like I have had enough “seat time” to give any more information than that. Unfortunately. So even though we have technically driven a car with this set-up, we certainly do not know how it behaves on the street, or how it is to “live with”.

]]> By: mr-mini http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10746 mr-mini Mon, 20 Sep 2004 01:48:35 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10746 <p>For those complaining about ride harshness, start by swapping the factory runflats for normal tires. the ride will improve drastically. this should be done before going on to other suspension mods.</p> For those complaining about ride harshness, start by swapping the factory runflats for normal tires. the ride will improve drastically. this should be done before going on to other suspension mods.

]]> By: William Grisaitis http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10745 William Grisaitis Sun, 19 Sep 2004 22:36:06 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10745 <p>So if I bought a MCS with the JCW suspension and/or the LSD, would it be pointless to go with the sport package (which has the DSC - Dynamic Stability Control)?</p> <p>It seems like the DSC helps with the traction as does the LSD.</p> <p>-Will</p> So if I bought a MCS with the JCW suspension and/or the LSD, would it be pointless to go with the sport package (which has the DSC – Dynamic Stability Control)?

It seems like the DSC helps with the traction as does the LSD.

-Will

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10744 Gabe Fri, 17 Sep 2004 13:23:41 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10744 <p>Yes - 10mm.</p> Yes – 10mm.

]]> By: RittsMC40 http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10743 RittsMC40 Fri, 17 Sep 2004 06:00:28 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10743 <p>do the springs lower the car at all?</p> do the springs lower the car at all?

]]> By: Greg http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10742 Greg Thu, 16 Sep 2004 03:59:46 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10742 <p>I did a search on MINI2 and got these numbers for labor: 4 hours for springs/shocks; 7.5 hours for springs/shocks/bars.</p> I did a search on MINI2 and got these numbers for labor: 4 hours for springs/shocks; 7.5 hours for springs/shocks/bars.

]]> By: dan http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10741 dan Wed, 15 Sep 2004 16:22:31 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10741 <p>Suspension upgrades are more than just stiffening the car - the can drastically alter the handling if done correctly. I know of one MCS owner who put a full coilover system on and he felt the car rode like a dream - not harsh at all. Take the runflats off and you peel another layer of the factory harshness off.....</p> Suspension upgrades are more than just stiffening the car – the can drastically alter the handling if done correctly. I know of one MCS owner who put a full coilover system on and he felt the car rode like a dream – not harsh at all. Take the runflats off and you peel another layer of the factory harshness off…..

]]> By: Steve M. http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10740 Steve M. Wed, 15 Sep 2004 16:16:44 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10740 <p>Hey all,</p> <p>Having a neighbor with an earlier MCS I was bitten by the MINI bug so in August I bought the Works - an MC40/JCWS from BMW of San Francisco. No regrets regarding the performance or the price paid. simply a blast to drive on any road, and I've yet to get it to the track (just reached break-in miles). However, being one who tries to keep up with the latest and the fastest I now want to FULLY upgrade the car with all JCW has to offer to date - suspension, gears, breaks - you name it.</p> <p>What do I need that I don't already have to update this car's performance?</p> <p>And is it standard practice to omit the 18in JCW wheels from the MC40 car?</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Steve M.</p> Hey all,

Having a neighbor with an earlier MCS I was bitten by the MINI bug so in August I bought the Works – an MC40/JCWS from BMW of San Francisco. No regrets regarding the performance or the price paid. simply a blast to drive on any road, and I've yet to get it to the track (just reached break-in miles). However, being one who tries to keep up with the latest and the fastest I now want to FULLY upgrade the car with all JCW has to offer to date – suspension, gears, breaks – you name it.

What do I need that I don't already have to update this car's performance?

And is it standard practice to omit the 18in JCW wheels from the MC40 car?

Thanks,

Steve M.

]]> By: michael Boice http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10739 michael Boice Wed, 15 Sep 2004 15:09:46 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10739 <p>Hey Steve, if you are reading this; I just picked up my MCS two days ago. I'm awaiting the 05 JCW kit, but I wonder, can you get the suspension kit too? I have no problem installing the suspension kit myself, by the way.</p> <p>Michael</p> Hey Steve, if you are reading this; I just picked up my MCS two days ago. I'm awaiting the 05 JCW kit, but I wonder, can you get the suspension kit too? I have no problem installing the suspension kit myself, by the way.

Michael

]]> By: Tony K http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10738 Tony K Wed, 15 Sep 2004 14:27:46 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10738 <p>Funny how many MAs are on this site. I brought my time down from a 44 to a 41 with the JCW car. I was hard to feel the difference in the suspension because we didn't know how much of a difference the 18" wheels were making. MINI also said that a JCW Brake kit is on the way. I think that all of us MAs would agree that the PT Cruiser and Beetle are not great auto-x'ers.</p> Funny how many MAs are on this site. I brought my time down from a 44 to a 41 with the JCW car. I was hard to feel the difference in the suspension because we didn't know how much of a difference the 18″ wheels were making. MINI also said that a JCW Brake kit is on the way. I think that all of us MAs would agree that the PT Cruiser and Beetle are not great auto-x'ers.

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10737 Gabe Wed, 15 Sep 2004 04:14:44 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10737 <p>I love this... I should have made this an MA exclusive thread :)</p> I love this… I should have made this an MA exclusive thread :)

]]> By: CA http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10736 CA Wed, 15 Sep 2004 03:27:43 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10736 <p>Same for me, I shaved 3.5 seconds off the time with the JCW kits. I cannot guess what it would have been should I have had a few more cracks at the course. I was able to miss any cones, helping keep my time. Steve, it was an awesome experience, you are right.</p> Same for me, I shaved 3.5 seconds off the time with the JCW kits. I cannot guess what it would have been should I have had a few more cracks at the course. I was able to miss any cones, helping keep my time. Steve, it was an awesome experience, you are right.

]]> By: Steve Stein http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10735 Steve Stein Wed, 15 Sep 2004 03:16:38 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10735 <p>We did a timed trial through the course in both the S and the S with the Works and suspension kit. In my group everyone took off between 2 and 3 seconds in the 2nd trial. In my first trial I hit one cone. In my second the car felt like glue and when we came to the stopping point and nailed the brakes (lost points if you went too far) I sat there and just said - WOW! Awsome experience.</p> <p>Regards... Steve</p> We did a timed trial through the course in both the S and the S with the Works and suspension kit. In my group everyone took off between 2 and 3 seconds in the 2nd trial. In my first trial I hit one cone. In my second the car felt like glue and when we came to the stopping point and nailed the brakes (lost points if you went too far) I sat there and just said – WOW! Awsome experience.

Regards… Steve

]]> By: Gabe http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10734 Gabe Wed, 15 Sep 2004 02:20:55 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10734 <p>I think this is an effort by MINI and JCW to keep prices a bit more competitive.</p> I think this is an effort by MINI and JCW to keep prices a bit more competitive.

]]> By: dan http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10733 dan Wed, 15 Sep 2004 02:17:15 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10733 <p>that price seems too low for coilovers...consider H&R's run over $1200 for the MINI...</p> that price seems too low for coilovers…consider H&R's run over $1200 for the MINI…

]]> By: alan http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10732 alan Wed, 15 Sep 2004 01:32:04 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10732 <p>so should i get the JCW suspension or the h-sport?</p> <p>PRICE is a factor!</p> so should i get the JCW suspension or the h-sport?

PRICE is a factor!

]]> By: Dillon http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10731 Dillon Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:51:30 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10731 <p>...good,now I can get some goodies put on my MC...</p> …good,now I can get some goodies put on my MC…

]]> By: CA http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10730 CA Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:48:48 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10730 <p>Great! You can tell the 05 kit is stronger. The early kits are nice, this is better. The new gearing in the trans is also a great addition.</p> Great! You can tell the 05 kit is stronger. The early kits are nice, this is better. The new gearing in the trans is also a great addition.

]]> By: dgszweda http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10729 dgszweda Tue, 14 Sep 2004 21:26:12 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10729 <p>So I am guess they are coilovers.</p> <p>CA, how was the JCW engine kit?</p> So I am guess they are coilovers.

CA, how was the JCW engine kit?

]]> By: CA http://www.motoringfile.com/2004/09/14/jcw_suspension_kit_us_availability/comment-page-1/#comment-10728 CA Tue, 14 Sep 2004 20:20:14 +0000 http://matthewgifford.com/2004/09/14/#comment-10728 <p>Shocks and springs are in the kit. The cars were very tight and there was no roll. Please keep in mind that the MINI had the 18" JCW wheels also. Road driving might be a little tough, track driving will be great.</p> Shocks and springs are in the kit. The cars were very tight and there was no roll. Please keep in mind that the MINI had the 18″ JCW wheels also. Road driving might be a little tough, track driving will be great.

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