Comments on: MF Review: R56 JCW Sport Suspension

By: Steve Gachko

Steve Gachko — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:45:04 +0000

Gabe: thanks for all the great information! I have an R56 with the sport package along with eibach springs. For the last 2.5 years I have been happy with my setup. Recently, I added the new JCW Aero kit and now find myself having to be extremely careful not to scrap the lower front splitter. Furthermore, on bumpy northeast roads the car seems to be a little rougher then when I first added the eibach springs. I now think I'm running a little too low for daily driving. Do you think I would be happy with the JCW sport suspension? It looks like Morristown Mini is offering the kit for around $1800 installed plus the springs at around $80 each.

My father has the Z4 M roadster and I am amazed at how responsive the handling is while not being too rough on imperfect roads. Do you think the JCW sport suspension will be similiar to the ride quality in the M roadster? I noticed you reference the M3's setup in comparison...

Thanks!

By: JCW Suspension vs KW & M7 - MINI2 - MINI Forum

JCW Suspension vs KW & M7 - MINI2 - MINI Forum — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:30:56 +0000

[...] This may help a little: MotoringFile Archive MF Review: R56 JCW Sport Suspension [...]

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile 2007 MCS (JCW) For Sale

MotoringFile » Archive » MotoringFile 2007 MCS (JCW) For Sale — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:00:07 +0000

[...] JCW Suspension Part 1: On the Road [...]

By: Nico

Nico — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:20:05 +0000

Thanks Gabe ! just wanted to be sure i’m not going to order pieces i already have on the mini with the factory sport suspension.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 02 May 2008 16:42:34 +0000

the JCW suspension is actually everything: sways, springs and shocks.

By: Nico

Nico — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:02:22 +0000

Hi Guys, i’m interested in the JCW suspension kit, and already have the Sport Suspension on my R56S, could you confirm me the JCW kit is basicaly the Sport Setup plus JCW springs base on the car options ? . . . nothing else different ? . . . My Mini dealer is just so bad i can’t rely on it. So your feedback would be greatly appreciate.

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: JCW Suspension Long Term

MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: JCW Suspension Long Term — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:31:01 +0000

[...] MF Review: JCW Suspension ] [...]

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 12:16:38 +0000

A few days after this review was written I realized that my dealer at set my tire pressures higher than they needed to be. Unfortunately this affected the ride quality poorly. Now that the tires are set at a normal PSI the car feels more comfortable and very close to the Sport Suspension in it’s comfort over rough roads. Because of that, I’d highly recommend just going with the JCW springs that are designed for your particular car (your dealer will have that info).

By: Jackson

Jackson — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:19:20 +0000

I dont know either. I have just fixed the JCW sport suspension. All parts exclude the spring. I am using back the old spring which my dealer say it’s ok. I also not sure how true isit. any advice from the professional?

By: Braden

Braden — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 07:53:36 +0000

Hey Gabe, oredered my 07 MCS last week and already have the bug for doing many upgrades. First one will be the JCW engine package, but I’m not sure bout the suspension upgrade, I’m really concerned about the harsh ride. I will be commuting with this car daily and planning on some long trips this next summer. I’m coming off an SUV so I already think the car handles awesome, and probably more then I’ll ever need. :) I would however like to lower the car .50 – 1.0 inch. What spring kit can you recommend that would do this while staying near the stock ride qualities. I’ve read some other articles on the web that say lowering the car .50 inch puts it right on the bump stops, how true is that?

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: R56 JCW Engine Kit

MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: R56 JCW Engine Kit — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:59:14 +0000

[...] turn multiple JCW upgrades. First up was the Aero-kit which was installed at the VPC. Next was the JCW Suspension kit that was just reviewed last month on MF. But the big upgrade (and the one that many of you have [...]

By: JCW suspension - MINI2

JCW suspension - MINI2 — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:57:02 +0000

[...] Gabe’s review on MotoringFile:Part 1: On the Road Part 2: On the [...]

By: MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: JCW Suspension at the Track

MotoringFile » Archive » MF Review: JCW Suspension at the Track — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 13:48:23 +0000

[...] R56 JCW Sport Supension (Road Review) ] [...]

By: Astro S

Astro S — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:15:47 +0000

Glad to see you ordered the Astro Black S. It is an established fact that the Astro is the fastest color!!

Haha, agree to that!

By: Gabe

Gabe — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 03:32:37 +0000

Where was the picture taken (rear of car facing)? Looks like the parking deck of Northwestern University.

Yes - that's exactly where it is :)

By: MINI_BCT

MINI_BCT — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 14:44:43 +0000

Gabe...

Where was the picture taken (rear of car facing)? Looks like the parking deck of Northwestern University.

Glad to see you ordered the Astro Black S. It is an established fact that the Astro is the fastest color!!

2007 MCS 6sp; Astro Black/Black 2008 BMW 335D Touring(when available)

By: Gabe

Gabe — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:57:53 +0000

I installed a JCW suspension kit on a friend's MCS. She paid well under $1000 for it and the kit included struts and springs. I haven't heard of anyone getting the R53 kit without both parts.

The old kit was less money because it didn't include both sway bars. So yes, it would be possible (with a good deal) to get the entire set including the springs (which are technically NOT part of the kit in the MINI ordering system).

By: Ian F

Ian F — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:14:15 +0000

But thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s not including the springs. The R56 JCW kit (not including the springs has an MSRP of $875 - not far from the R53Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s kit. However add the springs and the price head north of $1000 easily at most dealers.

Suspension replacement is a relatively easy DIY project.

I would not call it easy unless you have a lift and (obviously) a spring compressor.

Umm... I hate disagreeing with you... but...

I installed a JCW suspension kit on a friend's MCS. She paid well under $1000 for it and the kit included struts and springs. I haven't heard of anyone getting the R53 kit without both parts.

I've done a good bit of suspension work on MINIs. All of it without a lift (although I'll admit I do have a lift now as well as a professional spring compressor). The JCW kit was done without a lift as have the other struts I've installed in MINIs. Honestly, I don't see how it should take an experienced tech more than 2 hours to install. Takes me about twice that, taking my time and double-checking the torque settings. I've done mushroom-repair (completely removing each strut to make the upper mounts flat again) in an hour or so after work. After you've done it once or twice, it's pretty easy. If I ever decide to start using air tools, it would probably go even faster.

By: Marcel

Marcel — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:40:23 +0000

I'm slightly critical of the review, however reading it a second time I do recognize that you're trying hard to emphasize the very high price of this kit. For that price you can have adjustable coil-overs and an adjustable (rear) sway-bar while the JCW offers none of that... making it a clear choice for those that don't want to leave excess money at the dealership and instead are comfortable installing & using aftermarket items... anyway, thanks for the review!

IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m not sure if youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re being critical of the review or the suspension

By: greg

greg — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 16:30:51 +0000

Have we determined the diameter of the rear sway bar? My understanding is that the JCW is 18.5" vs 18" on the SS.

On my '05 JCW I also had the JCW suspension. I recall the rear sway was 17"(?). I swapped it out for an Alta 22" rear sway and the difference in cornering and lane changes were huge. The Alta was only about $120 but I'd be happy if I could just get the new JCW kit and not need to mod it further.

Would the JCW strut brace enhance the cars stiffness/handling further or is it a waste of money?