It handles amazingly, but I think a lot of the harshness can be attributed to the tires. After i went from some bf Goodrich summer tires to continentals, the ride was noticeably better. Some tires are built for more load than what the mini actually weighs, so some of them are harsher than others.

I noticed that Knauz on their website says that the kit includes only shocks and stabilizer bars for $1,295

So what kind of springs should be ordered? Is it ok to leave the stock ones?

Also, Morrison Mini has the kit for $1,000 and that already includes the springs.

Just wondering what you would recommend. I’m in Chicago and always use Knauz for service

205/40/18: 24.46″ 215/35/18: 23.93″ 215/40/18: 24.77″

I’d think that 17″ wheels would also contribute to a smoother ride.

How much increase in circumference is the 40 series over the 35s?

I’d like to have a little more drop than 1cm, but it seems with the R56 suspension options, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

Greg,

My wait was 9 weeks and 2 days because of delays at port with the aero kit install and delays at the dealership with the suspension (apparently the service dept didn’t know what to order) but I ust got back from the dealership and I just love it. While the wait was frustrating, it was totally worth it. Yours will be too.

I remember you saying that you have 35 series tires and will be switching to 40s. Are you still on the 35s? Are they 215-35s? Will you be going to a 215-40?

Yes I’m currently on 35s and will be switching to 40s (215/40/18) this coming spring.

I remember you saying that you have 35 series tires and will be switching to 40s. Are you still on the 35s? Are they 215-35s? Will you be going to a 215-40?

The 5, 405, and most other freeways here in LA were built of concrete in the 50’s through the early seventies. These roads have now settled and with the trucks pounding the roads in an ever increasing unslaught, the roads here have developed a very unique short frequency pattern that is not unlike wind chop on a lake. Short, staccato like impacts that there is just no way to avoid and go on for miles. The only solution for Cal Trans is to litteraly “plane” the roads with a grinder.

Ah yes – I know that “chop” quite well. Planing roads isn’t nearly as common as it should be in Chicago. I can think of quite a few near me that desperately need it.

As I’ve said in the past, my front deflectors bottom out simply driving down city streets all the time. There’s one near where I live that essentially acts as a speed bump at this point. In fact the road in front of my place has this issue and dates from (based on local accounts) the 1950′s or 60′s. Luckily traffic is so bad you can’t go too fast :)

So Gabe, I am not able to make the investment for both JCW suspension AND JCW Stage 1. If you had a choice which would you choose. I don’t, nor do I anticipate, ever tracking mine. I am leaning towards the JCW Stage 1 and going with the stock Sport package with Limited Slip and the Sport upgrade. Opinions?

If you don’t ever take your car to the track and don’t do some seriously corner carving with it, the engine kit is probably the better choice.