As mentioned previously on MotoringFIle MINIUSA has officially released the JCW Suspension Kit for the US. MINIUSA also has just issued a parts bulletin describing the suspension in detail. Here are some excerpts of that PDF:
Aftersales is pleased to announce the release of the John Cooper Works Sport Suspension for MY05 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtop, produced after 07/04.
Mike Cooper designed the John Cooper Works Sport Suspension in conjunction with the BMW Group chassis specialists to improve dynamic handling performance while maintaining a proper on-road ride comfort. The components have been specially designed for outstanding road holding and superior driver feedback on all surfaces. The JCW Suspension reduces ground clearance by about 10mm to ensure even more exciting cornering. To distinguish the sport suspension from the stock suspension, the coil springs are finished in red.
The Sport Suspension kit for the MINI Cooper S includes four McPherson strut shock absorbers and the required mounting parts. For the MINI Cooper the kit also includes two stabilizer bars. The coil springs need to be ordered separately, depending on the options installed on the individual vehicle.
SALES FEATURES/BENEFITS The targets for the development of the John Cooper Works Sport Suspension have been:
- Increased cornering
- Improved traction
- Reduced roll angle in corners
To achieve these targets, stiffer springs are the heart of the sport suspension kit to lower the center of gravity. The shock absorbers are customized for these stiffer springs, with a shorter piston rod and a special control valve assembly. This combination allows improved road holding in combination with enough ride comfort for the day-to-day driving.
Why only 10mm lower? The John Cooper Works Sport Suspension has not been developed for a smooth racetrack. It has been developed to deliver enhanced cornering speed on different road surfaces, like twisty mountain roads. That is the main reason, why the car has been lowered by just 10mm. As the main development targets, it was important that even with the improved road holding, the suspension has to deliver an acceptable amount of comfort. The John Cooper Works Sport Suspension also harmonizes perfectly with the MINI DSC system. This is another unique feature of this suspension kit. Cars with aftermarket suspensions with extremely lowered ride height may lose traction on uneven surfaces, which can lead to interruptions of the smooth operation of the DSC system.
To improve the steering response and get even more precise handling, we recommend the combination of the sport suspension with the 18� John Cooper Works Wheels. In addition, the large wheels together with the lowered ride height deliver an impressive custom look. Please refer to bulletin M 36 01 04 for more details on the wheel.
In the words of Rauno Aaltonen, rallying legend and winner of the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally in a Mini Cooper S, after rigorously testing the sports suspension:
�On difficult, tight runs the MINI with JCW sports suspension can be steered even better into bends. The slightest of steering-wheel movements are enough to maintain the MINI on course. The inner front wheel maintains contact with the road surface, thus allowing the MINI to accelerate faster out of the bend. … I wholeheartedly recommend the JCW sports suspension to adventurous drivers, who like nothing better than taking to country roads and winding mountain routes.�
INSTALLATION:
NOTE: The recess in the vehicle body above the rear axle is already provided from the factory on all cars built after 07/04. The described work in the installation instructions to modify the body flange is not required for these vehicles!
Does anyone else think this release contradicts itself regarding the installation of the kit in cars built before 07/04? If we get more info on this we'll be sure to pass it along.
Official retail pricing for the kits are as follows:
Cooper S: $945 (plus install)
Cooper: $1120 (plus install)
The PDF lists the kits out separately but I would assume you'll only be able to buy the kit as a whole.
You can download the entire PDF here.
<p>Considering how well a stock MCS handles, $945 is not going to deliver much bang for the buck.</p>
<p>It's hard to say without seeing the installation .pdf. It seems to indicate that the kit is a direct fit for cars produced after 07/04 and that fitment is possible, with modification, to cars produced prior to that date.</p>
<p>Just read the complete aftersales .pdf. It specifically says not for cars produced prior to 07/04. Oh well, the $565.00 MSRP isn't too bad, but my car has an 11/03 build date.</p>
<p>Kevin – that's not the actual price of the entire kit. The full price is listed in the above article.</p>
<p>Official retail pricing for the kits are as follows:
Cooper S: $945 (plus install)
Cooper: $1120 (plus install)</p>
<p>Yeah, I caught that. I was mainly considering the price of the dampers. (I just failed to mention that in the post above.) Not too bad considering a set of Konis costs over $600 and requires modification to fit.</p>
<p>The springs are pricey compared to aftermarket. But they do take into account varying options' effects on the weight of the vehicle, which is something the aftermarket springs don't. </p>
<p>I'll be curious to see why they don't fit earlier cars.</p>
<p>That does seem strange – the Note says modifications are not needed per the instructions for cars built after 07/04 but then another footnote states that the suspension kit should not be installed at all for cars built prior to 07/04… very confusing. I'm sending it to my Service Manager to see what he thinks….</p>
<p>Does the kit include the Works strut brace? or does it have to be purchased separetly?</p>
<p>Does the kit apply similarly to the Sport Suspension on the MCSC? Would the relative performance upgrade be less or more?</p>
<p>How big are the MC swaybars?</p>
<p>The JCW bulletin also says that the suspension kit must not be installed on the “S” convertible. Also, have to purchase both springs AND dampers and have the kit installed by an authorized MINI dealer. The time quoted to fit is 3 hours plus a mandatory 2 hour (!!) wheel alignment which will add another $500-$600. So you're probably looking at around $1500 plus tax.</p>
<p>It would appear that there are a few optional spring rates??? What I like about this if true, is the option to tailor rates to my driving style, but also, that these rates have been (apparently)mated very carefully to the dampers. All the better that this set-up was developed on 'real roads' rather than at the track. Small change if these new spring and dampers provide better handling with potentially more comfort – something I heard thru the grapevine. I've gone the custom Koni and spring route thru True Choice and I can tell you that like most aftermarket set-ups, it worked, but it was a big hammer appraoch…not very sophisticated.</p>
<p>I'm confused. Does the suspention package includes the strut brace or is that seperate?</p>
<p>No, the strut brace isn't included. I don't think it's even available in the US yet?</p>
<p>My JCW suspension kit was fitted last friday to my new MY05 MCS. My car has only done 1750 kms so far. it cost me $2600 au including dealer fitting, alignment etc. As my car was a cooper S chilli before the upgrade the kit included the replacement shockies and the set of four springs. the springs needed to be ordered to match to the cooper S. (weight is different to the cooper)
first reaction on driving the new suspension out of the dealer yard last friday was a much firmer ride, but not harsh. the car feels even tighter and still manages to absorb all of the bumps thrown at it on sealed roads. DSC continues to work as before, however with a bit of rain the last few days, ive managed to control dsc operation with better clutch regulation and launches are less of a problem even with DSC on still.in short i love the package, it is extremely well put together, it doesnt include the engine strutt brace, just the 4 springs and shockies, and ive kept the old springs and shockies that came off the car in the same box.</p>
<p>Gabe, dude, you need a copy editor (or more sleep).</p>
<p>“MINIUSA also has just issues a parts bulletin”</p>
<p>“Does anyone else thing this release contradicts itself regarding the installation of the kit in cars built before 07/04? If we more info on this we'll be sure to pass it along.”</p>
<p>sleep…</p>
<p>OK, so it says specifically NOT for the MCSC. So what's up with that? </p>
<p>And does anyone know if its at least in the works so to speak?</p>
<p>The JCW suspension is likely too stiff for the flexy convertible chassis. Same reason the MCSC gets the Cooper suspension and not the SS-Plus that is standard on the Cooper S Coupe.</p>
<p>I am a more than a little peeved that I have waited for the JCW Suspension and held off buying a non Mini supsension to find out the JCW Suspension is not available for my 03 MCS JCW. Great support Mini, not…</p>
<p>Official Word from Mini.
“The 2005 MINIs did go through some design changes. The new JCW Suspension Kit was designed to work with the new 2005 MINI bodystyle. Unfortunately, it is not compatible with earlier MINIs. I do apologize.
“</p>
<p>anybody have a picture of a lowered one .seems a bit minor ,only 10mm.</p>
<p>That would be 0.3937 inches</p>
Just one thing. This kit is cheaper than the announced prices and it can be fitted without a single problem, on an MCS made before 07-04.
I know that because my MCS is from 09-02 and I have these suspensions since last week. They are just performing perfectly.
Jeanno – that’s because MINI released another version for earlier cars about a year later. If you do a search you’ll find the article that talks about the newer version for 02-04 cars.