Show me your JCW wheel/ suspension set ups
Discussion
Recently had my Abarth Competizione stolen. Am now looking at alternatives to replace it and 2016/17 JCW hatches fit by budget. However, the wheels never seem to look right to me and the arch gap makes it worse. Keen to see peoples alternative wheels and ride heights to give me some inspiration. Cheers
Sorry for your loss. FWIW I think any gen of JCW or Cooper S is better than the Abarth.
Here is a Petrol Ped video on the "Poor man's JCW Challenge" DT Edition JCW which has some very minor but effective suspension tweaks, which he compares to a stock JCW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBYmdLrDX9Q
And pic here:
https://drive-my.com/new-dt-edition-2021-mini-jcw/
I'm sure you could replicate with Eibach springs and 15mm spacers for a fraction of that price. It looks good even on the 17 inch wheels.
At the other extreme I guess you could fit coilovers, maybe the Nitron adjustable set up on the JCW Challenge:
https://www.stratstone.com/blog/spotlight/mini-joh...
They got a 5 star evo rating, although the ride was supposedly a little brutal unless you back off the stiffness settings.
Note both of those cars are on 17 inch wheels. While 18s might look better there is a trade off with ride. I reckon 19s would ruin it.
There doesn't appear to be too much aftermarket stuff wheel-wise, apart from Team Dynamics, due to the difficulty clearing the Brembo calipers.
Here is a Petrol Ped video on the "Poor man's JCW Challenge" DT Edition JCW which has some very minor but effective suspension tweaks, which he compares to a stock JCW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBYmdLrDX9Q
And pic here:
https://drive-my.com/new-dt-edition-2021-mini-jcw/
I'm sure you could replicate with Eibach springs and 15mm spacers for a fraction of that price. It looks good even on the 17 inch wheels.
At the other extreme I guess you could fit coilovers, maybe the Nitron adjustable set up on the JCW Challenge:
https://www.stratstone.com/blog/spotlight/mini-joh...
They got a 5 star evo rating, although the ride was supposedly a little brutal unless you back off the stiffness settings.
Note both of those cars are on 17 inch wheels. While 18s might look better there is a trade off with ride. I reckon 19s would ruin it.
There doesn't appear to be too much aftermarket stuff wheel-wise, apart from Team Dynamics, due to the difficulty clearing the Brembo calipers.
Hi Woody.GT sorry to hear about your Abarth, I’m hopeful you’ll have more fun in a JCW.
Here’s my 2016 F56 JCW 3dr hatch, Roary.
JCW Pro coilovers made by KW with JCW Pro 18” Cross Spoke wheels, without spacers.
Coilovers set, at 1/2 way on adjusters, ground to bottom of wheel arches set at 60cm.
Tip: If you’re removing the original F56 JCW 3dr Hatch suspension, hang on to your original front and rear springs, just in case you opt to take it back to standard JCW suspension setup as BMW parts department no longer supply front springs along with some other bits, ie paper gasket for rear guide supports, rear stoneguards all now discontinued parts for a 2016 manual F56 3dr hatch JCW.
I can see the availability of F56 second hand springs on the increase on the likes of eBay, just be careful, buy a complete set and make sure they are actually springs suitable for your vehicle, or opt for a complete set of new springs like and in no particular order, Eibach, Bilstein, Supertech, Lohen, MMR, AC Schnitzer.
And if you opt for a coilover setup your spoilt for choice. Check to see if you can buy spare parts of the shelf for your new setup, for instance if you opt for the JCW Pro coilovers and get corrosion on a spring, Mini service will advise two options a complete whole new JCW Pro coilover kit as BMW and KW have an agreement not to sell individual parts from the JCW PRO kit of the shelf, or second option return vehicle to standard suspension with non BMW springs.
However if you opt for the equivalent or better KW kit from KW or one of their suppliers or fitters and get a stone chip to a rear spring good news parts are available from KW so you would only need to replace a pair of rear springs not the whole suspension. Keep a note of the numbers from your new KW front coilover struts, front springs, rear coils, rear shocks, it’ll help you in years to come if one part fails.
And No, my Roarey’s not for sale.
Here’s my 2016 F56 JCW 3dr hatch, Roary.
JCW Pro coilovers made by KW with JCW Pro 18” Cross Spoke wheels, without spacers.
Coilovers set, at 1/2 way on adjusters, ground to bottom of wheel arches set at 60cm.
Tip: If you’re removing the original F56 JCW 3dr Hatch suspension, hang on to your original front and rear springs, just in case you opt to take it back to standard JCW suspension setup as BMW parts department no longer supply front springs along with some other bits, ie paper gasket for rear guide supports, rear stoneguards all now discontinued parts for a 2016 manual F56 3dr hatch JCW.
I can see the availability of F56 second hand springs on the increase on the likes of eBay, just be careful, buy a complete set and make sure they are actually springs suitable for your vehicle, or opt for a complete set of new springs like and in no particular order, Eibach, Bilstein, Supertech, Lohen, MMR, AC Schnitzer.
And if you opt for a coilover setup your spoilt for choice. Check to see if you can buy spare parts of the shelf for your new setup, for instance if you opt for the JCW Pro coilovers and get corrosion on a spring, Mini service will advise two options a complete whole new JCW Pro coilover kit as BMW and KW have an agreement not to sell individual parts from the JCW PRO kit of the shelf, or second option return vehicle to standard suspension with non BMW springs.
However if you opt for the equivalent or better KW kit from KW or one of their suppliers or fitters and get a stone chip to a rear spring good news parts are available from KW so you would only need to replace a pair of rear springs not the whole suspension. Keep a note of the numbers from your new KW front coilover struts, front springs, rear coils, rear shocks, it’ll help you in years to come if one part fails.
And No, my Roarey’s not for sale.
Edited by Ian.Campbell on Thursday 17th November 18:57
WayOutWest said:
amare32 said:
I really like that, looks better than a GP3 to be honest.Carbon splitter by Mulgari.
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