About to order a JCW Clubman and thanks to this forum and all you contributors, I've pretty much figured out everything I want. I've been to 2 different dealers and they don't have a JCW Clubman with sport suspension to drive so I would have to order it blind. The '09 JCW booklet says it's not available in the Clubman but the MA and online says it is. I really like the way it rides with the stock suspension but wouldn't mind it 1/2" lower and sportier handling if it wasn't too stiff on rough roads. I don't plan to track it and don't mind the $500. Online it says "stiffer front and rear stabilizer bars...more aggressive springs and dampers". Any thoughts or experience from anyone who has one or has driven one?

I also plan to put on lightweight 18" wheels and non run-flats from tirerack. I know the 18's will run rougher than the 17's but I'm hoping the switch from run-flat 17's to regular 18"s will be a wash in the ride department. Does this make sense?

Ideally, I would love to lower it 1 to 1.5 inches but for looks only. After reading every post I can find, I don't think I will since I don't want to have to deal with new alignments, camber, worn shock/suspension components ride and possible warranty issues so that's why I want to keep the suspension stock or factory sport if it doesn't degrade the ride too much. Thanks for your thoughts here.

 

I know on the standard Cooper and S the sport suspension is the exact same height as the regular suspension. No lowering at all with the sport suspension.

The JCW suspension will lower the car 10 mm or slightly less than 1/2".

 

Thanks dan- the salesman said it would drop it 1/2 inch and the brochure he gave me said 1/2 inch... maybe it's something new for '09. But the salesman also said the JCW came with 18's as I'm looking down at the 17" wheels and tires.

 

I know it's very confusing. Perhaps he is reading from the brochure for the JCW sport suspension which does lower the car but also costs well over $1500 installed by the dealer. The sport suspension that costs $500 and is a factory option but does not lower the car at all.

Perhaps you should ask your MA if he is talking about the dealer installed JCW suspension or the factory installed sport suspension.