[hein]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryephile (original)

There is a big notch in the oil pan for the downpipe to go over the subframe. Ground clearance shouldn't be a major problem, as the front spoiler, then the subframe, will bottom out on the ground first.

Lower is always possible, it just may be more difficult than the R53.

--->hein: how's the handling balance with the H&R's? More or less understeer?

there is a little bit more understeer, but not so much as on the r53 i had before that one eated my front tires in 10000 km miles

[Ryephile]

That's good news I'd say! Any chance for less understeer is a good thing. I keep hearing the R56 pushes more, or has less of a tendency for oversteer than the R53, which is tragic because the R53 doesn't oversteer very much, IMO.

[Ryephile]

Has anyone over the pond heard if H&R or Eibach [or anyone really] has started further development on suspension components for the R56? Ideally I'd like to change out the swaybars to larger ones [probably a touch bigger in front, and much bigger in back] and get a set of coil-overs [with custom spec'd spring rates] for my upcoming R56. Eibach and H&R really dropped the ball with the R53; hopefully they can redeem themselves with the R56. Does anyone have an "in" with either of those companies to get the latest word?

Thanks!

[Ryephile]

Quote: Originally Posted by hein (original)

there is a little bit more understeer, but not so much as on the r53 i had before that one eated my front tires in 10000 km miles

Aahhh, the revised, updated handling feedback rears its head. More understeer sounds more like H&R's "tuning" philosophy. From a picture of the springs however, it looks as if they show promise for some experimentation. Nevertheless, I've ordered a set of these springs from the same place hein did, from FMW Tuning in Germany. Hopefully they arrive to the 'states in a timely manner and get through customs easily.

--->hein; still happy with them? You mentioned they "settled", could you entertain me by posting a new picture showing the latest ride height? Thanks!

[Maaij]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryephile (original)

Has anyone over the pond heard if H&R or Eibach [or anyone really] has started further development on suspension components for the R56? Ideally I'd like to change out the swaybars to larger ones [probably a touch bigger in front, and much bigger in back] and get a set of coil-overs [with custom spec'd spring rates] for my upcoming R56. Eibach and H&R really dropped the ball with the R53; hopefully they can redeem themselves with the R56. Does anyone have an "in" with either of those companies to get the latest word?

Thanks!

From H&R site

Quote:

New for the Mini, Type Mini-N
Sport Springs:
29090-1, Cooper + Cooper S, lowering approx. 30mm

Height Adjustable Coil Over:
29338-3, low version, lowering front: 30-60mm, rear: 30-50mm
29338-4, normal version, lowering front + rear: 30-50mm

TRAK+ Wheel Spacers are in development.
A stabilizer is in development.

[Evo]

Ryephile, have you tried the car yourself? On various surfaces as now, ice, water and leaf covered roads? Oh, it is still pretty happy to let the tail go :-) My last car was a 92 mod. 964 Carrera with some RUF mods. Driven very hard on various tracks in Scandinavia with my friends in the Norwegian Porsche Club, it wasn't exactly the paragon of understeer when pushed to and over the limit.

I find that the Mini is still a very balanced (mostly neutral to oversteer) car when pushed (hard enough) om dry roads. And this behaviour is amplified in more "advanced" weather conditions as we have a lot of in most parts of Norway.

I think BMW has found a very good balance between a relaxed car when the driver is relaxed, and a sporty drive when the driver is active and paying attention.

[Sir Johnaraz]

I am fitting Eibach springs on Monday, so I will post some pics

[Ryephile]

--->maaij: H&R posted the coilover part number on their German and US websites about 2 weeks ago, but thanks for posting.

--->Evo: Yes I've driven the R56; it's reasonably neutral, with a tendency to understeer at the limit. I've heard the car has some decent lift-off oversteer, more than the R53, which is good IMO. My main concern isn't MINI's suspension, but H&R's tendency to put a too-soft rear spring in the MINI kit than the car needs, creating more understeer, like hein reported.

--->Sir Johnaraz: please do! More pics are good. Please post your handling observations too.

Cheers,
Ryan

[Maaij]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sir Johnaraz (original)

I am fitting Eibach springs on Monday, so I will post some pics

I can't find anything on the internet about R56 Eibach springs.

How low will it lower the MINI? 30mm?

[Sir Johnaraz]

25mm were measured in a R56 with Eibach just fitted, so expected to be up to 30mm when settled...I got them from Lohen in the UK Great service