[aedeau]

Hey guys,

I have a 2007 MCS R56 and i'm interested in lowering it by maybe 10-15mm or perhaps even 15-20mm over the stock configuration as I find the large gap between the tyre and wheel arch extremely annoying (cosmetically). I have the chili pack, which supposedly includes the sports suspension, and my wheels are 17" Crown spokes on the stock 205/45 runflats.

It is my understanding that there are two ways I can go about lowering my car. (1) a full coil over system, which is fully adjustable and more expensive, and (2) to simple replace the springs, which will offer fixed ride height, but will be less costly. Given this information I am leaning towards simply getting a new set of springs to achieve the results.

My question is; what are people's comments/experiences with springs from pedders (they seem a bit dodgy to me)? btw i'm in QLD, Australia. I have noticed that many of you are using H&R springs, however I haven't been able to find anywhere in Brisbane that will sell and fit these for me. If anybody is aware of where I can get these and fitted at the same time in Brisbane, please let me know - or any other reputable brand for that matter. Please note i'm not interested in ordering from overseas - I simply want to walk into the shop have them installed and fitted and then walk... well drive out

Also, will the new lowered springs offer the same stiffness? what are the potential problems that could occur with lowering my stock 2007 R56 MCS by 10-20mm? will the tyres rub the wheel arch? will he car scrape when going over speed bumps in shopping centres? I have checked my front bumper clearance, and even in car parks with those concrete bits at the front, I have quite a bit of clearance before there should be any scraping. Any experience from other Brissie mini modders please feel free to comment.

Anyway, i think that's all the questions I have... for now. Please excuse my ignorance, as I have never done this before.

[steve11]

Look into Eibach springs, they are progressive rate & lower the car approximately 20mm. Personally i would steer clear of Pedders & Kings.

[aedeau]

Quote: Originally Posted by steve11 (original)

Look into Eibach springs, they are progressive rate & lower the car approximately 20mm. Personally i would steer clear of Pedders & Kings.

Thanks Steve,

I've emailed a place at Slack Creek to try and get a price for a set of Eibach 5705.140 Pro-Kit Springs. This place Coil Springs: Eibach, review HR seems to sell them for around $280US. Any ideas how much this is likely to cost with installation in AU $? I'm hoping for something around or less than the $500 mark.

[steve11]

ThInk i paid $500 for mine in Sydney. I fitted my own but fitting should be around $150-$200.

[alski]

wonders out loud about bigger arches as a audi tt to close this gap, if it can be done in photo shop 1st, as i think this gap is hated by everyone!
there could be a good market for replacement arches

[aedeau]

Quote: Originally Posted by alski (original)

wonders out loud about bigger arches as a audi tt to close this gap, if it can be done in photo shop 1st, as i think this gap is hated by everyone!
there could be a good market for replacement arches

Yeah, I'm starting to have second thoughts about lowering it now. I scraped the lip under the front bumper for the first time today. There was a pretty loud clunk. I got out of the car to check it out, luckily nothing is broken. The bottom of the lip is a bit scuffed up, but you'd never know unless you looked under there, and even then it's not too bad.

I'm starting to also wonder whether or not it would be possible to get a bigger wheel arch panels, preferably matching body colour (dark silver), as the car is already quite low. I tested it out, and i can stretch my thumb and index finger wider than the height of the front bumper... so yeah, it's already quite low.

Also, I always look at pictures I took of the car when it was only 2 days old as a basis for comparison, and it seems to sit higher in the pictures than it does atm in real life. I guess this is probably a result of the springs needing to be worn/settled in or maybe dodgy photo taking on my part?

btw i just clocked over 3000kms today

[danielo]

Hi,
Yes springs will settle a little after its been installed.

[zyo]

Quote: Originally Posted by aedeau (original)

Yeah, I'm starting to have second thoughts about lowering it now. I scraped the lip under the front bumper for the first time today. There was a pretty loud clunk. I got out of the car to check it out, luckily nothing is broken. The bottom of the lip is a bit scuffed up, but you'd never know unless you looked under there, and even then it's not too bad.

I don't really understand the logic of the lip underneath the front bumper. The R56 has loads of ground clearance everywhere but then they go and stick that lip on and it's only about 3 inches off the ground

I keep hearing it scrape on all the speed humps over here.... a strange phrase 'speed humps' cos the one thing you cannot do over them is speed..well not without getting airborne

[swgn]

JCW suspension kit will lower your R56 by 10mm; apparently the Oz price is AU$1,460 though fitting will cost more... Pricey, though worth considering.

[aedeau]

Quote: Originally Posted by swgn (original)

JCW suspension kit will lower your R56 by 10mm; apparently the Oz price is AU$1,460 though fitting will cost more... Pricey, though worth considering.

Hi All,

Just thought I'd post an update; after much thought, I've decided to go down the JCW suspension kit path rather than some other aftermarket solution. I've contacted my local BMW/mini garage they have informed me that you are able to purchase the JCW springs as a single item, which was a surprise to me, as I was expecting to have to fork out for the other gear as well.

The tech as informed me that before he can get a price on the springs I need to supply my VIN, because apparently they need to check what equipment I have installed. I guess spring rates and other things may need to be tweaked depending on how much weight/equipment you have? I'm not really too sure.

Anyway, if there are others out there wondering if it is possible to purchase JCW springs as a separate from the suspension kit, it looks like there's some hope!

[Sambo99]

I am thinking that I am going to go down the path of lowering my R56 too...

I dropped by my dealer in Brisbane today to see the his new MINI. He has put in adjustable coilovers and in conjunction with the colour coded arches and side skirts I must admit it looked really good - walking back to my MINI it looked like it was on stilts in comparison with that huge gap between the wheels and arches...

Im wondering how stiff the JCW springs will be? (looks like its more MINI2 forum searching for me this afternoon...)

It will be good to hear on progress aedeau - Im based in Brisbane too.

[aedeau]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sambo99 (original)

I am thinking that I am going to go down the path of lowering my R56 too...

I dropped by my dealer in Brisbane today to see the his new MINI. He has put in adjustable coilovers and in conjunction with the colour coded arches and side skirts I must admit it looked really good - walking back to my MINI it looked like it was on stilts in comparison with that huge gap between the wheels and arches...

Im wondering how stiff the JCW springs will be? (looks like its more MINI2 forum searching for me this afternoon...)

It will be good to hear on progress aedeau - Im based in Brisbane too.

AWWWW... I just heard back from the tech guy at Brisbane BMW and he says that the JCW springs haven't been approved by the ADR yet... whatever that is. So he can't get the quote just yet and my tax return just came back too!!!

[Sambo99]

Quote: Originally Posted by aedeau (original)

AWWWW... I just heard back from the tech guy at Brisbane BMW and he says that the JCW springs haven't been approved by the ADR yet... whatever that is. So he can't get the quote just yet and my tax return just came back too!!!

Aedeau,
heard anything back about those JCW springs? I am going to try and sort out my lowering over the next couple of weeks...

[aedeau]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sambo99 (original)

Aedeau,
heard anything back about those JCW springs? I am going to try and sort out my lowering over the next couple of weeks...

unfortunately, no

I'll bug them again in the new year and see whether or not they can get the JCW springs in. Anybody else got them fitted yet?

[Sambo99]

Quote: Originally Posted by aedeau (original)

unfortunately, no

I'll bug them again in the new year and see whether or not they can get the JCW springs in. Anybody else got them fitted yet?

Maybe I should bug them too... that way they might see the advantage of getting them in quicker if there is possible high demand! pm me with the details... I want to try and organise it for the new year..

[adam_Randell]

isnt the stock system on the MCS lowerd 25mm anyways? So you would need 35/40mm??

[Sambo99]

Quote: Originally Posted by adam_Randell (original)

isnt the stock system on the MCS lowerd 25mm anyways? So you would need 35/40mm??

I havent asked about them yet - when I was researching the eibachs though, I was under the impression that they lowered it a further 20-25mm.

I might have to call one of the Brisvegas (and surrounds) MINI dealers today and find out more for myself...

[adam_Randell]

Yea. Its all abit confusing!

[aedeau]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sambo99 (original)

I havent asked about them yet - when I was researching the eibachs though, I was under the impression that they lowered it a further 20-25mm.

I might have to call one of the Brisvegas (and surrounds) MINI dealers today and find out more for myself...

From what i've read, people have said around 10-15mm, which isn't very much; but subtle enough for me, lookswise anyway.

EDIT: Sambo - PM sent!

[MrCooms]

Having clocked up nearly 1000km on my R56 MCS im already looking into mods. At the top of the list is to sort out the suspension, im tossing up between H&R or Mach V springs which seem pretty popular on the NAM site as well.

Where would be the best place online to purchase the springs from? I know i can get the Mach V's for $300 us including shipping to Australia but unsure of the best place to get H & R's.