Just when everyone is getting sick of hearing how good these are......well I'm sorry, they really are as good as everyone says they are. I have just fitted mine to a 2005 MCS with runflats and standard springs and I'm smiling all the way to work. It's like someone has rounded all the sharp corners off the bumps, tramling reduce, much better body control in corners and dive and lift under braking and accelerating is alost gone. So yep, these things are tops and well worth the $$$. Almost contemplating sticking with runflats.......................................... .................not.

Glad to hear another positive review….... I am surprised that this mod is not more common as they really are a good upgrade.

I drove 260 miles round trip yesterday across all “A” road…… previously on the old shocks my back would have been sore on getting home….. a condition my wife calls MINI back !

However…. on the FSDs got home…. No back ache and still all the smiles from the great handling.


Cheers

Perm

Many of the coilover set ups are too stiff for the UK roads ,great on track but on the rubbish roads here ....both the FSD and the KONI adjustables are very well suited to the roads here and a cheaper option than coilovers- add poly bushes and rear sway bar and its a good set up

I forgot to add, the install is certainly something everyone could have a go at with the right tools. Rears are dead easy, fronts have some challenges but still straight forward. Anyone considering doing this job and you need any help let me know while it is still fresh in the mind. Drive to work today still grinning.

There seems to be different opinions on if they are ok with lowering springs or not...any comments?

They will work, but given that the manufacturers went to a lot of trouble designing them around stock spring rates and lengths not as well
coilover manufacturers also go to trouble designing their systems to work at different heights so to mix and match lowering springs and shocks not made for lowered springs would not seem wise to me - how would you know if optimised or not ? the spring manufacturers dont know what shocks you have fitted - it is however cheaper so often done .
I dont even like the thought of lowering springs on stock shocks ,as the shocks are usually worn out by the time this happens but this also is common
The object is to improve things. isnt it?

I very much buy that.

The trouble is that based on all these reviews here and @ NAM, Koni FSD's seem to really be the best bet - unless you want to splash out on high-end adjustable coilovers.

So what are the best shock options for those of us with lowering springs?

I have Eibachs with stock shocks with a little bit over 30,000 miles on them on really "challenging" Polish roads, half with Eibachs...was thinking that probably the stocks will soon have to go. I have been on a fence for a long time with FSDs .

I find that most suspension is too hard for the very poor state of the roads ,not just potholes but dips ,cambers and wildly varying surfaces ,this will vary from country to country but the UK must be among the worst !!
One of the best handling road cars I have tried was with MINI one springs and Koni adjustables and 15 inch wheels - and one of the worst had super hard coilovers on 18 inch runflats -the car seemed to go airborne over small road dips and lose steering -go figure!!

It is hard reading forums as they are all personal views ,my own preference being softer springs and hard dampers with smaller wheels
With lowering springs if you get adjustable dampers then you have some means of changing to what you like and your road conditions , with FSD you will have to go with the general feedback of other users and hope it also suits you also