cristo
Nov 5th, 2010, 03:14 PM
I have a March 2003 R50 with about 55,000 miles on it so far. It has the
Sport Suspension Plus option, so the shocks/struts/swaybars are the same
part numbers as on the R53, and the springs are almost the same as the R53,
except for accomodating the slightly lower weight of the R50's front half .
I still have the original shocks/struts, and they actually haven't softened up
a lot yet, but eventually they will, and the question will be what to replace them with.
These are the old style, stiffer shocks, before MINI changed to a softer version later in 2003,
and I would prefer something at least that firm, so the current replacement
oem shocks/struts would be too soft for my liking. I would also like to keep the
original ride height, so lowering springs are not in the equation.
I run max performance summer tires most of the year, and winter tires in the winter,
and prefer a firm, controlled ride, but not too harsh like a setup designed for the track.
My wife passenges often and drives sometimes, and is happy with the current setup.
There seem to be only a few options, so I figured those who have done
this already could comment on the pros and cons and their experiences.
Here's my take on things so far.
Koni Sport (Yellow) - firmer than stock, adjustable rebound, fixed compression, requires enlarging
the mounting perches, rears require some unassembly to adjust on a MINI.
Has anyone had problems with perches rusting out where they were drilled out?
Koni FSD - supposed to be good for stock height, but will I find them to be too soft?
I've like to see a shock dyno curve on these but have never found one for any make or model vehicle.
Bilstein - only made in SP (no HD for R50/R53). For some cars the SPs are firmer than the HDs,
and for some cars, they're the same valving except for ride height design. Not sure how Bilstein
valved the MINI ones in this regard, so they may be a little firmer than I'd prefer.
Some report they're a little oversized and hard to install in the front knuckles, and they're designed for lower springs.
JCW spring/shocks - only 10 mm lower than stock which would be close enough to stock ride height to be acceptable,
but probably not the most cost effective route for my goals. Not sure how the valving compare to the other options.
Most coilovers don't adjust upward to stock ride height, and also not very cost effective for my goals.
Sport Suspension Plus option, so the shocks/struts/swaybars are the same
part numbers as on the R53, and the springs are almost the same as the R53,
except for accomodating the slightly lower weight of the R50's front half .
I still have the original shocks/struts, and they actually haven't softened up
a lot yet, but eventually they will, and the question will be what to replace them with.
These are the old style, stiffer shocks, before MINI changed to a softer version later in 2003,
and I would prefer something at least that firm, so the current replacement
oem shocks/struts would be too soft for my liking. I would also like to keep the
original ride height, so lowering springs are not in the equation.
I run max performance summer tires most of the year, and winter tires in the winter,
and prefer a firm, controlled ride, but not too harsh like a setup designed for the track.
My wife passenges often and drives sometimes, and is happy with the current setup.
There seem to be only a few options, so I figured those who have done
this already could comment on the pros and cons and their experiences.
Here's my take on things so far.
Koni Sport (Yellow) - firmer than stock, adjustable rebound, fixed compression, requires enlarging
the mounting perches, rears require some unassembly to adjust on a MINI.
Has anyone had problems with perches rusting out where they were drilled out?
Koni FSD - supposed to be good for stock height, but will I find them to be too soft?
I've like to see a shock dyno curve on these but have never found one for any make or model vehicle.
Bilstein - only made in SP (no HD for R50/R53). For some cars the SPs are firmer than the HDs,
and for some cars, they're the same valving except for ride height design. Not sure how Bilstein
valved the MINI ones in this regard, so they may be a little firmer than I'd prefer.
Some report they're a little oversized and hard to install in the front knuckles, and they're designed for lower springs.
JCW spring/shocks - only 10 mm lower than stock which would be close enough to stock ride height to be acceptable,
but probably not the most cost effective route for my goals. Not sure how the valving compare to the other options.
Most coilovers don't adjust upward to stock ride height, and also not very cost effective for my goals.