[Mini360]

Hey guys,
im looking to lower my Mini cooper S but i dont want just the springs im looking to spend around 4k. Can you anyone let me know what brand i should go for, who makes the best springs.
I am looking for Coilovers

[Quickbrick]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mini360 (original)

Hey guys,
im looking to lower my Mini cooper S but i dont want just the springs im looking to spend around 4k. Can you anyone let me know what brand i should go for, who makes the best springs.
I am looking for Coilovers

For 4K you could get the KW Stage 2 Coilovers (Fully adjustable) which is what the MINI Challenge R56s are fitted with (or so I believe). Having said that, unless you are planning on doing a fair bit of track work you could spend less money and get a similar result from the Stage 1 KWs or H&R adjustables.

[Mini360]

Quote: Originally Posted by Quickbrick (original)

For 4K you could get the KW Stage 2 Coilovers (Fully adjustable) which is what the MINI Challenge R56s are fitted with (or so I believe). Having said that, unless you are planning on doing a fair bit of track work you could spend less money and get a similar result from the Stage 1 KWs or H&R adjustables.

im looking at the bilstein atm i dont know why but my mind always goes to the Pss9, What you think of them shocks

[scolburn79]

I have the KW Variant 2 Coilovers on my '04 and they are excellent. You can make them as hard or soft rebound as you want and raise or lower the car to what you want. But Mind you, I only paid $800 for mine. A 1 off. But if you have the money, buy the KW's.

[robbo mcs]

Hi,

Both Bilstein and KW are excellent products Both can be fitted for your stated budget.

The bilstein are only single way adjustable (combined bump and rebound). However, unless you really know what you are doing, I believe that is actually an advantage, in that you simply dial from hard to soft.

The Bilsteins are also easily adjustable from underneath the car. You can adjust all 4 corners in 2 minutes without needing to jack the car. That is not really a big deal if you intend to "set and forget". However, it does have advantages, eg if it gets very wet and slippery it is easy to dial in fully soft

Either product is good

Cheers

Robbo

[n00b]

Is your area infested with a lot speed humps and pot holes? If so, rule out the KW and H&R Clubby kit as they're too low. In fact with both of these kit at the highest setting, I was barely legal and their valving is on the rough side.

I am surprised Robbo didn't preach the factory stock is a good bit of a kit. Sure the aftermarket stuff outperforms it but only by a small margin, often render replacing a perfectly good shock a bit of a cashola burning and useless exercise.

I've also spent a few months with the PSS9 - it's a good all-round compromise, softer than the H&R, KW and a whole heap of other setups I've tried (H&R coilovers, KW coilovers, Bilstein sports, Koni yellows with H&R, Eibach and Whiteline springs) plus extremely compliant. My only gripe would be they aren't as comfortable as they imply but then again only a tad firmer than the sports plus suspension anyway. Can't go wrong with the PSS9 unless you're willing to spent $8k+ for Moton/Leda/DMS.

[MAD Always]

Quote: Originally Posted by n00b (original)

I am surprised Robbo didn't preach the factory stock is a good bit of a kit. Sure the aftermarket stuff outperforms it but only by a small margin, often render replacing a perfectly good shock a bit of a cashola burning and useless exercise.

You make sense n00b.

I'm going to stick with the stock setup until its time to replace the OEM shocks. I predict that when the car hits between 80,000 and 100,000 kms then the shocks will need to be replaced. At this time, it would be economical to go for a after market upgrade. The same phylosophy rules the brake system. First pad change go for ds2500. Second pad change consider some kind of big brake kit or if you run 16" wheels on the track consider just a rotor upgrade. When you first need to bleed the brakes ( after two years) consider a stainless steel brake line upgrade.

Now, back to changing the shocks. I like the idea of being able to adjust the PSS9's in two minutes for a road set up to the track (dry) set up. So over the next two years, ie the time it will take for me to reach 80,000 kms, I will keep my eye out for specials (sales) on the PSS9 system.