MINI2

MarkW19 · Feb 14th, 2006, 11:26 AM

I was hoping to get the Koni FSDs for my ('03)Cooper, but apparently they won't work with my Eibach lowering springs, so those are out.

Basically, I want the overall ride "quality" to be increased (not as much fumbling over potholes and bumps etc.), an overall tighter and sharper car, more responsive steering, significantly better handling and a lot less body roll.

What are my options?

Thanks for any help.

Mark

Neil the Hat · Feb 14th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Eibach coilovers.

Having been in a Mini with these fitted they have now been added to my to do list.

For £700 they are very good.

Think there is actually a group buy on these at the moment for £595.

Here it is: http://www.mini2.com/forum/group-buys-mini2-special-offers/108863-eibach-coilovers-group-buy.html

MarkW19 · Feb 14th, 2006, 12:40 PM

Neil, was it a Cooper (with SS) you went in or an S?

How did the ride quality/hardness and handling/responsiveness differ from stock?

Are the Eibach Prostreets better than the KW v1 ?

Cheers!

MarkW19 · Feb 14th, 2006, 01:24 PM

I don't want a harder/harsher ride

Neil the Hat · Feb 14th, 2006, 02:05 PM

Hi Mark,

It was actually the Lohen Mini One.

The ride was near on perfect, though I was a passenger not driving.

There were three of us in the car, Nick the guy driving has it pretty low on aftermarket wheels and non-runflats.

I thought the ride was much nicer than my stock Cooper S setup not in the least bit harsh.

It stuck to the road like glue no sliding, very little body roll, in the wet and down some very windy country lanes at a fair pace.

As for which is better I really have no idea.

MarkW19 · Feb 14th, 2006, 02:08 PM

I'm actually going down to Lohen tomorrow and am planning on having a test drive in the One!

Neil the Hat · Feb 14th, 2006, 02:11 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

I'm actually going down to Lohen tomorrow and am planning on having a test drive in the One!

Bring your credit card as you'll be sold on the coliovers once you have been in it.

Stevie B · Feb 14th, 2006, 05:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Neil the Hat

Bring your credit card as you'll be sold on the coliovers once you have been in it.

Then afterwards, definitely don't catch a ride in a FSD equipped MINI, as you'll undoubtedly curse your decision, and your empty wallet. You want ride quality and a tighter, sharper car, then FSDs are the only option. I wouldn't let a set of already sourced, cheap springs spoil that for me. FSDs = handling like on rails and the smoothest MINI ride available. I don't get why a lowered MINI takes precendence over handling, cornering, and ride quality???

MarkW19 · Feb 14th, 2006, 05:19 PM

I don't know if I can stand seeing my car higher though after being used to it lowered for 2 years!

MarkW19 · Feb 14th, 2006, 07:09 PM

I'm slowly coming round to the idea of the FSDs (coupled with an 18mm anti roll bar)!!

I think I'm gonna remove my Eibachs for a week and see if I can really live with the car being heighered back up.

I still have my stock springs (a year or so old), so I should be ok to put those on the FSDs shouldn't I.

Neil the Hat · Feb 15th, 2006, 08:35 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Stevie B

Then afterwards, definitely don't catch a ride in a FSD equipped MINI, as you'll undoubtedly curse your decision, and your empty wallet. You want ride quality and a tighter, sharper car, then FSDs are the only option. I wouldn't let a set of already sourced, cheap springs spoil that for me. FSDs = handling like on rails and the smoothest MINI ride available. I don't get why a lowered MINI takes precendence over handling, cornering, and ride quality???

Have you been in a Mini with FSDs and Eibach Coilover suspension (rather than just springs)?

Would be interested in what you have to say about how they compare.

Because the coilovers certainly give you a 'tighter, sharper car'...

I haven't experienced the FSDs so can't really say which is better but I can without hesitation say that the Eibach coilover (pro-street I think) are a huge improvement over stock.

As for going back up to stock height, I believe all coilovers etc drop the car 20mm+.

MarkW19 · Feb 15th, 2006, 08:38 AM

I haven't yet had a chance to go in a car with FSDs, but I have heard good things about them. I just need to decide if I can put it with going back up to stock height!

As you said, most coilovers drop by 20mm-60mm.

MarkW19 · Feb 15th, 2006, 05:14 PM

Well, I've just spent the day at Lohen, and went on an extensive test drive in their MINI One which is equipped with Eibach ProStreet coilovers, lowered by 50mm.

All I can say is WOW. The ride is not really any harder than stock, but the jumpiness and bumpiness has gone, and it's a much more higher quality, composed ride.

And the handling of these things is awe-inspiring.

I've got Toyo T1S tyres (fairly soft), and the roads round by me aren't all that bad, so I don't really need the Koni FSDs.

The Eibachs are jaw-dropping, and they're going on my car in July

xtremepsionic · Feb 15th, 2006, 07:17 PM

Sounds like fun

Personally I don't want to lower my car as it snows quite a bit here, and I need the ground clearance. I also like to not worry about entrance ramps or speed bumps at all.

The jumpiness you feel in your own car is very likely to be your stock dampers not damping the lowering springs properly. Its good that you're going for a set of coilovers, nothing like a matched spring/damper set to enhance handling!

MarkW19 · Feb 15th, 2006, 07:20 PM

Absolutely!

Also I've figured out by the test drive today that I really don't need an anti roll bar, the handling the coilovers give is more than enough

We were going at a corner at about 4 times the speed I "thought" we should be, and I was thinking "OMG BRAKE!!!". He didn't brake in the slightest and we just went round like the car was on rails. Amazing

Neil the Hat · Feb 16th, 2006, 11:39 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19

Well, I've just spent the day at Lohen, and went on an extensive test drive in their MINI One which is equipped with Eibach ProStreet coilovers, lowered by 50mm.

All I can say is WOW. The ride is not really any harder than stock, but the jumpiness and bumpiness has gone, and it's a much more higher quality, composed ride.

And the handling of these things is awe-inspiring.

I've got Toyo T1S tyres (fairly soft), and the roads round by me aren't all that bad, so I don't really need the Koni FSDs.

The Eibachs are jaw-dropping, and they're going on my car in July

The words I told you so come to mind... I knew you would be sold once you had a little trip in their Mini One.

rkw · Feb 16th, 2006, 03:01 PM

If you want to duplicate the handling on that Mini One, make sure that you learn about other specs on the car, such as sway bars and size/brand of tires.

MarkW19 · Feb 16th, 2006, 03:08 PM

There's no sway bars on it (over stock), I've got the same size and brand of tyres; the only difference in the front strut braces, which don't make much of a difference anyway

Neil the Hat · Feb 16th, 2006, 04:26 PM

See here for the spec of their Mini One.

http://www.lohen.co.uk/Pages/Extra%2...y/minione.html

MarkW19 · Feb 16th, 2006, 04:59 PM

I've seen it

The wheel spacers are mainly for looks but will make a tiny difference to the handling, and as I mentioned the strut braces just tighten up the front end a minimal amount.

It's mainly the coilovers that make that car handle so well, and the tyres of course (which are the same as mine!!).

Feb 14th, 2006, 11:26 AM	#1
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	Shocks I was hoping to get the Koni FSDs for my ('03)Cooper, but apparently they won't work with my Eibach lowering springs, so those are out. Basically, I want the overall ride "quality" to be increased (not as much fumbling over potholes and bumps etc.), an overall tighter and sharper car, more responsive steering, significantly better handling and a lot less body roll. What are my options? Thanks for any help. Mark

Feb 14th, 2006, 11:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
Neil the Hat MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Coast Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 577 Offline	Eibach coilovers. Having been in a Mini with these fitted they have now been added to my to do list. For £700 they are very good. Think there is actually a group buy on these at the moment for £595. Here it is: http://www.mini2.com/forum/group-buys-mini2-special-offers/108863-eibach-coilovers-group-buy.html For MINIs on the South Coast it has to be the South Coast New MINI Club

Feb 14th, 2006, 12:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	Neil, was it a Cooper (with SS) you went in or an S? How did the ride quality/hardness and handling/responsiveness differ from stock? Are the Eibach Prostreets better than the KW v1 ? Cheers! Last edited by MarkW19 : Feb 14th, 2006 at 01:26 PM.

Feb 14th, 2006, 02:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
Neil the Hat MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Coast Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 577 Offline	Hi Mark, It was actually the Lohen Mini One. The ride was near on perfect, though I was a passenger not driving. There were three of us in the car, Nick the guy driving has it pretty low on aftermarket wheels and non-runflats. I thought the ride was much nicer than my stock Cooper S setup not in the least bit harsh. It stuck to the road like glue no sliding, very little body roll, in the wet and down some very windy country lanes at a fair pace. As for which is better I really have no idea. For MINIs on the South Coast it has to be the South Coast New MINI Club

Feb 14th, 2006, 02:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Neil the Hat MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Coast Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 577 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19 I'm actually going down to Lohen tomorrow and am planning on having a test drive in the One! Bring your credit card as you'll be sold on the coliovers once you have been in it. For MINIs on the South Coast it has to be the South Coast New MINI Club

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Feb 14th, 2006, 01:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	I don't want a harder/harsher ride

Feb 14th, 2006, 02:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	I'm actually going down to Lohen tomorrow and am planning on having a test drive in the One!

Feb 14th, 2006, 05:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
Stevie B Speed Racer Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: K-town, Germany Local Time: 09:52 PM Posts: 166 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Neil the Hat Bring your credit card as you'll be sold on the coliovers once you have been in it. Then afterwards, definitely don't catch a ride in a FSD equipped MINI, as you'll undoubtedly curse your decision, and your empty wallet. You want ride quality and a tighter, sharper car, then FSDs are the only option. I wouldn't let a set of already sourced, cheap springs spoil that for me. FSDs = handling like on rails and the smoothest MINI ride available. I don't get why a lowered MINI takes precendence over handling, cornering, and ride quality??? 2005 MINI Cooper S2007 BMW 530i SMG on order1997 Ducati 748 (sold ) Scuderia Ferrari WILL be back in 2006!!!

Feb 14th, 2006, 05:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	I don't know if I can stand seeing my car higher though after being used to it lowered for 2 years!

Feb 14th, 2006, 07:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	I'm slowly coming round to the idea of the FSDs (coupled with an 18mm anti roll bar)!! I think I'm gonna remove my Eibachs for a week and see if I can really live with the car being heighered back up. I still have my stock springs (a year or so old), so I should be ok to put those on the FSDs shouldn't I.

Feb 15th, 2006, 08:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
Neil the Hat MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Coast Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 577 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Stevie B Then afterwards, definitely don't catch a ride in a FSD equipped MINI, as you'll undoubtedly curse your decision, and your empty wallet. You want ride quality and a tighter, sharper car, then FSDs are the only option. I wouldn't let a set of already sourced, cheap springs spoil that for me. FSDs = handling like on rails and the smoothest MINI ride available. I don't get why a lowered MINI takes precendence over handling, cornering, and ride quality??? Have you been in a Mini with FSDs and Eibach Coilover suspension (rather than just springs)? Would be interested in what you have to say about how they compare. Because the coilovers certainly give you a 'tighter, sharper car'... I haven't experienced the FSDs so can't really say which is better but I can without hesitation say that the Eibach coilover (pro-street I think) are a huge improvement over stock. As for going back up to stock height, I believe all coilovers etc drop the car 20mm+. For MINIs on the South Coast it has to be the South Coast New MINI Club

Feb 15th, 2006, 08:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	I haven't yet had a chance to go in a car with FSDs, but I have heard good things about them. I just need to decide if I can put it with going back up to stock height! As you said, most coilovers drop by 20mm-60mm.

Feb 15th, 2006, 05:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	Well, I've just spent the day at Lohen, and went on an extensive test drive in their MINI One which is equipped with Eibach ProStreet coilovers, lowered by 50mm. All I can say is WOW. The ride is not really any harder than stock, but the jumpiness and bumpiness has gone, and it's a much more higher quality, composed ride. And the handling of these things is awe-inspiring. I've got Toyo T1S tyres (fairly soft), and the roads round by me aren't all that bad, so I don't really need the Koni FSDs. The Eibachs are jaw-dropping, and they're going on my car in July

Feb 15th, 2006, 07:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
xtremepsionic Vroom! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta Local Time: 01:52 PM Posts: 1,038 Offline	Sounds like fun Personally I don't want to lower my car as it snows quite a bit here, and I need the ground clearance. I also like to not worry about entrance ramps or speed bumps at all. The jumpiness you feel in your own car is very likely to be your stock dampers not damping the lowering springs properly. Its good that you're going for a set of coilovers, nothing like a matched spring/damper set to enhance handling!

Feb 15th, 2006, 07:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	Absolutely! Also I've figured out by the test drive today that I really don't need an anti roll bar, the handling the coilovers give is more than enough We were going at a corner at about 4 times the speed I "thought" we should be, and I was thinking "OMG BRAKE!!!". He didn't brake in the slightest and we just went round like the car was on rails. Amazing

Feb 16th, 2006, 11:39 AM	#16 (permalink)
Neil the Hat MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Coast Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 577 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MarkW19 Well, I've just spent the day at Lohen, and went on an extensive test drive in their MINI One which is equipped with Eibach ProStreet coilovers, lowered by 50mm. All I can say is WOW. The ride is not really any harder than stock, but the jumpiness and bumpiness has gone, and it's a much more higher quality, composed ride. And the handling of these things is awe-inspiring. I've got Toyo T1S tyres (fairly soft), and the roads round by me aren't all that bad, so I don't really need the Koni FSDs. The Eibachs are jaw-dropping, and they're going on my car in July The words I told you so come to mind... I knew you would be sold once you had a little trip in their Mini One. For MINIs on the South Coast it has to be the South Coast New MINI Club

Feb 16th, 2006, 03:01 PM	#17 (permalink)
rkw MINI2 Senior Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Local Time: 12:52 PM Posts: 595 Offline	If you want to duplicate the handling on that Mini One, make sure that you learn about other specs on the car, such as sway bars and size/brand of tires.

Feb 16th, 2006, 03:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	There's no sway bars on it (over stock), I've got the same size and brand of tyres; the only difference in the front strut braces, which don't make much of a difference anyway

Feb 16th, 2006, 04:26 PM	#19 (permalink)
Neil the Hat MINI2 Senior My Classifieds Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: South Coast Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 577 Offline	See here for the spec of their Mini One. http://www.lohen.co.uk/Pages/Extra%2...y/minione.html For MINIs on the South Coast it has to be the South Coast New MINI Club

Feb 16th, 2006, 04:59 PM	#20 (permalink)
MarkW19 Grinning Join Date: May 2003 Location: Leeds Local Time: 08:52 PM Posts: 3,831 Offline	I've seen it The wheel spacers are mainly for looks but will make a tiny difference to the handling, and as I mentioned the strut braces just tighten up the front end a minimal amount. It's mainly the coilovers that make that car handle so well, and the tyres of course (which are the same as mine!!).

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