[Chilipeppa03]

Hey guys, I have a 2003 MINI Cooper with well over 64,000 miles on it. I put my Alta lowering springs on at around 35,000 miles with my stock shocks. I put my 18mm Hand R rear sway bar on around 55,000. Now I think it is time to get rid the shocks to complete my set up. I can tell the shocks are wearing because the ride is getting more bouncier and the handling is getting sloppy. My main question is what shocks should I go with? The KONI shocks? Do these accept lowering springs and do I need to know my spring rates to see if they are compatable? Also could I go with coilovers, but the adjustably might be to much for me to handle? What main differences will I see between KONI shocks and coilovers?

Thanks guys!!

[Mike Edwards]

Koni FSD if it's just the shocks...

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by Chilipeppa03

What main differences will I see between KONI shocks and coilovers?

Thanks guys!!

Hi,

What most people mean when they say "coilovers" is an aftermarket spring/shock combo with an adjustable seat or perch that allows height adjustment. (To get technical, the stock mini suspension set-up is actually a coil over suspension, although with non-adjustable shocks or height).

The main advantages of such a product over a simple spring / shock combo are :

• Allows relatively easy and rapid changing of springs. This is useful on the racetrack, as you can test the car and try different spring rates, and may run different rates for different circuits
• Allows you to adjust the ride height of the car within a certain range. This is good on the racetrack, as adjusting the height and rake of the car is very useful for suspension tuning. Also for the street it allows you to set up the look of your car as you want it
• Allows the car to be corner weighted by a suspension shop. This is really only of relevance for race / rally cars

Bear in mind that some shocks are non-adjustable, whereas others can be adjustable for compression / rebound etc. However, It is possible to use adjustable shocks without adjustable coilovers, and also to have coilovers with non-adjustable shocks.

Price is not really a consideration in the decision of simply replacing your shocks or going for coilovers. Both simple shock / spring combos and coilover setups can come in a cheap and nasty form, or extremely expensive up to $10k+

The main decision is how much of the adjustability you want or need

Cheers

Robbo

[Chilipeppa03]

Thanks man!! I do want a good amount of adjustablity, but I am kind of intimindated by all the adjustabilty of coilovers. The coilovers I am looking at are the Megan Racing coilovers. They run around $1,2000. Also I am considering the Koni adjustables that run around $650. Big price difference ha? My main question is will I see a big difference with the Koni's versus stock shocks with well over 64,000 miles on them?