[wozcoop]

Thinking of getting this set up for my MCSC... already have the 3 GTT chassis braces which has sorted the handling quite a bit.

Wondered if anyone has this set up or would recommend any other set up for the convertible?

Looking to lower 20mm - 30mm max and improve overall handling.

Cheers

[Damo]

Threads on NAM indicate that not to use the FSD's and lowering springs together, yet other people have also said they should be fine I'd check KONI's point of view first.

[REDHOT CHILLI COOPER]

Not sure about the FSD's and as Damo points out there was some talk about not fitting lowering kits to the Koni FSD's.

As for the Eibachs go for it, these are fitted to my standard shocks.

I've also got a brace of braces () from GTT and would say the 20-30mm Eibach kit really works well with the stiffer chassis.

Have you thought about the GTT boot brace too?

[sam_a156]

So the interesting question is: if FSD's are not the way to go with lowering springs, what would be the right choice? (I hope that the answer is not "coilover$" )

[wozcoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

Threads on NAM indicate that not to use the FSD's and lowering springs together, yet other people have also said they should be fine I'd check KONI's point of view first.

Cheers, will try and get Koni to respond on SCNM or e-mail... I need to go lower [for looks as much as handling] and also crave better damping!

Quote: Originally Posted by REDHOT CHILLI COOPER (original)

Not sure about the FSD's and as Damo points out there was some talk about not fitting lowering kits to the Koni FSD's.

As for the Eibachs go for it, these are fitted to my standard shocks.

I've also got a brace of braces () from GTT and would say the 20-30mm Eibach kit really works well with the stiffer chassis.

Have you thought about the GTT boot brace too?

I wish - not available for the convertible yet

Quote: Originally Posted by sam_a156 (original)

So the interesting question is: if FSD's are not the way to go with lowering springs, what would be the right choice? (I hope that the answer is not "coilover$" )

I would only go down the coilover route if it meant I get both the controlled damping and ride height... which I probably could! But pockets aren't that deep right now

[Damo]

Few options:

FSD's on their own
+ Great handling + Comfort
- Stock Ride Height

Eibachs on their own
+ Great handling + Ride Height
- Comfort

Eibachs with Uprated shocks
+ Great handling + Ride Height
+/- Comfort?

Eibachs with Uprated shocks and Rear Anti Roll bar
+ Awesome handling + Ride Height
+/- Comfort?

[wozcoop]

Damo, thanks thats good info. How much do Eibachs impact on comfort over stock springs?

[Damo]

Quite a bit but it gets worse as the dampners wear out, hence uprated shocks. Fitting would be same for springs as springs and shocks.

Personally though coilovers

[wozcoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

Personally though coilovers

...need to raise some big bucks then if i want the best of both worlds! Cheers for the info.

[Lohen]

Quote: Originally Posted by wozcoop (original)

Thinking of getting this set up for my MCSC... already have the 3 GTT chassis braces which has sorted the handling quite a bit.

Wondered if anyone has this set up or would recommend any other set up for the convertible?

Looking to lower 20mm - 30mm max and improve overall handling.

Cheers

Hi,

We have recently been approved by Koni UK & Holland as a fitting centre for the MINI.

We have done a number of installations involving FSD Dampers and Eibach Springs, all with good results. We have asked Koni to confirm for us their thoughts on the use of Eibach/FSD combination & here is the short of it.

After extensive tests by Koni USA, they have discovered that on some applications the FSD Dampers are not complimented by the Eibach (Pro-Kit) springs. This mainly falls on the larger cars (i.e. Saab 93/95). On the MINI in particular the combination works well, as the spring rates are not too far from standard.

Each FSD damper kit is designed to work around the standard spring set up, which will be the most comfortable. A shorter/higher rate spring can decrease some of the effectiveness of the FSD damper, in the case of the MINI this is not too noticeable.


The main problem you will find is the flex in the cabrio chassis, a lot of movement/flex, reduces the effectiveness of suspension. For best results you need to make the shell as stiff as you can (strut brace, lower braces, boot braces & etc.) and then upgrade the suspension.

Re: Coilovers - by the time you have had a set of FSD dampers and Eibach springs, you are not too far from the cost of a KW V1, which will give you adjustable ride height. I'm not sure how much more beneficial the damping adjustments would be, we find that a lot of customers don't tend to even adjust them after initial installation let alone keep trying different settings. Hence it can be a waste of money to pay for the adjustable damping.

Andrey

PS. If you still running run flats then you need to get rid of them as they do nothing for comfort and handling.

[Damo]

Andrey you need to cut down on the hours

[Lohen]

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

Andrey you need to cut down on the hours

Tell me about it.....

[wozcoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lohen (original)

Hi,

We have recently been approved by Koni UK & Holland as a fitting centre for the MINI.

We have done a number of installations involving FSD Dampers and Eibach Springs, all with good results. We have asked Koni to confirm for us their thoughts on the use of Eibach/FSD combination & here is the short of it.

After extensive tests by Koni USA, they have discovered that on some applications the FSD Dampers are not complimented by the Eibach (Pro-Kit) springs. This mainly falls on the larger cars (i.e. Saab 93/95). On the MINI in particular the combination works well, as the spring rates are not too far from standard.

Each FSD damper kit is designed to work around the standard spring set up, which will be the most comfortable. A shorter/higher rate spring can decrease some of the effectiveness of the FSD damper, in the case of the MINI this is not too noticeable.


The main problem you will find is the flex in the cabrio chassis, a lot of movement/flex, reduces the effectiveness of suspension. For best results you need to make the shell as stiff as you can (strut brace, lower braces, boot braces & etc.) and then upgrade the suspension.

Re: Coilovers - by the time you have had a set of FSD dampers and Eibach springs, you are not too far from the cost of a KW V1, which will give you adjustable ride height. I'm not sure how much more beneficial the damping adjustments would be, we find that a lot of customers don't tend to even adjust them after initial installation let alone keep trying different settings. Hence it can be a waste of money to pay for the adjustable damping.

Andrey

PS. If you still running run flats then you need to get rid of them as they do nothing for comfort and handling.

Thanks Andrey

This info is really interesting... I do have upper lower and mid braces from GTT fitted and the chassis is now pretty taught. I also run non runflats - Yoko Parada 2's on 18's though. I have acquired some Eibach Pro Kit springs originally sourced from Minisport [quoted 20mm drop] but expect slightly more due to extra sprung weight of cabrio. I have the Aero Kit as well.

My first concern is that if I fit the Eibach's am I going to scrape all the speed bumps round my local roads? Secondly will the ride be so harsh that my teeth fall out??

Secondly, assuming then that these springs match pretty well with the springs, will Koni FSDs improve the ride quality with the Eibach's or make it worse? Also will I be more or less likely to hit those speed bumps?

Coilovers are definitely out of the question due to price at the moment.

IF I were to go with FSDs would Lohen be wiling to fit the springs I have already sourced at the same time, and if so how much for fitting the FSDs. PM me if you can?

Thanks again for your input.

[Lohen]

Quote: Originally Posted by wozcoop (original)

Thanks Andrey

This info is really interesting... I do have upper lower and mid braces from GTT fitted and the chassis is now pretty taught. I also run non runflats - Yoko Parada 2's on 18's though. I have acquired some Eibach Pro Kit springs originally sourced from Minisport [quoted 20mm drop] but expect slightly more due to extra sprung weight of cabrio. I have the Aero Kit as well.

My first concern is that if I fit the Eibach's am I going to scrape all the speed bumps round my local roads? Secondly will the ride be so harsh that my teeth fall out??

Secondly, assuming then that these springs match pretty well with the springs, will Koni FSDs improve the ride quality with the Eibach's or make it worse? Also will I be more or less likely to hit those speed bumps?

Coilovers are definitely out of the question due to price at the moment.

IF I were to go with FSDs would Lohen be wiling to fit the springs I have already sourced at the same time, and if so how much for fitting the FSDs. PM me if you can?

Thanks again for your input.

Hi,

1. Typically with Eibach springs you won't get that drastic of a drop to cause any issues with rubbing on speed bumps (unless you have "speed mountains" ) Hence i would not worry about that.

You also need to remember that there is a lip at the bottom of the aerokit ( & standard) bumper than hangs fairly low. This will be the first thing that will rub on anything and it sounds much worse than it really is. We find this to be more of an "issue" on coilovered cars with a 40-50mm drop.

2. Koni FSD's will definitely improve the ride quality with the Eibach, they are far more superior to the standard damper due to their design. The dampers wont have any effect on ground clearance and hence you are no more/less likely to hit any speed bumps with the dampers than you are with without them.

3. Yes we can fit the Eibach springs you have already purchased if you were to go for the FSD dampers.

The rest of the answers on a PM.

Andrey

[k m s]

I've got the 3 GTT braces, Koni FSDs and Eibach springs on my MSCS, the Konis and the Eibachs were supplied and fitted by Lohen. I've been really pleased with them, the handling is amazing

Where are abouts are you? If you wanted to have a try before you commit I'd be happy to take you out for a spin if you're local (I'm in Birmingham)

My post from the other thread:

Quote:

I lowered my MSCS last summer, Eibachs and Koni FSDs. They have lowered the car a fair amount, particularly at the rear. The ride isn't too harsh apart from poor roads, I don't use the car as my daily drive anymore so it's difficult to say whether it's liveable for every day driving, but I don't think it's much worse than standard.

It does catch a little on speed bumps but only the plastic 'lip' at the front, nothing too serious. I have had the GTT lower strutbrace fitted as well and that does bottom out very occasionally on very rough roads

Overall I've been very pleased with them, combined with the GTT braces the handling is now excellent, better than most hard tops I would say

Some quick pictures I took last year, I have some better ones but can't access them at work

[wozcoop]

Quote: Originally Posted by k m s (original)

I've got the 3 GTT braces, Koni FSDs and Eibach springs on my MSCS, the Konis and the Eibachs were supplied and fitted by Lohen. I've been really pleased with them, the handling is amazing

Where are abouts are you? If you wanted to have a try before you commit I'd be happy to take you out for a spin if you're local (I'm in Birmingham)

My post from the other thread:

Cheers for the offer, unfortunately I'm in Essex!! I think I'm swaying towards going for the FSDs with Lohen, but not fir a few weeks. If you were going to be anywhere near London it would be really great to meet up for a quick demo.

Thanks again, you don't often find such community spirit on other owners forums...

[k m s]

Quote: Originally Posted by wozcoop (original)

Cheers for the offer, unfortunately I'm in Essex!! I think I'm swaying towards going for the FSDs with Lohen, but not fir a few weeks. If you were going to be anywhere near London it would be really great to meet up for a quick demo.

Thanks again, you don't often find such community spirit on other owners forums...

Sadly no plans to be down South for a while I'm afraid. Was at Lohen this morning, took a couple of people for a demo, I'm sure they could testify to how well it handles (and how it comes back from sideways on ). The car was loving the cold morning

[Longboard 2]

I have FSD's with H-Sport spring, 23mm sway bar, ProMini drop links, OMP upper and lower strut brace's with 215 x 40 x 18 Toyo T1r's

I love this set up. The ride is smooth and comfortable when cruising yet nice and tight when pushed in the twisties. Unless you need coil overs I feel I have found the perfect combination for a street and the occasional track day.

And the stance looks great!

Longboard

[Damo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Longboard 2 (original)

I have FSD's with H-Sport spring, 23mm sway bar, ProMini drop links, OMP upper and lower strut brace's with 215 x 40 x 18 Toyo T1r's

I love this set up. The ride is smooth and comfortable when cruising yet nice and tight when pushed in the twisties. Unless you need coil overs I feel I have found the perfect combination for a street and the occasional track day.

And the stance looks great!

Longboard

Those wheels look the ****. What are they? Bet they weigh a tonne though

Whole car look mint to

[Longboard 2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

Those wheels look the ****. What are they? Bet they weigh a tonne though

Whole car look mint to

Thanks,

They are 2 piece forged Ro_Ja formula 7's. They are not the lightest but not bad for 18". Trust me when I say my car has more then enough power to spin them .

Longboard