MINI2

KLF · Feb 18th, 2003, 06:58 PM

Hello people,

I been looking into lowered springs for my MCS, went to a local aftermarket dealer to ask what was available, the list i got was: -
Eibach -15mm only? but a spring just for the 'S'
Apex - upto -35mm but springs suitable for all models!
H&R - upto -30mm again 1 set for all!

So i'm a little unsure

i'd originally ordered the Eibach's but if only -15mm i might struggle to see a difference.

On the Eibach website it says F=-25mm R=-35mm for the Cooper springs but not listed for the 'S', i thought a MC with sports plus susp. was the same height as the MCS?

But looking at the car the back (arch gap)is about 20mm lower than the front so i don't understand why they offer springs that lower more at the back?

So if anyone's fitted Eibach springs to a MCS (i know Bonnie Scotland has!) any advice on how much they lower front and back would be much appreciated.
Is it noticeable difference??

p.s - fitting 18's next by the way.

thanks

Chris

Bonnie Scotland · Feb 18th, 2003, 09:01 PM

I fitted Eibach as you mentioned, i was reliably informed the springs were 30mm.

alan fae bonnie scotland

Yex · Feb 19th, 2003, 03:44 PM

Does anyone know the correct factory settings for the suspension on an MCS ?

Reason I ask is that on my previous Scoobies I had to have the suspension lazer aligned to the correct settings prescribed by ProDrive. After each time this was done the car handled far better. Now, given the chances of getting factory settings EXACTLY as the book says are as rare as rocking horse ****

does anyone know the set up for front and rear?

Regards

Yex

KarmanS · Feb 19th, 2003, 06:11 PM

Hi Chris, here is my friend's MCS in Hong Kong fitted with the Eibachs.

The difference from stock in the rear is easily noticable

KarmanS · Feb 19th, 2003, 06:12 PM

And for comparison a pic of a stock MCS courtesy of a fellow board member.

Hope this helps you decide better. Please post pics after your installation!

KLF · Feb 19th, 2003, 06:23 PM

Thanks for that KarmanS, nice pics!
Certainly looks more than -15mm, i'll stick with my order and see what they are like when fitted. (27th Feb i think earliest i could get!)

Cheers

Chris

KarmanS · Feb 19th, 2003, 10:30 PM

Chris, be sure not to pass judgement on the spring height too quickly once they are installed as it takes some time for it to settle. Hope it works out for you.

MiniE · Feb 22nd, 2003, 07:32 PM

KarmanS

do u know what the parts # for the eibach for the MCS?

Thx

KarmanS · Feb 24th, 2003, 04:24 AM

Mini E,

I believe the Eibach springs part number is as such.
Post March '02 Built MCS - Part No. 1057-001-03-22

You would need to get a set with a different part number if your MCS happens to be a pre-'02 built. Please verify with your vendor that number and if its the right kit for your car before purchase.

GordonD · Feb 24th, 2003, 02:51 PM

Can any of you (obviously knowledgable) guys enlighten me on the relative merits of lowering spring versus coil overs.

Do the lowering springs help handling much or is it mostly cosmetic?

Is it worth the price of coil overs for street plus 3 or 4 track days per year?

Thanks

z3bum · Feb 25th, 2003, 04:11 PM

In the last few months, I did both lowering springs and then coil-overs on my MINI Cooper. I can say without a doubt, the coil-over kit is MUCH better! Yes, it is expensive, kits are about $1295 and installation is probably $400. I got my kit for $650 and install for free... helps to have friends in the tuner business. Even at around $1500, it would be the best mod I can think of doing to a MINI. And, the ride on the highway is much smoother than when the car was brand new. Of course there is less body roll, so cornering is better now too, and my shocks have adjustable ride height, so I can tweak the car. The dampening is adjustable as well. One thing about coil-overs, the Koni/AP setup I have does not allow you to adjust the rear shocks without unbolting them. It takes less than ten minutes to do, but kind of prevents me from changing the dampening on the fly, like at an auto-cross or on the track. the ride height adjustment can be done with the shocks on the car, but you still have to jack up each wheel first. I'd recommend getting the height and dampening set when the shocks are installed.

In all though, a worth while investment. I just went into Washington DC a couple of mights ago and even on a bumpy section of Mass Avenue, the car felt pretty smooth, better than expected...

Antranik · Feb 25th, 2003, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GordonD
Do the lowering springs help handling much or is it mostly cosmetic?

There are two things an aftermarket "lowering" spring changes from stock. #1 It lowers the car. #2 The stiffness rate is higher. #1 will (almost) allows help the handling of your vehicle, it really depends on what kind of racing you do, but all in all, a lower center of gravity makes great changes. When it comes to having a stiffer suspension.. well.. that depends on you, and it makes you work a bit harder. The reason it depends on you is because you have to adapt to driving it with the different suspension and it will always physically and mentally wear out down faster than driving with a softer setup. A stiffer spring doesn't necessarily mean your car will handle better. After a point, if the roads you are riding on aren't smooth, you would handle better with a softer suspension. This would apply to both springs/shocks and coilovers, it just depends how different they are from stock.

KLF · Feb 27th, 2003, 03:52 PM

Hello again

Just had my Eibach springs fitted to my MCS today, WOW very pleased with them!

Only driven 20miles but first impressions are what little body roll there was has disapeared, sharper steering responce, ride seems the same if not better suited to these springs, and best of all it looks superb

Measured arch gap on same flat ground and i would say it has lowered the front and rear by the same amount which is -25mm, so well pleased with that it looks just about right, don't think you can go much further really.

Will get some pics shortly

(Very happy)Chris

J.C. · Feb 27th, 2003, 04:47 PM

The H-Sport sport coils offer a 1" drop for either model.. Coil springs are linear and have rates of 195lbs/in front and 300lbs/in in the rear...

disdis · Feb 28th, 2003, 10:37 AM

Any problems of bottoming-out with the Eibachs??

especially when going over speed humps...

KLF · Mar 2nd, 2003, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by disdis
Any problems of bottoming-out with the Eibachs??

especially when going over speed humps...

I've not had any problems at all so far, mind you there's only been 2 people in the car - I've been on some pretty rough roads and done some extreme cornering

and its been absolutely fine no probs.

I've put some pics of my MCS after installing the Eibach's in my gallery just click the icon below.

Chris

Pav · Mar 2nd, 2003, 06:22 PM

Quite tempted by the new Spax adjustable kit. Has anyone had this fitted yet?

MJS · Mar 2nd, 2003, 09:17 PM

Sounds great Chris
How much did they cost to fit?
I'm still thinking about putting some Eibach's on mine

KLF · Mar 2nd, 2003, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by craig_david
Sounds great Chris
How much did they cost to fit?
I'm still thinking about putting some Eibach's on mine

Cost me £159 fitted, springs were £119 i think so thats £40 to fit. (good maths for this time of day!!

)

Chris

KarmanS · Mar 3rd, 2003, 08:10 PM

Looks great, Chris. Glad to hear you are happy with them so far.

Cheers,
Karman

Feb 19th, 2003, 03:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Yex MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Essex Local Time: 07:13 PM Posts: 83 Offline	Does anyone know the correct factory settings for the suspension on an MCS ? Reason I ask is that on my previous Scoobies I had to have the suspension lazer aligned to the correct settings prescribed by ProDrive. After each time this was done the car handled far better. Now, given the chances of getting factory settings EXACTLY as the book says are as rare as rocking horse **** does anyone know the set up for front and rear? Regards Yex Scream if you want to go faster !!!

Feb 19th, 2003, 06:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
KarmanS MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: HKG Local Time: 03:13 AM Posts: 1,366 Offline	And for comparison a pic of a stock MCS courtesy of a fellow board member. Hope this helps you decide better. Please post pics after your installation! Attached Thumbnails

Feb 19th, 2003, 06:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
KLF Hmm....silly name now Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Durham Local Time: 08:13 PM Posts: 347 Offline	Thanks for that KarmanS, nice pics! Certainly looks more than -15mm, i'll stick with my order and see what they are like when fitted. (27th Feb i think earliest i could get!) Cheers Chris (51) Renaultsport Clio 172 ! - I know I know ........ It was cheap alright

Feb 22nd, 2003, 07:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
MiniE MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vancouver Local Time: 12:13 PM Posts: 178 Offline	KarmanS do u know what the parts # for the eibach for the MCS? Thx Mini E Vancouver Mini Cooper Club

Feb 24th, 2003, 02:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
GordonD MINI2 Master Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mississauga, Ont, Ca Local Time: 03:13 PM Posts: 781 Offline	Can any of you (obviously knowledgable) guys enlighten me on the relative merits of lowering spring versus coil overs. Do the lowering springs help handling much or is it mostly cosmetic? Is it worth the price of coil overs for street plus 3 or 4 track days per year? Thanks aka KWKSLVR Member: Southern Ontario MINI Club BMW Club of Canada - Trillium Chapter

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Feb 18th, 2003, 06:58 PM	#1
KLF Hmm....silly name now Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Durham Local Time: 08:13 PM Posts: 347 Offline	Lowering Springs for Cooper S Hello people, I been looking into lowered springs for my MCS, went to a local aftermarket dealer to ask what was available, the list i got was: - Eibach -15mm only? but a spring just for the 'S' Apex - upto -35mm but springs suitable for all models! H&R - upto -30mm again 1 set for all! So i'm a little unsure i'd originally ordered the Eibach's but if only -15mm i might struggle to see a difference. On the Eibach website it says F=-25mm R=-35mm for the Cooper springs but not listed for the 'S', i thought a MC with sports plus susp. was the same height as the MCS? But looking at the car the back (arch gap)is about 20mm lower than the front so i don't understand why they offer springs that lower more at the back? So if anyone's fitted Eibach springs to a MCS (i know Bonnie Scotland has!) any advice on how much they lower front and back would be much appreciated. Is it noticeable difference?? p.s - fitting 18's next by the way. thanks Chris (51) Renaultsport Clio 172 ! - I know I know ........ It was cheap alright

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Feb 18th, 2003, 09:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bonnie Scotland Gadget Man Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Montrose, Scotland Local Time: 06:13 PM Posts: 1,960 Offline	I fitted Eibach as you mentioned, i was reliably informed the springs were 30mm. alan fae bonnie scotland

Feb 19th, 2003, 06:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
KarmanS MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: HKG Local Time: 03:13 AM Posts: 1,366 Offline	Hi Chris, here is my friend's MCS in Hong Kong fitted with the Eibachs. The difference from stock in the rear is easily noticable

Feb 19th, 2003, 10:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
KarmanS MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: HKG Local Time: 03:13 AM Posts: 1,366 Offline	Chris, be sure not to pass judgement on the spring height too quickly once they are installed as it takes some time for it to settle. Hope it works out for you.

Feb 24th, 2003, 04:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
KarmanS MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: HKG Local Time: 03:13 AM Posts: 1,366 Offline	Mini E, I believe the Eibach springs part number is as such. Post March '02 Built MCS - Part No. 1057-001-03-22 You would need to get a set with a different part number if your MCS happens to be a pre-'02 built. Please verify with your vendor that number and if its the right kit for your car before purchase.

Feb 25th, 2003, 04:11 PM	#11 (permalink)
z3bum MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Local Time: 02:13 PM Posts: 92 Offline	installing springs vs. coil-overs... In the last few months, I did both lowering springs and then coil-overs on my MINI Cooper. I can say without a doubt, the coil-over kit is MUCH better! Yes, it is expensive, kits are about $1295 and installation is probably $400. I got my kit for $650 and install for free... helps to have friends in the tuner business. Even at around $1500, it would be the best mod I can think of doing to a MINI. And, the ride on the highway is much smoother than when the car was brand new. Of course there is less body roll, so cornering is better now too, and my shocks have adjustable ride height, so I can tweak the car. The dampening is adjustable as well. One thing about coil-overs, the Koni/AP setup I have does not allow you to adjust the rear shocks without unbolting them. It takes less than ten minutes to do, but kind of prevents me from changing the dampening on the fly, like at an auto-cross or on the track. the ride height adjustment can be done with the shocks on the car, but you still have to jack up each wheel first. I'd recommend getting the height and dampening set when the shocks are installed. In all though, a worth while investment. I just went into Washington DC a couple of mights ago and even on a bumpy section of Mass Avenue, the car felt pretty smooth, better than expected... 2007 Sparkling Silver MINI Cooper S Founding Member - DCMetro MINIs

Feb 25th, 2003, 08:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
Antranik MINI2 Regular Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Calabasas, Los Angel Local Time: 11:13 AM Posts: 116 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by GordonD Do the lowering springs help handling much or is it mostly cosmetic? There are two things an aftermarket "lowering" spring changes from stock. #1 It lowers the car. #2 The stiffness rate is higher. #1 will (almost) allows help the handling of your vehicle, it really depends on what kind of racing you do, but all in all, a lower center of gravity makes great changes. When it comes to having a stiffer suspension.. well.. that depends on you, and it makes you work a bit harder. The reason it depends on you is because you have to adapt to driving it with the different suspension and it will always physically and mentally wear out down faster than driving with a softer setup. A stiffer spring doesn't necessarily mean your car will handle better. After a point, if the roads you are riding on aren't smooth, you would handle better with a softer suspension. This would apply to both springs/shocks and coilovers, it just depends how different they are from stock.

Feb 27th, 2003, 03:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
KLF Hmm....silly name now Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Durham Local Time: 08:13 PM Posts: 347 Offline	Hello again Just had my Eibach springs fitted to my MCS today, WOW very pleased with them! Only driven 20miles but first impressions are what little body roll there was has disapeared, sharper steering responce, ride seems the same if not better suited to these springs, and best of all it looks superb Measured arch gap on same flat ground and i would say it has lowered the front and rear by the same amount which is -25mm, so well pleased with that it looks just about right, don't think you can go much further really. Will get some pics shortly (Very happy)Chris (51) Renaultsport Clio 172 ! - I know I know ........ It was cheap alright

Feb 27th, 2003, 04:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
J.C. MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal. Local Time: 11:13 AM Posts: 6 Offline	The H-Sport sport coils offer a 1" drop for either model.. Coil springs are linear and have rates of 195lbs/in front and 300lbs/in in the rear... "Don't settle for less, cause that's what you'll get"

Feb 28th, 2003, 10:37 AM	#15 (permalink)
disdis MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 05:13 AM Posts: 298 Offline	Any problems of bottoming-out with the Eibachs?? especially when going over speed humps...

Mar 2nd, 2003, 06:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
KLF Hmm....silly name now Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Durham Local Time: 08:13 PM Posts: 347 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by disdis Any problems of bottoming-out with the Eibachs?? especially when going over speed humps... I've not had any problems at all so far, mind you there's only been 2 people in the car - I've been on some pretty rough roads and done some extreme cornering and its been absolutely fine no probs. I've put some pics of my MCS after installing the Eibach's in my gallery just click the icon below. Chris (51) Renaultsport Clio 172 ! - I know I know ........ It was cheap alright

Mar 2nd, 2003, 06:22 PM	#17 (permalink)
Pav MINI2 Regular Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: South London Local Time: 07:13 PM Posts: 260 Offline	Quite tempted by the new Spax adjustable kit. Has anyone had this fitted yet? Pav's Gallery DS+DS S 1990 Cooper (RSP)

Mar 2nd, 2003, 09:17 PM	#18 (permalink)
MJS MINI2 Regular Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Lancashire Local Time: 08:13 PM Posts: 326 Offline	Sounds great Chris How much did they cost to fit? I'm still thinking about putting some Eibach's on mine

Mar 2nd, 2003, 10:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
KLF Hmm....silly name now Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Durham Local Time: 08:13 PM Posts: 347 Offline	Quote: Originally posted by craig_david Sounds great Chris How much did they cost to fit? I'm still thinking about putting some Eibach's on mine Cost me £159 fitted, springs were £119 i think so thats £40 to fit. (good maths for this time of day!! ) Chris (51) Renaultsport Clio 172 ! - I know I know ........ It was cheap alright

Mar 3rd, 2003, 08:10 PM	#20 (permalink)
KarmanS MINI2 Master Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: HKG Local Time: 03:13 AM Posts: 1,366 Offline	Looks great, Chris. Glad to hear you are happy with them so far. Cheers, Karman

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