Couldnt you use coil-overs n spanner them up to their max setting?

 

With most coil overs, the highest setting still ends up lowering the car from stock ride height, and you'd have limited extension travel before "topping out".

 

Scheduled to install next Tuesday.
Pics to follow that, and I drive approx 800 miles per week so I'll have something to say relatively shortly thereafter...

 

This is BIG news...

Manufactured by Countryman Connection.

Installed by Detroit Tuned.

The lift kit (with below tire/wheel setup) has added 3 3/4" to the rear end, and 3 1/4 inches to the front end.

Wheels are OEM 17s.

Tires are Bridgestone Blizzak 225/60/R17 winter tires.

I also had DT install the OEM mud flaps (for protection???).

The first pic attached is next to a stock R60 at the local dealership.
The 2nd pic is after the lift kit and winter tires (as above) are installed.
The 3rd pic is before the lift kit install (with OEM 17s and stock Perelli Runflats - which should be banned from production on Earth, but Lets stay on topic, shall we?!? )

 

And...........the ride changes how??

Any big difference in the corners?

Looks great!

 

Still in the early stages of evaluating the performance...

What I notice so far:

Much more "roll" when cornering (obviously) but still feels safe.
I have not had to change my driving habits at all (still heavy-footed and corner at top speeds!)
Fuel efficiency has decreased by about 2 to 3 MPG (also due to spare wheel/tire and roof basket) but SO worth it!
I/we forget about the added height when entering/exiting.
This adds comedic relief to the daily grind as the 3+ added inches make a BIG difference...
The ride is MUCH better with the elimination of runflats!
Braking is "different" but not in a negative way. Just different.
Acceleration is also affected, but anytime you add weight (tire/wheel) this is true. It still gets off the line quickly, just not quite as quickly as bofore.
Feel much more comfortable off-roading with the added height. We got airborn quite a few times on (mostly muddy) trails today and IT WAS AWESOME!!!

BRING ON THE SNOW - AND PILE IT HIGH!!!

Also, I find myself looking down at other MINI drivers now

IMHO this is the coolest modification for the R60 yet.
It truly makes the R60 a MINI SUV!

The ground clearance is spectacular!

I like to use exclamation points!!!

 

Thanks for the information. I assume the additional over 2" was the different tires and wheels. I am looking for the 2" plus an additional 1/2" when I switch to 225-50 / R18's.

Bill

 

Is there a BF goodrich AT sized for the countryman? I have those tires on my Armada. I have 70,000 miles on them and they are about half done. Never had a flat in 5 years. I wish run flats were designed like this instead. The BF Goodrich AT has an armor belt that stops the nail or screw from getting into the air chamber, preventing the flat in the first place. I extracted a 1/4-20 screw out of mine (and that's with 70K already on them). I had the plug kit ready but there was no leak. The ride is compliant and they work well in any weather, on any surface. The Mini is about half the weight as the Armada so it should wear twice as long! I think a lifted CM with BFGAT's would look really good.

 

but if you are towing a trailer? Will the trailer got wrong angle with the car lifted?

 

How is the angle of the CV/Half shafts? I know when I had a 4wd truck with IFS (oxymoron I know, lol) you had to keep and eye on the shaft angles and ball joints.

 

We would only lift the body and would not effect angles of drive train. Probably help trailer angle as the mini is low and may need the hitch lifted anyway.

I want a bit more clearance in the sand and to get over curbs.

Bill

 

How do you think the R60 will hold up over time to the off-road abuse ?

I am also interested in gaining some ground clearance, but having just purchased this vehicle, it will probably be some time before making any modifications. Hopefully by then, there may be some more options for a complete solution (shocks for example) in going for a more aggressive off-road drive, other than spacers. Although, I wonder how the spacer lift would do with my sport suspension, maybe account for some of that body roll..?

Rev.Ministry, could you speak to your experience so far in regards to how often and to what extreme paces you put the Countryman through? Do you think it could handle it pretty well over time?? I have seen another member’s signature on the forum, that has a sig picture of them going airborne in the Countryman. Maybe there needs to be a thread for Countryman Third Airborne or something Not saying you do it all the time, just wanted to get a feal for whether or not I should just figure on when we replace my wife’s car (in the next couple of years), I should get something I can beat on, and let her drive this Countryman more often .

 

+1! I am seriously looking into this kit for my new ALL4 that is on its way from MINI. Any other updates?

 

Here you go - BlackJack is lifted with the countryman connection 2" lift installed by Detroit tuned. I notice very little difference in the ride except the rear is slightly more likely to drift- I love that
He is dirty but when is a good car ever clean. Mud flaps are rally armor with custom install.

 

Hey everyone,

Im dying for a coilover kit that would give both lift and drop to the countryman. I have the crazy idea to autocross one weekend and rallycross the next. Im dreaming of the possibility. Jill, how can I get a brush guard like that? Is detroit tuned selling them?

Thanks,

 

What size and brand tire did everyone find in a A/T to fit with a 2" lift

 

Seeing that there site is a bit odd, Does anybody have a writeup on the installation o fthese lift kits? Photos of them installed? Does the car need to go for wheel alignment afterwards?

 

+1

 

I guess everyone must be out enjoying their lifted mini.

 

I hope that somebody could respond to the thread about this, but would 225/60 17 tires fit without a lift? I know for sure a 55 series tire fits no problem but I am debating on doing a lift but I would love to fit the 60 series tires regardless.

Also, Burchi I was looking into AT tires that would work but the only thing I could come up with are 235/60 17 such as a the Yokohama Geolanders. The issue is whether that is too wide on stock rims. I have seen a Countryman build from a tuner shop in Europe that fit the 235's but it was on aftermarket wheels. So if they dont fit on the stock wheels then maybe some spacers would work.

 

Aaron,

I'm thinking right with you. Want the biggest tire possible in case I want to lift it down the road. Was thinking 55, but now may look into a 215/60/17 if it exists.

 

Has anyone talked to their service guy about the lift voiding any part of the factory warranty? * And yes, I would like to go with the tallest tire I could get. *At least a 60 or 65, so I can air them down with out loosing to much ground clearance. *These look good, and for $95 a tire.... * Bridgestone Blizzak 225/60/R17 winter tires. BUT, will they fit with out the lift?

 

I think there are some 215/60 tires but obvioulsly much harder to find. There are plenty of 225/60 tires however. If your wanting to step up to a 235/60 or 225/65 there are several options for a true all terrain tire, which I hAve only seen the 235/60 fit with aftermarket wheels and a lift.

I am just a little bit apprehensive with a lift since I have had several lifted trucks of varying heights, ranging from a leveling kit, racing suspension, and a massive 12" lift. I had issues with all of them.

I am wondering what effect this lift has on CV joints, steering components, and if it affects or limits full extension of the shocks. Of course the warranty implications are a concern, I imagine the out of pocket cost to replace a CV joint at a MINI dealer would be outrageous.

 

I don't think so, I don't even think the 55s would even fit without some rubbing, I'm running 225/50 and its close in the rear no rubbing yet, but I wouldn't be surprised under extreme conditions if I get some.

 

The reason I am confident the 225/55 will work is because there are a couple of people running the same size tire but on 18" (225/50 is the equivalent). The "Kumho 4x" thread in the tires and wheels forum has pictures and it looks great. However, there are no pictures yet of someone running 225/55 on 17's. I do know that the 17" wheels are a bit narrower than the 18's but I don't think that will affect anything much at all.

I saw your other thread going up on the Conti tires and I am anxiously waiting for pics. I have pretty much decided to go with the 225/55 17's and forego any lift.