I think we may be the first to have these - then again, maybe not, but just in from mour good friends at KONI - adjustable shocks for the Cooper and Cooper S (after 3/1/02 build date) are now in stock.



RSpeed Mini - Koni Shocks

 

How difficult is it to get to the adjustment *****? Is the softest setting stiffer than stock?

 

>>How difficult is it to get to the adjustment *****? Is the softest setting stiffer than stock?

With any rear adj. shock in the Mini, it is a bit more difficult. The fronts are super easy to adjust. Soft setting is just like stock - but the hard setting is our favorite.

-Peter/Rspeed

 

Hehe, I am sure I'd be cranking them stiffer for auto-x and road courses. What exactly is entailed in doing the rear adjustment?

 

Most Koni rear shocks adjust by fully compressing the shaft then turning it.... making changes more difficult... On the M-Coupe I am currently co-driving till my MINI gets here we set the rears at 1 turn from full stiff and leave it that way for street and auto-X... up front you get the familiar KONI **** to adjust from the top of the strut.... easy!! again on the M we run 1/4 turn from full stiff for most auto_x events (some times we play with it) and take it down to 1 turn from full soft for the ride home... I would love to play with the Konis.... but no mo money. I think R-Speed needs a tuning expert to find the right settings....

 

I have the Koni yellows on my M3.

You don't have to compress anything... You just turn the dial..

Hopefully it's the same for these...

 

Yes fronts are a dial... rears are not... at least on a M coupe... and on annother friends '93 325 ... you have dials for the rear???

 

It is quite simple - the fronts adjust with a small **** on top of the strut shaft from inside engine bay - just like any other Koni adj. shock.

The rears, if we remember correctly, are simply released under the car and they slide down so you can make the adjustments under the car and then bolt them back into place (2 bolts). The rear are very easy to install and remove (unlike other vintage cars we own)

-Peter/Rspeed

 

Peter - coooool!

So once you remove the rear shock to adjust it, do you use a **** like the fronts?

Thanks,
Randy

 

ConeCarver -

Yes. I changed my rear shock mounts to some ground control one's and it makes changing the settings much easier. If I didn't change the RSM's I would have to take out the carpet and speakers to adjust.

Now, I simply raise the car and get under and turn.

You're talking about adjusting rebound, right?

 

Nah, compression only!?

 

>>ConeCarver -
>>
>>Yes. I changed my rear shock mounts to some ground control one's and it makes changing the settings much easier. If I didn't change the RSM's I would have to take out the carpet and speakers to adjust.
>>
>>Now, I simply raise the car and get under and turn.
>>
>>You're talking about adjusting rebound, right?


Yes rebound... I have never had the cash to play with double Adjustable Konis before... I have used Tokico Illuminas though (rebound and compression but not independant of each other.... The M Coupe I co drive also has the GC rear mounts....


Randy... you have never used Koni's before????

 

I have used the Koni yellows on other vehicles, but they are different per application.

I have a set on the way for eval.

Randy

 

Called the guys at RSpeed, they said they were adjustable for compression only. Sounded strange to me as I thought 1 way adjustables were generally rebound.

 

On the R-Speed page says "can be used with stock springs". Are they designed for the typical lowered springs (1 inch-ish lowered) or best at stock ride height? I guess what I'm getting at, is will they bottom sooner/too soon when used with lowering springs?

Anyone used these and another shock on the MCS (aren't Bilsteins available???)?

Finally, any word on when Tokico will offer an illumina for the MC/MCS?

 

I am not a suspension expert by any means...does $600 give you all you need (minus installation), or do you need springs for the shocks? Can someone explain...

 

Just for clarification - these shocks are rebound adj. only. I think I misunderstood Blue MCS - sorry for the error.

And yes, $600 gets you everything you need - you can re-use your OEM springs and nothing else is needed. You may want to think about going with different springs at this time as there is some labor getting the new suspension installed, etc.

-Peter/Rspeed

 

Thx BP, makes more sense now. Got'em on ur car yet?

 

So the ride height is the same, correct? Would you need to buy new springs for a different ride height?

 

I might have to get these now.

I like the option for dialing in rebound rates. I've got an agressive setup on my M3 and used the koni SA's to get rid of some handling problems I had. Now I'm totally neutral.

I hope it's pretty easy to adjust the rears. I wonder how they set that up?

 

>>So the ride height is the same, correct? Would you need to buy new springs for a different ride height?

No, if you use your stock springs, your ride height stays the same. I know it is a bit confusing as Koni makes adj. shocks for the Miata that actually are 'height adjustable' as well....if you plan to lower with after market springs, best thing to do is do it when you put new showcks on - keeps the labor down.

-Peter/Rspeed

 

Thanks for clearing things up...

 

Do these shocks have shortened bodies or are they the same length as the stockers? If they are the same length as the stockers, your typical aftermarket spring may not be stiff enough to keep you off the bump stops. Am I correct or am I chewing on banana peels? :smile:

Mena

 

Couple updates for Mena and everyone - You can use stockers or aftermarket springs like Eibach. Each will work fine - but remember that each spring will have its own spring rate.

We also found out that when installing the rears, you may have to widen the hole in which the shock rod goes through (where the shock top plate is located) as the Koni rods are a tad bit bigger than stock.

This is also very common with the Miata spec Koni shocks we we also have to widen out the two holes to compensate for the larger shock rods. Not a big mod, but one everyone should be aware of.

-peter/rspeed

 

I think buying these and the lowering springs is better than getting a set of coilovers...when I save up enough money, I think I might invest in a set of these with some H-Sport springs...