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So sort of day dreaming here, because I am not going to be able to even consider mods to MINI until Summer time. but I was wondering if anyone put the NM springs on a MINI with the standard suspension and how it handled (and looked) after that.
I was originally planning to go the JCW coilover route, but realized that is a lot of money to simply lower a car, as I want to keep the suspension as close to standard suspension comfort as possible.
It just seems that I could get the NM springs, JB tuning module, and the NM rear bar, plus make my car payment that month for less than the cost of the coilovers... To make matters worse, I live 25 minutes from Way Motor Works.
the ride with the NM springs will be rougher and you will bottom out more often. all depend on how your roads are. if roads are smooth then you got nothing to worry about.
the NM Sway and Burger tune will make you smile.
if you really want coils, KW V1's will do the job just as much. i may be wrong...thought they were cheaper? correct me if i am.
If what you want is for the car to corner better, less body roll, less understeer and don't need the car lowered just get a thicker rear antisway bar from Way. They did mine on my 2007 MCS for $300 and I loved it. I think the F56 is pretty "floaty" standard. I'd for sure add a sway bar. The car rides the same but corners better.
So sort of day dreaming here, because I am not going to be able to even consider mods to MINI until Summer time. but I was wondering if anyone put the NM springs on a MINI with the standard suspension and how it handled (and looked) after that.
I was originally planning to go the JCW coilover route, but realized that is a lot of money to simply lower a car, as I want to keep the suspension as close to standard suspension comfort as possible.
It just seems that I could get the NM springs, JB tuning module, and the NM rear bar, plus make my car payment that month for less than the cost of the coilovers... To make matters worse, I live 25 minutes from Way Motor Works.
Our roads are pretty smooth, but we suffer from two major offenders. Short tall speed bumps, and those metal plates used to cover up holes, how does it handle that, does it crash over them or is it firm but composed.
Secondly, does it feel under damped, so if you were to push down on the car near a front wheel and then let go, does it just seem to oscillate a little too much.
What kind of driving do you do?
How would you rate it in harshness and handling, from a 1-10 using the stock as a 5.
Our roads are pretty smooth, but we suffer from two major offenders. Short tall speed bumps, and those metal plates used to cover up holes, how does it handle that, does it crash over them or is it firm but composed.
Secondly, does it feel under damped, so if you were to push down on the car near a front wheel and then let go, does it just seem to oscillate a little too much.
What kind of driving do you do?
How would you rate it in harshness and handling, from a 1-10 using the stock as a 5.
We have bad roads here with raised manholes, speed bumps, railroad tracks... Basically lowering hell. I'd say it is firm and composed.
There are no unusual oscillations like you see on YouTube of a Honda Civic with cut springs. It is not noticeably different from stock, if anything it's stiffer.
I do lots of city and highway driving. Around town it is stiffer going over man holes and whatnot. Avoid major potholes or else you'll feel bad for your car. Other than that you'll be fine. It's smooth as butter on the highway and extremely live-able. Driving spiritedly, it feels like you're always in sport mode when you're in middle mode and sport mode feels even more responsive. It's very tight handling and like I said, watch out for curbs or anything crazy and you'll be fine.
Id say the stiffness is a 7.5/10. If you drive conservatively it's about a 7 and if you're aggressive it can feel like an 8 if that makes any sense. I'm usually more on the 8 side but when I want a relaxing cruise and the roads are average, it's rides like stock (except with less wheel gap).
Excuse any typos, lmk if you have any more questions
I find the JCW Pro suspension to be more comfortable due to the better damping, even though the springs are stiffer. It's my favorite mod, tied with getting the Pilot Super Sports, even though it was the most expensive. No regrets.
My problem with the standard suspension wasn't the spring stiffness, it was the shitty damping and rebound.
The JCW Pro system is simply a height adjustable system, it does not have damping adjustability. It seems to me that the people really like it because it was designed based on MINIs wants and not an aftermarket tuning company. (MINI most likely chose something with better damping and lower spring rates than aftermarket companies) I have not ridden a F56 with them on so I cannot say these things for sure. (Also see the fact that they have factory warranty). I also agree that they are awesome and would be my go to coilover.
Regarding the springs, I totally agree that the stock shocks are slightly underdamped, which was the real reason I started this post, worrying that the NM springs were going to have a too high a spring rate and destroy the shocks. But I am feeling pretty confident now since my dealer now sells them.
With the adjustment tool like a coilover kit. Nuts that adjust on the tube with a special wrench in the kit. You can see it on the bottom of the red spring, what it sets on.
Its a tight fit when down all the way. Most people jack the car up if they cant reach , then with the widen gap adjust a little ( if you have bigger wheels this will be harder ), then drop it back down slowly. Drive down the road to set in. Then adjust again if needed. Count your turns and make note you match the other side the same. Rears you can get from the back underside some. As the coil is separate.
