Ok, I've been wracking my brain on the M7 vs H&R coilover decision.

They both seem to do what I want but i'm indecisive

I don't track my car or autoX. I'm looking for a coilover system that provides between a 1-2 inch drop. Something with adjustable dampening and rides soft over bumps and on the freeway yet will corner like a biotch when I want I also want something that is going to be worry free and maintenance free. I don't want anything that I'm going to have to rebuild or recharge.

Anyone have any experience with these two products?
Anyone that can suggest one over the other?

Are they both easy to adjust ride height and dampening wise?
How do you tell what the ride height on coilovers is going to be? Are there markings on them stating 1" 2" etc or is it a guessing game?

Is the following true for both the H&R and the M7 Coilovers or neither?
RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT
Both front and rear ride height adjustability is independent from the spring perch so adjusting ride height does not compromise the spring rate or rebound and compression of the damper.

Looking for some help here folks

Thanks

 

Here is your help:
The only system with independent ride height adjustability is the CROSS system. Of the products you mentioned one offers none and the other in only one end (go figure).

 

i ran a set of H&R coil overs on my 02 MCS. They road so smooth on the harsh streets on NYC, Long island, NJ and CT, Philly too. I had the car lowered about 2 inches from stock. I never tracked the car and my main purpose was a lower car and better softer ride, it did just that.

I would not spend 2k on CROSS coil overs if you are never going to track or autocross your car.

 

Thanks you guys

 

lol and you just happen to sell them

the H&Rs.. be forewarned, the highest adjustment available on them is HELLA LOW. i mean slammed low.

 

That is true defylogik. Mine had custom sleeves so that the front road at just the right hieght.

 

my friends with the M7s really like them FWIW....... I have Bilstiens and like them .... good luck with your choice

 

Good info to know! That definately help with my decision. I want to be about 1.2 -1.5 lower than stock all around.

Thanks defylogic

 

I have these TSW coilovers and I love them:
http://www.txwerks.com/servlet/Detail?no=13

They're fully height adjustable, ride is much improved and the car handles incredibly well.

I've played with them and lowered the car as much as 2 1/2 inches in the past.

 

I have found that ride independent height adjustability is the best way to improve handling on a MINI. I've looked at the AST's and they didn't seem to be independently adjustable.

Did they just come out with something new?

 

Well after looking at things a little closer and with advice from you guys. I think I've switched from the H&R to the Megan.

I'd love to get the Bilstiens or the Cross or even those TSW's but to be honest I want to keep the price between $1000-$1500

So now I'm interested in the M7 and the Megans...

I got a PM saying that the Megans have a seperate hieght adjustment from the spring perch which greatly interests me. I for some reason can't access the private message section of the forums right now so I'm going from memory.

Like I said, I dont track the car. Just "spirited" street driving. I don't want anything that rides harsh. My goal is to lower the car between 1-2 inches and maintain a smooth ride over bumps without being bouncy.

Things I know: ( Or think I know anyway )
M7 - Lowers the car 1-2 inches
Easy adjustable dampers on the bottom of the struts
Linear spring
Designed specifically for the mini
I'm not sure what the spring rates are or how "soft" or harsh the ride can be
More height adjustment in front than rear ( Might be wrong here) rears need preloading?? (Not sure what preloading is exactly)

Megan- Um... not alot. Price looks good on them tho
Do Megans have seperate height adjustments from the spring perch front and rear?
Are the dampening adjusters hard to reach being on the top of the coilovers in the rear (I have a convertible)
Are the standard 6kg ( not sure what the equates to in lbs 375? ) front and rear spring rates to harsh

I've read a little on the forums about the Megans and some had issues a few years back with them. I assume all is better with them now?

EDIT: Well I just got off the phone with Megan and he told me that there coilovers would ride much harsher than I'm looking for street use... If I add a softer spring that would change the ride height higher. Guess that kinda sums it up for me eh?

 

I have M7s. The rears are not independently height adjustable, so if you want to lower the rear you must lower the spring perch. This reduces the preload on the springs, just as raising the perches increases the pre-load and raises the ride height. Compression/rebound are independently set on both F and R units. The fronts also have independent ride height adjustment by raising, or lowering, the strut body in the hub/knuckle assembly.

I don't know anything about the Megans. sorry

 

How long have you had your M7's Phil? Better question, how do you like them?

What is your ride hieght from stock and do you bottom out ever?

Thanks Phil

 

Oops! Double posted...

 

I installed the M7's last Friday and so far I really like them. I've got about 400 miles on them and think I have them dialed in where I want them. The dampening adjustment is really nice, can adjust all 4 in about 5 minutes. Ride quality is great, Have yet to bottom out, or rub on anything. I've dropped about 1 1/2 in the front and 1 3/4 in the rear (measuring from the jack points)

So far I'm very happy with them

Nik

 

Well after weighing in all the variables I decided on the M7's
Placed the order, I feel like the design of these will suit my needs

Thanks for all of your help everyone!

Time will tell eh?

 

Since you've made the decision, it's all pretty moot, but I've had my COs for about 3-4 months (I got them very early in the first run.) I don't have bottoming out problems, but I'm not running really low--I think my jack points are running at about 4" or a smidge lower. A few things to think about when installing them:
1. The rubber boots are way too big (long) once installed and dropped off the jacks. They bind and get all messed up. I cut mine in half and used zip ties to hold them to the shock body. No worries since.
2. They settle a lot. It takes about 2 days to really figure out how low you've gone, so don't jump to conclusions too quickly.
3. I found the limit of lowering them in the rear since when I jacked the rear off the ground, the springs were loose in the perches. Others have different experiences, but I can't explain why... I just know that I dont want any chance that the spring will come loose in the perches when I fly over a crest down the Mulsanne straight.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the covers. I called M7 and they said that they have fixed the problem and siliconed the attach points.

I'm with you on the springs staying in the perches. Is the losness caused from the ride height being to low do you think?

 

Well, I talked to lots of people, including M7, about the ride height and retaining the springs in the perches at full extension. I've seen M7 cars much lower than mine, so either the owners have longer springs than me, shorter shock bodies than me, or they've never looked at their springs when the car was in the air (!). The laws of physics still work here on planet earth...even for MINI owners. I lowered my car to the point that the springs were loose, but still captured by the perches on the rear. Now, once you have the weight of the car on the units you could lower the perches more, and so long as you never extend the shocks to the point they are unweighted, you're OK. However, every time I go over a ramp or crossover to a parking lot, I seem to lift a wheel...
It's up to you.

I still think the boots are too long, btw.

PS I tracked my car with the M7s, and the shocks were not the limiting factor. I never even thought about them...

 

Nice choice with the m7's. I think that you will be pleased. I will most likely be ordering these once the funds come around.