I'm looking to get a little bit of a drop on my 02 Cooper with SS+. I'm looking at HR, Eibach, and KW the most right now. KW are the most affordable at $200 for the set, and Eibachs the most expensive at $240 for the set (from tirerack.com). Right now I've got really no information on which springs are better for the car. Does anybody have experience with any of these sets or any others that can recommend a good setup? Thanks a lot.

Kyle

 

I have got H&r's in mt car and I luv them. H&r has been around for years and they make a quality spring.

 

>>I'm looking to get a little bit of a drop on my 02 Cooper with SS+. I'm looking at HR, Eibach, and KW the most right now. KW are the most affordable at $200 for the set, and Eibachs the most expensive at $240 for the set (from tirerack.com). Right now I've got really no information on which springs are better for the car. Does anybody have experience with any of these sets or any others that can recommend a good setup? Thanks a lot.
>>
>>Kyle


Based on the recommendations of several others on this site, I would say have a go with the H sport springs. While performing the pulley install, I picked Randy and Graham's brains over the spring question. They have tried both the H&R and the H sport and both agreed that the Hsport was the best to use for application. I asked about the Eibach springs, and they felt that they lowered the car too much... But hey, it's your money, let us know what you go with.

 

I have APEX springs on my cooper, its quite comfy, and lowers about 25mm.

 

nice thing about the h&R's are they dont sag EVER

They pre sag them before you buy them. I have always trusted the H&R nameplate myself

 

I'm with K_S. Going with the H-sports on Randy's recommendation.

 

I went with the H-Sports on Randy's recommendation, and I'm glad I did. Installation was a breeze, car now sits an inch lower filling in the wheel wells quite nicely, and when I'm really cornering hard, the car is much flatter. It actually feels like the front wheels are digging into the turn when the springs compress. And under normal driving conditions, the ride is still nice and firm, but not overly tight.



Craig

 

I LOVE the H-Sport springs. They lower the car equally front and back, so the aesthetic is perfect, plus they're tuned to reduce understeer which is part of the stock suspension. Since they're progressive, ride quality is smoother, yet handling is flatter, and more neutral

Definitely the hot-ticket for street or auto-crossed MINI.

 

>>I LOVE the H-Sport springs. They lower the car equally front and back, so the aesthetic is perfect, plus they're tuned to reduce understeer which is part of the stock suspension. Since they're progressive, ride quality is smoother, yet handling is flatter, and more neutral
>>
>>Definitely the hot-ticket for street or auto-crossed MINI.
>>

Hi Ryephile,

How do the H-Sports compare to the factory springs as far as RIDE is concerned? Do they feel ok or do they knock the fillings out of your teeth? I want to improve the handling but I'm very concerned about ride quality. I autocross the car 1% and drive it on the street 99%.

-Jim

 

I think the ride is great. I've been in cars where the ride was rough, and this is nothing compared to that. Nice and smooth, and flat and firm in the corners. Does that make sense? You'll love them!


Craig

 

>>Since they're progressive, ride quality is smoother, yet handling is flatter...>>
>>

Jim, the ride quality has improved (smoother) with the H-Sport's over stock SS+ springs. This is because they are a touch softer in the first few inches of travel, and then get firmer with more compression. The result is smaller bumps get soaked up better, yet larger bumps are definitely firmer than stock. Madison doesn't have speed-bumps in the middle of the highways like Detroit does, so I'm sure you'll like the ride over stock.

But realistically, I'm digging for dirt here. If you're used to the SS+, then the H-Sports aren't going to be that much different in the ride quality department. The biggest change will be how much more neutral the car handles; less push, less tire squeal, and less body motion. Except now having to watch your air-dam entering steep driveways, there are NO negatives to these springs.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

The ride is BETTER in your opinion? Wow. In every car that I've lowered there has always been something you've given up and the first thing to go is ride. (Besides scraping your nose)

Do the wheels maintain their same vertical angle or do they tilt in due to the car lowering? (Silly question?)

Also, if you're in Michigan you know about our lovely winters here up Nort' and I like to have a Chassis flush every now and again. Can you still clear the automatic washes?

Did you do the springs yourself? I've done lots of springs but never a Mini.

Thanks a lot Ryan!

-Jim

 

Has anyone tried the Alta springs? They are claiming just under an inch in drop which interests me rideing with 18s. I'm already sold on the H-Sport camber links to correct the camber but would appreciate even more info here as I have been reading about springs now for two months.

Kevin

 

Jim, sent you a PM, it's two-fold

Yes, the ride is better with both the H&R and the H-Sports (at least on small-bumps)
Yes, I installed myself (if you're amateur mechanic, you can do this)
Maybe: the camber might need changing only if you're not an aggressive driver (I'm aggressive, so the extra degree of camber is perfect!)

Kevin: I haven't heard anything on the ALTA springs, so it's a big question mark there!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Ryephile, sounds great! (left you a PM)

As of this Saturday, I'll have 225 45 17's on the car and I'm concerned about unnatural wear on the inside of the rear tires.

What do you guys that have them think? I'm a "fairly agressive" driver; I like to take the corners so to speak but there are times when I take it easy too.

-J

 

Jim, are you running in Speed channel's races? Why are you running a tire two-steps taller than stock??!! (what tires are they anyway?)

If you're running a tire that's much wider than stock, your tires will be more susceptible to the effects of camber. By changing your ride height, you'll definitely want to pick up a pair of H-Sport rear control arms.

Dr. VMA

 

Yep! That's me. I'll be sure to wave next time...

-J

>>Jim, are you running in Speed channel's races? Why are you running a tire two-steps taller than stock??!! (what tires are they anyway?)
>>
>>If you're running a tire that's much wider than stock, your tires will be more susceptible to the effects of camber. By changing your ride height, you'll definitely want to pick up a pair of H-Sport rear control arms.
>>
>>Dr. VMA

 

Well Jim, I've seem people cram a 225 wide tire under their MINI, but not without rubbing. Therefore, 215 is the biggest you can safely go. Since the MINI's speedo is a bit erroneous from the factory (read's low), you can go to a slightly taller tire than stock, fix the speed error, and still not rub (albiet just barely). This is all assuming you have wheels with the correct offset and backspacing (in other words, the correct clearance on both the front and back side of the wheel).

Kosei's K-1 is about a perfect example of excellent fitment: 17x7.5" ET 45, leaving 1mm less clearance in the wheelwell and pushing the outside lip 11mm further than the S-lite. This is perfect! Your wheelwell will now be stuffed to the max, yet you'll never, ever rub your tires! Ride height should matter very little when wheel and tire fitment is proper.

Ryan's Hot Ticket: Kosei K-1's with Bridgestone S-03 215/45-17
Cheers!

 

>>Kosei's K-1 is about a perfect example of excellent fitment: 17x7.5" ET 45, leaving 1mm less clearance in the wheelwell and pushing the outside lip 11mm further than the S-lite. This is perfect! Your wheelwell will now be stuffed to the max, yet you'll never, ever rub your tires! Ride height should matter very little when wheel and tire fitment is proper.
>>

Ok, so you think I should still get the H-Sport Camber/Toe control arms or will I be ok?

-Jim

 

225/45?!?! Good luck! I'd imagine you'll have to do some significant cutting of the wheel well liner, or remove it entirely to get those to fit in there without rubbing. Yowza!

Getting back on topic, I've got the KW springs and LOVE 'em! The H&R and H-Sport don't lower the car enough for my visual tastes. If you want to go low, go for the the Eibach or KW. And for the record I've got 215/40 17s without aftermarket control arms now, and no rub.

I'm like Ryephile, I like the camber!



R

 

>>225/45?!?! Good luck! I'd imagine you'll have to do some significant cutting of the wheel well liner, or remove it entirely to get those to fit in there without rubbing. Yowza!
>>

I get them this Friday, I'll post pics ASAP!