I've had the H-Sport springs on my Cooper S with the stock shocks for over 2 months now. I am pleased with the set-up except on rougher pavement the higher rear spring rate does make itself felt, as do some new squeaks and rattles. Since I don't want to return to base stock understeer, here are my choices:

- Put stock springs back in and install larger rear sway bar.
- Find shocks (I know adj. Konis won't fit) that are adjustable in compression and rebound. I assume, maybe incorrectly, that some of the roughness comes from a precompressed stock shock.


Any other suggestions or opinions?

Ulrich

 

Several suggestions-
After the spring upgrade did you do alignment? If not then do it and ask for factory settings- go to an alignment specialist not your average midas place.

Also no need to go to other shocks. You could add the rear swaybar to the sport springs- many do.

 

I did the alignment, I also have the adjsutable rear camber arms. Which shocks are you running. As mentioned I know the adjustable Konis won't fit. The dia. of the rear shock body is larger than the mounting tube.

 

I have the H Sports, and the Madness swaybar. I do notice that on sharp bumps, I feel them much more than the stock system. I do not have any squeaks or rattles from this change is suspension. Many autocross and track drivers in my area are leaving the stock dampers as is. Sounds like a good question for Randy at MINI Motorsport.

 

>>I did the alignment, I also have the adjsutable rear camber arms. Which shocks are you running. As mentioned I know the adjustable Konis won't fit. The dia. of the rear shock body is larger than the mounting tube. <<

Could you elaborate on the Koni's not fitting. Is your car a pre-March 2002? I searched and did not find any fitment references to the Koni's.

I thought that Koni was the only available non-coilover aftermarket shock. I've heard rumors about the bilsteins but the only thing that looks like it may come are the Bilstein coilovers.

I would love to get a good 2 way adjustable shock to go with my bar and H-Sport springs that could be cracked down for autoX and the easily softened for the street (unlike the Koni's).

 

Try calling or e-mailing Mark @ H-Sport (they're a sponsor, I believe).

They've put together a rather comprehensive kit, with lots of testing, so Mark may have some ideas.

 

I'm interested in your shock condition - after thinking about it, I'd check that. I haven't had any complaints about the ride from the H-sports (except for when I believe we talked), so that's why I thought maybe your particular shocks may be bad in the rear. I have seen a stock Delphi go bad wihtin the first 9,000 miles on a car, so it wouldn't be unheard of.

The Konis will fit in your car, but even the softest damper setting is firmer than stock, so it wouldn't help at all. I think what you may be referring to is the top hats being smaller diameter than the koni tubes - which is absolutely true. In order to fit the Konis, you have to drill the top hat and washer to fit the rears. They come with replacement mounting tubes (the part that goes through the center of the foam washers). I have used this set up on a car, and it works well. I don't think it's right for you though, considering the issue. The problem (besides the drilling) with the Konis is that the rears can only be adjusted outside the car. I have come up with a decent solution for this - contact me for details.

If the shocks aren't the problem, feel free to give me a call and I'll brainstorm some more.

Randy

 

It does seem odd that it bothers me more now than when the springs were first installed. When I open the rear hatch and sit down on the rear bumper (175 lbs), there is no compression-none, zip. So maybe the problem could be the shock(s).

I have contacted Tociko, as I was very happy with their 5-way adjustable Illuminas on 2 of my GTIs, but have not heard back.

Thanks Mark.

Ulrich

 

Sorry-I meant Randy.

Ulrich