Anyone know what the OEM R53 spring rates are? I've read somewhere there are 3 different rates available. I had called 2 Mini dealers in Toronto and no one knew and that includes the shop foremans. I have spent 20 mins. searching the net for answers and nothing definitive.

I have the "S" with the moonroof, so what would the front and rear spring rates be in lbs/in.

I need the answer tonite as I have scheduled the installation of my new TEIN H-Tech lowering springs for the morning. I like to know how much stiffer my Teins will be with a rating of 210 lbs/in. front and 220 lbs./in. in the rear. I had called Tein and they're not even sure themselves, but they think H-Techs are 20% stiffer, but the guy I spoke with doesn't seem to know sh**.

Thanks in advance.

 

I'm pretty sure that they are 160 or 170. The TSW's I have are 200 and they are great! So 210 should be very good too.

 

Thanks for the reply Minimarks, but you don't sound 100% sure on that data. Someone else suggested 179 to 200 lbs/in. on mini2.com, but he wasn't sure.

I cannot believe for the life of me how no one seems to know 100% without any question as to the OEM spec and that again includes the BMW Mini dealer themselves!!

I just want a seemingly simple and precise answer to my inquiry. Anyone?

Again, I just need to know in order to feel confident in knowing my new TEIN's will be stiffer.

 

OK, did a little search for ya. From TSW (who you can believe) the MCS spring rate is 165 front and rear.

 

Minimarks, you are the best! Thanks for your help and time in researching this data.

Now that brings another question in mind. If the OEM springs are 165 lbs./in. F/R, then will my new TEIN H-Tech's at over 200 lbs/in. work fine with my 5 yr. old OEM struts? I wish to keep the factory struts for now as I may go coil-overs in the future and already spent $4K in 2 months on this hobby. The cost of this tuning project of mine is getting insane, especially with the way the economy is heading!

 

Let's just say that when you lower and go to the higher spring rates with older OEM shocks.....they probably will wear out much quicker.

 

I just installed the TEIN H-Techs today and they did lower the car to exactly as advertised (I measured before and after lowering). Much to my surprise they feel alot softer tho they're suppose to be stiffer. The ride is much more streetable on the plus side of things, but I am unsure of it for trackdays? The OEM springs some how felt harder and stiffer. I imagine it's cuz the H-Techs are progressive rate vs. linear rate with OEM springs. I have a pic of in my gallery for your viewing.

 

If they are progressive then the first part of the spring probably is softer than OEM and the final section will be firmer..... You basically have two rates to each spring.

 

Yeah that makes sense. I hope that's the reason why. I just got figure out how hard of a corner I must take to get the springs to compress enough to the point of feeling stiff and sporty.

The steering just feels weird to me now. Just slow in response (takes more steering input than before to turn the car side to side). Maybe my imagination on that part, but alll I am certain about is the suspension doesn't feel as hard and sporty as the OEM springs.

It's all bit too late anyway, so I'll live with it until I can afford a good set of coil-overs.

 

Give them a chance to settle some.

 

I think the spring rates of MCS with moonroof & Sport Suspension package have higher spring rates. It was discussed here before, do a search.

 

Tein H-Techs ARE a progressive rate spring. The MCS OEM springs are linear (same rate throughout the stroke). The OEM "Sport" package springs ARE a higher linear rate than "Standard" MCS.

You might not be happy with progressive rate springs at the track (or maybe in spirited driving either) due to the difficulty of feeling uncertain as to how they WILL compress as you go into and through a corner. "Settling in" or seating will not help. If anything, that will only lower the ride height a small bit.

I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but to get smoother ride and lower stance on the street, AND higher performance on the track, lowering springs alone are not likely to deliver what you want. This is because the progressive spring rate is what delivers the smoother ride (vs OEM) over most road conditions, but it is also what delivers the uncertain feeling in hard cornering.

The upside to this is that your car looks much cooler on the road now, due to its lower stance, and the ride over harsh roads is probably nicer, too. But, don't despair. Suspension is not easy. There are always tradeoffs. If there were a silver bullet to get it all at a low cost, everyone would have the same setup and big grins all the time.

 

I used Tein H-tech springs on my MCS, they were linear rate springs. The S-techs are progressive wound. I think confusion comes from sales literature vendors are using. Often times the description is the same for both models of springs with only the H substituted, and I’ve seen an erroneous photo of a silver painted progressive rate spring with the H-tech logo superimposed on it. The tell tale clue for misrepresentation is when a drop of 1.2-1.5 inch is stated in the description. The H-tech is linear rate, painted a gold color, and drop .5-.75 inch.

Another bit of uncertainty to add, I’ve read differing OEM spring dyno numbers back in early 2003 than those presented above; also, Tein showed higher numbers for OEM springs in their older catalog.

 

FWIW, every R50/R52/R53 OEM spring (JCW, Sport, non-sport, S and Cooper alike) we've seen tested has fallen into the 160ish range (from 155 - 165) on a calibrated machine... Shrug. Not to say there might not be any differences between machines as there are with dynos...

 

What's the spring rate of your spring? Will there be a lower drop version coming soon?

 

200 lb/in front and rear, linear rates... We're not working on a lower drop version, but we ARE working on our V3 springs right now that will allow you to get more negative camber without modifying the insides of your strut towers...

 

I'm glad you set the record straight right away. I thought I read the info carefully. It makes me fume when folks are not accurate about describing their wares. You would think that vendors would want to be careful about how they present their information!