I had the MiniMania springs installed on my '03 MCS and it seems that they overpower the stock shocks. Are all the aftermarket springs like this? They also seemed to make the car pretty low. Do all the aftermarket springs lower the car a lot?

I am getting to the point where I want to go back to the stock springs, but want the opinion of the masses. I know that keeping the CG low is important for handling (and I really like the way it handles now) I just cannot deal with the bone jarring ride and springiness that I have now.

Any input would be appreciated>

Mike (#87)

 

I didn't even know Mania had their own springs (shows you how popular they are)

Cheers,
Ryan

 

>>In my experience, there are 3 choices:
>>H&R - if you want to lower but not change handling balance
>>H-Sport - lower and more neutral handling (firmer rear springs)
>>K-W - WAY lower, as in slammed!, no change in handling balance
>>
>>I know Eibach has springs, but I've never seen anyone use them. Since we're not talking about coilovers, I won't either.

I have seen Eibach installed in a MINI and they look pretty close to H&R to me. I don't know how it rides.
I have H-sport and it works fine for me. 1 inch drop front and rear which isn't as much as other springs.
Firm but not bad/bouncy. On smooth roads it does great. I'm happy with them.

 

>>
>>>>In my experience, there are 3 choices:
>>>>H&R - if you want to lower but not change handling balance
>>>>H-Sport - lower and more neutral handling (firmer rear springs)
>>>>K-W - WAY lower, as in slammed!, no change in handling balance
>>>>
>>>>I know Eibach has springs, but I've never seen anyone use them. Since we're not talking about coilovers, I won't either.
>>
>>I have seen Eibach installed in a MINI and they look pretty close to H&R to me. I don't know how it rides.
>>I have H-sport and it works fine for me. 1 inch drop front and rear which isn't as much as other springs.
>>Firm but not bad/bouncy. On smooth roads it does great. I'm happy with them.
I have Eibachs (pro kit) lowers 1" front and 1.2" in the rear...gets rid of the front rake..ride is firm and smooth except on rough pavement or pot holes..have to slow down a bit.

 

well, I had the H-Sport's on mine and I loved them. They reduced the car's factory understeer while lowering the car 1" all around. The car looked and handled proper; highly recommended.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I have H & R Springs in one of my MCS's, it's pretty well modded in other areas as well. I love the the way the car feels. You have to look out for bumps no matter what! Only problem with the H & R's that I've noticed is the negative camber. The wear on the inside of the rear tires is much more pronounced. I took it in to my dealer for alignment and they can't get the camber better than -2.8'. I was hoping for -.75, looks like I'll be needing lower rear control arms. Which I have read are necessary with the H & R's. Good luck!

 

>>I had the MiniMania springs installed on my '03 MCS and it seems that they overpower the stock shocks. Are all the aftermarket springs like this? They also seemed to make the car pretty low. Do all the aftermarket springs lower the car a lot?
>>
>>I am getting to the point where I want to go back to the stock springs, but want the opinion of the masses. I know that keeping the CG low is important for handling (and I really like the way it handles now) I just cannot deal with the bone jarring ride and springiness that I have now.
>>
>>Any input would be appreciated>
>>
>>Mike (#87) Welcome to MCO Mike87

I was just about to post a very similar question. I have the H-Sports and this past week, I've run into 2 occasions where they were just NOT acceptable for me. First was during Ants farewell drive. We hit a pretty poorly maintained road and because I was in the middle of the pack, I tried not to hold everyone up. Instead, I took this road a little too fast and after there were more rattles and creaks in my MINI than I'd developed in the previous 10K miles. The second time was just last night when I had 3 people in the car. My rear passenger weighs a little over 200 lbs and I couldn't go over 30mph on our city streets without scraping (and I have 16" rims!!)

I like the lowered look, I like the way the H-Sports handle on smooth roads. But I cannot tolerate any more rattles nor can I stand to not be able to have adult rear passengers.

What are my options? Should I go back to stock springs (maybe put the MINI SS+ ones on?) Would coilovers solve the problem (don't know jack about them.....).

Help me out guys. I got the springs after reading many many rave reviews and now I'm sorry I did it.

Cheers,
Kim

 

I have the H&R's on my Cooper, since April or May. Have had no rubbing with 2 or 3 passengers in the car. I'm no real lightweight in any case. Driving in Brooklyn or NYC I haven't experienced any problems ( or driving on "questionable " back roads in the country either) Car doesn't scrape or bottom out unless there is a real height difference in pavement - like a driveway or curb. I 'm very happy with the handling and looks on the car.

I do wonder if the stock shocks will have a shortened lifespan though. I did have a comment from a family member that aftermarket springs would cause quicker wear on the shocks....

 

>>Would coilovers solve the problem (don't know jack about them.....).
>>

depending on the coilovers, they may. it's depends on factors like spring rate, damping settings, valving, and ride height.

i don't know much about mini-specific coilover sets or how much you know about tweaking a car, but would you be willing to corner-weight them and fiddle with damping settings to get the most out of them? most people would rather just install and forget, in which case imo coilovers are overkill.

roger

 

I have the Eibach Pro-kit springs. On normal roads they almost feel smoother than the stock springs. It seemed like the car understeered to much after the install. However, after adding an RDR rear sway bar and adjustable rear control arms (for proper alignment) I have a comfortable, amazing handling MINI. No issues with rubbing either, even with friends in the back(close to 400 lbs.)

 

Thanks for all the input. I will talk to the shop that installed them and see what can be done. Driving it in to work this morning was very fun. It does handle very well, however, those bumps are driving me nuts!

 

I think it's a case of the shock and strut being the problems.

When you install lowering springs, the normal position for the shock/strut piston is compressed from where old stock was, since the springs are shorter. You're down into the valving where the assembly would be during cornering, all the time. This degrades normal ride, and the shorter throw left for the piston means more bottoming out. Since the assembly is operating constantly in a position it wasn't designed for, it'll wear out sooner.

Any time I've run lowering springs (Eibach, Saleen Racecraft), I've always put adjustable performance shocks and struts (Koni) on.

Some springs require trimming the bump stop to prevent bottoming out on them with the reduced travel.

I'd suggest investing in a quality set or shocks and struts. BTW, I installed Spax coilovers, camber plates, new f & r sway bars, and rear adj control arms on my S earlier this week, and spent all yesterday having it corner weighed, aligned and balanced. It's a different car.

 

Mike87....Do you know if the Mania springs are of the progressive type or not? If they aren't, it would explain some of the ride harshness. Non-progressive spring are made to have the same stiffness throughout the spring travel. Progressive types increase in stiffness the more they're compress. This will give you a pretty good ride on normal roads, but better handling in the corners.

Harmini...if your Cooper doesn't already have the SS+ option you could swap out your stock springs for a set of the SS+ ones. Your car won't ride any lower, but you'll see an increase in corner handling (especially if you do the rear sway bar, too).

Both of you need to keep in mind that whenever you go to a more competitive spring, the ride is going to suffer. In a small car like the Cooper you'll feel the bumps a lot more.

 

>>Harmini...if your Cooper doesn't already have the SS+ option you could swap out your stock springs for a set of the SS+ ones. Your car won't ride any lower, but you'll see an increase in corner handling (especially if you do the rear sway bar, too).
>>
Actually, the SS+ option has the same springs as the SS. the sway bars and
shocks are upgraded to the "S" parts though.

 

>>I think it's a case of the shock and strut being the problems.
>>
>>When you install lowering springs, the normal position for the shock/strut piston is compressed from where old stock was, since the springs are shorter. You're down into the valving where the assembly would be during cornering, all the time. This degrades normal ride, and the shorter throw left for the piston means more bottoming out. Since the assembly is operating constantly in a position it wasn't designed for, it'll wear out sooner.
>>
>>Any time I've run lowering springs (Eibach, Saleen Racecraft), I've always put adjustable performance shocks and struts (Koni) on.
>>
>>Some springs require trimming the bump stop to prevent bottoming out on them with the reduced travel.
>>
>>I'd suggest investing in a quality set or shocks and struts. BTW, I installed Spax coilovers, camber plates, new f & r sway bars, and rear adj control arms on my S earlier this week, and spent all yesterday having it corner weighed, aligned and balanced. It's a different car.


Your point is a good one, although I don't think that the stock shocks have progressive valving, when I had mine out to put the H&Rs in I compressed the shock on my workbench and the resistance was linear like every other shock that I have compressed. Your point about the bump stops is really good: Harmini may be smashing off the bump stops when she goes over rough roads with passengers if the stock bump stops are still on the struts.

 

>>>>I think it's a case of the shock and strut being the problems.
>>>>
>>>>When you install lowering springs, the normal position for the shock/strut piston is compressed from where old stock was, since the springs are shorter. You're down into the valving where the assembly would be during cornering, all the time. This degrades normal ride, and the shorter throw left for the piston means more bottoming out. Since the assembly is operating constantly in a position it wasn't designed for, it'll wear out sooner.
>>>>
>>>>Any time I've run lowering springs (Eibach, Saleen Racecraft), I've always put adjustable performance shocks and struts (Koni) on.
>>>>
>>>>Some springs require trimming the bump stop to prevent bottoming out on them with the reduced travel.
>>>>
>>>>I'd suggest investing in a quality set or shocks and struts. BTW, I installed Spax coilovers, camber plates, new f & r sway bars, and rear adj control arms on my S earlier this week, and spent all yesterday having it corner weighed, aligned and balanced. It's a different car.
>>
>>
>>Your point is a good one, although I don't think that the stock shocks have progressive valving, when I had mine out to put the H&Rs in I compressed the shock on my workbench and the resistance was linear like every other shock that I have compressed. Your point about the bump stops is really good: Harmini may be smashing off the bump stops when she goes over rough roads with passengers if the stock bump stops are still on the struts.

Thanks for the input guys. I'll call Eric @ Helix next week and see what needs to be done.