I have a sale pending for a set of Koni FSD's, and I was reading through some threads tonight and many said that the FSD raised the ride height of the mini 1/2-3/4inch. I currently have h-sports, and love the ride height and do not want to do anything to raise the ride height. Can anyone confirm this??

 

Yeah, the ride height is increased. I just got mine installed along with the Helix adjustable camber plates. I'm not complaining though. The improved handling along with the 19 mm sway bar has given me a new car at 70,000 miles.

 

I didn't try them with stock springs. With the TSW springs I lost 3/4-inch in the front and about an inch in the back.

 

Most (maybe all?) camber plates increase ride height.

 

Not all. Many retain stock height and one or two with shorter stack heights will lower the height.

 

I didn't notice an increase with FSD's and stock springs... BUT my IE fixed camber plates DID raise the front about 1/4"

 

.....

 

Yeah, I know... I didn't think so when you asked me... but in retrospect, and after comparing the parts... they are a LITTLE bit taller...

 

FSD struts will not alter ride height unless the rear lower spring perch is installed upside down. If the bump stops are not cut down using H-Sport springs on FSD struts, the strut will be riding the stops the majority of the time, and even after modifying the stops, FSDs bottom often. I recommend avoiding FSDs for anything beyond inner city use (they can easily be overdriven, damping is almost non-existent) and because I experienced early failure, avoid a used purchase because the warranty will no longer be valid; my apologies to the seller, no malicious intent here.

IE fixed camber plate bushings will collapse/compress during 50 or so miles of use and settle at near original ride height for late model guide supports.

 

Just to clarify - k-huevo - I believe your FSD warnings / issues are directly related to running FSDs with lowering springs like the H-Sports... right? I know of many happy FSD owners on stock spring setups, and some on setups that are lowered just a *little* (e.g. JCW or TSW springs)....

 

The majority of my experience with the Koni FSD was using OEM and JCW springs; they were ok at first but my positive opinion deteriorated with time. I’ve read the accolades and the person who purchased mine after the warranty replacement is satisfied also; they are appropriate for his driving style. However, they are not a “MINI performance” oriented strut, and definitely not suited for lowering springs.

 

Definitely not coilovers

But also definitely take the edge off highway expansion joints and rough pavement, without being a "mushy" soft strut... IMHO.

 

I am the other half of the pending sale (seller). The FSDs I have were on the car for five weeks and just 1,500 miles. Most of that on local roads and highways, so they are nearly new. The ride was incredible and the cornering great. They were installed with ireland fixed plates and I waffled afterward, deciding I wanted adjustable camber. So I went with BC coilovers.

 

Since I started fooling around in the suspension forum I have become very conscience of my ride height. So today I measured my ride height against against a stock 2004 MCS. I currently own a 2004 R53. There was no difference! The 2004 MCS had slight mushrooming of the tower mounts. The wheel gap looked larger on my car and measured about 1/2 inches higher. Front, side, and back measurements were the same from the ground on up to the bumpers and side plastic mouldings.

About a week ago I measured my ride height against a 2003 MCS and I noticed that I was higher by 1/4~1/2 inch. On that day my new Konis only had about 1 or 2 days on them and that was before I had -1.7 camber put onto my front wheels

Maybe my new struts settled down? Maybe the negative camber lowered the car a small amount? I am also thinking that there will be variance form car to car especially in model years that I mentioned due to wear and tear. Either way I am very happy with my current set up.