Car: 2003 MC CVT 80K miles
Driving type: General street agressive no track days or Autocross.
Situation: Struts are getting weak and car is a bit bouncy.
Suspension Mods: 19MM Alta Rear Sway Bar
Other Mods: UniChip, DDM CAI, Miltek Exhaust

Case #1: What I had ordered
IE Fixed Camber plates
Koni FSD Shocks (Backordered till late august)

Case #2: I have a lead on a lightly used set of MINI S Sport Struts (10k miles)
IE Fixed Camber Plates


Which honestly makes the most sense?
Case 1 = $800
Case 2 = $300

 

Case 2. Might also want to consider that if you ever want to lower your Mini any (no pun intended) the FSD's = junk on a lowered car.. Matter fact with less than the difference get some TSW springs while your at it and you'll have a sweet handeling car!2 cents.

 

I'm a big fan of FSDs... love mine. Much more comfortable and better road-holding than the MINI S Sport struts which I had previously. Work well in combination with the IE Fixed plates - that's my setup. I ran that setup with stock springs for a while and it worked great. On TSW springs now and it's even better.

Sooo.... if what you want is better-than-stock performance and more comfort and $500 isn't a lot of money to you, buy FSDs. If $500 IS a lot of money, and you don't care much about comfort (because you WILL give some up with the S Sport struts) then go the $300 route.

 

While there have been stories of FSD demise on lowered cars, there have also been quite a few lowered with NO issues. Consensus seems to be that they work fine with up to an inch of lowering (TSW or JCW springs).

 

I would lower however I live in the midwest with frequent 12 inch plus snows and have to drive daily rain or snow.

 

well one vote for each any one else?

 

Sounds to me that the option 2 is the way to go for you. If in FACT they are in very good condition. Why spend more money at this time. By the time you have used up option 2, you might find yourself in a new car or want even more aggressive suspension.
Option 2.

 

Save your money go with option #2. Put the extra money toward other mods later.

 

for your type of driving, it's all you need. That said, ride comfort is experienced every day, and if you really don't like the current ride, then you have a chance to do something about it.

But if it were my car and my money, I'd go the fixed plates and the used struts. Then I'd be keeping an eye in the marketplace for a good set of used fully adjustable coil-overs (there are some Ledas there for $350. Rebuild and softer springs for about $600 then you have some $2k struts at half off).

Matt

 

I'm going ahead with what your plan #2 is in a couple of weeks. I bought the original style Sport Suspension+ from before MINI softened it up with around 17k on it. I also got the IE fixed camber plates. Both ingredients set me back less than $300. Currently I have the SS+ rear sway on my car with the stock suspension setup. I can't wait to put the new kit on my car!! Should be awesome!

 

when you change camber, toe changes as well on our cars.

Good luck with the changes! I think front camber changes are one of the best changes for Minis!

Matt