I'm so sick of the horrible streets in Seattle (most 3rd world country have smoother dirt roads than Seattle's broken asphalt and concrete). I'm really considering trading in the Mini for a Jeep or some other short wheelbase cross-over.
As an alternative, I'm curious if anyone's come across a longer travel suspension kit ? Maybe a rallycross setup ? I'm not sure what the limitations of the driveshafts lengths and control arm dimensions might pose, but I would have thought with the Mini's history, there might be a few more rally inspired mod'ers.

 

I have not seen on yet. Perhaps something custom? From Koni etc?

 

I know my BCs raised up higher than stock lol.

Since the bottom mount of the assembly is the adjustable part, the spring and shock travel stays the same no matter what the height for the most part

youd probably be better off buying GOOD struts/shocks and the smallest rims possible with soft tires. Some have very stiff sidewalls.

 

How have the BC's been ? I'm not sure I've seen their height adjustment range posted anywhere, but all the other coil overs I've found have had a maximum height that was still a .5" drop.

 

They are pretty good. I got mine used with many many miles on them, and they still rode better than VMaxx's. Thus I cannot say what they are like closer to new.

I just installed them raised way up thinking id run stock height for winter, and It was a little higher than stock. had to lower them a bit, then a bit more when i hated being at stock height lol

 

Raising coilovers like the BC's doesn't give you anymore suspension travel since you adjust height with the lower mount. They don't have much travel.

AST and KW generally have quite a bit of travel compared to most brands. With AST you can specify longer springs as well to get ride height up a bit and maximize the available travel.

- Andrew

 

my new AST 5100 is coming in Feb, I should be able to comment on them in April･May after a little time with them on the car.

 

Anyone test out the new countryman?

 

check the Countryman section...

 

meh, if I was going to upgrade to an suv, I'd probably just bite the bullet and get a Jeep. While the Mini line has a nice rigid unibody, everything else seems so bloody fragile. I had the glass in my driver side mirror pop out and drop into the street just from hitting a pothole and both of my strut towers have some minor mushrooming from normal city driving.

It's really disappointing how little aftermarket support there is for the Mini brand in recent years. I think Mini has gone to great lengths to prevent modding and discourage enthusiasts.

 

Its not really an SUV. Its the size of a VW golf.

 

Try steering around or braking when rough pavement is unavoidable. Seattle streets are NOT bad for crying out loud........

 

I don't know which neighborhood you live in but ...
<rant>

any road in any direction from my place is riddled with broken asphalt, there are potholes 15-20 feet long, 5+ inches deep, and 2 feet wide on N 85th that go months between repairs. There are round-abouts in my neighborhood where the sinkholes have warped the road so bad that if I don't carefully pick my tire placement I can high-center the Mini...
The mayor lives only 2 blocks away, but his only concern is reducing lanes to make way for more bicycle paths
</rant>

 

I had a 92 Cherokee HO that systematically destroyed itself one component at a time so that was the first and last Jeep I ever had. It was under 5 years old when that happened so that really turned me off. I've had good luck with Nissan vehicles, love my Armada when it comes to the road conditions you described. But we got that truck when gas was 1.50 a gallon. It would be nice to have something a little more nimble (although you would be surprised at what that truck can do).

Anyone try the Nissan Juke? Looks like they had the Countryman right in their sights as far as performance and features go. It's just too bad the design team must have all been x Pontiac Aztek guys. But you get that extra ground clearance you are after and the performance you are used to, standard Nav and you know the aftermarket is going to be there to take the edge off that styling.

 

I've actually been looking into the Nissan Juke..
I worked as a Nissan tech for a little while, the stuff they made themselves was generally pretty good. That front diff/axle on the Titans and Armada's was a real weak spot 'tho.
The Juke and the Countryman are almost identical in length, and the Juke does have an extra inch of ground clearance, it's too bad that you have to get the cvt if you want the awd.

 

Oh oh, I have 80K mostly highway miles on my 2004 Armada 4x4. I have heard of that axle going out too. How much time do I have, doc? Does it make any difference if you usually use 2 x 4 mode? How much is it to fix when the axle snaps (roughly)?

 

the real killer of the axles is people using over-sized rims and "performance" tires, or using 4wd on the pavement at the first site of snow. It's not so much that the axles or diffs wear out too quickly, it's just that they're pretty fragile. If you're running oem size/style tires and keep them all evenly inflated you shouldn't have much in the way of problems.

Pretty much all the ones I replaced (which was a lot) were done under warranty or goodwill, I don't remember seeing any prices attached to the RO's.

If you have access to a lift capable of getting a titan or armada up in the air and a good half inch impact gun, the whole front end is super easy to work on. It's simple and Nissan parts are relatively inexpensive, just requires some leverage.

 

Thanks very much for the tips! I almost never use the 4x4. If I do it is really deep stuff. "Auto" works just fine 99.9% of the time for me in bad weather or the mountains. I am running 33" BFG all terrains actually I think they are 265 65R18 or something close to that. The brakes are so weak on that truck, I cant imagine trying to drive it with big wheels!

I can barely jack up one tire with my floor jack on that vehicle so I think If that ever happens to me I'll leave it to the professionals.

Thanks again.