Hello all,

So, first i have done searches on NAM and other various sites.

I am looking to lower my R53 this year and have posted before about springs vs coilovers. Springs/shocks could cost over $600 and coilovers start at about $800.

I have allways wanted to put an air ride on my Mini but everything i have seen looks to be around $2,500 plus for a "kit".

I work with "car guys (hot rods)" and electricians all day long and we were talking about air ride/bags.

And they were talking about making my own "manual" air ride setup.

A basic idea would be just using manual turn valves to raise and lower the car.

The basic setup would be:
Air tank (not sure size)
Air compressor
one line to front air bags (one valve to raise and one to lower)
one line to rear air bags (one valve to raise and one to lower)
air bags (universal?)
shocks/struts (or can i re-use my stock ones??)
misc valves, fittings and gauges

I am not that familiar with the parts and what would be needed. But, essentially is there a reason why this would not work?

I am not worried about going up/down in 1.2 seconds or anything like that. I am also not worried about having a "cool" switches either. Turning a valve to lower the front of my car wont kill me. I am also not worried about raising each corner of the car. I also dont have a "show" car so i dont need anything fancy

This would be a "basic" cost saving setup if it could work. It seems like there is a small amount of electrical parts accept for power to the compressors. Which i imaging would have a pressure gauge & regulator to control the amount of PSI in the tank.

I do not track my car so having a high performance suspension isnt an issue for me.

All i want to do is raise and lower my car......to the ground when i am parked

I understand that there are a "few" people here that have bagged there mini...so i hope you can give me some advice and experience.

I cant be the only one that wants to bag there Mini without spending 5k+!!!

Any help would be greatly appreiciated!!

 

http://bagriders.com/modlab/products...T-PACKAGE.html
http://bagriders.com/modlab/categori...7B47%7DSTRUTS/

Here is a good start. Any opinions on a cost effective bag setup? I take it these universal bags mount over the shocks/struts.

 

I don't know how much help this thread might be, but I think it's a start: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ged-minis.html

-Jorge

 

Check Ksport they offer a complete Mini Specific kit starting at $1495

 

Last I checked the kit was $2500 for a basic kit.

 

 

After owning several bagged trucks and working in the air bag world for many years I cannot stress this ENOUGH....MAKE SURE TO BUY QUALITY COMPRESSORS, VALVES AND SWITCHBOX.

Rule of thumb for every 5 gals of air you want 1 compressor. Without seeing more pics of the KSport kit it is hard to tell which bags and compressor they are using. I would be concerned with quality as many do not care for their coilovers.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have been emailing bag riders back and fourth the past few days and u think I'm going to go with there manual 4 padel system. To keep cost down as well I might bag just the front by the end of this year and do the back next year. Which I understand is common to do.

I think I can do the fronts for around $1,400 or so. Then the rears will be an additional $600.

 

Keep in mind that a manual system is VERY slow and has many connections where it can produce leaks. I would recommend 1/4" airline and 1/4" valves. PM me if you need more help piecing together a better system.

 

Thanks you kris.

I don't mind the speed of the manual system. I just want to park and drop it!

If you cheaper than bagriders then we can talk.

All I want is the 4 way manual system with front air shocks for now.

I will do the rear next summer.

Bagriders is around $1,200 for manual system and front air shocks.

 

I wouldn't recommend that kit so I don't feel right quoting you. Over the years of I have learned on my personal bagged rides to do it right the first time. Saves money and you will be happier. Good luck