Hey NAM community! So I am looking to buy lowering springs for my R50 hopefully as soon as next week.

I don't want to lower it more than 1.25", since it is my daily driver and there is hardly a day I am not in this car. My husband suggested this, and has been helping me non-stop to find what I need.

He found me a set of H&R springs on tirerack.com for about $200. A little more than I wanted to spend, but they lower as much I am wanting. Are these good springs? I was hoping you all could help me out and suggest some good springs for a daily driven MINI that doesn't lower too dramatically, and where I don't have to spend more than $200.

Also, I am planning on getting some aftermarket wheels, 16x7. I need to make sure this size wheel, with a +40 offset will fit fine once lowered.

Can you tell this is my first time lowering a car of mine?

 

Save up, buy shocks/springs or coilovers! Suspension on the cheap isn't always the best idea. If you lower that much you might need Lower Control Arms to dial the camber in properly.

I'd suggest getting Koni Yellows and whatever spring you like, a lot of people like H&R, Swift has some now apparently as well. Alternately, the ST coilovers are a good buy. These options will actually improve handling. If you JUST want to look low, springs are okay, but they're gonna beat up your stock shocks a little faster and won't improve handling as much as a proper package will.

I have my R50 lowered on ST Coilovers roughly 1.25-1.5" and I'm running 16x7 et40 Konig Feathers. No fitment problems.

 

I don't want to go the coilover route because this is my daily driver, and I don't need a setup like that. I don't race it. We use the hubby's MINI as the autox car, so his is all lowered with K Sports and such I can't spend more than $200, as I have a budget, so I would like to go with something that isn't too expensive, but will still hold up for a long time, especially with the way I drive (rather spirited).

The wheels I intend to get are 16x7 Konig Heliums, but they have a +40 offset (where I'm looking to buy), whereas hubby says I should have +35-38. He says we can do spacers, so it's not a big deal. Also, I am purchasing new struts next as well, seeing as both my front ones are leaking a bit :( So the whole suspension setup will be new

 

I don't think you'll have any problems fitting those wheels without spacers. I have them but I didn't actually need them... I bought them "just in case" they needed to be used to fit the coilover adjustment collar, and the tech just installed them anyway (but there was "tons of room",) so you'll be alright.

Are you getting OEM struts? I'd just get the Koni Yellows as they're designed to be used with lowering springs, whereas the OEM are not.

 

No, I'm not getting OEM. I like to buy my parts from rockauto.com, so I found some aftermarkets for around $51/strut. The Konis were a little outta my price range! But thanks, that makes me feel better about the wheel setup

 

Whatever you do, do NOT even REMOTELY consider adding lowering springs without upgrading the shocks to an appropriate shock made to accommodate lowering springs, such as Koni Yellows or Bilstein Sports. The stock shocks are pure garbage in the first place, and if you lower the car and leave them in place, they'll beat themselves to death in no time flat.

 

Yeah, I can tell the stocks aren't all that great :/

I'll keep those in mind, though I know they're much more expensive than what I'd hope to spend. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

Get all your Mini Parts and Accessories at http://mini.sewellparts.com/!

 

Let me offer a bit of advice... if you don't have the budget to properly lower your car then you should leave it alone. In this case you definitely get what you pay for. I wouldn't go anywhere near $51 struts. Another thing to consider is rear camber which WILL be an issue once the car is lowered. If the camber issue isn't addressed, the life span of your rear tires will be significantly reduced. You'll need adjustable lower control arms to correct this and those aren't cheap either. You will need at least $1000 for parts (springs, shocks, adjustable control arms, upper strut mounts depending on mileage) to do this right.

 

[QUOTE=PinkLinc;3534891]Let me offer a bit of advice... if you don't have the budget to properly lower your car then you should leave it alone.
+1

 

Closed at OP request.