Hey everyone,

I am trying to make my purchase on some work for my suspension but I'm worried cause I now don't want to go the springs route. I don't want to have to deal with a harsh ride after 20K miles. I want to be able to enjoy my MINI lowered and no issues. I wanted to track my MINI but I probably won't at this point because it is an auto. Now I will be running a tune at some point this spring.

I wanted to go with Megans at first but didn't feel the need for them since I can't track my MINI. I have my H-sport RSB on, gonna obviously get my RCA and end links when I make this purchase I choose. I know Koni Yellows are good because they are adjustable. Thing that sucks with those is I need to buy springs as well. Now with the H&R sport cup suspension, I am able to lower my MINI almost to two inches, not bad. But I want to know between the two which route is better? Thanks!

-Rob

 

I don't think that you can't track your mini because it is an auto. Its your car to have fun with as you wish. If you want to get Megans, then you can raise the car in the winter, set it low in the summer, and change it when you wish. With springs you've got what you've got. It all depends what you want. If you are going for the look, how low do you want to go?

Lots of threads on here on this subject, but you already know that. Give Way a call and get his opinion.

Mike

 

Yeah I know I can track my car but I know I'll be a little limited on the course. Maybe I'll have a change of heart but for now I think I'll wait til my next MINI to do so.

In terms of coilovers and springs, I just want to get an opinion of those who have any of the two. See how they ride and how they like them. The thing about Megans is that it comes with chamber plates which is nice. Someone who has an shop that works with these cars told me that I should kinda stay away from the Megans and others because they rebuild them almost once or twice a year. I just want to lower her and if I do change my mind, maybe I would take my MINI on the track but it all depends on my suspension from this point on.

Thanks, and maybe I will give way a call that you mention it.

 

I wouldn't discount going to the track just because you have an automatic transmission. There are plenty of people that still make it out with autos. You're out there learning and having fun, not racing. Even those fancy BMW people come with paddle shifters! Heck, you've done all this work on the car and you're just going to stick to street driving? If so, that's a damn shame since when you're driving at the limit on the street, you're risking other drivers and are most likely going to get a reckless driving ticket. Sorry to sound like a father but that's the way I've seen it these past years.

I had lowering springs before getting coilovers. What a world of difference. Even dropped on springs the wheel gap is still very bad on the R56 and the ride is jarring. It sounds like you're leaning on the daily driver route with the occasional track day or Auto-X. Something like a KW V1 would be a good compromise. There are the ST coilovers that are a knock off of the KW V1 but gees if it's your daily driver the stainless steel damper bodies on the KW coilovers are going to be much more forgiving in our crappy Michigan winters. Bilstein, AST, and Ohlins are also top of the line, but the KW V1 is a great streetable coilover that doesn't cut corners on quality. Made in Germany and TUV approved!!! On top of that, you can lower the car at least 2.5" and still have a comfortable ride. You truly get what you pay for with coilovers. It's not somewhere that you want to cheap out on. Yes, other brands that include camber plates are tempting but the low cost of such brands should cause a red flag to pop up in your mind. They are cheap for a reason. I would worry about camber plates at a later date if you get much more serious with Auto-X or track. For daily driving camber plates don't make a whole lot of sense.

Yes, the coilover route is very expensive. It is worth every penny just to save your money and attack it the right way the first time.

 

Yeah, I know Shane, but I just wanted to go out there to have fun twice or three times this upcoming summer. I just want to be able to have fun on the track and on the streets to be able to drive. I got the money to finally get my suspension done the right way and now I'm just torn which way to go. I had DT tell me pretty much the same thing as you, but I think I liked the ST's before because the price is nice and I heard nothing but good things about the coilovers. I will definitely do more research on those and see if I truly like them. I don't want to buy something and then not like it and think I want to get more. But I definitely agree the price sounds terrible on stuff around $700. That's why I looked at Megans before but DT told me they rebuild those very often so that kinda scared me away. But thanks for the tips, I appreciate it!

 

Such a damn shame this crap costs so much damn money Resist the urge to cheap-out on suspension parts. You'll be thankful later and your lady won't be flippin' **** because you have to spend a ton of money on rebuilding coilovers that should have last a lot longer. Chad is a very knowledgeable guy so I'd take his advice.

If you do decide to make it out to the track this year, I would recommend the Great Lakes Lotus Club event usually held at Gingerman Raceway in June. You can pay for a single day or go back-to-back Saturday & Sunday. The price is very reasonable. If i remember correcly, it was about $320 for the weekend and that's a really good deal compared to other clubs. The instructors are always great and they usually have a classroom session before you go out. They want to make sure you're safe and that's rule #1 all the time. 3 ***** Racing is also good, but I feel that the Lotus guys put more emphasis on safety since you need to be signed off by an instructor before you drive solo. 3 ***** does not do this. As long as you have fresh DOT 4 brake fluid and some good Auto-X style brake pads you're good to go.

There are a small handful of guys/gals in MMMC that do enjoy track driving and it's fun to learn from each other and in general just talk smack out there. Wait till you meet Rob LOL!

 

Rob, I can't say that I have any experience with the springs, but honestly there is no reason you can't track your MINI because its an auto. Go to a high performance driving event where you can get track time and not be racing. You can go as fast as you feel comfortable and not have any issues. If you are afraid of transmission overheating you can look into an additional oil cooler which is fairly cheap.

Besides, the idea is to learn the limits of your car so you could just go and get some better brake pads/fluid and go nuts. Don't even bother trying to use the paddles the first time you go and just enjoy learning the racing line with a MINI the auto will take care of the shifting. I've been to the Porsche sport driving school and the whole first day you are out they have you just leave the car in 4th gear (obviously there is a lot more power and torque there) and that's it. You will be fine with your car at a track.

 

I feel much better now knowing that at least an instructor will help me through it, thanks Shane and NJ. I definitely will come out June if and once all my mods are complete(which they should be). I decided that I'm gonna go ST's after doing some research for the last hour lol. But sounds like a blast Shane, I really can't wait. I think I met Rob too, he drives the blue MINI, I believe. Great guy to talk to! But thanks for everything guys, you made it a lot easier for me to feel comfortable to continue my work on my MINI. Looking forward to seeing you soon Shane!

 

Rob, a lot of people track with auto in fact many think it’s better because then you can’t miss a shift and ruin your time, not like I speak from experience or anything lol. I track with Midwestern Counsel Sports car club and we will be going out to Gingerman this year PM me if you are interested it’s a blast and we have instructors that can help you out and show you the ropes. I went with the Koni Yellows with swift springs and love it! I drive the car everywhere and it handles great on the track!

 

Definitely I'd be interested. When I arrive in San Fran ill PM you! I really appreciate it, I was told otherwise by some folks but glad to know its possible. I still won't put a DP anymore on my MINI since ill stick to a stage 1. But ill keep the Koni's in mind. But the ST is tempting too cause of the 5 year warranty on them! And the 2.2 drop! I won't go any lower than 1.4 though.

 

If you plan on tracking it often I would go with KW V2s that way you have adjustable rebound damping. This will help with your track times. I have a buddy who tracks an automatic. It's not as fun as stick but it's still fun and can be done!

 

I plan to do it once or twice during the summer. Mind you it's still my daily driver as well. That's why I considered the STs and Koni-yellows.

 

Aww then yes the STs will suit your needs.

 

Great looking forward to it sometime next month!