Help me understand a couple things about the MINI's suspension.

I'm planning on getting new wheels and lowering the car to eliminate wheel gap. What are the differences between Coilovers vs Lowering springs?

My choices are getting lowering springs or coilovers, correct?
I'm not looking to spend more than $1100 on suspension unless you really suggest I should. Car is not being tracked, but I tend to drive aggressively on the weekends.

In order to eliminate wheel gap (almost completely) on 17" wheels, what is the best option?


What is going to be the best option for me? (Pics are always welcomed!)

I saw the H&R Touring Cup Kit on Alta for like $850 or for $525, I can get lowering springs with some other things. Good or no?

-TAB32

 

First off, $850 for a cup kit is high. Second, if you want more than a 3/4"-1" drop, coilovers are the way to go.

What size tires are you getting?

Given the springs available to the market, if you go springs route, I would look into Koni Yellow/HSport Springs (TSW Springs would be ideal, but not sure if they are available again yet).

If you're going coilover route, given your budget, I would suggest ST Coilovers or KW V1's.

The only problem is, you're going to need some money for adjustable rear control arms, probably new front upper strut mounts, etc.

If you want a cheaper option, just to get it done, you can look into Megan coilovers, but you'll still need adjustable rear control arms to fix your rear camber and prevent uneven tire wear.

 

Can anyone elaborate onthe rear contro arms? Is there a certain level of lowering that requires them, or if you lower the car at all you need them? After the install just an alignment or aything else special?

 

I have the H&R springs which drop 1.4". I don't need rear lower control arms at that height, but if you went any lower, I believe you would.

I'm having Koni yellows installed as I post this, but motored for about 35K on OEM Sport shocks and it started to get a little harsh.

I almost pulled the trigger on Megan coils, but they're on back order at multiple vendors for at least a month. If I were to start all over, I would go with coils since my only complaint about the H&R's is that the fronts are higher than the rear. If I could drop the front to match the rear, I'd be very happy with this height.

 

^^^ Thank you, yeah I had that reverse rake with one of my VW's. I replaced the stock suspension with Koni yellows and Koni springs, After I had it done I had a few people ask me if I was going to lower the front of the car too .

I think I'll just do the H&R street coils instead of the cup kit, its only a few hundred different. The cup kit was appealing because I value damper adjustability more so than height adjust.

 

You have a 2nd gen though, a 1.4" drop is not as severe for your car as it is for a 1st Gen.

OP you don't HAVE to get adjustable control arms, but if you don't camber adjustment will be limited and with the mini having 1.5ish degrees from the factory, you will be adding to that in the rear when lowering it. If you can't correct the camber, I hope you have a budget set aside for tires.

 

I have TSW springs which lower 1" on my 2006. Yes, you WILL Need adjustable rear arms.