I have a set of KW's ST line of coil overs on my 2006 MCS. These are basically the same as KW V1's without stainless steel. I'm looking for feedback from others here who own these ST or KW V1s and may be experiencing the same creaking noises up front.

My observations are that the inner area of the second coil of these springs makes contact with the inner area of the top spring seat (hat) as shown in the attached photo. These coil overs use the stock Mini upper spring hat. Note the yellow color of spring paint on the black spring hat and missing paint worn away from inner part of second spring coil. I sprayed a silicone lubricant on both areas of contact and the creaking went away temporarily. I also have confirmed that the springs aren't making contact with the body of the car (I'm using Ireland fixed camber plates) so it conclusive that its the spring to spring hat contact making the noise.

I purchased these from a friend who had them on his car but took them off to sell the car and try to make back some of his money back. Since the car was driven by his wife and because its a convertible, they didn't notice the creaking sounds.

After discovering the rubbing of the spring seats on my car, my friend looked at his car which hasn't been sold yet, and found that it has the exact same wear marks on the upper spring seats. That said, I am convinced this is an engineering design flaw with the springs and not just two springs that were out of spec.

In speaking with KW's manager of distributions, there have been no revisions to the spring design since first released for this kit and he alleges that they have had no complaints and have no knowledge of this rubbing of the second coils on the spring hats.

Could it be that nobody else has ever called KW about this problem?

So the final test is to ask the community here what their experiences have been with these coil overs. Again, KW's manager of distribution contends that the ST and the V1 both use the exact same springs so that sort of broadens the pool of potential owners here to find out if my friend and I are alone in having this problem (I doubt it).

All that I need to know is if anyone is hearing the same creaking from the front (or if you are not). Either way, I'd like to know. And if you are, I'd like you to take a look at your spring hats and the second coils up front to see if the paint wear is evident on both just as you can see in my photo.

Thanks in advance for your participation. This will really help get to the bottom of this. The next step will be a question of whether using a different spring and spring seat may offer a solution.

 

Bump.

Wow...really?

NOBODY here has the STs coilovers on their car?

The KW distribution manager made it sound like thousands of kits were sold and used on mini R53s.

I'd have surely thought with all of the people doing mods that frequent this board there would have been many who bought STs.

Oh well....looks like I'm f#cked....