Hi. I'd like to change out my shocks and springs to get a smoother ride. I don't track my car. I was thinking of going with NM springs, but not sure what shocks to go with. I am also not sure if I want to go lower. I am sure I don't want to go with coilovers. What would you guys suggest?

Thanks

 

The first thing to do is get rid of the run-flats. Your ride will improve immediately. Carry a 12V air pump and a tire plug kit.

This is less expensive than suspension work and much less labor is involved.

 

+1 runflats need to go first. Then I would do Koni yellow or bilstein with NM springs.

If you like the ride after the runflat are removed , like most people do , you may be ok with just that. If not you can move on to the koni and NM.

NM springs :

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2007-...nsion/Springs/





Shocks: R56 Cooper S

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2007-...ension/Shocks/

 

I will probably get rid of runflats once my current tires are dead, but until then I will not be replacing tires. I currently have Bridgestone drive guards and the ride is night and day different compared to the Pirellis I had before then.

 

You will notice a difference , I say use up the rest of the Runflats , then change them to non RF. Then after that decide on the suspension.

 

Absolutely. Losing the run-flats makes a significant difference, and the price is right when you have to replace tires anyway!

If you're not putting the car on the track, I really don't believe that you need the suspension work. But it makes sense to do the tires first; the suspension will still be there.

 

Non runflats cost half what runflats cost and last way longer. My runflats didn't last 30k miles on my 2007. You're probably not gonna get a softer ride changing springs.

 

Nobody going to mention the Koni FSD shocks?

 

Good point GS.
If you do go FSD's what with the lowering springs with those as Koni does not recommend it due to early failure with lowering springs. Suppose to run stock springs. The FSD do have the most comfortable ride, but you wanted to lower on top of that.

 

Anyone running on Tein Street Basic coilover?

 

I don't think I want to lower the car is what I had said.

 

Ok. Sorry. Thought you meant lower and softer ride " I am also not sure if I want to go lower. "

Then the FSD are the way to go.

 

I switched to FSD and non-runflats around the same time. The FSD's are a nice upgrade but, of the two mods, the tires made a significant more noticeable change in the ride quality.

 

When i went from factory RF to NON runflat again, that was the biggest change.

 

Thanks for all the input. I have a good amount of tread left on my current tires so I will probably be getting Koni FSD and then change to non runflat tires. Has anyone had any issues with non runflat tires on road trips?

 

Welcome,

Had them on all three MINIs 205/45/17 , just take a can of fix a flat/ small air compressor or a MINI mobility kit. get yourself a tire gauge also :

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2007-...Tire_Pressure/





https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2714992/

 

koni yellows or fsd would be best bet. I drove an S it was so much smoother than the base model

 

Are you saying an S with koni is smoother than the base model or an S in general is smoother than the base model?

 

Stock for stock the S was better at the time, knowing what I know now I should splurged on the S