I am considering springs and am not sure which set I want to purchase. Trying to decide between H-sport and M7's. By the posts here I know that
H-sports are a little rougher than stock(whereas I have been told M7's actually ride better than stock). I would like to know if the H-sports are suitable for daily driving in the Los Angeles area (potholes, road decay etc.). I am leaning toward the H-sports only because they are part of a comprehensive pack (TVS system) and the M7's are strictly springs that will be used with H-sport rear camber links. I am afraid they might be too rough on a 40 year old backside for daily driving . (By the way, tire size being considered is 215 40 17.) Opinions solicited and appreciated.

 

LA roads, m7's would be perfect. You should be able to find some people down there willing to take you for a ride on both types. Prolly check out Steve's Auto Clinic, sure they'll have something for you. good luck.:smile:

 

I have had both M7s and H-Sports in my '04 MCS. Here in the Northeast the M7s initial rate was too soft and the car bottomed out frequently. I swapped over to the H-Sports and now enjoy what I consider to be the best of both worlds - Better ride than stock and lowered ride height.


Cheers,

 

Dunno about M7s, but I'm running H-Sports and I find the ride better than stock, particularly over small abrupt bumps.

I also don't know about LA roads, 'cuz I haven't driven there in a long long time. I'm in North Florida and our roads are relatively decent, so my opinion may well be completely invalid for your area.

 

I am running Tein High Sports. The ride is great and they are not as low as H Sports. The rear camber change is not as bad as with other springs I have seen.

 

The Teins must have VERY little drop because the H-sports only have about an inch.
I use H-Sports and think they're great.

 

I have the H-Sports and agree that over small bumps the ride is alot better. However, over the large ones the car is much more stiff that stock.

 

Ditto for me!

 

I little off topic but I just installed the H-sport rear sway bar also, and even on the soft setting, holy **** what a difference!

 

I am running H-sports springs, front and rear sway bars, and camber links. I found the ride just fine, but the camber links are absolutly necessary to regain anything close to stock camber. Had 1.4 degrees before the camber links which is a little hard on the rear tires.

You can't go wrong either way. Let's Motor!

 

This is a spot-on perfect description!

However we're not talking night-and-day here like you just put coil-overs on your car. If you're an enthusiast, you will much appreciate the H-Sports for their well-rounded improvement in all aspects in performance over stock.

 

Do any of you know the spring rates for either H-sports or M7's? Are these springs linear or progressive, or rear progressive and front linear? Also, when you write about ride vs handling above, do I assume you've all re-used stock dampers?

 

The Search Function works wonders (only because this topic is super beaten to death)

 

I just put on the Hsports with Konis and am trying to decide about the shock setting. It is a bit on the stiff side. i am 54 with a bad back so I appreciate your concern. I have been in LA every January for 20 years so I am familiar with your roads. I really like what the change has done for the car. It really takes the handling up a couple of knotches. As far as the ride I agree small bumps no big deal....big bumps ...... a bigger deal. I would not go back to stock this is too much fun. As far as the M7 I had someone who knows a lot more about these cars than I do say he fely like it "turned the Mini into a Buick." I did not want that kind of ride....I also have a Tahoe.

 

A belated thank you for the replies. H-sports it is. I definitely do not want my MINI to feel like a Buick. Also an apologyto all for bringing up a topic that I know has been beaten beyond death.

 

Okay, but do you know the actual spring rates? For example, 350lb springs for the front and 200lb for the back...something like this. I installed 400lb linear rate Eibachs front and rear with Koni single adjustable dampers on my last car - 99 Civic Si. A very big hammer appraoch to good handling along with hard rubber bushings. Was too soft for the track and too hard for the street. Looking for that sweet spot between ride and handling - not tracking the Mini, however.

Thanks,

Michael

 

This has been discussed before, but the rates on the H-Sports are in the area of 195F 300R when they are compressed.

 

I'm new here so perhaps I should perform a search. However, 195lb spring for the front sounds extremely light??? Most stock spring rates for 2,500-2,800lb front wheel drive cars - with sporting natures - are in the 260-300lb range. I'm also surprised by the 100lb difference in the rear; most aftermarket companies are extremely cautious, and 100lb stiffer spring in the rear is fairly aggressive - snappy backend - for street driving...autoXing and road racing is of course different. Eibach is one of the few companies who offer expanded custom spring work. Even so, they get a little nervous when we weekend warriors suggest really heavy rear spring rates. I intitially installed 400lb front and 600lb rears on my 99 Si great for the track...a bit much for the street. I'll perform a search, thanks, Kyle.

My title above, why do you say compressed? Don't understand why unless you are speaking about linear rate spring for which there are two rates for each spring.