When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
What if I just wanted the drop of 10mm? Could I just install the springs on my stock suspension? or would that cause a lot of premature wear on the other suspension parts?
What if I just wanted the drop of 10mm? Could I just install the springs on my stock suspension? or would that cause a lot of premature wear on the other suspension parts?
How many mile son the installed struts? Chances are good they are worn out already, and throwing stiffer springs on them will just cause you grief.
Best for a street car that gets driven ... the Koni FSD’s ( special active) ... with stock springs and new mount-bushings and bounce bumpers... and an upgraded rear sway bar... it will trounce a stock JCW handling-wise with the same tires. Get alignment done following.
Im not a fan of lowering a street car, at all ... most lowered cars can look good ... but you give up travel which can compromise street handling performance when dealing with dips, potholes, and uneven pavement...driveways are doable...... AKA "The real world" IMHO, Save the ‘stance’ for show cars and smooth track days.
The FSD’s are an amazing piece of engineering that is designed to work with a particular spring, takes out the guesswork and trial/Error of setting up and adjusting the shock for all but maybe 1% of Mini owners.
My experience, in consumers hands...even those that fancy themselves as 'tuners'...With adjustable shocks/struts.... Most people will adjust them outside of the optimal settings rather than inside the 'sweet spot' while trying to find the 'best' adjustment for performance... most just say... "good enough" as adjustment front and rear can be a PITA... though there is a small percentage of people that have adjustable that take the time to learn about and do lots of trial error setup of the front and rear setups.
This is why I like the engineered packages from Ohlins and Koni. .... the Koni's being more cost effective and will get you 90% of the way to the Ohilins for optimal performance street handling without adding NVH .
When your vehicle first departed the factory, it was tuned to please the masses.
These new Koni Special Active "with FSD technology" Shocks and Struts will make respond to road conditions while being smooth. These new shocks use a revolutionary new technique which combines the benefits of firm and comfortable suspension in a single perfect shock absorber. These new shocks will be firm for sporty driving on even road surfaces and comfortable for a smooth ride on uneven road surfaces. Two characteristics that seemed diametrically- opposed have been brought together for these new shocks and struts.
Taking the FSD technology one step further with a special red-coated paint, a hallmark of the classic KONI red paint from the past.
To assure that this is the last suspension you will ever buy, Koni offers a limited lifetime warranty handled by ECS Tuning. Quality aftermarket parts that will look great, last for years, and provide the perfect ride.
* Not to be used with any lowering springs as advised by Koni. *
Adding a good swaybar in the rear, with a good set of struts/shocks and stock springs you can still control roll and steer character of the car without needing to go to stiff springs for great performance... which will keep NVH in check.
A well designed supension... Struts/Shocks, springs, swaybar and good maint on wearable items like the top strut/shock mounts and bushings... will give you a great riding car with AMAZING handling.
If your goal is a great handling car.... it does not need to be overly 'stiff' ... a factory car is pretty stiff to start with... they just could not afford to put excellent shocks/struts in the car and sell to consumers at decent prices when new.... WMW really knows how to set up these cars and not need to go overboard.
Don't misconstrue the post though... If your goal is for aesthetics and how low the car sits... I say get what you want... but have your eyes open as to what to expect, in terms of performance and NVH when you are done.
,
.
Last edited by mountainhorse; Sep 15, 2020 at 09:51 AM.
