Hi All,

After going through several of these threads, I have noticed it seems that most are using H-Sport springs with Koni FSDs. Is anybody using H&R springs with FSDs or M7 springs with FSDs? The FSDs are an absolute, but Im on the fence spring wise: H&Rs or M7s.

Appreiciate everyone's thoughts!

 

It sounds like your lowering springs are the absolute and you're trying to convince yourself that they will be ok on the FSD's.

Koni only recommends using the FSD's with the stock springs. Some people are using the h-sports, but we don't have nearly enough long term information yet (say 25,000+ miles) to see if they will have a negative impact on the useful life of the FSD's.

Given that the FSD's are already only recommended for use with the stock springs, I definitely wouldn't go lower than the h-sports.

• If you want to go lower with the FSD's why do you not want to do it with the h-sports?

Your Mileage May Vary.

 

I am using Koni FSDs with H-sport springs. The drop is less than 1 inch vs. OEM springs and struts. Koni recommends that FSDs be used with stock springs but should be fine as long as the spring drop is less than 1 inch. Therefore as long as the drop is less than 1 inch with M7 or H&R it should be OK. However, we know that the H-sport / FSD combo is on a bunch of cars and works great (my favorite mod so far) so you may want to go this route. Scott, the owner of Central Coast Coopers in Oxnard, CA has tried a zillion spring / shock set ups and is very knowledgeable about the FSDs. You may want to give him a call at 877-885-MINI.

 

Dave/Larry....

Thanks for the quick replies. My Mini has just rolled to 71k miles on stock dampers. It is time to change them for sure, regardless of springs. I think I will research a bit more on the H-Sports, and just may very well go that route. I don't want the car slammed, but lower than stock and still as a daily driver. The LA freeways are a nightmare of potholes and ruts!

Thanks again!

 

if your car was built before march of 02, you are going to need some extra parts, to fit ANY springs onto it other than what is currently on it. MINI made a change to the upper mounting parts in march of 02 production, and all the a/m springs currently produced only work with the later top mounts. the extra stuff is around $110.00 from MINI. don't even think of taking it apart without this stuff on hand first, if your car is an earlier producttion model.

 

You mean March 2002 don't you?

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partgrp.d...21&hg=31&fg=10

 

03/02 is the correct cut off for the upgraded spring mounts-i edited my earlier post as well

 

scott....production date is August 2002. What would it cost to install springs, FSDs and an alignment?

I know I can tackle the job myslelf, but maybe a bit lazy to do so!

Also...any chance you can post a pic of your Wildcat? Awesome cars!

 

how about JCW springs? Do they lower the car appreciably? Going to install FSD's on the '06 on order....trying to decide what springs to use (or stick with stock).

 

for the price you might as well go megan coilovers. it is a final solution rather than a temporary one. at about 18 clicks (32 is the softest) the suspension is more than soft enough for the street. and the handling is consistent and better than stock (unlike h-sport) from my experience.

 

Is it necessary to get front camber adjustment plates if doing the fsd's and H-sport spring? This is for spirited street driving use only!

 

Scott did my FSD's with my existing H-Sports as well and I couldn't be happier. The FSD's do wonders for smoothing the bumpy LA freeways. I haven't had a chance to Auto-X yet, but the handling feels good. I know Dave makes great times on his FSD's. One thing about the H-Sports is that they are a relatively small drop (compared to some aftermarket springs) and included new bump stops that are shorter and maintain longer travel than some aftermarket setups.

As Dave pointed out, the empirical evidence isn't in yet, but all anecdotal evidence ponts to a big thumbs up, IMHO.

 

No, you do not need camber plates when lowering with the h-sport springs (on stock struts or the FSD's). For regular or even spirited street driving you definitely do not need camber plates.

 

Thanks Dave, I didn't know if I need to spend the money or not!