I just got new wheels for my MCS, and while they are the same size as the stock S-Spoke at 17x7 they seem to scream that I need to lower the car. I don't want to go too low, just get rid of some of the wheel gap, as I drive this car year round. There are several spring kits available:

H&R
KW
Eibach
Neuspeed
Others...

I want to retain the stock ride and drop the car a maximum of 1", preferably dropping the car around 1" in front and .75" in the rear to even out the fender gap front to back. I'd love coilovers but that isn't going to happen, there are way better uses for $1000+.

For the record my new wheels are ADR GT-Sport 17x7 with a 40mm offset in hypersilver, they weigh 18lbs. I'm going to get them powder coated to match the dark silver of my car. Picture below(pay no attention to the dirty car).

Paul

 

Paul,

Congrats! I would recommend the H&R springs, as they have been very consistent in performance with no sag. The drop is slightly different than the request though - at 1"rear and .75" front. That is slightly differenet than advertised by H&R, but it has been the same on all the cars we've done.

I also have the H-sport springs here now, and will be doing the install in the next couple of days. They advertise 1" all the way around, but again, that will have to be verified. They actually come with new bump stops which is a nice touch. They are slightly more expensive, but may end up being worth the increase in price. They are $265.

Give me a call, as I'd be happy to talk details with you (like what you will need to do to avoid rubbing with that new 40mm offset).

Randy
720-841-1002

 

Paul,

We did the test fitment for Steve @ H&R over a year ago. (Seems like 10 years ago). They already had springs for the EU model@ the time but the US car was (is) heavier. The #s that we ended up with were roughly 1.1 inch drop in the front and 1.3 in the rear. They, h&r , were trying to get rid of the some of the forward rake that the MINI come with stock as well as transfer some of the weight to the back wheels. The rims look great, what did you do for tires?

 

Chris,

Interesting numbers; that throws a third set into the mix.

H&R states 40mm drop. You have said 1.1 front, 1.3 rear. I have physically measured several cars before and after and have consistently recorded .75" front and 1.0" rear drops. Here are some photos:









Hope that helps!

Randy
720-841-1002

 

I will try and dig up the photos of the test car Friday. Time for me to sleep.

 

It just dawned on me why we might be seeing different #s on these H&R's. As I said earlier we did the fittment over a year ago, on a pre March02 built US Cooper. As all of the spring makers had to completely change their MINI spring design when the factory changedthe whole strut and sping design on all of the post March 02 cars, we are looking @ two different build of springs. Now I can sleep. Good night all.

 

Now that totally makes sense. That whole sleep thing is overrated .

 

Who is this Sleep guy you keep talking about?
)

Cheers,
Ryan

 

>>I just got new wheels for my MCS, and while they are the same size as the stock S-Spoke at 17x7 they seem to scream that I need to lower the car. I don't want to go too low, just get rid of some of the wheel gap, as I drive this car year round. There are several spring kits available:
>>
>>H&R
>>KW
>>Eibach
>>Neuspeed
>>Others...
>>
>>I want to retain the stock ride and drop the car a maximum of 1", preferably dropping the car around 1" in front and .75" in the rear to even out the fender gap front to back. I'd love coilovers but that isn't going to happen, there are way better uses for $1000+.
>>
>>For the record my new wheels are ADR GT-Sport 17x7 with a 40mm offset in hypersilver, they weigh 18lbs. I'm going to get them powder coated to match the dark silver of my car. Picture below(pay no attention to the dirty car).
>>
>>Paul
>>

Paul,

I'm having MINI Woodbridge install a set of H&Rs on Friday. You're more than welcome to check out the MCS once they're on.

Cheers,
Kev

 

Decisions decisions. Randy, I believe I read that with a lowered car and the 40mm offset I'm going to have to remove some plastic or something under the fender so that the tires don't rub? Rubbing is the last thing I want to do. What's the benefit of getting a new bump-stop with the H-Sport?

Kev, I've dropped you a message regarding woodbridge as that's my dealer too.

Chris@Helix, we might have to start talking about a "package deal" for the springs and pulley.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Paul,

Could you try me @ the shop on Monday?

 

>>Paul,
>>
>>Could you try me @ the shop on Monday?

Will do.

Paul

 

The H&R are on... but the front NEEDS to go down another 5-10mm.

Anyone have any ideas?

Cheers,
Kev

 

>>The H&R are on... but the front NEEDS to go down another 5-10mm.
>>
>>Anyone have any ideas?
>>
>>Cheers,
>>Kev

Should have gotten the H-Sport


Joking aside it looks like they drop the car an even 1" front and back so you'd get your little extra. While the H&R drop around .25" more in the rear to take out the rake of the car.

How does it look otherwise? How to Chris @ Woodbridge handle the required shaving because of your 38mm offset?

Paul

 

M3NTAL_Kev.....
let's see some pic's with the springs!
i bet the combo looks sweet with those bbs's!

 

The H-Sports are on and some preliminary testing has been done.

My initial reaction - these are very, very impressive. The drop is as advertised. The rates have changed from the stock in that the rears are stiffer, so the understeer is much better controlled (something the H&Rs really didn't address). The ride is as compliant as stock until you hit a corner hard. As of yet, they also don't seem to cause any rubbing issues with a 215-45-16 on a 16x7 wiht a 40mm offset (something else the H&Rs had problems with).

I will continue to test these, but they are something I can sell now without any reserve - they are a great addition in the spring line up.

Give me a call if you have any questions. Right now the pricing looks like it will be slightly more than the H&Rs at $265 for the set, but I honestly think it is worth it. If these continue to pan out on the track, I may be only selling these - they are that good.

Randy
720-841-1002

 

randy....
sounds really good to me!
i'm gonna be snatching some up from you really soon,
i've got "perfpow" to do my install, i'm getting excited!

 

>>M3NTAL_Kev.....
>>let's see some pic's with the springs!
>>i bet the combo looks sweet with those bbs's!

It has changed the demeanour of the MCS totally!

Pics in the AM

 

nice

 

>>Should have gotten the H-Sport
>>

The 38mm offset really toughens up the MCS and it looks like it could rub... though its too early to tell still. I gave it a good caning this afternoon and I didn't notice anything yet. I am assuming that the setup will settle a bit in the next couple of weeks. What do the PROs think?

I will snap some photos tomorrow and post them.

Cheer,
Kev

 

are those r90's?

 

>>are those r90's?

Nope... they're BBS RG-R ... here is a before lowering pic...
Tomorrow, I'll post the "new and improved" photos.


_________________

 

ahhh nice! any body treid to put 225/35/18 on a car yet, lowered or not lowered or both?, i need more rubber, havent lowered yet but thinking about it! looking at SSR comps

 

So are the H-Sport springs better than H&R?
How about Eibach? I found out that Eibach also made FR and RR swaybar for MINI, isn't it better if the springs and the swaybar are made by the same manufacturer?
ex. H-Sport Springs W/H-Sport swaybar or Eibach W/Eibach...

Anybody?

 

H-Sports: How low do they go? What would be a proper 17" tire size?

Gary