I just purchased an 04 MCS JCW from a friend (yea I know -- buying cars from friends could end a friendship, but he is even more **** than me when it comes to maintenance so I've made this one time exception). I've trolled this board quite extensively over the past few months and have not found a suitable answer to my specific question.

In the short term, I'm looking to rewrap the R90's with fresh rubber and toy with the suspension (coilovers, rear sway bar, control arms, and any other bits I may require). My question to the community is: what in your opinion is the ideal set up for my situation? This is a commuter that will see many spirited mountain drives and around 3-5 track events a year. I don't plan to auto-x the car at all. I'll likely run the car 1-1.25" lower than stock.

I would like to go with a linear spring setup unless someone can convince me otherwise. My friend planned on installing the Webb Motorsports Ledas (which I'm favoring as well). Price is not really an issue, but I'd like to get the most bang for my buck and not bling for the schmucks. Any advice you can provide on other coilover setups, sway bars, and other choice bits will be greatly appreciated. Also, considering my detailed requirements, can you post a list of all the pieces I will need (I've seen a lot of noise about bump stops, etc)? I'm planning to do the work myself and want to make sure I have all required components to complete the job with as few hiccups as possible.

Lastly, I'm very happy to have the car, and am equally happy be a part of this community. I look forward to reading your responses. Cheers!

 

First, I'd only do 1 or, at the most, 2 things at a time and drive them awhile before doing more.

I agree with starting with coilovers. I've heard from a couple of sources, some outside of the Mini community, that Ledas are not very durable. Bilstein PSS9s have gotten almost purely good reviews, so that is my plan when the time is right.

With the right coilover settings you may not need a rear bar at all. Play with the settings and decide for yourself. My only other thought is whether you want camber. For a couple of track days a year I'd say skip it, but if you want to eat tires, go with Helix plates and Alta rear arms.

HTH

 

Ledas are GREAT for the racer who can be on top of them constantly. I would never recommend them for street abuse though. Some here, like Tony B can back me up on this.
Bilstein PSS9s are the way to go at this time IMHO. Seems like the perfect application for what you are looking for.
I'd contact Turner Motorsports for possibly the best price, plus they are one of the biggest distributors of these for BMW and Mini.
If you are doing this then you should strongly consider front camber plates and rear control arms, ...oh, and adjustable drop links are a must.

(Oppps... did'nt mean to repeat what VENI wrote, but I was posting this when he did. )

 

I'll find out about the Ledas in the very near future... My set should be arriving soon, with spring rates that are considerably different than what Webb provides with their "standard" setup (although they can order whatever you want). Leda's using their standard valving, but tuning it to the spring rates I have chosen for my application. I'll be using Hypercoil springs... Past experience with Ledas is that they do need rebuilt more often, particularly if they're used more on the street - particularly the seals. We shall see!

I have a short commute to work everyday, and my car's setup for track and autocross work on the weekends... I drive with the same alignment settings everyday that I use for track and auto-x work, and by rotating the street tires at every oil change, I haven't seen any extra wear on the inside shoulders. I don't put many miles on my car outside of driving to work and back, and to and from motorsports events, though.

I concur that for most street applications, the PSS9's are probably the way to go.

 

Rebuilding often is a red flag for me. My goals are for the car is to have it as maintenance free as possible. From what I've read, people seem to be very happy with the Bilsteins.

As far as ride heights are concerned, what is acceptable without radically redefining the cars intended geometry?

Thanks again for the replies.

 

I would run PSS9s if you have the coin. My second choice is what I have now, the H&R's. I have not had a single problem with mine after about 10k miles including commutes, mtn drives, and highway speed tests.

The rest of my setup is detailed below, but quickly; H-sport rear arms, lower. Helix camber plates, Webb Extreme rear sway and drop links.

 

Lowering 1"-1.5" seems to be about the max before you start to change the geometry for the worse. Going lower means more work in order to keep the car handling at it's peak.