Does anyone know where to get lowering springs for the R56? I know H&R is making some but I dont know who I can order them from.

Thanks!

 

H&R does indeed make a lowering spring set for the R56, however they're not available through U.S. distribution channels [trust me, I've tried!], so for now we'll have to call up european tuners and buy them overseas :(

 

Figures. Does anyone know any shops overseas that carry them. I dont mind paying for the shiping.

 

look for distributors, and find them in Europe! Also, Call them and ask when they'll be in the US. After all, the cars are here!

Matt

 

Update: H&R's USA website now lists a part number for the '07 hardtop MINI! It's H&R part #50452. It's rated for the same 1.4" [35mm] lowering front and rear as the european spring set. I've already contacted Tire Rack [a "full" H&R dealer"] and asked them to figure out when they can get me a set! I urge anyone else in need of getting their R56 off stilts to also contact Tire Rack so they'll start carrying them ASAP. Once Tire Rack gets them, so can lots of the boutique MINI tuners like Webb Motorsports and Detroit Tuned!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I would love to see some pictures of a lowered R56!

 

Re-Update: Tire Rack talked to H&R, and they said their U.S. distribution isn't going to start filling until later March, meaning shipments to customers won't begin until mid-April. The cost will be $215 for the set from Tire Rack. The timing stinks, as I "need" to lower my R56 the day it comes home in 3 weeks. As a result I've ordered a set of H&R springs from FMW Tuning in Germany; the cost of shipping international is outrageous!

This is MINI2 user heins Astro Black R56, stock and with H&R's:





I really wish the R56 didn't sit so high! Even lowered it still needs another inch or so drop to look HOT.

 

Are those 16"s?

 

Definitely not! They're O.Z. Ultraleggera's in 18".

 

seems the only real solution is coil-overs... to get that extra inch, unless aftermarket comes with 2" lowering springs...

good looking car though, kinda confirms that 18" is like 17" on the R53...

 

H&R has a coil-over on the market already; it allows a maximum lowering of 1.5", only a tenth of an inch more than the lowering springs alone. This follows real close to my in-person inspection of the R56's wheelwell; where there is noticably less clearance than the R53 [for the front tires], meaning you cannot lower the R56 as much, despite it needing to be lowered dramatically more with those big wheel arches. It's a double negative that does not come out as a positive [unless you're looking for that off-road look].

You are correct regarding the wheel sizes; since the wheel arches are bigger and the body sides are thicker, you need a bigger wheel size to match the proportion change. 17's are now "the minimum" and 19's preferred. The problem with 19's is you'll have to run a taller tire than desired [215/35-19, unless someone comes out with a 215/30-19], thus raising the car even more and also throwing off the speedo.

 

thanks for the input. sounds like some work will be needed to lower the car properly but time is in my favor; I won't be getting an R56 until 08 so by then this issue might be resolved...

 

What a conundrum. I feel for you guys. The car really does look a bit silly at stock height, and those 18s in the photo look like the 15s on my Cooper against those big cartoony wheel arches. In the bottom photo it still looks like there's loads of clearance with the arches - are you talking about clearance on the inside of the wheel when you say there's not as much? Bottom photo looks better, but lowering the car makes those 18s look even smaller.

This will be an interesting problem to watch y'all tackle. Good luck!

 

Lots of visual clearance, not much actual wheelwell clearance, correct. They made the wheelwells "Chrysler style" where the exterior wheel arch is almost level with the inside wheelwell, meaning the tire can't fit "inside" the wheelwell like it could on the R53. A turn for the worse indeed. I'd love to see some aftermarket wheel arches that are tighter like the R53.

 

Hi,

Is the H&R spings designed for use on a R56 MINI with or without a sport suspension? Or doesn't is matter?

When H&R are developing a new set of springs, will they use a MINI with or without a sportsuspension?

What wil be better: H&R springs with SS or H&R spings with stock suspension?

Thanks

 

Wow, I wouldnt guess that, that car is lowered. I like the look of smaller wheels on mini's. I have 16's on my cooper, looks like I may have to go with 17's for the same look

Maybe someone can find out what the blue Hamman car has for suspension it fixed the wheel gap issue

 

--->Maaij; Your guess is as good as mine. Historically, H&R makes "sport spring" sets that are slightly stiffer than stock on front and rear, meaning the stock shocks will probably work fine, though the handling balance may not be improved. The H&R springs for the R53 made the handling worse [because they stiffened the front springs too much], though 1st reports of the H&R springs on the R56 in Europe say it improves the handling balance; we have yet to confirm that here in the 'states. If I had to make a recommendation, I'd say the H&R's will match the SS dampers better than standard suspension.

--->JuniorMint: Don't rule out they chop sawed the springs for a show-only vehicle. Just because it looks good doesn't mean it works.

 

Wow that needs atleast 2 more inches of drop in my opinion. The bumper is like 4 inches off the ground in that pic!!

If you can't go much lower than that.....doesnt sound like there will be many good looking r56's out there without some major cutting done or something. That certainly doesnt look very good.

 

Check out the Helix mini in the vendor announcements! Looks pretty good with a drop. Better ask 'em what springs/coilovers they're using.

 

yah he's a good friend of mine....still not much of a drop though,lots of wheel gap and bumper way off the ground

 

I know the new mini looks like its got a skyjack kit on it, but the helix mini looks like a good start toward the ground.

 

I received the H&R lowering springs from Germany yesterday! They're an awesome metallic black powder coating, and they have about 1.5 turns of dead-coil on both front and back *evil grin*. This will be fun. I might have to order a set of Koni Yellows too *double evil grin*.

...now I just need the MINI to go with them!

 

There are actually two different H&R sets, one for the SS and one for the standard suspension. The coilovers are obviously only one part number, and I have those available for $1480. I haven't done any testing or fitting yet though, which is why they are not on our catalog yet...

Randy

 

I only find 1 partnumber for the springs. Is this for the SS or the stock suspension? On the H&R site I only see 1 set of springs for the R56

 

I will get both part numbers on Monday for you.

Randy