Why should I get one over the other...Can't decide, want your input. Thanks

 

Pretty simple.

Do you want progressive (H-Sports) or linear (TSW)?

Do you need more than 30K out of the front springs?

 

That is what I can't decide...Which ones wouldn't get 30K?

 

The H-Sports also lower about 1" evenly, while TSW lower less, 3/4" or so, and a tad more in the back.

Hearing a direct comparison of both would be great, especially focusing on the spring rates (and not just trashing the progressive wind of the 'sports).

 

Exactly!

 

We've had people swap H-Sports out with our springs - hopefully someone will chime in and letcha know their opinion!

 

bump - I'm looking into purchasing springs at the moment.

 

snM3, I see you have the same size tires and rims i'm using,17x7 and 215/45/17, do you think we would have problems lowering our cars 1"?

 

Anyone?

 

I sell both brands and would recommend the TSW's

http://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-min...e-springs.html

 

Wow, talk about a thread back from the dead......

PS: Got the TSW's and still have them and still like them!

 

Great, Thanks, guys!

 

I've never seen the TSW springs, but I hear good things about them. We install the H-Sports with good results. BTW, the H-Sports don't fail after 30k, if that was the insinuation above.

 

Yea I have over 30,000 miles on the TSW's and I have friends with more than that on H-sports too. Both are quality products, which ones you use should be based solely on what you want to get out (performance characteristics) of the springs.

 

I notice that the TSWs lower the rear slightly more than the front. But even with that, is there still some positive rake left? (I guess I could go out and measure the rake on the MINI, but I'm lazy ...)

 

On my 06' yes there is. There were changes made on 05', 06's that took a bit of the rake out from the factory, so there should be even more on the 04'. Someone please correct me if that's not right, but believe it so. If your mainly looking for the most drop and best stance I'd have to say the H-sport wins but if ya want to track...TSW for the WIN!

 

OK, thanks. I did measure and there is about an inch and a half difference between the rear and the front (), so the TSWs will not even come close to leveling that out. (I do like the slight positive rake.)

 

Rake is goooood!

But when I first got the Mini, it looked like you could set a Ham in the rear wheel gap.... :(

 

When going with new springs, either TSW or H-sport what is the recommendation for struts? I have 68,000 miles on my stock springs and struts right now. I have read that the stock struts don't last much longer than that. Is that true?

 

Stock dampeners are the weak link in the R53 suspension....For a better ride, even when not lowering your MINI, I would dump them soon as possible......no matter how many miles on them or what the circumstances.

They are a very poor match to the springs in our Sport Plus Suspensions. I base this on numerous MINI owners in my club who have maintained these OEM springs and just added koni yellows. All purport fantastic ride quality, handling.

I am sure you will be receiving tons of input on strut preferences. I have been using Bilstein for about 25+ years.....

 

Which Bilstein struts are you running?

 

I'm leaning towards the Koni Yellows that have been dyno matched.

 

What's the difference between linear and progressive springs?

 

I think linear springs require the same increment of force to compress them, whereas progressives require increasing increments of force the more compressed the springs get. (Linears maintain their stifness with compression; progressives get stiffer with compression.)

 

A progressive spring basically has two spring rates, one softer at the first part of compression then going to a much firmer rate as the spring compresses more. Just for illustration, the first part might have a 100 pound rate and the second 300. Like two springs welded together.

A linear spring has a constant rate all the way across.

Why some like the linear better for track is because of the lack of transition from one rate to the other on the progressive spring. Which in say a sweeper, it can be harder to take and hold a set because of the possible back and forth of the rates. Where the linear is constant. BUT both can be used with success.

Where the progressive really shines is on the highway with the softer first rate as your traveling over small bumps in the road.