tried to ask this on MININUTS.com, but they BS too much, i at least get a normal answer here. sorry about all my threads lately BTW, lol.

anyways, copied from my MININUTS thread:

ill start with rims. anyone running the Konig Hotswaps? im thinking about getting some in 18x7.5 in all gloss black with black spokes.

i was going to get some flat black rims, but mine are gloss now and i like them, i just dont want to order flat, and not like how they look.

any input on that?

tire will be a 215/35/18.

how much can i lower with that wheel setup without rubbing? will i have to cut anything at all?

now, lowering.

what are the pros/cons of running springs vs coil overs (besides being able to adjust the height with coil overs)

i heard that with any springs, my shocks will go bad alot faster and ill have to replace them.

also, what company makes the lowest drop with springs, if i do end up getting springs?

whats the cheapest set of coils i could buy? im not looking to spend 1200-1700 bux, are Megan's my best bet?


also, you think i should just get 17s on a 215/40/17 tire, or 18s on a 215/35/18 tire (both will be overall about the same height. the 18s will just be .5" wider)

I would not go with just a set of springs with your stereo set up. To much weight. Megan coil overs are your best bang for the buck. You can get them at a good price and if the spring rate is not correct different springs are cheap enough. Also you have the advantage of getting most any ride height you want.

Hello, I have the Megans, and I love them. I am not 100% sure of the ride hite, but, I can barely get 1 finger between tire and fender, no scrubing yet, and that is after going around clover leafs rated at 25mph (Advisory Speed) at 50 or so. AutoXCooper.com carried them and Dustin is very friendly their, and he has great prices. Check them out, you may want to look at control arms for your rear as well. I went to 18s, and have no complaints there. Hope this helps.

you've already decided on wheels and tires, so, that leaves suspension. the Megans will be hard to beat for the price - you might want to look at swapping out the rear springs for ones that accomodate your extra load in the rear due to the stereo. yes, you can set the height independently, but that doesn't matter if the springs are fully compressed due to the stereo. You'll want something with maybe an inch more free length and 10-15% more rate. That will allow you to have a balanced effective rate F to R and you'll retain travel and can set the height to balance the look.

yup, im ordering the 18s today with the tires.

I'm on the lookout for some used Megan's or something in the similar price range/of the same quality as the Megan's.

new they're like 725+ shipping right?

so, the set of coil overs, and a new set of springs for the rear? could you link me to which springs you'd reccomend?

why don't you just buy new and ask for the rear springs to be swapped? you will be waiting a long time for used ones.

I think MR's use 2.5 ID springs 6" long. That's a common app out there.....new coils are like $75/each

hit me up on AIM

18" Konig Hotswaps - $715
215/35/18 Nitto NeoGen's - $411
Total Shipped - $1126

17" Konig Hotswaps - $635
215/40/17 Nitto NeoGen's - $311
Total Shipped - $946

$180 dollar difference.....what you guys think? height wise, itll be the a .1" difference. width, the 18s are 1/2" wider.

New they are $850 plus ship. Like PGT said you can change out the springs +/- 2Kg.

so thats worth it, even at 850+ ship? seems alot, i guess its the same as me spending 3k on a system, vs you guys spending 200 bux on a light weight small system

I'd talk to MR about what spring to spec. You know how much weight you've added....it should either be a longer or stiffer spring, maybe a longer and stiffer one. That's the best way to gain control over ride height and still have some suspension travel left.

If you're saving $180 by getting 17's vs. 18's I say get the 17's, you'll have a smoother ride because of the thicker tires, plus you can now put that $180 you saved towards suspension

this is true.

I'm researching the rear spring rating based on extra weight and will post findings ASAP. Thanks for the great questions and feedback.

I talked with Megan today we can increase your spring rate that as long as you do not track the MINI should work fine with your increased rear weight. It will allow you to use the acceptable travel that the Megan’s have.

i dont track at all, LOL

spring rate alone enough or need to go 1" up in free length too?

After talking with a few techs here what I have learned.

The Megan system with 6kg rear springs is rated a little higher then the stock springs. The stock springs are rated based on cars weight plus two "avg" adults in the back seat. Megan's 6kg are rated the same way, with the adults weighing in at 175 each. In theory if you add 350 pounds of sound system to the back seat/boot area you will be near the max of the springs.

But who wants to be near the max? Not me. We can bump the Megan rear springs up to 8kg max and gain another 150 pounds. The new total max would be 500 pounds. Based on PM from Pimpedout, he's got about 420 pounds extra. If rear seat is removed you save about 37 pounds. If an MCS changing to a one ball type exhaust could safe about 20 pounds too.

The Megan coilovers with 8kg rear springs would be fine as long as you don't lower them more than an 1 inch for daily drives. Take it to a car show/event on a short smooth drive and you can go another inch.

Going with 10kg springs in the rear will overload the damper and is done at your own risk.

AutoXCooper : , well this sounds like we talk to the same people Like Jose

I can not give my website ...vender rules here on NAM but if someone else did you could look at it. If I did it all again a cooper would have been a better start.

I wanted to give you more options than I gave Monday so I did some more research. I talked with one of my Team members who is a MINI Dealer Tech. Ran some numbers and have one more option for you.

The convertible weighing in 165 pounds over the MCS has rear springs with a higher load rating. You could buy a set of rear convertible springs to replace the stock springs you have now. But you would still be at or near the limit of that system too. Bottom line, Cooper's are not designed to carry too much in the rear seat/boot and still handle well.

Whichever option with that much sound system will limit your MINI to slow cornering and always be at risk of spring and shock damage.

I dunno. 400lbs in the back is like having four adults in the car (within design parameters). Cabrio rear springs would be be like having one person in the back seat (and one in front, driving). Seems like a cheap option to me....it will sit lower than stock just like if there were passengers, which would mean swapping some aftermarket front springs in would balance things well.

:(

how much does the factory battery weigh? i think its around 27-30 lbs?

and the rear seats were what, 37lb you said?

Your best option may still be the Megan's with 8kg rear springs. MINI just didn't build the Coopers to carry more than two "avg" adults and few bags in the boot.

You just need to face the facts. The stereo system is going to hinder performance driving. But you have said in a few forums that that is not your intension. If you do the math rounding up on weights it would appear that you are close to max/safe limits at 500lbs on the rear axle. Megans would solve most of your quagmire and again the price is reasonable. You just have a cool system for sound. And in your case thinking about a lighter battery ??? I thought more as in where is the extra battery going to go?

im not, im replacing the factory battery with 2 69lb batteries hahaha

and yea, i dont track or anything, im not into that. im into sound