The daily-driven R53 struts are officially gone, toast, done. So Ive searched and searched for the proper setup, with costs and comfort being the main priority; form should equal function. I will be replacing the struts, mounts, rubber pads, and bump-stops. Should I replace the 106k springs (probably just answered my own question...) at the same time? If so, here is a short list of the items that Im looking at. Any suggestions/stories would be appreciated.

Stagg struts
$170
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141349036393?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITSachs- Strut mounts
$90
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-BMW-Mini-R...xSF53c&vxp=mtr
OEM spring pads
$40
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271915836228?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AITBump stops
$70
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Mini-Add...hWZ~Mf&vxp=mtr
OR
eBay suspension kit
$140
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MINI-COOPER-FRONT-REAR-STRUT-SHOCK-MOUNTS-BEARINGS-BUMP-SUSPENSION-KIT-12/121216900986?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Dd38ea8525f444bd49a69375cf7c00240%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D141349036393Tein springs
$160
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301686852375?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
OR

V-Maxx
$500
http://www.ebay.com/itm/V-MAXX-ADJUS...BWGWWV&vxp=mtr
FKs
$230
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FK-AK-Street...FWIWUo&vxp=mtr

 

your springs should be fine, they don't usually wear out. Look into the bilstein touring class struts, I don't have any first hand experience with them but I've liked my other bilstein struts and they might be the right combination of cost, comfort and performance. I think koni FSD's may be better but they're not cheap.

 

The two parts of the suspension that you should not skimp on are the shocks and strut tops. They'll end up failing way too soon if you do: especially the strut tops. I recommend factory for those, and if comfort, quality and performance are key factors in shocks, I would recommend the FSDs.

 

I had a set of the stagg shocks on my old Integra. They all blew within 2 months and my cars was only slightly lowered.

The tein s-techs springs are what I have on my MINI and I'm loving them. Very smooth ride on OEM struts.

 

Your springs should be fine. They usually last quite some time. We have some pretty big suspension overhaul kits here that you can take a look at. Otherwise, the Bilstein Touring Class shocks/struts here are a great suggestion. Do note, they're a direct OEM replacement and are not recommended for lowering springs. If you want springs you'd want to go with Bilstein Sports. For coil overs, I tend to steer away from the cheaper alternatives due to personally seeing how they cause issues, but I am not familiar with those options. The best bang for your buck coil over, in my opinion, is the ST coils here. They're quality coils and they're manufactured by KW. Do remember, any lowering you do with your MINI, you'll want to invest in some adjustable rear control arms like the Hotchkis arms here. This will help with abnormal tire wear. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Great info. Thank you gentlemen. I'm looking into the STs and Bilsteins now. The costs associated with all of the parts needed seem to nickle/dime the entire project. I loved my e36 M3 on Bilsteins and Vogtlands, so Im leaning in that direction. However, with one of my sons en route to college in his E21, and the second son in need of a car by summer...my current spending habits must be kept in check. Hence the reason I was/am looking at the Staggs. Ive read a few posts that praise (loosely based) them for their cost/benefit approach.

So if I did go with the Bilstein touring struts, would a slight drop with the Tein springs damage them?

 

Add a pair of strut tower reinforcement plates while you're at it. They will prevent strut tower mushrooming.
Also strongly consider a heavier adjustable rear sway bar. Best bang for the buck you can add.

 

Yeah looking at those in the first list I wouldn't recommend them.

If you aren't going to lower the car I'd go with the Koni FSDs they ride well, but still perform and have a lifetime warranty.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html

And a set of strut reinforcement plates are recommended for R50 R53 cars as the mounts will bend without them.
http://www.waymotorworks.com/wmw-str...0-r52-r53.html

The Bilsteins aren't bad, just can't justify the cost.

 

It is said that if you do you will wear them out much faster. I wouldn't recommend it. If/when you decide to put everything together for this project feel free to PM me and I'll help you get all the things you need put together if interested.