R50/53 Coil-overs that will maintain stock height (Sport Plus) and comfortable ride
#1
Coil-overs that will maintain stock height (Sport Plus) and comfortable ride
I'm interested in some coil overs that will not lower my car more than it already is - I have the Sport Suspension Plus from the factory. I assume that is lowered... I also want a very comfortable ride, I do not want a harsh ride or stiff spring rates.
I was thinking about the Ohlins R&T's, but wanted opinions.
Thanks
I was thinking about the Ohlins R&T's, but wanted opinions.
Thanks
#2
#4
You are not adjusting the preload. There is no such thing as preload of the springs adjustment on consumer coilovers. Adjusting the ride height is all you are doing. One biggest advantage of coilover is you can slam you car.
#5
Look at these:
The lower locking collar raises and lowers the shock body, and the locking collars directly below the springs adjusts the spring pre-load. Ideally, you want the spring pre-load set to near zero to benefit from the full damper motion, and reduce spring noises. The, adjust the lower bracket for ride height changes.
The following users liked this post:
iwashmycar (01-23-2018)
#6
Wrong.
Look at these:
The lower locking collar raises and lowers the shock body, and the locking collars directly below the springs adjusts the spring pre-load. Ideally, you want the spring pre-load set to near zero to benefit from the full damper motion, and reduce spring noises. The, adjust the lower bracket for ride height changes.
Look at these:
The lower locking collar raises and lowers the shock body, and the locking collars directly below the springs adjusts the spring pre-load. Ideally, you want the spring pre-load set to near zero to benefit from the full damper motion, and reduce spring noises. The, adjust the lower bracket for ride height changes.
Once the weight of the Mini is on the spring, what you did to "pre-load" the springs is immaterial except when the springs are fully extended - if you decide to pull a flying Mini the fraction of second it is airbound. You need to think with simple laws of physics, instead of the glossy marketing material.
#7
Trending Topics
#8
All you are doing is changing the lower spring perch, and that does not change "preload". May be I was too busy flirting during hi school physics. What I can vaguely recall is the simply spring force equation. Hooke's law not to be confused with hooker's law.
Once the weight of the Mini is on the spring, what you did to "pre-load" the springs is immaterial except when the springs are fully extended - if you decide to pull a flying Mini the fraction of second it is airbound. You need to think with simple laws of physics, instead of the glossy marketing material.
Once the weight of the Mini is on the spring, what you did to "pre-load" the springs is immaterial except when the springs are fully extended - if you decide to pull a flying Mini the fraction of second it is airbound. You need to think with simple laws of physics, instead of the glossy marketing material.
#9
Gotta ask - if you want to stay same ride height why are you looking for coilovers? Adjustability is the only real benefit to coilovers. If I were you, I'd just refresh what you have with some new shocks. Pick your poison, but it should be a bit less expensive that way, too - especially if you're looking at higher end coilovers.
#10
#11
We may be getting semantic here. Unless you can independently change the height of the upper spring perch the so called "preload" is a mere byproduct of the ride height change. The ride height, which for most is the predominant setting given the spring rate of the spring that is used.
Notice that there are only spring perch adjustments, and no damper body length adjustments. With this style coilover, you have to rely on the spring length and pre-load for vehicle ride height, as opposed to the previously picture where you can use damper body length for ride height adjustments.
#12
That would be true if the coilover in question doesn't have separate ride height adjustability. For example, see the Bilstein coilovers:
Notice that there are only spring perch adjustments, and no damper body length adjustments. With this style coilover, you have to rely on the spring length and pre-load for vehicle ride height, as opposed to the previously picture where you can use damper body length for ride height adjustments.
Notice that there are only spring perch adjustments, and no damper body length adjustments. With this style coilover, you have to rely on the spring length and pre-load for vehicle ride height, as opposed to the previously picture where you can use damper body length for ride height adjustments.
Back to OP's question. If you have no objection with the spring rates of your existing suspension, you might be better served with a set of better dampers. OE dampers typically are crap and under damped.
#13
Yep, just needs to have the bottom adjustment on the collar of the shock to raise the ride height, some have even those additional adjustments like forge and megans with the threaded body into the bottom.
For most people that just want a better ride but keep stock height for the winter or going on back roads, KONI FSDs or Bilstein sport shocks are good.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-Cooper-R53-S-Coupe-L4_1.6L_W11B16A/Suspension/Shocks/
If you want to go lower in the summer and higher in the winter just looks for the adjustments and then the lowering range.
For most people that just want a better ride but keep stock height for the winter or going on back roads, KONI FSDs or Bilstein sport shocks are good.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2005-Cooper-R53-S-Coupe-L4_1.6L_W11B16A/Suspension/Shocks/
If you want to go lower in the summer and higher in the winter just looks for the adjustments and then the lowering range.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#14
Vendor
iTrader: (10)
the standard suspension and sport suspension didn't change ride height. The sport was just stiffer than the standard.
Then in 05 when the sport suspension plus came out that was actually a little softer than the earlier suspension as owners complained it was too stiff so MINI tried to make it better.
Now with that said ALL coilovers pretty much will lower your car from the stock height you have now. Most will lower a min of 3/4 inch.
So if you don't want to lower a set of Koni FSDs is the simple and cost effective way that I would recommend to improve the ride as they really do ride great.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html
Next option that would improve the ride and also improve the handling with an approx 3/4 inch drop would be our TSW lowering springs.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-mi...e-springs.html
I'd pair them with some Koni Yellow or oranges.
Then finally going to coilovers. Remember these are really made for performance not a soft ride so they are going to be sprung and valved stiffer. Our custom KW TSW spec V2s would be ideal out of the coilover option as they ride firm but not harsh.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/kw-var...r50-52-53.html
Also keep in mind if you lower it in ANY way you will want some adjustable control arms to dial in the rear alignment otherwise you'll wear through tires.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...ber-links.html
Then in 05 when the sport suspension plus came out that was actually a little softer than the earlier suspension as owners complained it was too stiff so MINI tried to make it better.
Now with that said ALL coilovers pretty much will lower your car from the stock height you have now. Most will lower a min of 3/4 inch.
So if you don't want to lower a set of Koni FSDs is the simple and cost effective way that I would recommend to improve the ride as they really do ride great.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/koni-fsd-shocks.html
Next option that would improve the ride and also improve the handling with an approx 3/4 inch drop would be our TSW lowering springs.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/tsw-mi...e-springs.html
I'd pair them with some Koni Yellow or oranges.
Then finally going to coilovers. Remember these are really made for performance not a soft ride so they are going to be sprung and valved stiffer. Our custom KW TSW spec V2s would be ideal out of the coilover option as they ride firm but not harsh.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/kw-var...r50-52-53.html
Also keep in mind if you lower it in ANY way you will want some adjustable control arms to dial in the rear alignment otherwise you'll wear through tires.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...ber-links.html
#15
So I guess FSD's would be the best approach for me. I mainly wanted coilovers because the front of my car is a bit higher than the rear. Partly due to the Cravenspeed UTI's. Maybe I'll remove those and just run the STD's that I have -- running both is probably overkill. The other reason is that the back end of the car feels very soft compared to the front. it squats a LOT when power is applied. I was thinking I could correct some of this with coilovers. Maybe I should find some standard suspension rear springs and run those with my Sport Suspension Plus springs in the front.
#16
Thats the best if you just want stock ride height and a comfortable suspension.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#18
>>The other reason is that the back end of the car feels very soft compared to the front. it squats a LOT when power is applied. I was thinking I could correct some of this with coilovers.
The shocks are blown. The nose diving on braking and the rear squatting down on acceleration can all be remedied with some fresh new dampers.
If you were looking at Ohlins, FSDs are a bargain in comparison, plus the results will be exactly what you're looking for. If that 10mm of lift on the front end from the UTIs bothers you, go for STDs. We stuck with the UTIs since we already had them when we did the suspension refresh (Bilstein B4, H-Sport springs). The super minor lift is actually not noticeable.
The shocks are blown. The nose diving on braking and the rear squatting down on acceleration can all be remedied with some fresh new dampers.
If you were looking at Ohlins, FSDs are a bargain in comparison, plus the results will be exactly what you're looking for. If that 10mm of lift on the front end from the UTIs bothers you, go for STDs. We stuck with the UTIs since we already had them when we did the suspension refresh (Bilstein B4, H-Sport springs). The super minor lift is actually not noticeable.
Last edited by Zsm; 01-23-2018 at 02:32 PM.
#19
>>The other reason is that the back end of the car feels very soft compared to the front. it squats a LOT when power is applied. I was thinking I could correct some of this with coilovers.
The shocks are blown. The wnose diving on braking and the rear squatting down on acceleration can all be remedied with some fresh new dampers. You don't need coilovers.
If you were looking at Ohlins, FSDs are a bargain in comparison, plus the results will be exactly what you're looking for. If that 10mm of lift on the front end from the UTIs bothers you, go for STDs. We stuck with the UTIs since we already had them when we did the suspension refresh (Bilstein B4, H-Sport springs). The super minor lift is actually not noticeable.
The shocks are blown. The wnose diving on braking and the rear squatting down on acceleration can all be remedied with some fresh new dampers. You don't need coilovers.
If you were looking at Ohlins, FSDs are a bargain in comparison, plus the results will be exactly what you're looking for. If that 10mm of lift on the front end from the UTIs bothers you, go for STDs. We stuck with the UTIs since we already had them when we did the suspension refresh (Bilstein B4, H-Sport springs). The super minor lift is actually not noticeable.
I just don't like the squat and bounciness since it causes my rear tires to rub the fenders because I'm running 15mm spacers. It BARELY rubs, so I'm hoping that might stop it.
#20
#21
the standard suspension and sport suspension didn't change ride height. The sport was just stiffer than the standard.
Then in 05 when the sport suspension plus came out that was actually a little softer than the earlier suspension as owners complained it was too stiff so MINI tried to make it better.
Then in 05 when the sport suspension plus came out that was actually a little softer than the earlier suspension as owners complained it was too stiff so MINI tried to make it better.
http://motoringfile.com/files/JCWSUSPENSIONKIT.pdf
#22
With respect, the JCW sport suspension and red spring combo drops 10mm from stock.
http://motoringfile.com/files/JCWSUSPENSIONKIT.pdf
http://motoringfile.com/files/JCWSUSPENSIONKIT.pdf
The following users liked this post:
WayMotorWorks (01-23-2018)
#23
Vendor
iTrader: (10)
You might be right... My fronts were blown & top hats were torn, so I replaced them with B4's but I haven't messed with the rear yet. I guess I should try that first since the B4's are pretty inexpensive.
I just don't like the squat and bounciness since it causes my rear tires to rub the fenders because I'm running 15mm spacers. It BARELY rubs, so I'm hoping that might stop it.
I just don't like the squat and bounciness since it causes my rear tires to rub the fenders because I'm running 15mm spacers. It BARELY rubs, so I'm hoping that might stop it.
With respect, the JCW sport suspension and red spring combo drops 10mm from stock.
http://motoringfile.com/files/JCWSUSPENSIONKIT.pdf
http://motoringfile.com/files/JCWSUSPENSIONKIT.pdf
Exactly.
The following users liked this post:
cornjuice (01-23-2018)
#24
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Longbowjake
Suspension
1
07-21-2015 06:16 AM
dodgyparker
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
18
03-07-2014 11:42 AM
ekim
Suspension
11
11-03-2006 01:27 PM