So, driving down the road I hit a bump and hear the car bottom out. Weird, since I've been down this same stretch many times and it's never happened before. Weirder still, the ABS, TC and TPMS lights all come on. I wasn't far from home and the car seemed fine otherwise so I took it easy and made my way back. Pulled a code for right rear wheel speed sensor.
I peek under the car and see the spring snapped and extended itself beyond the lower perch and took out the wire to the sensor.
These are H-Sport springs on the car which I installed because they were supposedly less aggressive than other lowering springs. I'd like to get replacements that are similar, not too stiff and not too low - primarily because I don't want to deal with excessive camber (replacing control arms).
Can anyone recommend a set of springs like this?

While I haven't gotten the car up on blocks yet I'm sure the rubber brake line has been compromised - it's also the original factory hose, 18 years old. So I'm looking for a set of SS brake hoses. Any recommendations on those? Cheapo ones off ebay won't do it. I'm looking for something high quality.

 

Check out Koni suspensions. For the brake hoses you have many options, rogue engineering, Ireland engineering…those are popular in the bmw world anyway…

Hoses: plug and part number into fcpeuro and buy them for the last time (lifetime warranty)

I have Kv suspension and it’s a bit much for the street.

tckline sp? Makes a good suspension. Anyone run them on the mini?

For the hoses why not stick with stock, 18 yo and still going you know what I mean?

 

I already have Koni adjustables on there, which don't have a lot of miles on them. So, the desirable route is to just replace the springs. I did some searching around and it seems by best options are H&R, Swift, and TCW. I saw some unfavorable reviews of swift, so I crossed them off. TSW look good but I'm not convinced the linear spring rate is what I want. So, I settled on H&R. Probably the most aggressive of the three but close to the H-Sports I have.
The only problem - NO ONE has them in stock (thanks Covid,I assume). So it's a waiting game. I'll probably throw the stock spring on there for now just so I can move the car in/out of the garage.

I think you're right about the hoses. If the factory ones held up this long then that's a good reason to stick with them. FCP is my go-to for replacement parts - I have them on order along with the new sensor.
It should be fun disassembling this mess, there's still lots of tension in the spring. I think I'll just cut through the hose (carefully). It's contained by the shock so I shouldn't get impaled.

 

Well, there is another option on replacement coil springs, i.e., JCW "reds" as I ordered and have ready to install on my R53. My objective being for a bit more ground clearance and suspension compliance than the Eibachs installed 15 yrs ago. More spendy than most aftermarket options plus must be ordered from BMW Germany. I'll be out of town a few weeks but plan on swapping them on return, with comparison measurements taken of free lengths and wire diameters posted on my thread topic at that time. Mine has Koni yellows (and much more) but BMW designed these springs to work with OEM lower control arms, thus adjustable aftermarket arms aren't needed. Combined cost for the set shown was $550 + shipping and took a month to arrive.

I especially like the claimed 10mm drop vs much more with most aftermarket choices as outlined here:
SUBJECT: JOHN COOPER WORKS SPORT SUSPENSION

 

Please post back with you impressions after you install them.
I saw those as an option but balked at the price. But if you think they're worth the money I might consider them.
Also, where did you buy them? Dealer? WMW is selling them for ~$650 + shipping.

 

With my away plans starting today, it'll be several weeks before I get those springs installed. To wait that long plus subsequent order leadtime, your R53 would essentially be out commission awhile. You can do a forum search on "JCW Sport Suspension" or "JCW reds" to read older perspectives. Most folks (including Way) thought these springs were NLA. I ordered mine from a BMW MINI dealer's online store after communicating with their parts manager who checked and determined < 100 fronts and prox 300 rears remained in BMW Germany inventory. Combined cost for (4) were $550 + shipping. Also noting, the specific p/ns still available are the 2nd stiffest of 3 front and least stiffest of 3 rear of the 6 spring P/Ns originally offered for fitment by VIN. The fronts should work fine for my R53 despite added weight of s-charger and aftermarket performance components and the rears should be fully compatible since mine is a slicktop. PM if you decide to order and need specific price and contact details.

 

Fyi, you are missing the rubber boots which shield the lower bolt of the rear struts. Number #22

https://mini.7zap.com/en/mini/r53/co...ce/33/1186/#22

 

Yup, fully aware. One went missing so I removed the other for the sake of symmetry. Probably a mistake, I should get a replacement.

 

Hey - Thanks for that!
The Mini dealer tried to do a 4 wheel alignment about 6 years ago and left one of the boots off.
These things don't just fall off that easy. They take a bit of fist ****ing to get them on.
It's just one of the many things (sloppy work) that has bugged me for years.

 

Yep indeed, they are quite stubborn to put on haha