One reason why I went through Cygnus was because of the fantastic sale that was happening, the other reason was that alternate color options are available.

Forgive the quick crappy pic,
but this is what mine look like:



Note the rear strut differs from the BC, you must re-use the stock mount with the FA.

 

Nice choice over the green, that is a sharp looking set of coilovers. Now I am really looking forward to hearing your first impressions.

 

Your original post said you had no interest in lowering, but since now it seems coilovers might be a consideration, I would vote for the original ST XTA’s.

I’ve been running them on my ‘05 for a little over 7 years, but only 15k miles, and they’ve been great. To me, they’re more comfortable on the street than the stock suspension, and were great handling the one time I’ve driven on the track. This is moderately lowered, about 1.25” x 1.5” and set in the middle of the rebound adjustment range.

They’re made by KW and appear to be a mix of a couple of versions. Except for galvanized bodies instead of INOX stainless steel, I don’t know if the rest components are identical to their KW counterparts. They seem to be KW V2 valved galvanized bodies with adjustable rebound and Clubsport adjustable top mounts and linear springs and have a ride height range of .8” to 2” lower than stock.

However, it looks like they’ve been recently replaced by the XTA plus 3 version which seem to be beyond full KW Clubsports now. Still with galvanized bodies, but making them 3 way adjustable by separating the high and low speed compression settings. They also added the option of 17 different spring colors.

I thought they were a great deal at $1,200 delivered, but now I’m not sure if they’re still available. ST has completely changed the performance range of them and retail now starts at $3,000 instead of the $1,350 they’ve been at for years.

If if you can still find the original XTA’s, I would consider those, especially if you catch them on sale/rebate which is often around this time of year.

 

Thanks for the detailed info, looks like tire rack carries them still for around $1500. The do differ from the BC option in many ways, first price then: they lack upper mounts, no endlinks included and Avg. lowering is 0.8-2.0"F & 0.8-2.0"R while the BC can sit at stock height. All of those items put the BC back in front in my mind, BUT that is just keyboard warrior math, real world, XTA may be a better coilover and worth the trade offs. Honestly though at $1500+ I would be more comfortable buying something a little more time proven like H&R or Bilstein.

 

H&R and Bilstein are deffo time proven but they use progressive springs, which is of course okay, but for max rudeness I think linear delivers more good feels.

ST XTA's like RB-MINI suggested and has long-term experience with, are also very well proven and in quite wide use on R53's with many happy patrons. For the longest time those were what I was going to get and was only swayed otherwise because I came to favor the full spring design as opposed to having the helper/tender springs (may be ignorance on my part and probably is, throw in my lack of experience and there you go, just some weird personal quirk with no real-world reason really) and the BC-style perch set-up seems to allow for easier up/down adjustments.

At one time I knew the spring rates for the XTA's but have forgotten and can't find it now,
anybody have that info?

But as RB said, they recently updated the whole deal and they do indeed look quite different from the older style, just checked their site to scope them out and also noticed the price increase.

 

Continuity of supply would be a big decision factor if spending $1500-2000/set, only to have one fail prematurely and then not be able to obtain a matching replacement. I too prefer known brands but OTOH, I had no knowledge of BCR until today yet they've been in biz since 2006. Clearly I'm out of touch, which is why this topic objective interests me.

Despite MSRP differences, I'd likely select the coilover supplier most familiar with the R50/R52/R53 platform to increase odds of success on their chosen spring manufacturer and rates. BCR's website includes this within 'custom builds': page: "Each coilover can be ordered with custom spring rates, damper lengths, valving, braided line lengths for double and triple adjustable coilers, camber / caster plates, and proprietary 62 ID Swift Springs." Great, but what direct experience do they have with these cars? Buyers better know what they're specifying before reaching for their credit card. If not, I'd rather rely on known MINI specialist recommendations, such as perhaps WMW with one their coilover product options wherein selection guidance can be obtained in advance.

 

One reason I went for the ST XTA’s is they are made by KW with what I believe are the same parts except for the galvanized strut bodies. I haven’t had any issues with the XTA’s over the 7 years, but they only have 15k on them which is probably a year or less for most people. I was seriously considering the H&R’s after reading a lot of posts saying they were harsh riding, I didn’t want to take a chance.

If the possible lack of top mounts is swaying your decision, mine and all other reference pics and posts I’ve seen included the adjustable front camber plates. They didn’t come with rear mounts so I used my stock mounts and bushings since they only had 37k on them. I would double check with Tire Rack or ECS Tuning to see if they no longer come with the adjustable front mounts, or if Tire Rack is using a stock photo that’s incorrect.

Another thing to note with KW/ST, and possibly with other brands, is a 5mm spacer or greater is usually required on the front if running stock wheels or the tire will rub on the lower spring/perch. I run a 12mm spacer on front and a 5mm on back with my R90’s, and no spacers when running my OZ’s (17x7 et 37mm)

 

This is great to know, thanks for pointing out.
I loath wheel spacers, went out of the way to buy rims to clear my Brembos just to avoid them. I will be sure to find out if spacers are required on any coilover I consider.
Thanks RB-MINI.

 

I saw in your wheel ad that you have a set of R112’s as a replacement. Those should be 17x7 et 48 like most of the MINI 17 wheels and might need a spacer on the front depending on the coilovers, ride height, and tire size. Many like to go with 215/45/17’s over the stock 205/45’s which reduces the clearance even more.

If you do have to go with front spacers, I tried 5mm but the tire was still really close to rubbing with my setup so I went up to 12mm. The hubcentric lip is about 10 mm and 8mm spacers don’t leave enough exposed for the wheel to engage and 10’s don’t have enough material in the center to have the hubcentric lip added like a 12 or greater.

 

For reference, 17x7 et45 (Team Dynamics) wheel in combo with AP Racing brake and 215/45R17 tire with no rubbing or spacer required.

 

If you've never had a set of custom valves shocks/coilovers, then you don't understand the extra value they offer if spending time on track or AutoX. For custom Swift springs and custom valving, $500 is a deal and I've heard Colin gives great after sale support.

I ended up going with AST coilovers for a higher price, but I will get my money's worth with all the track days I have planned.

In the end, some things can be budget items but I don't view shocks/struts/coilovers as one of them.

 

Which ASTs and what technology sold you on them?

 

Another bone to throw on the pile for consideration is monotube vs. twin tube.

Tein has a really great little article regards to both design style and it seems surprisingly objective,
most articles I've seen argue in favor of one over the other.

https://www.tein.co.jp/e/special/ni_toryu/

They wrote:

"it is not a matter of which design is better than the other, but providing the most suitable design for the purpose is"

...and I'd agree with that.

If daily street comfort is a major concern then a twin tube like KW/ST may be a better choice because tt's tend to be more forgiving of bumps/potholes.

If track performance is a major concern then the mono style may be a better fit.

Classic example in R53-world is Koni vs. Bilstein struts --- most motorers prefer Koni it seems, which is to say twin tube.

I've always been a Bilstein guy though and prefer how they perform, but I've never been overly concerned with smoothness of ride.

 

I went through this a few years ago and was crazy indecisive about which way to go to freshen up my 2006 JCW's suspension. I finally went with Koni yellows and Swift Spec-R springs and am happy with the setup. I mostly use the car for auto-x and a semi-daily driver from spring through fall.

 

Interesting, the Koni Yellows seem to have a strong following. I wonder how new that technology is? Maybe its one of those 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' situations.

 

Since technology has been brought up a couple of times, might as well throw in this thread something of contemporary high-tech design.

MCS 4-ways are a very good example of that:


https://advancedautofab.com/p/mcs-su...-for-r53-mini/

:



The biggest drawback, of course, is that advanced technology costs money.

Those things cost more than I originally paid for my car!



https://www.motioncontrolsuspension....s-guide/4-way/

:

 

Pretty sure I would have to take classes just to learn how to properly adjust those bad boys. Love the remote reservoirs to keep the fluid cooler, just don't have a roll cage to mount them too.(yet) Good mention.

 

This is a very short sighted analysis of what you're getting.

Not only are you getting custom tuning and Swift springs, AND caster/camber plates, but you're also getting after-sale support from Colin should you need it.

If you don't see the value in all of that, then so be it - but it's worth it in my book.

 

This car will be used for fun track days so I went with the 5100 series, rather than remote 3ways like my OUSCI car, using digressive pistons and custom valving. The rear pair are also inverted so the adjustment **** is on the bottom so I only have to reach under the car to tune rather than pulling or messing with a cable inside. Within my local group the ASTs have been very good performers with good feedback and response to adjustments.

I will say I've had better experiences buying other coilovers since the process is goofy using Moton USA as their partner to order from AST. The ordering process was not smooth or easy, and they shipped with wrong parts that I had to swap out once the correct replacements arrived. They are a very quality part, but their approach to customer service/support needs help....

 

I've yet to see a Coilover setup that did not limit available travel because of the lowered stance.... even if some can get you close to the ride height you want through a separate ride height. Diminished travel, and lowering the car, will by definition decrease your ability to deal with bumps what the real world has to dish out.

Some can live with that compromise... others cannot.

I have the run the factory JCW setup, ST's, KONI SA's, and Öhlins R&T on the 53 and the R&T and AST 5100's on 56's.

For the lowered set... I feel that the R&T's were the best bang for the buck....

Not at all convinced that lowering a mini makes much of a difference in and of itself... all else the same. Maybe with a driver that can take a car/tires to the limit on a smooth track... but there is a big compromise on the street... even just for the sake of your front bumper... but other ride quality issues are considered in a 50/50 situation.

If you really feel like you will truly drive on the track as much as on the street, don't mind sacrificing street-abilities by setting your 'compromise bias' towards optimum track performance.... then go with an optimal track setup.

If you want great performance on the street with less NVH compromise... and ability to pull into a typical driveway at normal aproach speeds... the Koni Special actives with good stock springs and upgraded sway bars will be an amazing experience. Koni put a lot of engineering into making this a true performance upgrade and approached in a systematic way.

I've never seen another performance strut upgrade with stock ride height.

This is all taking for granted that you have great tire combo... and excellent brake package for your ability on the track.... and your car itself has new bushings, tie rod ends, hubs, mounts etc . to be able to drive the car to YOUR limit. The suspension geometry and mechanicals on the car are pretty good from the factory.


MY 2¢.... and there are a lot of cents out there.

Here in lies the "rub" of adjustables... weather it is on a mountain bike, moto, car, snowmobile, truck or side by side...
Most people will not take the hours of trial and error needed to 'dial in' the dampers.... and will not go about it in a systematic way.
This leaves most adjustable damper owners having settings that are outside of the sweet spot rather than dialed in.



.

 

@mountainhorse - Great post. Are you running upgraded sway bars front and rear or just rear? What size at the back? Because I have no intention of tracking my R53 and drive spirited but not like I stole it, I'm thinking 19mm for the rear and stay stock for the front.

 

Rear WMW bar with the Special Actives for street use....

Hotchkiss rear for the R&T's .

The ST car had front and rear aftermarket bars.... I'll have to look in my files for the exact setup.


.

 

This is a great discussion, thank you to all those who have posted their own insights.
I have never heard any one regret purchasing the Ohlins. The only draw back is no adj. sleeve for ride height (if that is a high priority) and you will need front strut mounts which pushes this set up towards $3K
I have been mulling this topic over for about a year now & my coilover list in the $2K range is:

1. Ohlins R&T
2. KW VAR 3 from WAY With TSW spec springs.
3. Fortune Auto with Swift springs
4. BC Racing with Swift springs
5. ST XTA

Please let me know if there is another coil over in the the $2K range I should be looking at.

And then one needs to decide on spring rates *except the Ohlins & TSW springs.
Good discussions here:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...gs-dynoed.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...l-springs.html

 

They don't use linear springs, but there's also the Bilstein coilover setup, B14 I believe, and you could swap out the springs for some from Swift later and still be under $2K. Just a thought since I've heard positive comments from folks doing light AutoX duty.

I guess brands also depend on the area. For all the talk and love of Ohlins on here, I've never seen a set in use at either an AutoX or track day. I'm now on a tour of duty to the west coast and I'm interested to see and talk with anyone out here that is running a set, but so far nothing yet.

It's great to have all these choices!
​​​

 

I just read not using lowering springs only applies to the older FSD version, the new Koni Special Active reds accept lowering springs per their own website- https://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthA...-Active-(Red)/ .

"Perfect match for all standard or sport OE sprigs PLUS MANY LOWERING SPRINGS"

Am I missing something?

It seems the modern Koni red is probably my best choice and appears to be the most "modern suspension" though being over 10 years old since inception.
After reading & rereading your posts, I honestly think Koni yellows aren't worth it for me, because no way I am removing my rear shocks every time I goto the track to adjust, just no way.
I am thinking Koni reds and JCW springs, if the Koni special actives do accept lowering springs.

Can anyone confirm or deny this on the newest Koni reds for mini?

2nd question-Will IE fixed camber plates chew up tires on the street compared to without them?

Thanks guys.