So I am planning buying/installing a set of Megan coilovers for my 2007 MCS but I have a few questions before I go ahead with the purchase. I understand I could probably find my answers within the forums given enough time, but unfortunately summer college classes are taking over my free time right now... Thanks!

I understand ride comfort will most likely be worse with the coilovers, but will installing a 16 inch rim as opposed to a 17 inch help with ride comfort?

Should I purchase a set of adjustable front/rear (or both) endlinks with the new coilovers?

Should I opt for the more expensive coilovers with the adjustable camber plate? Is it worth it?

 

Have you considered Koni Yellows? There cheaper and great shock, Mine are set up with H&R sport springs. Do you plan on tracking your car? If the quality to your ride is a concern, you might consider Koni FSD's on stock springs. Either way, you'll definitely notice a marked improvement in the way your mini handles.

 

Ride quality really isn't a concern with me, but it would be nice to have a slightly better ride though. With my commute the ride quality will alway be rough simply because of the terrible roads... So no, ride quality definitely isn't a deal breaker. I did look at the koni yellow shocks and I do like them a lot especially for the price, but a big thing with me is the ride height adjustability. With the winter season apparently become longer and longer each year I'd really like to be able to raise up the ride height. Also I'd like to make it nice and low from time to time as well. Correct me If I'm wrong (new to this stuff) but with the setup you have isn't the ride height is fixed? Thanks for info!

 

If your car is a daily driver, ride quality WILL become a concern with stiffer springs and second-grade shocks like Megan's.
Even with dual-adjustable KWv3's at the softest setting, stiffer springs transmit far too many road imperfections during my daily commute. I would not recommend this to anyone who is not motivated by going that 0.5sec faster during autoX/DE event. It's just not worth it.

If I wasn't autoX-ing the MCS, I would have stayed with stock ride height and thrown Koni FSD's or Sports (yellows) on all four corners.

Even with adjustable collars, you will NOT be futzing with the adjustability all that much. It may seam like an attractive opportunity at first, but in reality, the ride height is a "set it and forget it" feature.

For one thing, it's a PITA to adjust (car up on jack stands, crawl under all 4 corners to change ride height). Doable, but not user-friendly.
For another, there is not THAT much of adjustability to be played with. My KW's dropped the front 1.2", and I'm 2 fingers (another 1") from rubbing the pavement with the front spoiler lip. In fact, I AM rubbing the nose over driveway curbs and dips already. Changing oil the other day I saw gravel marks on the oil pan - not good. I would prefer to, but can not, go any higher than -1.2" drop. I would not WANT to go any lower than that for a daily driver.

Lastly, change ride height effects camber AND toe, and you will be chewing up tires at an accelerated rate unless you go and re-align the car after each height change.

These are huge cost barrier to playing with the ride height as a seasonal feature.

HTH,
a

 

I like your priorities - courses first! So HERE is a nice search for ya, to save some time.

1. Yes, but it's about sidewall so a 205/50-16 will be smoother than a 204/45-17
2. I wouldn't - but depending on how low you go you might wish for rear lower control arms to avoid excessive negative camber on the back axle
3. Depends on your goal. Running -1.5 to -2 degrees negative up front has dramatic benefits in competition, but on the street it might be overkill.

Cheers,

Charlie