Hello all,

I'm a new member to NAM, and have enjoyed browsing all the facets this site has to offer. I figured this would be the best place to gain knowledge, the good and the bad, about lowering my 2013 Mini Cooper S.

I am wanting to lower my ride height 1.50" to 2.00" using coilovers, still maintain a cozy ride, and keep as much money in my pocket as possible for other modifications. This doesn't mean I want to sacrifice quality for money, but rather be smart about my purchases. Can you guys give your best recommendation on a quality coilovers on the market for Mini's. Also, what other items will I need to complete the build. Spacers, hardware, etc..


Thanks is advance!

 

If you can stand a 1" to 1.5" drop, you might consider springs instead of coilovers. Coilovers will allow for height adjustment, and are essential for true suspension tuning, but any set worth buying will be expensive: around $2k. The valving on cheaper brands just doesn't hold up to regular street use, and you end up with leaky and broken shocks after 12 months.

 

Thanks for the advice. If springs were used, would this this decrease the life of my factory springs? And is camber more difficult to achieve by using one or the other?

 

That much lowering and a cozy ride don't go well together. That's quite a bit of lowering. If you want to go about 1.5" go with NM Springs they are supposed to help maintain a nice ride. If you go with Springs and stay with the stock struts/shocks, then you could destroy the stock struts/shocks faster. You could experience a bouncy ride.

For coilovers there are quite a few out there. I run ST (basically a Steel version of the KW1) but if you go my route, you may have to run spacers up front in order to clear the spring perch.

Many people are using the NM springs and love them -- even with factory struts/shocks of course, YMMV. I'd recommend finding someone close to you and getting a ride with as many people as you can find with some sort of aftermarket suspension setup. When I went about this, I had no clue how it would ride. I think mine rides ok. But I can't keep coffee or a open can of soda in the cup holder for fear that the liquid will jump out at every crack and bump.

Other will ask you what you're lowering for. Performance or just looks. Anyway, hope this didn't confuse you more....good luck!

 

I'm not ready for a big coiliver purchase til next year but what springs and stock shocks would you recommend for autocross I'm still new at it and focusing on other aspects like getting better at driving lol

 

Simplybao ~ Thank you

I believe i'll stick with a coilover application, so I save my OEM suspension for a swap if i traded or sold later down the road. That being said, how do you like your ST setup? I've never lowered a car before, and i'm unaware what all is needed for an optimal set up. I'd like my camber to be right to save tires, are there special parts needed to accomplish this?

Thanks again!

 

I like my ST setup. I've had them for almost 4 years and they are still going great, no leaks, squeeks, rattles, etc.... If you go low in front and run factory wheels, you may need spacers to clear the spring perch. I believe you'll need somewhere in the range of 40mm offset wheels in order to not rub the spring perch, but that also depends on the tire and and width of the wheel. I'm running 205/60 on a 16x7 wheel with 38mm offset. If you want to have the "correct" camber or dial in your camber, you'll need lower control arms. I'm running H-Sport rear lower control arms.

This is my car...horrible iPhone picture that I was playing with.

 

Simplyboa ~ Thanks again for your advice.

I like the look of your ride height. What was your drop you applied to your Mini?

 

I was facing this same set of choices. I went with BC racing BR series coil-overs. I have the car lowered enough to remove the gap between the factory wheel with a 45 series tire. There is about a 1/4" gap between the tire and fender well. The car rides very rough over anything imperfect. I decided to purchase Swift Springs with lower spring rates. bc.springrates.com/

Spring Rate: Front: 5K
Spring Rate: Rear: 4K
Vehicle: 2009 MIni Cooper JCW
Coil-overs: BR Seriesdrop:
Standard Drop 1 $360.00

I am hoping this works out.

 

Swift Spec R Lowering springs and Bilstien B8 shocks. Had them for 30k miles and they are fR superior to the “Sport Suspension” from MINI.

 

What brand are the aux fogs and driving lamps? Are you happy with them?

 

They are both Hella lamps. I like the fogs very much since they do NOT glare upward and they do provide a definite line above which light does not go. They light under the fog ver well.
The Hella Black Magic lamps are set to illuminate the edges of the roadway for deer, dogs, bear, coyotes and people. I should have gotten different Hella lamps since these are a bit muted. On totally dark roads they work well in conjunction with my high beams (that is the way I wanted to wire them.

I have the fogs wired to come on when the switch is pushed and the vehicle is running, without running they will not come on. The on the road shot was by Killboy on The Dragon a few years ago.

 

I went with BC Racing and couldn’t be happier. The ride is still great, although it’s not cadillac plush. It’s a go kart to begin with though. It’s my daily and I have no regrets with them. Sticks to the road like glue too

 

I installed Swift springs with lower spring rates and still feel that even set at factory ride height the car is dangerous to drive around Ohio. I will sell them. I am not convinced that NM springs on stock struts will be close enough to factory ride to work out either. Unfortunately my sense is that the R56 cant have wheel gap removed and still be a near civilized car to drive in the north east US. I love the look of the 09 JCW with factory aero kit. But, I think I am going to sell it. With the wheel gap to me it just looks like a fancy economy car. Live and learn.

 

I went with Godspeed Coilovers on my daily driver and so far I've been satisfied. There's a lot of value here in my opinion. Also, the ride was smoother then the stock set up.