Since this one could involve multiple classes I will post it here. My application is an MCS in GS. The issue I have with the Koni's is that once installed you cannot adjust the rear shocks. Any race day tuning has to be done up front. So with that in mind, do you get much bang for your buck? The shocks that come with the MCS already seem pretty stiff.

What I would really like is a shock that is externally adjustable from the shock tube like the KYB AGX. I wish they would come out with a MINI application.

 

The rear Konis when first released, required the shock to be removed from the car and then the shock had to be removed from the spring, then the Koni had to be put in a vise and turned to change the dampening. Now there is an adjuster on top of the shock. To adjust the shock, all you have to do is detach the sway bar end link, and remove the two bolts that hold the coilover to the car. Once those are removed, push down on the hub and the adjuster **** can be inserted and turned. I can do it by myself in 10 minutes per side (once the wheel is off).
The ability to adjust the shocks is a big plus. You can set up the car to over or understeer, this is especially helpful with two-driver cars.
The KYB AGX external adjustment is not as efficent as the Koni.

 

As Chris mentioned the rear adjustment isn't that bad. During last season I was able to do the adjust within 20 minutes even though my technique was a little different from his. While I didn't have double adjustables I think the Konis are one of the better things you can do for autoxing. Also, you can take the single adjustable units and have Koni make them doubles for about $300-400 per shock...so you have an upgrade path available as well. Mark Chiles ran Koni double adjustables on all his Coopers last year.

As a side note, I'm not planning to autocross this year (2004) and will be pulling the single adjustable Koni's and putting the stock units back in for daily driving. PM me if you would be interested in buying my set of Koni's.

Mark

 

Thanks guys. I did not realize that they could be adjusted relatively easily. I'll have to add that to the needs list.

 

Just to add my .02, besides seat time (which is VERY important) tires and suspension are the two best things to do to your car to improve performace.

CAI, Exhaust systems, ECU software, etc. are all fun to put on the car because they do add HP/TQ, but they are not as important in auto-x when compared to tires and suspension.

I auto-x my M3 and have made MANY HP/TQ mods to the car (and the car is a rocket because of the mods ). But my auto-x times took a huge drop when I got better tires and new suspension (which inlcuded the Koni single adjustable BTW)

 

Bang for your buck is all relative. Since you can't do the rear bar in Stock, you're paying to be able to do any adjustment at all (outside of tire pressure).

Although, a LEDA would be nice being that the *** is easy to reach and adjust, but only custom is available right now.

I've got Koni's coming right now, but don't see the adjustment to be much of an issue.

Brian Garfield

 

Thanks Brian. Did you run Koni's on your HS car?

 

The 2002 H Stock car was completely stock, not even an alignment

 

>>The 2002 H Stock car was completely stock, not even an alignment

These are truly amazing cars. (with the right driver of course) But the fact that you were competitive in HS with the stock shocks just confirmed my decision to hold off on the Koni's at least for a few months until I get a feel for the car. I have the V700's and I think a Schroth harness will be the next investment. I figure being firmly planted behind the wheel may help my times almost as much as the shocks.

Of course if I'm true to form I'll break down and buy the shocks by June.

 

Still agreeing that you should probably hold off on the shocks, there's something you need to understand.
2002 was the first year of the MINI's competitive Solo II career. Shocks weren't available, with the exception of Mark Chiles trying to do the R&D on DA's for Koni.
We were quite possibly the ONLY Cooper in the country with the SS+, not to mention a stripped car otherwise.

So, saying that we were competitive without shocks is irrelevant.

Brian

 

Just to add my piece to this fairly old post.....You will notice a difference with the Koni's. The car actually rides better with the Koni's and sets into a corner much better then it did before. As far as bang for buck......They have my vote.

http://www.xshocks.com $522 shipped to my door........

 

I'm confused about whether the Koni adjuatables are adjustable in the rear or not. The post says disconnect the sway bar end link. I thought MINIs have no rear anti-sway bar. I haven't looked under my MINI yet (as it's on order) but I'm planning ahead. The Konis I installed on our Miata are adjustable with a **** on the top, how do the Konis for the MINI work?

 

They do, stock. Size varies according to which suspension package you have, but it's there.

I think the konis adjust on the top like normal, but the top of the shock is not easily accessable.

 

Correct. There IS a rear sway bar.

The rear Konis ARE adjustable, but as was said, you have to drop the shock from it's top mount to get to the adjuster since you can't get to it from inside the car.

Brian