Had my car at Don's shop today...
 

Don was out testing his mini and having a good time, so I did not have a chance to talk with him. John and Will were great company for most of the day...most of the day because I was very late; I was in two accidents within a 1/2 mile...oh well. Cosmetic, but costly cosmetic.

The short story since I'm on my way out of town. I had two set of wheels balanced and the car was aligned. But the guys did not want to corner balance the car. They took a look at the H&R front springs - I alerted them about some of my concerns - and they both said the springs are too short, confirming my observations. So short, however, that there is but one working coil:eek2: .

And after 5 days of driving, despite being much more comfortable than the Megans, the front springs bind quite bad. So they have to go. H&R insist there is no problem...the IE camber plates are the same height as stock strut bearing so this condition will occur when installed with stock components begging the question, what car did they use for an R&D rig?

H&R will not have longer springs ready for at least 4-6 weeks. So on Monday I have to start calling around for two springs that will work. John said that I will have problems at the track, as I already knew.

Don's associates are incredibly professional, and, very amusing; quite a lot of ball busting going on all day...just for my amusement. And, as MbCoops indicated, if you like Porsches, this is the place.

The alignment is killer, by the way...a hair lower in the rear than I might have setup, but they are the doctors and I was the patient. I told them where it hurt and they prescribed a solution. And it works really well despite the front springs.

I'm left wonder when it will all end...H&R are supposed to know this stuff!

Thanks Don for all of your help!!!:thumbsup:

wait...meb, i thought you sold your MINI and got a porsche or something.

haven't been reading the sus forums that much lately. :razz:

Long story...the decision was a surprise and I lost a lot of money because I foolishly placed the down payment with personal money. The order was canceled by my company after the car was ordered by my company...make sense? Left and right hands... I prefer the mini to a 335i, seriously more fun after spending time behind the wheel of a 335i.

Some things work out for the better...now if I could just get a set of springs to work in this car:sly: Megan sent along new cylinders and was supposedly sending new springs and bumpstops...the length of time that passed left me no choice but to buy something else - H&R. I have to call Steve and ask why no springs or bumpstops.

Glad you enjoyed your time there! Hopefully you'll get everything sorted out and working properly. The shop is overwhelming to someone like me who can only dream to have the ability to actually utilize any of the fun gadgetry there.

Let us know how it turns out.

mb

I for one have been carefully noting what aftermarket suspension components meb selects because they invariably turn out to be poopy.:razz:

Thanks meb, you've saved us a lot of money and heartache so far!:thumbsup: But man, if Don steers you straight, who's going to show us what to avoid buying?:confused:

Meb- I see, sorry to hear about that. :sad: but you're a doc, you can buy those 335i's with pocket change, no? :razz:

I will most-likely have a 335ic in my garage in a few years when I'm done with my G. :)

Kencahn,

I would have more money if my daughter would stop destroying cars:lol: Before she totalled her Accord, she went thru 7 brand new Yokahoma tires - all from curb contact - in one summer:eek2: . But I love that kid! Great spirit!

I don't expect to get too far with H&R...I don't care that I have to buy new springs, at least I have identified a problem and prodessionals agree. I have source springs from elsewhere...Eibach or Hypercoil are my choice this monday. I know very little about sizing progressive rate springs...so this will be a learning exercise too. If these were linear, they would be two inches too short, which I wrote above. But I'm sure that information is correct.

BFG9000 - glad to be of assistance:lol:

Mbcoops...I tried to imagine myself in some of those beasts on the track and became overwhelmed by some of the power to weight ratios being thrown around - yikes!

Another drive today without another set of tires in the back along with tools and other stuff. I can live with the rear ride height...it's growing on me. I asked for a street biased alignment so it works really well everywhere. When the fron spring problem is resolved I'll be very happy.

It is not only unproductive engine modifications that show up at the shop; suspensions can be problematic as well. The issue with the H&R springs and Bilstein dampers are unacceptable and I am trying to rectify the situation.
After 20 years in business Precision has seen its fair share of suspension products for high performance cars. And from that experience we do our utmost to steer our customers to tried-and-true products for specific applications. Concerning the MINI that means no lowering springs with the stock dampers or FSDs, the best camber plates ones budget will allow, and/or products specifically engineered for the MINI from real suspension companies such as CROSS, Leda, JRZ, or Moton. To do less is simply unprofessional.

Thank you for helping with the springs Don. I'm also hoping that the IE camber plates last...recent stories are not comforting.

The funny - peculiar - and not so funny...if the plates fail, the cost of another set of plates, another set of front springs and another CB/alignment session will have more than matched a set of Cross dampers...or even LEDA

What Fram tried to explain is a truism: Pay me now; or pay me later. Buying cheap products is not a prudent method.

...I shouldn't have a problem with H&R, but you and I have already discussed this...I sent you a PM Don.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Thanks for your help with H&R Don!!!:nod: How can I be the man when you're the man???