Well I Was using FSD's with TSW springs. I just had one of the rear shocks fail on me. Not cool. What I know now. If I had to get another shock, I would have gone with the Koni Yellows verse the FSD's... The FSD's would have been fine if I would have stayed with the stock springs. :cry: :mad:

cajun- sorry to hear. :sad: thanks for the info for us other users that
are considering dampers for our lowering springs. your experience will not
be put to waste. :thumbsup:

does either koni FSD or koni yellows come with some sort of warranty ?

From outmotoring.com

"KONI shocks have a lifetime warranty. Try getting that from the tuner garbage (insert initials here). Available for all MINI's with build date after 3/1/02 (see drop down menu for applications) Sold as a complete set of 4 only. Please allow 2-4 business days before we ship."

So wouldn't it be okay to install the FSD into a lowered mini, if it get busted ----> ask for new ones since its covered under warranty.

You guys are correct,

Konis do come with a lifetime warranty, they are also really good at helping customers out.

I suggest you send your FSD to Koni, they will probably send you a replacement for free.

Victor

Currently Alex@tirerack.com recommends stock springs with Koni FSD for best results. You can ask him about Koni warranty in case you use it with lowering springs.

32000 AND COUNTING
 

THE very early set of FSDs, on my car since oct 05, have gone over 32k with first h sport, then H&R springs, so far no issues whatsoever. In addition (sounding like a broken record here) I have installed over 20 sets with lowering springs and not had any issues with those cars either. On occasion, mass produced automotive parts fail ---Your results may vary..........................

Do FSD's raise the height of the car when on lowering springs? IE: 1" lowered car would be less than 1" after installing FSD'S...Sorry to get off thread a little....:cool:

still doesn't mean using them against the manufacturer's recommendation is a prudent strategy for warranty replacement (if needed).

Lee Grimes at Koni implored me to use stock springs with FSD's on the MINI....told me if I wanted it lowered to use Yellows instead. YMMV

PGT I will agree with you and Lee Grimes from Koni.

Koni designed the FSTs specifically to work with the factory springs.

That said, I know that a lot of you run the FSds with lowered spring, without any problems, but does not mean that the shocks are working to 100% of their ability.

I know it has been said many times, but the koni yellows are a proven shock, probably the best out there to be used with lowered springs.

Victor

R53 s 04 suspension upgrade
 

So i am about to upgrade the suspension and aftet reading a lot in here and not only i came to the following choises

FSD with eibach pro
koni yellows with eibach pro
ST coilivers
KW V1 coilovers

my goal is to have a small amount of lowering around 20mm or 0.75 inches with lots of comfort while maintaining reasonable handling.
i want to use the 17' GP wheels (485)
with 215/40 or 45 tyres

i want to ask you guys who had one of the above setup how is your experience and how many miles you currently have on them. Nowadays the price range for all setups above is around 700 - 950 euro

comfort and stiffer shocks do not go together

I have jcw springs and koni yellows, it's stiff the wife hates it

I had FSD with the jcw springs, no where near as stiff but it would bottom out hard on big hits

thanks for reply! Appreciated.
How about adjusting the yellows to less stiffness? Aren't they adjustable?
how many miles on those jcw springs?
what wheel size are you using?
and how many fingers from the top of the tyre to bottom of the body? Does your car look level on your current setup?
That information would help me a lot.
ps sorry for bad English

Are you talking linear or progressive springs as the later has more ability to offer softer rides on straight type driving?

Are you throwing in the cost for longer front end links and thinking your 04 will have the non-adjustable rear control arm that will require new adjustable type.

and glad to see another old thread getting new views.

I am trying to get smooth, friendly responsive drive with no banging and crashing noise in every single small pot-hole

eibachs will drop the front 1' and the rear 1.2 it is my closest to the stock available spring option.
that 1.2 rear drop, will it make rear camber more negative than 1.5°? At that point i think i can live with a bit of tire wear if any.
My choises preety much are:

Eibach springs at 150€
koni yellows adjustable at 540€
koni FSD at 530 €
ST coilovers around 650-800
KW V1 coilovers at 970€

i think eibach are progressive and a bit stiffer than jcw which i think would help not bottom out in big holes while maintaining a close to stock height in case of fsd and in the other hand i think they can make the ''stiffer'' koni yellows more friendly with their progressive design having a non full stiff setting ofc on the koni yellow.

what do you guys think? What is your experience?

Way Motors is a vendor here and they make a TSW 3/4" lowering spring kit. Still thinking you need longer front end links and adjustable rear control arms to address the camber.

I only crank the stiffness up when I autocross them
springs have 20k miles on them
I run 15x8 and 17x7 wheels
I have no idea how many fingers go there

these are the 17x7

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...e6e13c4ab3.jpg

these are the 15x8

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...bbc6727e41.jpg

So if we want a more sophisticated ride that doesnt really kill the ability to drive over a pothole, all coilovers are out? What is the option.. fsd and stock springs? I have a r52 jcw so my springs are actually just stock S springs I believe.

I'm curious what you go with. I think my R52 S looks great with current stock setup. But the ride is harsh. Original shocks at 56k miles. Don't think I want it any lower.

You can get FSDs on TireRack for $550, plus $50 rebate. Tempting...

I think in your situation, you are better off with Koni Yellow by keeping the JCW springs being a convertible and your concerns. I think FSD's are too hyped up for the best of both worlds mindset. The yellows give you a lot of latitude. Do remember, the rebound valving adjustment is never linear so don't go to anywhere near the two ends.

But my springs are not JCW, they are stock S.. I'm really leaning towards the fsd. My stock struts are blown out, so its riding pretty harsh. The car is 10 years old, but only 50K miles, hopefully my springs are still good!? I noticed the rear sagging a bit because of the shocks..

I dont track my car or anything, and I am using very sticky tires, so perhaps the FSD with the 23mm rear sway, IE camber plates and tires is enough to make it handle awesome but give a more sophisticated soft ride for my daily driver!

I'm leaning towards Ireland camber plates (my strut mounts are cracked), FSD shocks, lower brace, and a rear sway bar. I think we have similar goals to make our 10 year old convertibles a true go-kart that won't break our bodies!