I don't know how to go about choosing a product(s) to lower my mini so if anyone out there can help, it would be much appreciated. Here are the specs:

2006 Cooper
Motegi DP 12 (18 x 7.5 with a +45 offset)
205/40/18 Toyo Proxies 4

I was looking at the TSW Springs as well as M7 and H-Sport but I just want to do the springs as I'm not interested in shocks/coilovers.

Is this something that can be done?
How do I know if I'll have rubbing issues in the front?
Will the TSW's make it low enough?
Will the H-Sport's or the M7's make it too low?

I'm doing this more for the look, not the performance. I don't track my mini (yet) but I hate the gap in the wheel well.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

Yes, springs without changing shocks is certainly possible. The best idea is to use springs not too deviant from the stock rates. The catch 22 with that is lowering the car means you'll bottom out the bumpstops sooner, making huge bumps more jarring. There's no free lunch.

With those tires and that wheel offset, you're basically stock. This means no rubbing no matter what you do with stock shocks.

The last two questions are very subjective. The M7's will lower the most, followed by H-Sport and TSW. While I don't have experience with the TSW springs, the H-Sports have long been the king of the hill for a lowering spring that both slightly improves ride quality while NOT messing up the handling balance of the car. Those are my vote.

 

Do you mean that with the wheels and tires that I'm on now, I can't deviate from the stock springs or that I can. Sorry, I'm new to all of this.

Thanks for the reply!

 

What I meant to say is that your wheel/tire specs are vitually the same as stock. With a virtually stock wheel/tire setup, you can lower your car to your hearts content and not need to worry about rubbing, because they won't!

 

Ahh Springs .. I read the entire post now

 

Thanks for posting your pic jeffc, but.....

 

New TSW's, about a 1" drop all the way around, 200lb spring rate, linear, no rubbing, improved ride and handeling! Couldn't be happier with mine!

 

First, this thread.

You will find springs that lower the car and give it a certain look. That you eschew shocks means maybe you want to save a bit ($$). Check the marketplace. You can get used springs at quite a savings. You also might want to search the archives for these keywords:

• spring/shock mismatch
• mushrooming

 

So what you're saying is that the circumference of my current 18" wheel/tire setup is the same (or close) as the circumference of the stock 16" wheels with the thicker (55 series) tires?

 

it's close enough for it to not be a problem. you arent gonna rub, dont worry about it. as far as what's going to be low enough and what'll be too low is all up to you. we don't know what you're willing to accept... as stated in earlier posts between the 3 on your list.:

• TSW-low
• H&R-lower
• M7-lowest

theyre all good springs for daily use.

 

Thanks for the help! I'll let you know what I did and how it all worked out!