I love the look, design, stance of my Cross coilovers and they handle insane ,but I'm looking for something that rides like stock or better and can handle a 2" to 2.5" drop without bottoming out. The thing is I drive a lot for work and I have a girlfriend that would like a better ride plus I take my 70yr old Mom that I take to Cancer treatment a couple days a week. The Mini rides a little rough for her.
I used to love my HSport and FSD set up but the car didn't sit low enough. I have heard Koni Coilovers do a good job. BTW, I don't track my car.
Thanks
Mario

 

mario, what settings are you on?

personally i think the cross' are pretty darn comfortable in comparison to my pss9's.

 

I have started with 400lb front and 337lb rear and have gone to 280lb front and 225lbrear. I'm running zero all the way around (softess) they go to 15

 

As suspension travel decreases, spring and damping rates must increase to prevent bottom. This is physics, nothing more, nothing less.

You can try H&R's sport coilover - red springs. These allow a very aggressive drop, the springs are progressive rate, bumpstops are the active type. You cannot use these on the track, however; the front springs allow one working coil when set up with a 1 - 1.5" drop. You'll get another half a working coil if you drop the car to a point where the plastic air diverter under the bumper scrapes fairly often.

This kit is not really designed properly, but a lot of folks use it and are quite happy. Again, one working coil is not a great idea since spring bind becomes a problem with spirited driving. The ride was quite nice though. I sent my kit back.

 

Thank you, I guess I would need a ride in someones car. I have heard the Cross Coilvovers I have no are really the best for me. They don't even come close to bottoming out because of their two adjustment design.
Time to go take some test drives.
Mario

 

I hope to have a set of K-Sports soon so if you haven't already swapped your coils out I'll let you know how those ride.

 

Never heard of them, do you have info and or pix?

 

K-Sport is a respected Korean brand...they sell for $700-1000, depending on app. Good rep from what I've seen

 

Do you have a link or something?

 

Mario you can find them on Ebay, just for starters...

 

if you are looking for a softer ride, I don't think any coilover is going to do it. Most are geared towards track rats with their damping rates being fairly agressive. You might want to look at getting some used Bilstein PSS9's and sending them to Bilstein to revalve for your needs. They're local in SoCal...should be easy and inexpensive to do (couple hundred bucks). You'll also be able to spec softer springs than normal. This will get you low and a smoother ride, but, as meb pointed out - as suspension travel decreases, you'll need firmer springs or dampers to compensate. Interesting side note - some rally cars don't even use springs...straight up dampers.

about $1400 for the MINI app (three way adjustable, plus tophats and camber plates - super good deal - Cross is 50% more for a similar level of parts included) K-Sport

 

Depends on which setup you purchase. I plan on purchasing the K-Sport Kontrol coilovers which can be had for about $850. Like the Megans, these have camber plates incorporated into the design and the dampening is 36-way adjustable. Worth looking into. Highly respected amongst other cars. Kalbone is currently running K-Sports on his ride and he's SLAMMED.

http://www.ultrarev.com/product.php?productid=30923

 

yeah....the one's I posted are three-way...the others are two way and less $$. DMH likes to brag that Cross is the only three-way on the market.....guess K-Sport isn't on their radar

 

you're chasing your tail on this one.... That much lowering and there just isn't the range you need. You'll ride your bumpstops.

The goals of that severe a drop and softer are mutually exclusive.

Really, the best you can do is find a really good race prep shop in your area, and work with them to get what you want. While many here are experienced with their particular set-up, you'll really have to do a lot of give and take to get where you want to do. It will take time and money.

If you want a really lowered car, you have to pay the price of stiffer springs, for reasons others have mentioned. While you can put the adjusters on full soft, they won't be matched to the spring rate and you'll get a bouncy ride.

Travel dictates spring rates.
Spring rated dictate dampener settings.

Matt

 

or you could run your stock set up and have new shock towers made going through your hood. I saw it on a subie. wouldnt have to worry about travel at all

 

Ryephile fabbed up some custom drop spindles, got one inch of drop with no loss of suspension travel. Then you could drop another inch on your own and not really screw the pooch. Or you could get some custom struts made that go about an inch lower (out the bottom of the steering knuckle) as there's clearance there for more travel. Either one is pricey.

Matt

 

pricey but oh so sweet

 

I think everyone here has given you some great advice...but the kit you have is one of two that that allow aggressive drops while saving travel. The Cross kit is a very, very nice kit.

You might also consider changing tire brands and playing with tire psi as a way of making the ride better. But in reality, the mini was designed as a go-cart and there are elements of that criteria that you cannot escape from.

Keep your camber angles to less than one degree up front and toe stock.

We're all seduced by great handling until the first pot hole...I know I am.

 

I wouldn't recommend the Koni coil-overs for comfort, they ride pretty stiff with the right amount of damping...

 

Thank you guys, I know the Cross are one of the better ones out there. I guess I just want it all, I'm sure there is a way to have it but not sure if I have the time or money to do it. I will mess around more with the adjustments and get the car aligned, maybe that will help. If it becomes too much I might just go back to HSports and FSD's

Thanks again
Mario

 

why not just buy a '95 mid-size GM car for $2k? Cheaper, more comfortable and reliable vs. trying to get a MINI to ride like a limo. I tried to get this 'sweet spot' mix of handling and comfort in my Subaru and gave up after 5 suspension swaps. You can waste a lot of money trying and the MINI was never intended to be a comfy car.

 

^+1 I think that you should buy a beater and save the mini for everything, but work and hauling(not meant to be rude) family around. Or go with a cheap luxury car and keep the mini.

Also, for three ways there is KW and Moton(even has a four way!).

 

I do own a supercharged Mercedes E55 that I can drive but since I bought the Mini it just sits there (very sad). The Benz has HRE wheels, koni, H&R, water injection and the list goes on.
I just like driving the Mini more

 

^ Yes, I know the mini has got to be my favorite car thus far in life. I just hope that you can find a viable soultion to your problems. It would be sad to have to get rid of such a great machine.

 

I'll take the MB off your hands