I've noticed that the Eibach Pro Kit springs are now available for the R56.
Part # (5705.140) I think the drop is only 1.25. Is anyone running these.
I'm trying to decide between H&R, Mach V, or Eibach.
I've heard good things on the H&R and Mach V's, but I've had Eibachs on 2 of my other cars (Mustangs) and was really happy with the ride and quality.
Thanks

Braden

 

I'm taking my H&R's off as soon as I can get a lock on coilovers. H&Rs are not good ride quality, IMHO. We've got sporty cars from 50's, 70's and moderns. Even my '72 BMW 2002 with cut springs doesn't bounce like my MINI does now. The H&R's took my sport suspension from fun to punishing. And that's on relatively good soCal roads. Sorry if that doesn't jive with other folks experience. I'm using the H&R's in tandem with oem Sport Suspension shocks and front bar, and a 22mm Alta bar on the back set at the middle setting.

 

You bouncing on the progressinve springs cause the stock dampers can not keep up. Do not label the H&R as the cause. The springs just hold the load, the way it bounces it the damping.

That being said, i plan to run the Eibach springs, i doubt they will be any less negative then the H&R but they might drop the car less. I am waiting for production KONI sport dampers tho to keep the system in check.

 

That was the info I was looking for. I wan't lowering springs but have decided to wait until a good adjustable, dampening as well as ride height adjustable shock is available at a reasonable price.

 

So.. whether you have stock or sport suspension the H&R is too stiff for the shocks = bouncy ride. Thanks for the info!

 

Karl,

Thanks for the info, you are one of the few people on here that has said what I believe to be true about H&R lowering springs or any lowering springs for that matter. Suspension can be a tricky thing, a car that is a little bouncy may feel like it has smoothed out the bumps to some people, but what can happen if you don't have enough damping is the suspension is topping out or bottoming out and is not ready to take the next hit, this will upset the balance of the car and effect the handling. A properly tuned suspension will have a shock that can keep the spring in its usable travel range, which in a Mini is not very much. This will sometimes makes for a little stiffer ride because the strut is holding the spring in its usable travel range on the smaller bumps and only allowing it to bottom or top out on the big stuff. In high end race suspensions the shock will have compression and rebound damping control so that it can really be tuned to the weight of the car and the road conditions. In my experience with other street cars in the past I've always had to upgrade my shocks in order to control the bounce. My last mustang had the Eibach springs but I had Koni adjustables on there and it really made a difference. I really like the look of a lowered car, but I'm having a hard time justifying potentially upsetting the handling with just lowering springs alone. Does anyone on here have upgraded shocks with there lowering springs? or what about the H&R coilover set up? That seams to be a pretty reasonably priced coilover.

 

My ride is not bouncy with the H&Rs, but I have the non-sport shocks. Might make a small difference. It is less harsh and much smoother than the stock springs IMO.

 

But how long have you had the springs on the car? Maybe karlInSanDiego had them longer than you? I don't know. I cannot imagine stock shocks will have higher damping than sport shocks. I have suspected they are the same despite having different part numbers because Manufaturers do give differerent part numbers for the same item sometimes. If the sport shocks are indeed stiffer and the ride became bouncy, it's only the matter of time before the stock ones become bouncy as well. I don't know... It's just all speculation except for the fact that karl's ride is bouncy and his MCS has sport suspension.

 

Maybe I should elaborate. Created 4 or 5 different rattles that didn't exist before I installed. I was forced to drop my tire pressures on the ride home from an autocross because 37 lbs/sq in. was causing intolerable rattles. 35 wasn't much better but helped. (I have 17" rims). Can no longer place my head against headrests. Too much pounding. Medium dips on hwy, are bottoming suspension and give a big shock to the spine. Wife is getting headaches riding in the car, and she's the majority driver with a 90 mile commute. If I had to choose between H&Rs and oem Sport Sus. springs, it would be no contest with eom winning. I'm sure bhatch has got a point that stiffer dampers would stop the bobbing on the freeway, but ultimately, the springs are TOO stiff (or too low or both) for this car to be used everday. Again, I'm surprised noone else has had this opinion. I waited months on backorder for these springs and finally they came in the week before my wife left town for 2 weeks. One friend commented on the look of my car being different, but I had to confess that I didn't know if I could keep the springs, as my wife would likley not enjoy the slammed look enough to validate the rough ride . 4 more weeks of driving it and we're both done. I should point out that the Sport Suspension with the sway bar upgrade has great turn-in and the body roll was not marked different than with H&R (at least from the drivers seat). In fact my biggest complaint with autocrossing the car before switching to H&R, was excessive tire spin on accelleration (even with LSD).

Fully adjustable shocks coupled with softer springs in a coilover package is what I'd like to try next. H&R Coilovers sold at Alta for example are not adjustable (aside from height). I'm looking at:

M7 Coilover - appears to have compression and rebound in one adjuster and claims to offer some varied spring choices to suit your ride comfort vs. track needs) ~$1499

KW Variant 3 - rebound, compression and height adjustable - not ready yet according to NA website ~$1800

Cross Coilovers - rebound (combined with compression???) and height adjustable - apparently available in various spring rates. Starting at $2100

TC Kline - uses compression and rebound adjustable Konis with adjustable perches and has trick bumpstops at the spring to help suck up the small stuff. But that kit is not ready for market and will be pricey. Maybe this is the one to wait for as a review I read, stated that this car was dropped 2" but very smooth when set soft. ~$2800 with springs

I'm soooo confused. Don't want to be in this place in two more months having spent thousands on pricey coilover and still wishing I could get a smooth non-rattly non-bone-jarring ride.

 

I'll be losing my H&Rs springs soon. Stock shocks, alta 22mm rear bar. Have always preferred the Eibachs over the H&Rs as they always have had a smoother ride for my butt. YMMV. Rough Seattle roads. My experience is with bmws, porsches and audis. I'll let everyone know how it works out when I get to it.

Both are great in race applications, but the EIbach pro-street in the past seemed just a little softer initially vs the H&Rs, but rapidly firmed up for the spirited mountain drive. Hope they've kept the same design for our Minis.

Edit: Brandon, Where are they? Not listed in Tirerack. The # has been around for a while. Thoughts?

 

Lowering with the springs with same stiffness don't seem real. Lowering means the traveling distance is minimized and if the springs are not stiffer the shocks will bottom out at every opportunity.

 

Release date for Eibachs is late December

 

I just put a deposit on a set of these, won't pay them off till the fifth of December. I just cutnpasted there blurb.

CROSS Competition coilover systems for your high performance machine. The Competition Series is our top of the line coilover system. It features a lightweight design with a 15 way dampening adjustable monotube damper. With its high strength and durability, the Competition Series insures that it will last through any type of driving condition. The front damper features a 40 mm piston and the rear has either a 40 or 45mm piston depending on application. The ride height adjustability is independent from the spring perch so adjusting ride height does not compromise the spring rate or rebound and compression of the damper. All coilover systems come with a cool bend linear spring that offer last precision steering and handling. Spring rates are also custom tailored to each system and driver's preference. All Competition Series coilovers include front camber adjustable pillow ball upper mounts and most rear includes pillow ball mounts depending on application. Based off of racing technology, the Competition Series Coilover is a street performance suspension, customizable for full track use

 

Where do you get the Cross system rebuilt? And are the rear adjusters on the bottom?

I know TEIN can have huge issues when rebuiling, which is why i alwasy use to run Eibach ERS linear springs (race springs) with Koni double adjustable with shorten bodies. Lee at KONI use to have my shocks back to me in a month or less.

 

Just talked to Eibach today & the person I talked to said they would be available in Jan. 08.

I have a 07 MCS with sport suspension and have been debating which of the lowering springs to buy. Have had good experience with Eibach's on Mustangs & Porsches.

The writeup on the website for Mach V mentions that the sport suspension (shocks) with their springs are ideal. Anyone install these springs and kind enough to write up their experience?

 

Hey Karl,
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the H&R springs. If you were thinking of the KW setups, Mini Madness shows Variants 1-3 on their site though I don't know if they're actually available.
http://www.mini-madness.com/index.as...S&Category=274

 

Per Mike at CROSS the rebuilds ar done locally in CA and only take a week or so for turnaround. Per our conversation today he states cross customers are going about three years between rebuilds and are rebuilding for maintenance, not due to failures or lost performance. He also stated that updated "valves" will be available as the need and technology becomes available. This system apears to be progressive enough to be worthy of the initial investment.

 

I'll give ya 100 bucks for 'em

 

Me me me!!!

I've been driving on them for a week now, and took a long road trip over the weekend. The ride is definitely stiffer than the sport suspension. Slight road imperfections are soaked up better than with the sport suspension springs. I had a number of minor but constant rattles in the roof and drivers side window that are very sedate now. Bigger bumps can be brutal. There is much less travel and the spring rate increases rapidly. I believe the OEM sport struts are not ideally matched with these springs and I will see a further increase in stability by replacing them.

The bottom line is overall handling, road feel, and cornering grip are definitely increased but the ride is stiff and definitely not for everyone.

My last car was a Subaru Impreza STi, so this is still very comfortable by comparison.

 

Folks keep mentioning the "Sport" shocks on their factory sport-suspension equipped MINIs, but from what I understand (and what the SA confirmed for me Friday), was that the only difference between Sport and Non-sport suspension 07 MCS's is a thicker sway-bar (from 17 to 18mm - I believe).

Is my SA wrong?

 

He is wrong.

Go asks the parts department for the part number for R56 MCS shocks. There are 3 numbers, for 3 different sets. JCW, SS, and stock.

 

Thanks.......I'll let her know!

So then to clarify: the differences are shocks and a thicker sway bar, but the springs are the same, correct?

 

My knowlege the springs, shocks, swaybars and bumpstops are all different the stock.

The JCW also has stiffer shocks and swaybars and bumpstops (only slightly) and the you order springs, 4 rates are available based on your car's equipment.