Hey everyone! I got a few requests for pictures of my suspension installed so here they are. I decided to go with KW Variant 1's because I just needed something a bit better than stock and to lower the car. I only plan on going to the track occasionally so I felt that I did not need a dampening adjustable setup. As for the ride, the handling has improved, I purchased my R56 with Sport suspension so I still have the sport sway bars installed. The comfort of the ride feels like stock but I know it will get better once I swap out my run flat tires. Please feel free to pm me with any questions regarding the KW coilovers.

As for my opinion, I love these coilovers. I am very happy with them but ran into an issue where a 5mm spacer had to be used in the front for clearance problems. I think this can be solved with a lower offset wheel.

Side View:

Front View

Front left (This is almost at the highest setting. There is plenty more space for lowering)

Rear left

Rear installed

 

Nice Good pics.

Looks like they have the potential to go nice and low. That's good to see

 

Yeah...you can go really low if you want with these coilovers.

 

Looks great! Where did you get them from?

Could you elaborate more on the handling and ride please? Does the car understeer more in corners or is the car more balanced? Is the ride similar to stock [standard or sport suspension] on both small bumps and huge craters?

Finally, are you using the stock lug bolts with the 5mm spacer, or did you find someone making longer 14x1.25 bolts?

 

I purchased them from Status Auto Design in Hermosa Beach, California. The car has gained more balance through the corners, I can definitely take turns faster and the car feels much more solid. As for the ride, I was used to the Sport suspension because that is what my car came with so compared to that it is very similar in ride and comfort. Its not annoying or bumpy at all. And as for the lug bolts, they were able to get a set of longer lug bolts to accommodate the spacers. I plan on converting to TXwerks 14mm-12mmx1.5 studs in a couple weeks because the wheels I have coming have smaller bolt holes.

 

Thanks for your insight!

 

Look good! Thanks for the review of them as well.

I'm considering KW's myself but until now, I haven't heard much about them. It's nice to know the ride is good. I've been on those LA Freeways

How much did you drop it? I plan on only lowering mine about 1". I would think your down 1 1/2" to 1 3/4".

 

Sounds like the same as my M7, even the 5mm spacers in the front

 

Hi Vincent! Thanks for being a test subject! Your Mini's looking very sharp!

Any picture of the front install whilst the Mini is on the ground? I'm curious to see how many working coils are available. Or a description would be fine.

 

Sorry but I don't have pics of the front coilovers yet. I want to snap some soon to give everyone a better idea. The best I can describe it is while you look at the rear pics, the adjustments look almost half way down, based on that, the front looks to be adjusted about a quarter of the way down. Hope this helps.

 

Didn't KW develop the suspension for the R56 Challenge car? Hence why they have the full set of V1, V2 and V3 available for the Clubman already, Challenge pace car used as a template.

 

[quote=Vincent.;2080649]

As for my opinion, I love these coilovers. I am very happy with them but ran into an issue where a 5mm spacer had to be used in the front for clearance problems. I think this can be solved with a lower offset wheel.

Thank you for the report on the KW's. I'm considering getting KW V1's for my R56. Any guess as to what offset would allow the wheels to be installed minus any spacers? Do an alignment yet? If so, how far off were the settings from spec after the V1 install?

 

[QUOTE=VJD;2083336]When we were looking at the wheel clearance, it looks like you'll be safe with a 40 offset or less. I haven't got the chance to do an alignment because I'm waiting on my new wheels to come.

 

On your KW coilovers,are the front springs as large as your factory front springs?


joe r

 

Looks really nice

Stock suspension makes the car sit ridiculously high and looks very unsportinglikeish

 

Any updates?


joe r

 

The front springs are and shocks are about the same size as the KW coilovers. Its the front perches that do not clear depending on how low you want to go.

 

So if you raise the front up will the spring perch be above the tire?

joe r

 

looks great, I'm looking about 1" drop. can they go higher?
Is the ride really similar to sport?
Is the front vibration reported on HR present?
\

 

Hi Vincent,
Nice job. I have identical KW's on my car but was able to get around having to use a spacer for the front wheels. I have the identical original setup of sport suspension so its good to hear somebody elase has gone the same way. I went with the KW's because thats what they use on the Mini's in the challenge Cup (interesting not JCW).

I have 18" Wheels with a 35mm profile tyre. I originally had 17" wheels on with 40mm profile road slicks, but these are my track tyres now. The 17" were no problems at all it was only when i went top the 18" wheels it got tight. I had gone for 40mm profiles on the 18"s but there was NO WAY they work without spacers. I was sitting way lower on the 17" wheels as well and that became a hassle with some of the roads and driveways here in Aus.

I look forward to see what you do with Wheels and tyres.

 

Does your car wobble or virbrate when you take off from a dead stop or going thru the gears?


joe r

 

No vibration for now...I don't think I lowered the car that much to cause any vibration, or maybe I just got lucky. I plan on adjusting them to sit lower once my new wheels come in about a month or so. (4 month wait on Volk wheels!!)

 

Jeez it will be winter time by then,lol

DO you have any pics of the way yoru Mini Sits now?

I realy like your factory wheels.

joe r

 

My R56 sits exactly like the pictures I posted. I haven't made any changes yet until the new wheels come.

 

Rock on.


joe r