I have just bought my firdt MINI a month ago (an 07 MCS) and was wondering if new springs (H&R, Mach V) and a rear sway bar would be a good idea and help out the ride even though I do not have LSD? It will just be daily spirited motoring, no track time. Just want to know if it would be worth the money.
Thanks
Josh

 

type in "springs" on search and you will have enough material to study for a few weeks

 

Springs and a rear swaybar would do alot to improve the handling of your MINI. Plus mods are always a good idea, but I'm kinda bias.

 

The evil genius would never lie.
Looky here; he was my coach and it works quite well:

 

go for it.

 

TSW is in the process of developing a set of linear springs. You'll find the handling a bit more predictable and less "floaty" than progressive springs (Out of the two options you mentioned i'd go with Mach V). I've mentioned this a few times now, that a properly set up suspension doesn't really need a stiffer sway bar. On the street it really depends on how you drive to answer your question as to whether you'll realize any real gains in handling from one.

Stiffer sway bars to keep the car more flat, but they also exacerbate oversteer, and you're just covering up one issue by over-strengthening one component over the other.

A good, stiff set of coilovers with a stock sway bar will handle much better than a set of progressive rate springs with a beefy sway bar.

 

Last week I put on the H&R springs, Hotchkiss 25.5mm rear swaybar, & Hotchkiss adjustable camber links. I also have 16" Enkei F1 wheels wearing Nitto NeoGen rubber.

I was able to put Arthur through some paces yesterday on his new set-up and I'm fairly impressed.
My time through Wolfpen Gap was lower than average and I didn't even push it. The tire squealing is almost completely gone; g-force feels greatly improved.
I said wow several times; even the wife commented that she "didn't feel like puking at all." Rock-&-roll is now reserved for the radio; the car stays flat.

On the nitpick side, the stock dampers can't handle big surface irregularities; a healthy dip or bump yields some air under a wheel and some pucker-factor if it's in a curve.

The long/graceful curves of US-129 were devoured with ease and I flat-out dusted a Mustang GT (previous gen, maybe a 2004) near Blood Mountain and Neal's Gap.
So, if you have fairly smooth roads, you might never want anything more than the springs and swaybar. But since this is a Dukes of Hazard-road area, I'll have some Bilsteins on my wish list.

All while never exceeding the posted speed limits, of course.

 

I have driven the Mach V MINI with stiffer rear sway bar and springs. It was very cool and pretty well balanced. Good choices for an inexpensive upgrade.

 

Hi Rustyboy,

Interesting. When would you anticipate that these linear springs would be ready for sale, and at what price? Will we at NAM get a discount?

Ok - I totally believe that you know exactly what you are talking about. But many of us (well me anyway) are new to mods, enjoy a nice spirited drive but will likely never hit the track. And, we'd like to spend a reasonable amount to accomplish this. Coilovers are a bit pricey.

Would you please provide your expert recommendations for 1-2 reasonably priced mods that will really minimize MCS understeer and give it a really nice balanced feel. With no offense meant - coilovers are a big step for a 1st time mod - at least for me.

From what I've read so far, the inexpensive but value-added options to consider are:

1. Rear Sway bar only (if only 1 thing may be done)
2. Lower springs only
3. Rear sway bar and lower springs

Would you please provide your thoughts on these 3 options and what products you like for an MCS with 16" wheels. I don't wish to get 17s or 18s, as I'd like my ride to be relatively comfortable for regular street use, and still getting even more out of the handling.

ADDED 4/14 - I have thought more about this and it seems that the first thing I should do is get some decent tires. Please remember that I have 16" wheels. What would you recommend for about $100 per tire. Do I have some flexibility in what to use or do I have to stick with 195/55/16? Can I use 195/50z/r16? This gives me more choices? Can I go wider like 205s or 215s? Can the 2nd number be 50 or do I have to have it at 55?

Best regards, and thank you for your input.

 

Start with a rear sway bar. Cheap, relatively easy install (if your good with that stuff), and a whopping return on investment.

Say goodbye to all that understeer and then start drinking the mod-KoolAid!