I' m looking to purchase M7 lowering springs and I wanted to see if anyone had an suggestions regarding a camber kit. Or if anyone has these particular springs if they can let me know how they would rate them. I previously had Eibach Sportline Springs on my old Accord and I had no issues, but I heard the M7 Springs are just as good.

 

The TSW linear springs, IE fixed camber plates and good set shocks/struts would make a great setup. No experience with the M7 springs but I prefer a linear spring vs. progressive. Just my 2 cents...

 

I have the M7 springs and love them. I prefer progressive as I don't auto X or track my car. They lower it the perfect height IMO. Your camber should be ok in the front after lowering, but you will need something for the rear. I used Alta lower control arms. I belive TSW just came out with some super nice camber plates if you want to adj. the front.

 

One of our members had M7 springs and changed them out for TSW springs which he likes better.

 

From what I have been reading TSW's are the one's to get. Does anyone know where to get these in So.Cal (Los Angeles)?

 

Just order them from the website. txwerks.com I believe. They ship quick!

PS - Those are the springs to run for sure. I have had them on OEM shocks for about one year and it still rides great! No other camber correction necessary either, but some camber plates or rear control arms couldn't hurt!

 

Just had the TSWs installed, outstanding! Read my later post on New Springs.

 

MINICorsa can get them. Give Danny a call.

 

Yup, Everyone I've talked to that has gone from other springs to TSW's has loved them...

Every time someone asks my answer is the same. TSW for the street, CROSS Coilovers for the track.

 

I guess I'm going with TSW's. Thanks for the heads up everybody.

 

Curious, what made him like the TSWs better? Was it that they're a better match for the stock sport shocks, performance, ride quality, looks?

Thanks,
Mike

 

The M7 springs are progressive and they are lower.

The TSW's are a little higher and they are linear which gives much more predictable handling.

His name is FUEGO on the MetroplexMINI.org forums. Send him a PM and ask him what he likes better about them.

 

Sounds good. Thanks for the info.

 

better match for stock shocks, and better/more predictable performance. However, less in the looks department as they dont lower that much, and ride comfort is not as good compared to progressive springs.

 

Unfortunately, that's what I figured. There's a compromise with either progressive (not matched with shocks and less predictable) or linear (higher ride height than progressive). ARGH!

 

yup, thats why there are two types available. you gota pick the kind that better suit your needs.... I'm still trying to decide. Ride comfort and height are my concerns.

 

You can also get TSW's from AutoXCooper.com. Dustin gives AMAZING customer service! I just ordered a set from him for my R56.

 

Have you checked out any pics of the TSW's? I think it's the perfect drop, personally. It'll probably look even more "slammed" on an R53. I think you'd be happy with them.

You know, if you have trouble finding pics of the TSW's on R53's you can always do a pic request thread. That way could even specify wheel/tire sizes. And then compare TSW to M7. I've seen both, and the M7's do look frickin' sweet, but I like the TSW look better.

Just my 2 pennies.

 

Keep in mind the lower you go on stock shocks the faster they are going to blow.

I have TSWs and low them on stock dampers. After about 3000km they have lowered to about 1 finger gap which is perfect for me on stock shocks, if you are really looking to go low the only proper way to do it is go with coilovers.

 

That's not necessarily true (I was recently informed of how this works). It's actually the change in the spring rate that causes the struts to go out faster. If you go with a lower rate than stock, the struts will go quicker; higher rates should actually extend strut life (so I'm told).

I'm no expert, but given that the rates are variable on progressive springs, I would expect that they would be more prone to wearing out stock struts faster. A linear spring, on the other hand, will have a constant rate. So as long as the rate is the same or more than stock, you should be good. Another reason to go with TSW.

 

Very interesting. I have always been told what broadwayline said.

It's been hit and miss on the search for pics of R53s with TSW springs. I hate to 'beat a dead horse', but it would be nice to have a single thread on pics with TSW springs. So you guys won't bash me too much if I post a thread like that?

Best case would be that there is a guy (or girl!) in my area that has TSW springs on their R53 and a guy or girl w/ M7 springs on their R53 that would give me a ride. That would certainly do it.

I'm used to lowered cars, and have had both extremes. My '00 GTI had the best compromise of ride and handling w/ Koni yellows and H&R sport springs. My '99 Audi Avant had the worst ride (IMO) w/ Koni yellows and Neuspeed race springs. The H&R sports were progressive and the Neuspeed race springs were linear. However, that's comparing apples and oranges. Both of those cars weighed at least a few hundred pounds more than my MINI (the Avant was probably close to 1000 lbs heavier). My Miata was lowest, with Flyin' Miata springs and KYB AGX shocks. It handled the best too. However, the ride wasn't what I'd call nice, even w/ the shocks set on a moderately soft setting.

Thanks again,
Mike

 

Yeah, I used to think the same thing, but Dustin at AutoXCoopers educated me the other day when I ordered my TSW's.

As far as I can tell, it seems to just be a correlation (which doesn't determine causation, keep in mind)... "springs that lower the car more have lower rates, thus causing the strut to wear out faster," sort of thing.

I think you should do it. I did one for the R56, but wound up getting repeats of the pictures shown in the R56 TSW thread. I think you'd have better luck than I did with an R53 thread.

 

Also... I don't about the R53, but on the R56, a pleasant side effect of the TSW design seems to be a HUGE improvement in ride quality AND handling.

 

I am not here to argue but I would be quite confident that having the struts operate below their designed constant ride level would increase the pressure on them and be detrimental to their life.

Although I agree with your perspective that spring rates do have an effect!

I feel it is probobally a combination of both that causes it

 

Sorry for double posting but I noticed you asked for pics after having trouble finding pictures, I had the same problem espechially for their V2 springs.

Here are the only ones I have sorry for the poor lighting not sure if it helps at all...but I figure its better than nothing.

As for the ride quality, I can say that my ride quality improved over stock suspension, it was softer and less jar-ing (keep in mind my older cars both had Tein HA and Tein DriftMaster coilovers so the ride was very stiff if you were wondering my where my threshold is at)
As far as handling goes, I can say that with the Hsport 25mm rear bar the car felt less edgy and more mellow on limit, maybe very slight increase in corner hold but other than that minimal improvements, but noticeable none the less, more than a placebo effect.