I wanted to know what is the diffrent besides the price Coilover Kit or Lowering Springs? Does the Coilover kit allow a less harsher ride then the lowering springs? I was thinking about getting the KW Coilover Kit or the H-Sport Lowering Springs. What the diffrence, Thanks.

 

Coilovers have thread strut bodies and allow you to adjust ride height.

Springs impose a specified drop, there is no adjustment.

 

Thats what I though, but I had to make sure, But what about the RIDE??? are they both the same, or does the Coilover Kit allow a more stable and less harsh ride?

 

>>Thats what I though, but I had to make sure, But what about the RIDE??? are they both the same, or does the Coilover Kit allow a more stable and less harsh ride?
Coil overs often let you adjust the stiffness of the shocks but ride is also a function of the springs.

I just put on Hsport lowering springs last week and find them stiff enough. i did seriously consider coil overs but for street and a couple or three driving schools per year decided on the springs and an adjustable Hsport rear sway bar. Love it so far but will give it an of the road work out over the next couple of weekends.

 

 

let know how it goes GordonD I curious how the ride is, is it like having a 4X4 Truck?? Right now I have a Jeep Commanche 1989

 

question man,

The above comments are good ones. Here are some more thoughts:

Coilovers are tuned units - the shocks (specifically the damping, rebound and travel) work with the springs (specifically the rates and heights). It will take a lot of development by a manufacturer to get them right. Once they are right they offer a few advantages. The biggest is corner balance. With coilovers, the car can be corner balanced to take advantage of weight instead of having it work against you. Another advatage is the ability to spec your ride height. And finally, because the units are built to work together, you may have more travel rather than just using springs.

Springs do a couple of things, depending on manufacturer. They can lower the car, change the rates, and be progressive or linear. If you lower the car too much, especially in a car that starts with only 5-6" of travel, you may constantly bang into the bump stops (not a good thing). If you go the wrong way with rates, you can cause worse handling than you started with as well. Luckily, there has been some serious development work from a few of the manufatcurers to get it right. H-Sports stand out for a couple of reasons - the rates are dead on to correct understeer, the drop is 7/8 of an inch - so travel is not degraded, and the rates are progressive - so the ride is not overly degraded. H&Rs are also good, but don't split the rates and lower the car slightly more. With springs alone, you lose the ability to corner balance, but you also lose the headache required to get the set-up just right with coilovers. For 98% of applications, I recommend going with springs. If you want adjustability, add to the springs the Koni yellows and be done, for about $1000 less than the cost of coilovers.

Hope that helps!

Randy

 

Thank you Randy for the thougtful explanation. If you have had a chance to evaluate the Koni's yet, particularly with the H-Sports, please share...

Adjustability I find to be a must. However, I would say that 90% of the reason why I want this feature is for a one time adjustment - to make sure that I can lower & raise it as I try to see what allows me to enter/exit my home driveways (somewhat steep in a canyon) without issue. The other 10%, for the reasons most others seek adjustability...

Also, how about the weight of a H-Sport/Koni set-up? I recall you sharing a few weeks back how one coilover system shaved like 8 lbs/corner over stock. 32 lbs is nothing to sneeze at either, as far as further benefits go...

_________________
2003 IB MCS

 

Yes Thank you Randy for the INFO again you are a big big help in the Mini world. DOn't know what we would do with out ya.

How harsh is harsh with the mini lowered???????

 

>>let know how it goes GordonD I curious how the ride is, is it like having a 4X4 Truck?? Right now I have a Jeep Commanche 1989
The ride is firmer (more firm?) but in no way harsh - except uver potholes. It doesn't hit the stops or anysuch but clearly the spring rating is higher.

My wife didn't notice until i asked her so it can't be much of a deal. certainly the handling (also added 22 mm rear sway bar) more than compensates for any mild decrease in ride quality.