Ok, lately all the talk has been on 2-3 suspension setups that would fall in what i would consider a low level and high level mods, not quality just price / application.

Low level: Tx werks springs and koni yellow shocks

High level: Cross coil over/ AST Tx werks coil over (btw, haven't seen a comparison yet!)

Given the allignments are the same, with 19mm sway, ect... what falls in the inbetween, say a mid level of high quality suspensions?

Is there a mid level, or are both goups the groups so versitile that the price point inbetween in obsolite.

I ask because i feel like i want more then struts and spring handling wise but feel that the high level would go to waste in my applicaiton.

I figured that if i had this question someone else may have it too, so i would ask.

Just give your opinion ,and lets figure out a rank as far as stages of suspension awesomeness! (we will say a rank form 1-10 in handling and 1-10 comfort, 10 being rails and like stock or better comfort)

-Jonathan

 

If you add IE camber plates to the TSW Springs and most any shock will have a winner without breaking the bank. Since the 04 MINI doesn't have rear camber adjustment, added to MINI's built on and after Jan 05, a set of TSW control arms will help you dial in the system. Might also think about Megan coilovers. All of the above can be found on my site below.

 

look at BC Racing coilovers. at great value IMHO. two buddies who track their cars and drive them on the streets love them. good performance, comfortable enough for a daily driver and inexpensive for coilovers w/ integrated camber plates. i had other coilovers before these hit the market.

 

I've got the setup mentioned by AutoXCooper with the addition of koni yellows on all four corners and H-Sport control arms. I totally love this set up as it's super street friendly. The only way I'd change it is to go to a high end coil over a la Cross or AST.

 

I really like what I have for the street -- meaning a DD that does not get tracked, and that has to live with potholes, bad freeway surfaces, and lots of driveways and speed bumps. While I'd LOVE to slam the car, it just doesn't make sense, since I'm already scraping sometimes, and just don't want to be bothered with making sure to use diagonal approaches to the driveways, etc.

Anyway, I have Koni FSDs, stock sport springs, SPC adjustable camber plates (-1.8 degrees), Alta 19mm rr anti-sway on "stiffest" setting, and H-sport adj. lower control arms (-0.7 degrees).

Ride FAR superior to stock, cornering far superior to stock, and daily driveability is not diminished at all.

It's not any kind of track setup, by any means, but it is good for my purposes.

 

We have something even awesomer coming up as far as coilovers are concerned (dual adjustables, for the 0.01% crowd waiting for them - hah!)...

Testing begins next week on the DA setup (with track testing at one of those Willow-y places out West, thanks to Dr. Mike). We have some other fun stuff in the works, too.

BTW, it's unlikely that you'll see a comparo between Cross and our AST's - in our opinion, they serve different markets. About the only 'comparo' you could do that would be objective is to dyno them and then tear them apart for evaluation.

 

I'm really happy with all my TSW stuff. Their springs are just about perfect for a DD, the camber plates are awesome, the X-brace is quite a stout piece. Eventually I'll have their rear control arms (at least for lower) and probably the brake kit.

I like TSW because they try to destroy what they sell! They go above and beyond in testing and customer service, and their parts are very high quality...not skimping to save a buck!

So I guess I have no real answer for your question since I haven't tried either the cross or the AST's, but I bet that both are great setups. I would probably end up going with AST's due to my TSW camber plates and loyalty

 

Ok, thanks for the input everyone. Does any one know what is the difference between the BC and megan coilovers other then $250? Where do the HR sport coilovers and HR RSS coilovers fall? Good/bad? keep the opinions comming! -Jonathan

 

I think you are missing an excellent option; which is stock springs (I can't imagine wanting less than 5" of ground clearance) with FSDs and poly bushings in the front control arms and rear trailing arms. Add the Cabrio diagonal braces and a lower strut brace, and IMHO, it's just about perfect for a DD that gets a lot of mountain hairpin action.

 

Jonathan,

It really comes down to your driving goals. Any of the above setups will help you drive the MINI to a new level. Unless you want to lower it more then an inch and or become a track rat the Coilovers are over kill IMHO.

What are your goals?

 

I think that i am going with TSW springs with yellows, camber plates, TSW control arms, and a 19mm rsb I was asking the questions because i was curious about where the HR coilovers fall in the above mentioned ranking. which from the current posts, i think, may fall in to the following order. Low: TSW and yellows or Megan Coilovers Mid: BC racing coilovers, HR street coilover (street), HR RSS coilovers (track) Mid high: PSS9's High (track): Cross or TSW AST coilovers does this make sense? -Jonathan

 

I would'nt characterize tsw's,koni's,camber plates and rear sway as "low".When all this stuff is performing,it's a killer setup.You will be impressed!

 

Totally agree on that one! There are LOTS of VERY fast people on the track with that exact setup!

 

A review of the OP will show they are talking about price, not value or quality.

 

I have that exact setup minus the TSW springs and konis (all stock) and I can say it's very fun. I can't say if I'm fast, but I can say I enjoy it very much. I can also say I want the TSW AST track setup. I'm not one of those guys who needs the DA, right? Or will that be an even more track-worthy kit?

mb

 

Well, the DA kit WILL definitely require more tuning, for sure... For some, that's not a bad thing - for others, they might be chasing settings for awhile. We'll provide some good baseline data, but it might not work for all tracks...

 

Good thread going on here.

How is the ride quality with the Koni Yellows/TSW springs? Is it as jarring as the OEM SS+ dampers on sharp bumps? I'm currently running the OEM SS+ with TSW springs and camber plates but I'm looking to upgrade and am contemplating getting new shocks instead of making the big leap up to Cross coilovers. I track my car but it's also my DD.

 

Ride quality is excellent - still WAY better than stock! Of course, a lot of that depends on how much you dial the Konis up. We like a mid-setting in the rear and front for daily driving, and then dial the fronts up slightly for track work.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Good to know!

 

BC is steel and Megan is aluminum, I believe.

 

nope both are made of steel. The Megan's now come with rear top hats and damper adjustment cables too.

 

DA testing is coming along nicely... Dr. Mike'll be at the track with them quite soon for a thorough sorting...